Leo dismissed his men with a simple nod. They left promptly, Gilles leading the way to join the others outside.

The door closed quietly behind them.

After having completely resigned himself to never seeing her again, Leo marveled at the fact that he was mere feet from his one and only siren.

And he was itching to be alone with her.

Unable to stop himself, he devoured the vision she made. Dieu, she was so damned beautiful…

Even clothed in that plain dress and worn woolen shawl.

Her dark curly hair looked as silky as ever. He’d never forgotten the feel of those cool, luscious locks brushing against his skin. Or how soft they’d felt against his face as he buried it in the side of her neck and held her close.

And then there was that perfect mouth… He’d spent hours in oral worship of that mouth—and the rest of her edible little form. She hadn’t graced him with one of her contagious smiles. He’d yet to see that little dimple that always appeared at the corner of her mouth whenever she grinned. Or laughed. Christ, how he missed that. He hadn’t realized just how much until this very moment.

By God, he was going to coax a smile from her just so he could see her face light up once more.

Growing up, she’d always been exceptionally pretty, her delightfully unorthodox ways adding to her charm. Yet, by the time she was a grown woman, she was so alluring she knocked him back on his heels. On sight.

Before, and now.

Every fiber of his being was rioting for her. His blood rushed through his body, white-hot. And his heart—that shriveled-up black thing—had swollen to life with emotion the moment he’d set eyes on her again.

His prick wasn’t making the situation any easier. Not while the memory of those delicious moans and adorable little whimpers she’d made as he rode her to ecstasy and back flooded his mind.

And certainly not while she’d moved her gaze over his body in that tactile little perusal she had just given him.

He knew that look.

That look meant trouble.

For him.

Though he was immensely glad there was a level of interest on her part, something he would most definitely build on, this was a matter that required finesse and a slow, patient approach. When, at the moment, she was inspiring anything but patience in him.

He was so fucking hard, he wanted to howl.

Worse, the urge to march across the shop, tilt her head back with a tender tug of that beautiful hair, and claim her mouth was barely tamable—to hell with their little audience.

He’d had to purposely focus on the items in her shop, using the time and distraction to collect himself.

He’d spent the last seven years combing the realm, looking for another Suzanne Matchet.

There wasn’t a single female who did what she did to him.

As usual, with no effort on her part whatsoever, she’d leveled him with the very same mind-bending desire and soft sentiments she alone incited.

Merde, if he had any good sense at all, he’d simply offer the apology he owed her for the hurt he’d caused her, turn, and leave—completely abandon this notion of revisiting the past. Any female who had this kind of impact on a man was far too dangerous to pursue.

But wild horses couldn’t drag him from the room.

He’d combat the justifiable guardedness she felt—no matter how much it bothered him to see it. Especially when they’d once been so close. He’d eventually coax that stiffness from her delicate shoulders. He wasn’t about to abandon her with Christmas approaching. Nor was he walking away from this miraculous opportunity to attend to something that had long been denied and left unfinished in his life.

You traveled all the way from Montbrison to see if you’d still feel that intense pull to her.

Well, he had his answer. It was definitely there.

Stronger than ever.

“Your Grace…” She lifted her chin a notch. “My note was rather plain. I don’t see what there is to discuss.”

He smiled at the mention of that rather colorful note. “That it was, chère.”

Her frown was immediate. Merde. She’d taken exception to his endearment. If he hadn’t been so enthralled by her presence, he wouldn’t have made the blunder. Endearments at this point sounded empty, especially when she considered him to be a scoundrel of the highest order.

Since her, he’d kept his affairs brief, impersonal, and recreational over the years. He wanted something different with Suzanne. Something far more authentic. Raw. Real. He wanted her complete surrender. Heart. Body. And soul. He’d had enough empty encounters to last a lifetime. And he wanted to take away all the pain he’d caused this woman.

He was going to have to be more careful with his word choices.

She gave a sharp sigh. Leo knew she was about to ask him to take his leave.

“Allow me a few minutes of your time,” he said, stemming her words. He kept his tone calm and cajoling. “I’ve traveled a long way to speak to you. I would very much appreciate a private word.”

“Come, Lucille. We should retire to the back room,” said one of the older women.

He couldn’t agree more. Bloody hell, yes. Leave. Now!

The scowl Lucille gave her companion said it all. Much to his frustration, he could see she harbored no desire to depart from the room.

Suzanne raised her hand, discouraging any retreat. “That isn’t necessary, Rosalie.” Then to him, she added, “We’re quite busy, I’m afraid. We have a number of ointments and elixirs to prepare. I don’t have time to spare.”

He wasn’t surprised by her answer. Nor was he deterred.

“Very well, then. I shall tell you what I came to say with our audience present. I came here for three reasons.”

Four, actually—but he wasn’t going to apologize for his transgressions in front of the two women in the room. It deserved a private moment.

“First, I came to offer you my sympathies in person. Regrettably, I’ve only recently learned of your father’s passing.” Though they meant well, it vexed him that his family hadn’t mentioned something as monumental as Richard Matchet’s death to him. The subject of Suzanne and her father was rarely—if ever—spoken about in front of Leo once they’d left Montbrison. A habit his siblings had formed on their own. “There are few men like your father. He graced this earth with his intellect and his gift of medicine. He left a lasting impression on all those fortunate enough to know him,” he said about a man who deserved more than a handful of words.

That garnered soft sobs from both of the older women in the room. Stock-still, Suzanne merely listened with unshed tears glistening in her beautiful eyes.

Leo selected his next words with care, knowing they touched upon the delicate subject of their parting. “Though he left Montbrison, resigning his post, he never once abandoned my family. A few weeks later, on the night Aurore fell gravely ill, burning with fever, he didn’t hesitate to rush to her aid and heal her.” A slight smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “I still recall his arrival late at night, with a large pouch of his usual rose hips in hand.”

She looked down for a moment and swallowed hard. When she finally met his gaze, she lifted a hand to her chest and absently rubbed it lightly over her heart. As though she were trying to soothe away an ache inside.

It broke his heart to see it.

He’d felt his own profound sorrow when he’d learned about her father’s death. He could only imagine the grief she harbored at the loss of her beloved sire.

Merde. He wanted to cross the room so badly, draw her close, and comfort her. Always strong and brave, she didn’t succumb to tears easily. In fact, he’d only ever seen it once, when they were young children and she’d fallen and horribly bloodied her knee racing with him and his brothers across the gardens at Montbrison. Even then, she’d held back the tears until his brothers were gone, shedding them before Leo alone. She’d trusted him.

Up until the day he destroyed her trust.

“Your father had and will always have the admiration and regard of my entire family. Myself included.” It was something he wanted her to know, lest she had any doubts. Leo had held Richard Matchet in high esteem his entire life. He was a decent man to the core, unlike others Leo knew. The realm bowed to Leo’s every whim, eager to align themselves with the riches, power, and influence of the d’Ermart family.

Yet he utterly despised it, hating all the social maneuvering and backstabbing at court and in the salons of Paris just to vie for his favor.

“Thank you…” she said softly. “Your kind words about my father are much appreciated. I trust you received our sympathies for your father’s passing.”

Leo’s father had died months after Leo’s marriage to Constance. He’d never had the enviable bond with his father that Suzanne had shared with Richard.

“I did. Thank you.” He’d responded to Richard’s letter of condolences with a note of thanks that, clearly, Richard had never shared with his daughter. As the loving parent Richard was, it appeared he’d only mentioned Leo to Suzanne when he absolutely had to, no doubt to spare her further upset.

“Good.” She gave a nod. “You’re welcome.”

Dieu. She couldn’t look more uncomfortable. He knew it would take time before she’d be relaxed in his presence and learn to trust him again, but her body was as rigid as the wooden shelves in her shop. Dismiss our audience, beautiful Suzanne. Let me coax away that tension between us…

There was a shadow of sadness in her eyes he knew had to do with her father’s passing. Leo wanted to be the man in her life now. The one she turned to whenever she needed solace.

“I… Well… I really must return to my work now. Thank you again. If you’ll excuse me…”

She was pulling further away. Not surprising in the least. Yet, the more she pulled away, the more determined he was to conquer the distance.

“You’re most welcome, but I have more to say. The second reason I’m here is to convince you to come back with me to Montbrison. There is no reason for Richard Matchet’s only daughter to be alone at Christmas, her charming note notwithstanding. Especially when she is so very welcome at the d’Ermart château.”

Rosalie poked Lucille in the ribs. “Did you hear that, sister? She’s so very welcome.”

“Shhh!” Lucille shot back. The woman was so singularly focused on their conversation, Leo was sure that the entire town could have burned down around her without her noticing.

“I would very much like to surprise Elisabeth and Aurore each with a gift of your wonderful perfume,” he said truthfully. “I know they’d be delighted to receive it. They would be even more delighted by your company during the festive season. As would I.” He smiled.

“Really?” That charming little crinkle formed as she furrowed her brow. “I have a question for you, Your Grace.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

“Are you in possession of a single scruple?” She crossed her arms. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten that you have a wife? Have you no regard for her at all? You would have us both under the same roof after we had once—” She stopped abruptly. Then shot a glance at her assistants, another adorable blush coloring her cheeks.

Rosalie and Lucille were caught leaning sharply to the right, trying to get physically closer so as not to miss a single word without actually moving from their spot.

They immediately righted themselves.

Leo crossed his arms, mimicking Suzanne’s pose. “That’s three questions,” he pointed out, still smiling.

Just being near her leavened his mood. Over time, he’d become humorless and brooding. And at the moment, he felt lighthearted for the first time in years.

“To answer your questions, I’m quite certain I possess some scruples.” He thought for a moment and amended his statement. “Well, at the very least one or two.” He lowered his arms and added more seriously, “And as for my wife, she is dead, Suzanne. It seems you are one of the few in the realm who has not heard of her demise.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh… I-I… No. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry…”

He sauntered toward her, keeping his approach to a slow, casual stride so that she wouldn’t back away from him. He’d reached his limit. He couldn’t stand being in the same room and remaining on the other side of it. He had to get closer.

Leo stopped an arm’s length from her.

At this proximity, he could detect her favorite jasmine-scented soap, which she made and used. His cock twitched in response. That same scent on any other woman would have had little effect on him. But on this woman, emanating from her skin, it dazzled his senses.

“Thank you for your sympathies. But we were quite estranged for years,” he said. “The salacious details of her fatal carriage accident have had gossipmongers wagging their tongues for some time. I thought you’d heard.”

“Salacious details?”

“Yes, Constance died while with her lover, the Marquis de Chermont. Apparently, they were in the throes of passion when it happened. When their bodies were recovered, both Constance and Chermont were in a state of undress. Of course, there’s the very real possibility that Chermont was still inside Constance before they were thrown from the carriage.”

A distinct “Oh, my…” came from the corner where the two older women stood.

As for Suzanne, her lips parted. A mixture of astonishment and disbelief was etched on her features.

This was the most he’d ever spoken about Constance, with anyone. But the woman before him wasn’t just anyone.

She had once been his closest confidant.

And that was yet another thing he missed: having her to speak with candidly.

No one had ever dared mention his wife’s extramarital activities to his face while she was alive, or since her death—any more than one would ever mention the king’s brother’s penchant for young men to His Majesty.

But that didn’t stop Leo from learning of the gossip. It was Gilles’s job to report who was talking about him or his family. Who had dubious motives against them. It was all part and parcel of his inauthentic world.

“I-I don’t know what to say,” she responded at last.

“You don’t need to say anything—except that you will return with me to Montbrison.”

“No, Your Grace. That is out of the question. I’m not free to leave, even if I wished it. With my father gone, there is no one else to tend to these good people’s illnesses and injuries. I am needed here.”

She was as brilliant a physician as her father had been, and everyone knew it—the Royal Academy of Sciences be damned. He knew all too well how frustrated she felt in not being permitted admission simply because she was a woman. He’d not been able to change the mind of a single boorish fool in the Royal Academy. The king was just as narrow-minded.

Leo had always been proud of her abilities and her undaunted determination not to let her brilliant mind go to waste.

“Yes, I had thought of that,” he said. “And I have a solution.” He turned on his heel and stopped directly in front of the window of her shop. “Come take a look.”

* * *

Suzanne was still reeling over his last revelation.

His wife’s untimely end and the circumstances surrounding it were startling enough.

What on earth did he have waiting for her outside?

He leaned a shoulder against the window frame, stood there, all masculine magnificence, waiting patiently for her to join him, sporting that inviting smile she knew all too well—the very one that was perilous to a woman’s virtue.

She gazed back at him, unsure what to do. Then cast a glance at Rosalie and Lucille. They both nodded vigorously, wanting her to join Leo at the window.

Curiosity finally got the better of her.

All right. She’d take a peek.

Bracing herself for his next surprise, she crossed the room, then stopped by Leo’s side and peered out the window.

“I believe you recognize Rolland Henry?” Leo said, looking quite proud of himself.

She couldn’t believe her eyes.

Standing outside the carriage with Leo’s men was indeed the tall, lanky man who had been her father’s protégé. The breeze blew back Rolland’s sand-colored hair. Both he and his brother Aron had been exceptional pupils and had worked closely under her father’s tutelage for five years before becoming physicians in the town of Nort, an hour’s ride away.

“He has agreed to stay here and attend to the ill in your absence,” Leo said.

For the first time since she was a child, she had the urge to punch someone.

One particular d’Ermart.

Square on his aristocratic jaw.

“You have certainly gone to a lot of trouble.” She returned Rolland’s friendly smile and gave him a wave hello, despite the vexation that roiled through her.

Leo’s smile now turned into a grin. “I’m glad you think so-”

“Oh, absolutely. You’ve completely won me over with this gesture alone.”

“Have I, now?” There was a tinge of disbelief in his tone. He knew her well. He was unconvinced by her words.

“Definitely, Your Grace. What woman wouldn’t be charmed by the notion that you dragged Rolland away from the sick just for your little Christmas seduction?”

She fumed.

The door on this part of her life had been closed. Never to be reopened again. And yet, it had been slammed wide open—unexpectedly—by a ghost from her past. A tall, dark, and presumptuous one.

“I shall spare you any more trouble. I am not interested in becoming your next tumble.”

An easy smile formed on his handsome face once more. “This isn’t simply about sex. And for your information, I made certain to provide Rolland’s brother with a number of assistants so that he is well able to tend to those in need, before asking Rolland to come here.”

“Then you admit that sex is part of your goal.”

Leo glanced over her shoulder. Suzanne knew, without having to turn around, that Lucille and Rosalie were completely agog over this newest turn in the conversation.

And at the moment, she didn’t care a whit.

She had bigger problems—and the biggest problem was standing right in front of her.

He dipped his head and lowered his voice. “Seven years ago, I lied to you. I made false promises just to have you. I said whatever I had to say in order to seduce you—that we’d be together always, when I knew full well that wasn’t going to be the case. I won’t lie to you again. I am not simply hunting for my next conquest. I’ve come here just for you. We had something incredible between us once. I think it is worth revisiting.”

He was standing so close. She was too aware of the heat from his body for her liking. Worse, he had that sincere look in his eyes. The one that had deceived her years ago.

In retrospect, it was completely laughable that she’d once harbored the idea of being Leo’s wife—a man who would one day become duc. But back then, she was so young, so utterly in love with him, she never doubted his assurances.

Clearly, her own foolishness was as much to blame for her heartache as his trickery.

After all the hurtful things he’d said upon their parting, she left Montbrison not just feeling deeply betrayed, but also angry at herself for her own idiocy.

He leaned in farther, bringing his mouth close to her ear. “I won’t deny it. I want you. You are beautiful…desirable…so naturally sensual…and highly responsive…” Ever so lightly, he stroked the tip of his nose down her cheek. “And you smell so good…” The sensation sent a tiny quiver lancing into her belly.

The unwanted reaction irked her further still.

After all that had transpired between them, she shouldn’t be responding to him.

He lifted his head, forcing her to look into his disarming eyes. They were a rare color she’d always marveled at. So similar to the rare jade miniatures prized by Leo’s late father at Montbrison.

“There is much that has been left unfinished between us. Come with me to Montbrison,” he gently urged. “It’s home. To both of us. Come spend time with my family. With me.” He dipped his head a mere fraction, his mouth hovering just above hers. “Let me show you how good—if not better—it can be now.” His breath warmed her lips.

No. Not again. Suzanne immediately shored up her defenses, quashing the fluttering in her stomach.

She was stronger now. And far wiser. She wasn’t going to succumb to the sensual timbre in his voice. Or the heated look in his pale green eyes. She had no reason to trust him. Or believe a thing he said.

She wasn’t going to give him a second chance to play her for a fool.

Promptly, she stepped back, putting distance between them. This was just a game to him. He was nothing but a bored aristo merely seeking his latest distraction.

And he was going to have to seek his bed sport elsewhere.

“Though it would be delightful to see your sisters, I decline your offer to join you at Montbrison. Again. If your sisters wish me to create perfumes, they need only ask. I’d be delighted to oblige them.”

He shook his head. “I won’t leave you here alone at Christmas. Come now, Suzanne… Dismiss your servants. Let us talk about what happened between us seven years ago. In private.”

“I’m very aware of what happened seven years ago. No discussion needed. I surrendered my innocence to a cad.”

She heard more gasps come from behind her. Truthfully, this was the quietest Lucille or Rosalie had ever been in four years.

“True,” he agreed. “A different man stands before you today.”

“You mean to tell me you’re not the rake everyone purports you to be? My word, Your Grace, what a grave injustice you’ve suffered to your reputation.” Her sarcasm didn’t perturb him in the least.

He looked more amused by her comment than annoyed.

In fact, he was actually smiling. What is it going to take to send him away?

“I’ve missed your fire, Suzanne. And I disagree. The grave injustice occurred seven years ago when I let you go.” He took a step toward her, bringing all that muscle and sinew closer again.

How she wished he’d stop doing that.

She rooted her feet to the floor, refusing to back away this time, determined to be impervious to his proximity. To him.

“I still remember the magic that we once made, the connection we once had. I still remember how good it feels to be around you…talking…laughing…kissing…” Leaning in, he whispered in her ear, “And I vividly remember how good it feels to be inside you.”

On second thought, physical distance probably is best.

She moved over to the hearth and directed her gaze to a much more neutral sight—the mixture warming over the fire—and began to stir it.

She didn’t want to spar with Leo. Especially when she was feeling so emotionally depleted from her father’s death. The stubborn aristo was leaving. This minute. For her sanity’s sake.

She acted on the first plan that entered her mind. Over her shoulder she tossed out, “Yes, well… Thank you for the visit. I must return to work. Please give my regards to your family. And you need not be concerned about my being lonely during the fête. I will be spending it with a very special male.”

* * *

A feeling of possessiveness slammed Leo in the gut.

Damn, Gilles. This was the sort of information he was supposed to provide. Gilles had told him there had been no one else in the last seven years.

The unwanted image of another man holding Suzanne, touching her, his mouth on her soft lips, burned through his brain. Merde. He’d no right to feel possessive of her. But that did nothing to quell the foreign emotion churning in his vitals.

He wasn’t afraid of competition for her affections. That was hardly going to make him retreat, especially now that he’d seen her again—and those little compelling glimpses of her attraction to him when she’d let her guard slip.

He was going to woo his dark-haired beauty back into his arms. For good. But this tidbit of news had just made the situation of winning her back a greater challenge than he anticipated.

Glancing over at the two older women, he noticed the expressions on their faces. Their mouths were agape and their eyes were wide. Not that their looks had changed since his arrival. But it was their surprised reaction to Suzanne’s romantic interest that gave him pause.

“We are quite taken with each other,” Suzanne added as she gave whatever was boiling in the pot a stir.

“Who is she talking about?” Rosalie’s loud whisper rose from their corner of the room.

It was Lucille’s turn to poke Rosalie in the ribs. “Hush!”

According to Gilles, Lucille and Rosalie had been in Suzanne’s employ for a few years. Given how keen they were about knowing the details of Suzanne’s personal affairs—no matter how impertinent that was—how was it that they were unaware of this man?

Leo was beginning to have niggling doubts about the existence of his rival.

This wasn’t simply a ploy to get rid of him, was it? She hadn’t faced him when she spoke about her very special male. And she still had her back to Leo. He knew her as well as he knew himself. Was she afraid to turn around, knowing he’d be able to detect if she were lying if he saw her face?

He fought back a smile.

Oh, this was going to be fun. Matching wits and wiles with the spirited Suzanne Matchet had always been highly enjoyable.

“Is that so? Where did you meet him?” he asked, waiting for her response in order to gauge the reaction of the prying women in the room.

“He simply appeared at my door one day. He’s very handsome, with attractive blue eyes.” Her back was still to him.

Turn around, ma belle. Let me see those gorgeous readable eyes of yours. “Hmm… Sounds rather mysterious. Does he have a name?”

She turned around and looked him square in the eye. “Gaspard,” she said firmly, without a moment’s hesitation.

Rosalie let out a squeak. Lucille slapped her hand over her sister’s mouth.

The cat near the hearth gave a meow.

What the hell was he to make of that?

Suzanne had never been a good liar. Yet, she didn’t fidget as usual. There were no actual signs of deception in her statement. Nor in how she delivered it. She continued to hold his gaze, ignoring the antics of the other two in the room.

Before he could delve further, someone entered the shop.

“Good day, Mademoiselle Matchet. I’m terribly sorry. I hope I am not interrupting. I saw the carriage outside and wasn’t certain it was permissible to come in…” The woman who spoke was only slightly older than Suzanne. Beside her, a girl of about six held her hand. Their clothing, though not overly costly, did indicate they had some means. Perhaps the wife of one of the wealthier merchants in the town. “My lord.” She gave him a deep curtsy. She, like Lucille and Rosalie, had had her eyes fastened to him from the moment she saw him.

“Good day, Madame Sebron,” Suzanne responded with a welcoming smile. “It’s quite all right. You are always welcome.” She was nervous. More so, all of a sudden. He could tell, even if the others in the room seemed quite oblivious to it.

“We have a duc in our midst, madame!” Rosalie blurted out with great exuberance.

“Yes, thank you, Rosalie.” Leo caught the slight tightness in Suzanne’s tone. Why on earth was she so on edge at the arrival of this woman and child? “Your Grace, may I introduce you to Madame Sebron, and her daughter, Colette. Madame, the Duc de Mont-Marly.”

“Oh, this is so very exciting! Your Grace, I am deeply honored to make your acquaintance.” Madame Sebron gave him another curtsy. The child mimicked her mother.

Leo responded with a nod, then clasped his hands, mentally cursing his ever-growing audience. Before he could utter any words, Suzanne interjected. “The duc is a very busy man, as you may well understand, madame.”

“Oh yes. Of course…”

“He was just leaving to attend to his duchy and its official business.”

“No, I was not,” he countered, smiling. “I have yet to conclude my business here.”

The child broke away from her mother and rushed to Suzanne, throwing her arms around her waist affectionately. “Hello, mademoiselle!”

“And a good day to you, Colette.” Warmly, Suzanne brushed an errant blonde curl from the girl’s face, revealing a pink, winter-chilled cheek.

“I asked Maman to bring me along to pick up Papa’s stomach elixir,” the child announced happily. “I like coming here. It smells good.”

Suzanne laughed. “I’m glad you think so, my sweet. Lucille, would you please fetch Monsieur Sebron’s stomach remedy from the back room.”

Lucille left to do her bidding.

Suzanne waited for Lucille to return, her heart thundering so loud, she worried Leo would hear it.

She couldn’t believe her bad luck! The arrival of Madame Sebron and Colette couldn’t have been more ill timed. She’d told Leo an idiotic lie about Gaspard. Well, more a half-truth; sadly, her gray cat was indeed the only meaningful male in her life at the moment. But Leo didn’t need to know that. The last thing she wanted was for Leo to discover her ruse. Especially when she saw how the news had unbalanced him—and hopefully dissuaded him.

The problem at hand was little Colette.

She liked Gaspard. Very much.

At any moment she could begin rooting around the room, looking for him, and give away Suzanne’s deception.

Leo was no fool. He would immediately discern the mortifying truth—that she’d meant the cat all along. Suzanne couldn’t even move Gaspard to her private apartments upstairs—or do anything to bring attention to him—for that would surely prompt an immediate reaction from Colette.

Suzanne was now faced with the dilemma of rushing Madame Sebron and her daughter from her shop quickly, before either noticed her pet near the fire, all while not offending her faithful patients. Their patronage was something she just could not lose.

She prayed she could distract them until they left on their own accord. Once again she had that same strong urge overcome her. The one that made her want to punch Leo. She wouldn’t be in this ridiculous predicament if it wasn’t for him.

“Rosalie, why don’t you show Colette our newest soaps? They smell so pretty, I just know she’d like to see them.”

Rosalie wasted no time in complying and drew Colette to the corner of the room, far away from Gaspard.

Lucille was back in an instant, panting slightly from the exertion, and handed the vials to Madame Sebron. Suzanne knew Lucille had rushed out of fear—not just because she didn’t want to miss a thing, though there was definitely that. But, judging from the agitated look in her eyes, she fully understood the urgency of the Sebrons’ departure, and she was doing her best not to expose Suzanne’s fabrication to Leo.

For that act of loyalty alone, Suzanne wanted to throw her arms around her.

Madame Sebron leisurely opened her coin purse, burrowed her gloved fingers inside, and began to root about for her money. The sheer slowness of her actions was maddening. Suzanne desperately hoped Gaspard was fast asleep behind her and wouldn’t pick this moment to stretch his legs and parade about the room.

“Here you are.” Madame Sebron held out her payment.

Finally…!

Lucille took the coins from her hand swiftly yet thankfully.

“Thank you, madame,” Suzanne added. “Please let me know if you need anything else. I’d be more than pleased to visit tomorrow to see how your husband is getting on, if you wish.”

“Thank you. That would be very much appreciated.” She returned Suzanne’s smile. “Come, darling.” Madame Sebron held out a hand to her daughter. “Let’s return home to see how your father is feeling.”

The child raced to her mother’s side, clasped her hand, and bid everyone a cheerful adieu.

The door closed behind them.

Elation and relief rushed through Suzanne. Thank God… She gave Rosalie and Lucille a grateful smile.

The door crashed open.

Colette shot past, a gust of cold wind and her flouncing blonde curls trailing her. “I forgot to say good-bye to Gaspard!”

She dropped to her knees before him and gave him a loving stroke. “Good-bye, Gaspard. You’re the most handsome cat I know. Stay warm.” She petted his head, eliciting an appreciative purr, then shot back out the door, slamming it behind her.

The room froze.

As did Suzanne’s breathing.

Her gaze darted to Lucille and Rosalie. While Rosalie was engrossed in the cracks on the ceiling, Lucille was looking down at the floor, utterly avoiding eye contact with Leo.

He’s caught you in your lie. You’re going to have to look at him sooner or later, Suzanne. What were the chances that the floor would open and swallow her up? Or him?

Reluctantly, she dragged her gaze over to Leo.

His arms were crossed, and he was grinning from ear to ear. He lowered himself down onto his haunches, and beckoned Gaspard to him. A normally willful cat, Gaspard didn’t hesitate to stroll across the floor and obey.

Leo scooped him up, then rose, lightly scratching Gaspard under his chin, a litany of contented purrs emanating from her pet.

Traitor.

“I must agree,” Leo said, still grinning. “Gaspard is definitely handsome with attractive blue eyes.”

Mentally she cringed and was back to blushing, beyond embarrassed. Her lie was so pathetic. Could she make it any more plain how bare her life had become?

Leo sauntered over to her and placed the cat in her arms. “But I can do much more for you than Gaspard ever could.”

“There we agree, Your Grace. He’s never wreaked the havoc in my life that you have,” she pointed out.

His smile faded. “You never deserved the pain I inflicted on you. Allow me the chance to make amends.”

“There is no need. I no longer think of you as my closest friend. Or the love of my heart.”

His voice dropped to the softest, most knee-weakening pitch as he said, “I still do.”

That knocked her off guard.

She quickly shook off the effect of that measured sentence, reminding herself that he knew just what to say, how to say it, and what to do to impact a woman’s senses. He was a master of seduction.

“Your Grace, you are quite adept at applying your charm. But I’ve heard soft words from you before. And I am no longer gullible. I have no faith in your romantic utterances.”

There was a ghost of a smile on his mouth. “That’s understandable. I’ll have to prove to you the depths of my sincerity. I’m going to show you just how contrite I am. I won’t leave Maillard without you. Make no mistake. I’ll be waiting for you outside until you decide to return to Montbrison with me.”

She laughed. “Surely you aren’t serious, Your Grace. You risk freezing off a part of your male anatomy you’re rather fond of.” She immediately regretted her word choices the instant she saw him cock a brow in amusement.

He leaned in, his dark hair lightly brushing her cheek. The tiny sensation rippled through her body. “I can’t tell you how delighted I am by your interest in my cock,” he said in her ear. She could hear the smile in his voice. “Since you brought up the subject, the part you refer to is at the moment eager and hard, just being near you again.”

He pulled back, still smiling.

Thanks to his cheeky comment, the urge to peek at the bulge in his breeches was suddenly overwhelming.

Good God, don’t look…

“It’s a relief to know you haven’t become burdened with any sort of modesty,” she said, trying to eradicate thoughts of his generous sex from her mind.

He chuckled and shrugged. “You were the one who mentioned it. I was only trying to alleviate your concern.”

Suzanne managed to keep her gaze fixed to his face, even while the unwanted memory of how incredible it felt to have his large, solid length inside her flooded her head. That delicious stretching sensation of her private muscles as he fed her every delectable inch of his cock was a memory she had long suppressed. Until now. He’d driven her wild. Not just because of his sexual expertise—though he was undoubtedly gifted in the carnal arts. But because she’d shared the experience with him.

It was his mouth on hers.

His hands on her body.

Her Leo—or at least that was what she’d believed then.

She reasserted herself. “I do believe you’ve taken this attempt at a tumble far enough. The past is best left in the past. We have both moved on, in opposite directions—in keeping with our different social standing. There are other women in your class you can chase. Please seek your amorous encounters there.”

He glanced past her shoulder. “I think you’ve seen and heard enough,” he said to Lucille and Rosalie. “Please give us a private moment.”

Before Suzanne could say a word, Lucille snatched Gaspard from her arms and rushed out the door with her sister, retreating to the back room. Leaving Suzanne stunned.

And alone with Leo.

Clearly, loyalty was short-lived around here.

She turned to face him. Leo caught her cheeks between his palms and swooped in for a kiss, possessing her mouth on a gasp. Her sex clenched fiercely at the first stroke of his tongue. A jolt of heat rocked her so hard, she felt it reverberate all the way down to her toes.

She jumped back, alarmed, breaking contact. Her breathing shallow and sharp. Her insides quivered in the aftermath. Worst of all, there was the lightest, most persistent ache pulsing in that bud between her legs.

“Dieu. I knew it was still there,” he murmured with a smile. He slipped his fingers under her chin and tilted her head back, his mouth so close to her sensitized lips. Her breath froze in her throat. She was unsure if he was going to kiss her again. Unsure how she felt about another kiss while her long-dormant nerve endings hummed with life. “We had something very rare once. It would be a horrible shame not to see if we can recapture it. It isn’t the sort of connection that happens every day.” He brushed his lips against hers, a tantalizing feather-like stroke. “I’ll be waiting for you outside.”

He released her and walked to the door.

She immediately dismissed the flicker of disappointment that whispered through her. Placing his hand on the door handle, he turned to face her. “Oh, and you’re not getting another kiss until we get to Montbrison.”

He gave her a wink and left.