When Strangers Marry (Vallerands #1)(55)

Max had naively assumed that Corinne’s behavior would improve in time. Unfortunately, it deteriorated even further, until she would throw violent tantrums for no reason. When she became pregnant, she began to treat Max with active hatred.

Giving birth to the twins had nearly killed her, and she had held him responsible for it. Bewildered and hurt, he had begged her to forgive him for whatever it was he had done. Each time he approached her, she had thrown his love back in his face, until the weight of her contempt crushed him utterly. It was the last time Max had ever asked a woman for anything… until Lysette.

The thought of Lysette calmed him and eased the pain of remembering. He needed her, needed to drown himself in the pleasure of her body. As great as the physical satisfaction Lysette offered was, however, it was nothing compared to the healing power of her faith in him. She was the only person in the world who did not believe the worst of him. If anything ever happened to make Lysette doubt him, Max knew that he would not be able to bear it. He hated depending on her so greatly, but he seemed to have no choice about it.

As soon as Max reached the house and walked in the front door, Alexandre attempted to corner him. “Max, I have been waiting for you. There is a matter I would like to take up with—”

“It’s been a long day,” Max said brusquely, shedding his coat.

“Oui, but—”

“We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Oui, but… I have run into a few extra expenses this month….”

“Gambling debts?” Max strode to the curving staircase while Alex followed at his heels.

“I have left an accounting on your desk.”

“Perhaps you could find a less expensive habit to amuse yourself with?”

“I could,” Alex agreed readily. “In the meantime, however, will you take care of this for me?”

“Bien sûr,” Max assured him shortly, leaving him at the foot of the stairs. He wanted to see Lysette so badly that he was unwilling to wait for even a minute.

Alex relaxed, a relieved grin spreading across his face as he watched Max ascend the steps. “Merci, Max. Not long ago you would have lectured me for an hour.”

“I would now, if I thought it would make an impression.”

“I rather think that something— or someone— has done much to sweeten your temper, mon frère.“

Max did not pause to reply, even when Irénée’s voice floated up to his ears. “Is that Max’s voice I hear, Alex? Has he had supper? Well, why didn’t you ask? Did he look hungry?”

Striding into his bedroom, Max closed the door with his foot and dropped his coat on the floor. Lysette emerged from the adjoining garderobe, a small room used for dressing and sometimes bathing. Her eyes glowed at the sight of him.

“You have been gone for a long time, mon mari.“ The sound of her voice dispelled his gloom immediately. It seemed that Lysette had been trying on some new gowns, for garments of silk and lace were strewn about the room, and brocaded slippers were piled in a glittering heap beside the bed. She was dressed in an ice-blue ball gown, the bodice trimmed with swaths of matching gauze. The gown was very low-cut, molding her br**sts together and upward, her cle**age covered with a translucent bit of gauze that served to enhance rather than conceal the tempting little valley. She looked slim and feline, the blue silk emphasizing her eyes and making her hair gleam like living flame.

As Lysette walked to him, clearly intending to welcome him with a kiss, Max lifted his hands in a gesture for her to stay back.

“Petite, wait. I am dusty from the ride, and I smell of horses,” he said, smiling. “Let me see what you’re wearing.”

Lysette turned for his benefit, glancing flirtatiously over her shoulder. The gown was partially unfastened in the back, and Max let his gaze linger on the vulnerable curve of her spine. He wanted to devour her.

“Very beautiful,” he said.

“I am going to wear this to the ball, when I meet Colonel Burr. Have you realized that it will be my first appearance as your wife?”

Max displayed no reaction, but inwardly he was troubled. Lysette couldn’t possibly be prepared for the pointed questions, the razor-sharp curiosity she was likely to encounter at the gathering. He was used to it by now, but for someone as sheltered as she had been, the experience might prove distressing.

“You should be warned about what will happen, Lysette. Yesterday was nothing compared to what the ball will be like. My fall from grace was infamous, and memories here are nothing if not long. As you know, some believe you’re married to the devil incarnate.”

Lysette considered him thoughtfully. Then she came to him, placing her slender hand on the side of his lean face. “But you are a devil. I already know that.”

Max bent and nuzzled her throat, unable to stop himself. “I don’t think I like having so much of my wife exposed to other men’s gazes,” he said, his fingertips measuring the amount of skin left uncovered by the deep neckline.

“Oh, but it is a modest gown. Many other women will be wearing styles far more daring.”

“Perhaps, but I’m not married to them.”

“I was not aware you had such a jealous nature,” Lysette said, clearly pleased by his possessiveness.

She was so clean and sweet and adorable that Max picked her up and tossed her onto the bed.