Winter of the Passion Flower (The de Vargas Family) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Henry
Cole, may I present to you Madame de Vargas y Irausquínno.”
    “A pleasure, Mr. Cole. I believe we have
some business to discuss.” Turning her back on Leopold, she took the arm of the
speechless Mr. Cole, before walking him across to the long windows on the far
side of the room. Delighted to hear more gasps of displeasure from the
Victorian matrons, Indigo engaged Mr. Cole in an immediate discussion of the
forthcoming Great Exhibition.
    She remained aware of the intense interest
the duke was displaying in their conversation. Keeping Leopold in her sight as
he stared intently from the other side of the large room, she noticed when he
summoned Brixton with a snap of his fingers. The duke hissed instructions into
the little man’s ear, not taking his eyes off Indigo and Mr. Cole, who remained
deep in conversation. Brixton moved across the room, sidling across to stand
behind Indigo, his pointy ears twitching. Zane came up behind the little
servant, winking at Indigo as he gripped the little man’s arm.
    “Brixton, I believe?” Zane held the little
arm in an iron grip. “Come, my man, I would like an introduction to the duke,
as my dear sister is otherwise occupied. I am Captain Zane de Vargas y
Irausquínno.” He dragged the small man back across the room to the duke.
    As the little man squeaked over the
introduction, Henry Cole laughed heartily and Leopold glared across the room.
Mr. Cole reached down, took Indigo’s hand, and placed it against his lips.
    “I wish you all the best with your enterprise,
Madame,” Mr. Cole’s imposing voice boomed across the room.
    Indigo winked at him and walked back to the
small group of interested onlookers surrounding the duke, her hips moving in an
exaggerated sexy sway. She smiled at the captain willing him to keep a straight
face. With a bored look at Leopold, Indigo leaned against Zane, running her
fingers down the front of his tight breeches. “Come, brother, the entertainment
is sadly lacking here tonight. Take me home. Together we will make our own
pleasure.” Reaching up, she placed her hands on each side of Zane’s face,
placing her lips on his, smiling as Leopold spluttered next to her.
    “Disgraceful, incestuous behavior, Madame!”
His face colored as red as Indigo’s corset, knotty veins appearing above his frilled
collar. “Be gone. You are not welcome in my abode, any longer.” The duke threw
them one last disgusted look and grunted rudely, before stalking over to rejoin
Mr. Cole.
    Walking through the Grand Entrance Hall,
Indigo waggled her fingertips as she bid farewell to the speechless guests.
    Looking down at her with admiration as they
passed through the castle entrance, the captain appeared most impressed. “By
God, Madame, you should be on the stage.”
    She nodded at him briefly, her heart still
pounding from their kiss. His taste lingered on her lips and Indigo’s nipples
tightened as his eyes locked with hers. It was too soon, much too soon.
    There was no time for dalliance. Not
yet.
     Her flirtatious demeanor disappeared
and she responded impatiently as they entered the scarab.
    “You can drive.” She sat back, waiting
impatiently for the vehicle to move. Pulling out three brass stops on the
dashboard before the vehicle rose, the vehicle flipped on its side and teetered
over the edge as it roared across the suspension bridge.
    “Jesus, man,” Indigo yelled above the roar
of the steam, “Are you trying to kill us?”
    “I’m a submariner, not a landlubber.” The
captain laughed, fiddling with the brass speed stops. The vehicle left the
bridge and rose, gaining height, and flew above the road at a great speed.
Approaching the manor, Indigo reached over and pulled a lever under the
dashboard. A camouflaged door rose vertically in front of them and Zane steered
the scarab through the entry with a whisker to spare on either side.
    * * * *
    Indigo’s expectation that the Grimoults
would be ready to leave on their return received a