Wronged (The Cuvier Widows Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

clipped, and the fingers long and strong.
    Clearing her throat, she looked away. What
was wrong with her? She’d noticed men before, but previously the
barrier of her marriage had stood like a wall defending the fort.
That hurdle no longer stood in her way, though it made little
difference. She had no use for a man, no matter how handsome he
appeared.
    Finally, the carriage pulled up in front of
Marian’s home and she breathed a sigh of welcome relief. The
morning’s revelations had left her exhausted and she still needed
to think about her finances.
    Louis opened the door to the carriage and
stepped out to help her alight. His hand gripped her fingers and
held her steady as she descended the carriage steps.
    He held onto her hand a little longer than
necessary and turned her toward him, before releasing his hold.
    “Mrs. Cuvier, regardless of the fact that I
know nothing about children, I’m looking forward to calling on you
next week regarding Cuvier Shipping.”
    She paused, staring at him, and tilted her
head. “Of course you know nothing of children. Though I do expect
you to know my husband’s business. I look forward to speaking with
you on a subject you’re well acquainted with, Mr. Fournet”
    He smiled and stepped back up into the
carriage. “I shall be well prepared in that case so as not to
disappoint you.”
    A smile spread across his face and then he
winked at her, before shutting the door and driving away.
    Marian frowned and watched the carriage
pulling away, wondering why he winked. Did he think he was being
flirtatious or just trying to lighten the mood? The last time a man
flirted with her she had been poised on the brink of motherhood and
certainly still serious about her vows of matrimony. He must be
trying to lighten the mood, but still there was something about Mr.
Fournet that she didn’t quite trust.
    ***
    In a quaint courtyard cafe on Rue Royale,
Louis met Daniel Comeaux, a gray-haired gentleman who had been a
friend of his father’s for many years. Louis had met the man only
in social settings, but today he met him for lunch with the express
purpose of doing business with him.
    “Louis, you’re looking well. How’s your
father?” Mr. Comeaux asked as he sat watching Louis from across the
table.
    “He’s well, thank you.”
    “I haven’t spoken with him much since I shut
down the mill and moved to New Orleans. I don’t get to spend much
time with him anymore.”
    “He still says you handled his sugarcane
better than any mill he’s ever used before or since,” Louis
responded.
    The gentleman smiled contentedly. “When you
enjoy what you do, you hope the people you’re working for reap the
benefits.”
    “Papa always did,” Louis replied.
    “And the plantation? It’s doing well?” Daniel
asked.
    “Yes, my brother is more or less in charge,
with my father overseeing things. They had a record crop last
year,” Louis informed him.
    “Splendid. I guess you’ve heard that I’m
retiring and trying to sell the mill. It’s way past time for me to
retire. I think I’ve earned some time to spend with my grandsons
and my wife. I’m going to do some traveling and just enjoy life for
a while.”
    “Yes, my father mentioned your decision not
to reopen the mill. That’s why I wanted to meet with you. Have you
sold your business yet?”
    The man looked at Louis puzzled. ‘‘No.
Why?”
    “I’m interested in buying your company.”
    “But I thought you were a partner in Cuvier
Shipping.”
    “I am. But with your business I could tie in
with my family’s plantation and help not only them, but their
neighbors, just as you’ve been doing for years.”
    The man gazed at Louis, sizing him up. “Does
your father know you want to do this?”
    Not wanting to disappoint his father if he
were unable to buy the business, Louis had decided not to tell his
father until the deal was complete.
    “No. Before I left home, he tried to convince
me to stay at home and work on the