The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl Read Online Free PDF Page B

to be concerned with weaponry and bloodlust, eh?” Jacques Laviolette stood in their way, a broad smile lifting his freshly scrubbed cheekbones and curving the corners of his eyes. “Do you mind if I cut in? I wanted to ask Lady Vadnay about the automated cat o’ nine by the west wing.”
    Delacourte’s surprise was not covered quickly enough by his good manners. He huffed a bit in search of a retort but, coming up short, he bowed graciously and handed Marguerite off to Laviolette before exiting the dance floor with all the grace and pride of a cat.
    Marguerite wasn’t sure this was a trade for the better. Laviolette’s hand brushed her arm on the way to her small waist. His hand was noticeably rough and reminded her again of Claude. She ached to reach her hand back to the cricket in her pocket but knew better than to give away her secret in such an obvious place. Instead she focused on the decorations lining Laviolette’s broad chest as he led her into the next song.
    He wasn’t quite as smooth as Delacourte, but he wasn’t a terrible lead either. Marguerite gave him that mark in his favor and decided to get the whole thing over with as painlessly as possible.
    “That’s a lot of metal for a soldier as young as you are.”
    “And how do you know how old I am?” Laviolette hadn’t moved his gaze from her face. She felt it heavily searching her every feature.
    “Because I know your family, I know of you, and I know you’ve only just received your first commission as a captain. You told me that yourself.”
    He nodded amiably at her explanation.
    She decided to press further. “You should know that there is no reason for you to be here.”
    “And why is that?” He was openly amused, something that Marguerite did not take kindly to.
    “Because the whole evening is intended to find me a suitable husband and entertain our neighbors. You are not a neighbor or a suitable suitor.” Suitable suitor? Did I really just say that aloud? “Besides, my father would never consider giving my hand to a man of the military.”
    “And why is that?” He was still smiling, but Marguerite detected the faintest hint of annoyance in his question. She was getting through.
    “Because he served in the Navy and he knows what military men are like.”
    “Because he is one?” Jacques smiled.
    “Yes, well, no. He was with them, but not one of them. My father is a decent and well-bred man.” Well-bred? Who talks like this? I sound like Pomphart!
    “I believe you. No need to defend his honor, especially to a scallywag like myself.”
    Marguerite was growing impatient with her inability to break Laviolette’s good mood.
    “And you have nothing to fear, m’lady. I’m not here to be your husband.” He pulled her hand into his face and kissed it as they turned quickly to the beat. “This little hand, while dainty and delicious, is the last thing in France I’d spend my time chasing.”
    “Then why are you here?” It came out faster than she’d intended it to. He was winning again.
    Laviolette looked into her eyes. “The food, my dear. Finest food on the western coast, or so I’ve been told.”
    Insulted and weary of the entire night, Marguerite was grateful to hear the final bar of the song. She pulled back a bit too quickly and curtseyed, taking her leave without looking at her partner again.
    She wished Vivienne had been old enough to attend. She needed someone familiar to stand next to for the remainder of the evening. Even Vivienne’s twittering would be welcome at this point. She wandered for a few moments, unable to locate even her father, when someone grabbed her elbow.
    She turned to see a sentry had reached out to catch her attention. He was a man she recognized from the fields, he must have drawn an extra assignment. She dared not look at him any longer as she extricated her arm., “What do you want?”
    “It’s Claude, he wants to see you. He’s leaving in the morning.”
    “What are you talking about?”