Only With Your Love (Vallerands #2)(106)

Nightfall was coming quickly, and Celia took a detour through the garden. Every part of her body ached with weariness, but she was too restless to retire for the evening. Sitting on a cold stone bench, she surveyed the thickly planted greenery around her. She shivered as a chilling breeze swept over her. She was no longer so afraid of the dark…the only thing she really feared was losing Justin.

She sat there for a long time, contemplating the cloudless black sky pierced with stars. A sleepy yawn overtook her, and she stood up to go to the garçonnière. A soft sound came from somewhere nearby. Curiously she crept around a hedge to investigate. She drew back hastily when she saw that it was Philippe. But what was he doing out here? Her eyebrows drew together, and she frowned indignantly. Philippe was fully dressed, and he was clasping a small cloaked figure in his arms…Why, he had come outside into the cold for a clandestine meeting with Briony! And he had been too tired to talk with her earlier!

Peeking through a space in the hedge, Celia watched as he pulled the hood from Briony’s hair and bent his head to kiss her—a long, open-mouthed kiss, unlike any he had ever given Celia. Briony said something to him, and he laughed quietly and hugged her. Celia was affronted by the way he talked to the girl, so eagerly and naturally, as if he had too many things to tell her and not enough time. I could barely drag a word out of him, Celia reflected with a scowl. She folded her arms across her chest and watched them, feeling rather like a betrayed wife. It was tempting, the idea of leaping out of the shrubbery and announcing that she had caught them, their secret was out. On the other hand…

Philippe’s face was clearly visible in the starlight. Celia was amazed at the change in him. The haunted, dispirited look had gone, and his eyes sparkled as he looked at the girl. Briony reached up to touch his face, and he turned his lips into her palm. The tenderness between the two moved Celia in spite of herself.

Suddenly she smiled. Oh, this made everything simple! Philippe was different with Briony because he was in love with her. He would want an annulment without a doubt. He would probably talk to her about it tomorrow, and she would assure him that she thought it was the wisest decision for both of them. She let out a quiet sigh of relief, and stole away before the pair discovered they had been observed.

In the morning Maximilien went to visit the jail, and Celia passed the time in the parlor with Lysette and her children. Her nerves were tightly stretched as she wondered what Justin might be suffering. Once she had been driven by the Cabildo when a particularly hated prisoner had been lodged there. Many of the townspeople had gathered at the courtyard beside the prison rooms, shouting obscenities and throwing refuse at him. The news that the notorious pirate Griffin had been arrested would spread rapidly. What if at this very moment they were visiting the same cruel treatment on Justin?

Evelina and Angeline played with their dolls at a safe distance from the fireplace while Lysette sat with a basket of mending. Since there were few tasks to which Celia could turn her scraped and burned hands, she sat on the settee with Rafe cuddled on her chest and read an English-language newspaper. Occasionally she would say a few words aloud to check the meaning of a phrase, and Lysette would translate. The wood and gilt bracket clock on the mantel ticked with torturous slowness.

At last Maximilien arrived, bringing with him the scent of the cold outdoor air as he strode into the cozy parlor. “Bien-aimé,” Lysette exclaimed, jumping up from her mending. Max took her in his arms and kissed her briefly.

Celia was prevented from moving by the weight of the sleeping baby on her shoulder, but her eyes were fixed on him.

“Max, do tell us your news at once,” Lysette said, removing his coat and tugging him to a chair.

Maximilien stretched out his long legs comfortably, looking more than a little smug. “I will meet with Governor Villeré this evening. The word I have received is that the assistance Justin rendered in the attack on the pirate island has caused Villeré to consider the matter of his pardon with new lenience.”

Celia leaped up, clutching the baby so tightly that he woke and began to squall. “Mon Dieu, I am afraid to let myself hope,” she said breathlessly.

Lysette smothered Max with kisses and lavish praise. Evelina and Angeline rushed to him, giggling and sharing in the excitement although they did not understand the reason for it. For a moment Max was hardly visible in the swarm of red heads around him.

Rudely awakened from his slumber, Rafe refused to quiet until Lysette took him. Snuffling irritably, the baby laid his head on her shoulder and chewed on his fist. Celia forced herself to sit down again. “What of Justin’s condition?” she demanded, leaning forward.

“He is in good health. The doctor has seen to him and none of his ribs appear to be broken. At my insistence Justin has been allowed hot water, soap, and fresh clothes.” Max smiled wryly. “In truth, I rather wish he were not being made so much of.”

“Made much of?” Celia echoed in bewilderment.

Max shook his head ruefully. “Bien sûr, I have been astonished by the reaction of the public to Justin’s capture.”

“What do you mean?” Lysette asked.

“Apparently throughout New Orleans Justin is being depicted as a dashing pirate. A romantic figure. Stories about his exploits, real and imagined, are being exchanged in the coffee houses and the town square. Ridiculous as it is, the town is agog over him.”