Wild Highland Magic (The Celtic Legends Series Book 3)(71)

“Oh, no!” She rested a hand on her throat. “The carriage will be sent by the king, of course.”

“Who else will be in it?”

“Some guards will ride outside to see that we are protected until we reach the ship. But there will be other girls from here, I’m told.”

“Do those girls know you?”

“No. I don’t know anyone coming but Cecile. But what if one of them recognizes you?”

She forced her feet into Marie's boots—a bit too small. “None of the women who live in my section were chosen, so I don't have to worry about being recognized. Go, Marie.” She waved toward the gates. “Your Musketeer awaits.”

Marie lurched forward and seized Genevieve's hand. “I will never forget you for the sacrifice you've made for me—oh!”

Genevieve pulled away but it was too late, for Marie had already dropped Genevieve’s chapped hand like a hot poker.

Marie staggered back, her mouth falling open.

“Obviously,” Genevieve said, raising her chin, “I’ll need gloves. Even in Quebec, no one will believe that a fine young lady has the hands of a washerwoman.”

Marie made a choked sound and then raced away. Genevieve stared sightlessly at the place where the woman had been. She’d been right, it seemed, to hide her true identity as she slipped notes amid Marie’s clean laundry. Marie would never have agreed to this desperate scheme if she had known the truth.

The only women who washed linens in the Salpêtrière were the whores.

excerpt from HEAVEN IN HIS ARMS, Book One in the ROMANTIC JOURNEYS COLLECTION, ? 2014 by Lisa Ann Verge

Buy HEAVEN IN HIS ARMS Amazon USA or Amazon International