When Strangers Marry (Vallerands #1)(2)

Jacqueline rested a slim, perfumed hand on the counterpane. Her hair was fashionably arranged and her face carefully powdered, but no artifice would hide the fact that she had aged greatly since her marriage.

“Jacqueline…” Lysette’s voice cracked.

Her sister’s face was taut but composed. “Has it finally come to this? I’ve always feared you would push Gaspard too far. I’ve warned you not to defy him.”

Lysette unburdened herself eagerly. “He wants me to marry a planter from New Orleans … a man I despise.”

“Yes, Etienne Sagesse,” came the flat reply. “I knew about it even before Sagesse arrived in Natchez.”

“You knew?” Lysette frowned in bewilderment. “Why didn’t you warn me about what Gaspard was planning?”

“From what I’ve heard, it’s not a bad match. If that is what Gaspard wants, then do it. At least you’ll be free of him.”

“No, you don’t understand what this man is like, Jacqueline—”

“I’m certain that Sagesse is no different from any other man,” Jacqueline said tonelessly. “Marriage is not so very difficult, Lysette— not compared to this. You’ll have your own house to manage, and you won’t have to wait on Maman hand and foot. And after you bear a child or two, your husband won’t visit your bed as often.”

“And I am supposed to be content with that for the rest of my life?” Lysette’s throat tightened unbearably.

Jacqueline sighed. “I’m sorry if you find me poor comfort. But I think you need the truth more than platitudes.” She leaned over to touch Lysette’s sore shoulder. Lysette winced in discomfort.

Jacqueline’s lips thinned. “From now on I hope you’ll be wise enough to hold your tongue around Gaspard. Can you try to give at least a pretense of obedience?”

“Yes,” Lysette said grudgingly.

“I am going to see Maman now. How has she been this week?”

“Worse than usual. The doctor said…” Lysette hesitated, her gaze fixed on the swath of patterned damask hanging over the headboard. Like the other furnishings in the house, it was frayed and grimy with age. “By now Maman couldn’t get out of bed if she wanted to,” she said dully. “The past years of playing invalid and never leaving her room have weakened her. If it weren’t for Gaspard, she would be perfectly healthy. But every time he begins to shout, she takes another dose of tonic, closes the curtains, and sleeps for two days. Why did she marry him?”

Jacqueline shook her head thoughtfully. “A woman has to make the best of what she is offered. By the time Papa died, Maman’s youth was gone, and there were few suitors offering for her. I suppose Gaspard seemed the most promising match.”

“She could have chosen to live alone.”

“Even a bad husband is better than living alone.” Jacqueline stood and straightened her skirts. “I’ll go to Maman now. Is she aware of what happened between you and Gaspard?”

Lysette smiled bitterly, thinking of the commotion they had raised. “I don’t see how she could have avoided it.”

“Then she is upset, I’m certain. Well, perhaps, with both of us gone, there will be more peace around here. I hope so, for Maman’s sake.”

As Jacqueline left, Lysette stared after her older sister and turned to her side. It even hurt to breathe. “Somehow,” she muttered wryly, “I was expecting a bit more sympathy.”

Closing her eyes, she began to plan feverishly. She would not become Etienne Sagesse’s bride… no matter what she had to do to avoid it.

Chapter 1

NEW ORLEANS

Philippe and Justin Vallerand wandered through the woods and down to the bayou, finding their way around mud holes, pines, and sycamore trees. The boys were tall for their age, lanky and thin, not yet having attained their father’s heavily muscled build.

Their features were stamped with the inborn arrogance of all the Vallerands. Heavy black hair fell over their foreheads in untidy waves, and their blue eyes were framed with long dark lashes. Strangers were never able to tell them apart, but inwardly they were as different as it was possible for two boys to be. Philippe was gentle, compassionate, someone who followed rules even when he didn’t fully understand the reasoning behind them. Justin, on the other hand, was ruthless, resentful of authority, and proud of it.

“What are we going to do?” Philippe asked. “Should we take the pirogue and look for pirates downriver?”

Justin gave a scornful laugh. “You can do as you like. I plan to visit Madeleine today.”

Madeleine Scipion was the pretty black-haired daughter of a town merchant. Lately she had displayed more than a casual interest in Justin, although she was aware that Philippe was smitten with her. The girl seemed to delight in pitting one brother against the other.

Philippe’s sensitive face revealed his envy. “Are you in love with her?”

Justin grinned and spat. “Love? Who cares about that? Did I tell you what Madeleine let me do to her the last time I saw her?”

“What?” Philippe demanded with rising jealousy.

Their eyes locked. Suddenly Justin cuffed him on the side of the head and laughed, fleeing through the trees as Philippe gave chase. “I’ll make you tell me!” Philippe scooped up a glob of mud and threw it at Justin’s back. “I’ll make you—”