The Adventuress Read Online Free PDF Page A

1896, when the Olympics were reestablished.”
    â€œI shall take your suggestion under consideration,” Cécile said, “although at the moment it is the patience cricket requires that intrigues me. Only consider what ramifications such a well-developed skill might have when applied in other situations.”
    â€œYou are such a card, Mrs. du Lac.” We had not spoken in a volume loud enough to be overheard, but Mrs. Wells must have been able to interpret some essential part of our exchange. “Nothing wrong with the young man that I can see.”
    â€œI am fortunate that my fiancé’s friends have proven so delightful,” Amity said, “although I fear the same could not be said about all of their wives. Are you girls acquainted with Mrs. Harrop? I find her a terrible bore and do not comprehend how her husband can tolerate her. I have met her only briefly, but it was long enough to know that I didn’t want her here in Cannes with us.”
    â€œBut Mr. Harrop is here. I assumed his wife was indisposed,” Margaret said. “You refused to let her come?”
    â€œCategorically,” Amity replied. “Do not think me cruel. She had as little interest in being here as I had in hosting her. You, Margaret, like me, are used to American directness. Society is all well and good, and many of its mores are admirable, but I will never play false with anyone. I did not cut her openly, nor would I. I shall never be anything short of civil to her. We are not fond of each other, so why should we be thrust together simply because our husbands are friends?”
    â€œYou have no doubt made both Mr. and Mrs. Harrop happy through your decision,” I said. “They have never been what one could describe as close.”
    â€œAnother unhappy forced marriage?” Mrs. Wells asked.
    â€œQuite,” I said. “Both families wanted it.” Amity’s words about Mrs. Harrop were harsh, but accurate, and I admired her unwillingness to hide her true feelings, while at the same time maintaining civility.
    â€œI would never have allowed my Amity to enter into such an arrangement,” Mrs. Wells said, her wide bosom swelling. “Savage, really.”
    Amity’s eyes flashed as her mother spoke, but she regained her composure with such speed I was unsure as to what I had seen. Our libations arrived and once they had been consumed, we all retired to our rooms. Colin returned from the casino only a little over an hour later. Gambling had never held much appeal to him, particularly, he told me, when there were far greater temptations at his disposal.
    â€œTedious evening, truth be told.” He unknotted his white tie and pulled it free from his collar before draping it over the back of a chair and turning his attention to the studs on his shirt. “I am far happier here with you.”
    We both were, until the knock on our door came, informing us that death had interfered with everything.
    Â 
    Amity
    Seven months earlier
    Amity took to tiger hunting like a young Indian prince for whom it was a required right of passage. Anyone would think she had been born for it. She adapted quickly to riding on elephants, and, despite the obvious discomforts of camping in the wild, adored every minute of the experience. On the third morning, she killed a tiger. That afternoon, her father took out four.
    â€œWhen is it enough?” Christabel asked, looking morosely at the animals’ sad corpses. “Surely we do not need more than this.”
    â€œDoes it trouble you?” Jack asked.
    â€œVery much so, I’m afraid.” Her voice trembled and broke. “I thrilled at seeing the noble beasts moving through the grass. It was at once terrifying and delightful. But the moment the first fell—do forgive me, Amity, I know it was a triumph for you—I was sickened. I refused to take your father’s photograph with his trophies and he is most put