When Strangers Marry Read Online Free PDF Page A

hoping that Alexandre or Bernard would take an interest in one of the girls and return with a wife.” She frowned. “However, either the girls are not as attractive as their mother claimed, or my stubborn sons are determined never to marry. They should return in two months.”
    Seeming to read Lysette’s mind, Irénée added, “I can assure you, they are very different than their brother. But Maximilien was not always this way. It is only in the last few years that he has become so embittered. He has suffered much tragedy in the past.”
    Lysette repressed a disbelieving snort. Suffered? That splendidly healthy, self-assured male she had met the previous day did not appear to have suffered unduly. Now, after a good night’s sleep, she was fully prepared to deal with him. Vallerand would not take advantage of her again. One thing was certain—no matter what she had to do, she would not be returned to Gaspard Medart’s guardianship and then passed along to Etienne Sagesse.
    Her mother had often told her that it was a woman’s lot to suffer and endure whatever le Bon Dieu sent her way. And in the past Tante Delphine had said that even the worst of husbands was better than no husband at all. Well, that was fine for some girls, but not for her.
    Lysette’s heart thumped faster as they entered the parlor, a small but airy room decorated in pink, brown, and cream-flowered brocade. A rich flemish finish covered the woodwork of white oak. Spotless floor-to-ceiling windows let in the hazy Louisiana sunlight. The moss-green chairs and small baroque sofas were grouped together to invite intimate conversation. Seeing that the room was empty, Lysette began to relax.
    She heard Vallerand’s voice from the doorway behind her.
    “Mademoiselle, we have some things to discuss—” he began, and broke off abruptly as Lysette turned to face him.
    He stared at her with an arrested expression. Lysette returned his gaze coolly, wondering what he seemed to find so fascinating. Certainly her appearance had improved with a bath and some much-needed sleep. She had no illusions that he might find her beautiful, as even the most vigorous brushing could not tame her frizzy explosion of red curls, and the past two days spent out-of-doors had made her freckles proliferate to an alarming degree. Her figure was slim but unspectacular, with small breasts and nonexistent hips. Her features were pleasant, but her nose was too wide and her lips unfashionably full.
    As the silence lengthened, Lysette gave Vallerand an insolent inspection of her own, a comprehensive gaze that no lady should ever give a gentleman. Vallerand was even more striking and virile than she had remembered…tanned andmuscular and tall, his hair black as pitch, his eyes dark and audacious. He made the young men she had known in Natchez seem immature and callow. Wryly she wondered if Vallerand was a typical example of the New Orleans Creole. God help her if there were more like him roaming through the city.
    “Yes, we do have much to discuss,” Lysette said decisively. As Irénée seated herself on a brocade-covered settee, Lysette strode to a nearby chair, trying to look more relaxed than she felt. She sat and regarded Vallerand with a challenging gaze. “First, monsieur, I would like to know if you intend to send me to the Sagesse plantation.”
    Her directness did not seem to offend Vallerand. He leaned a shoulder against the doorframe in a casual posture, watching her intently. “Not if you don’t wish it, mademoiselle.”
    “I do not.”
    “Why do you object to the match?” Vallerand asked idly. “Many young women would be pleased to marry a Sagesse.”
    “I object to everything about him. His character, his manners, his appearance, even his age.”
    “His age?” A frown crossed his face.
    “He is in his mid-thirties.” Lysette smiled provokingly as she added, “Quite old.”
    Vallerand responded with an ironic glance, as it was obvious that he and Sagesse were