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she was with the suspicion that Philippe had had an affair with her.
Celia had to be honest with herself. When she had seen the two dark heads together silhouetted against
the violet sky, she had felt betrayed. No, it was wrong, she could not feel this way! She had no claim on
Justin, nor did she want one. He was an outcast, an outlaw. In the past he had done things that were
beneath contempt. If she allowed herself to feel anything for him, it could be nothing more than pity.
They reached the house, Celia noticing that Justin s uneven gait was becoming smoother with each day
that passed. How quickly he healed. It would not be long before he was well enough to leave. And then
what? Maximilien had refused to discuss any plans for Justin s departure from New Orleans, or what
explanations they would give after he was gone.  It is enough that you concern yourself with the
day-to-day worries of the present, he had said when Celia had persisted in questioning him.  Leave the
future to me. There was no way of arguing against such arrogant self-confidence.
Brusquely Justin told Noeline to call Lysette to the parlor. He lowered himself onto the settee while Celia
seated herself as far away from him as possible. Feeling his gaze on her, she glanced at him. Although he
was not smiling, the dimple had appeared in his cheek, and there was a wicked glint in his eyes.
 Why do you look so pleased? she burst out.  You are hoping my husband was unfaithful to me. You
would like to see me humiliated by his indiscretions, and you 
 Attends, Justin drawled, holding up his hand in a silencing motion.  If Philippe did lay with the
girl and I d bet my good leg that he did it was before he married you. He wasn t your husband, and
therefore he wasn t unfaithful to you.
 He made promises to me, Celia said in a low, intense voice.  I waited for three years for him to come
for me.
He gave her a mocking smile.  And you expected him to be celibate all that time?
 Naturellement!He loved me. He could have waited for me!
 You know less about men than I thought, Justin said, shaking his head.  Philippe was a young man in
his prime, not a priest. And for that matter, I would suppose that even priests have natural physical urges.
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A man or woman can t deny certain basic needs 
 You are disgusting!
 Basic needs, he continued,  that at times have little to do with love. He stared at her with direct blue
eyes.  As you well know.
Celia was pinned to the chair by his stare. A crimson tide washed slowly over her face. Raising her
trembling hand to her chest, she tried to calm the panicked rhythm of her heart.  Oh, she breathed.
 How could you?
 You d like for me to pretend that night never happened, he said quietly.  But one thing I ve never been
is a hypocrite.
 No, just a thief, outlaw, despoiler of women 
 Pardon, Lysette s blithe voice came from the doorway.  I was in the nursery with Rafael. It took a
minute or so for me to&  She frowned as she saw the wounded anger on Celia s face, and Justin s
unreadable expression.  Qu est-ce que c est?
 We have a small mystery to be solved, Justin replied, moving his gaze from Celia to his stepmother.
 Oh? Lysette suddenly looked far, far too innocent.  Perhaps we should wait until Max returns home
and then 
 Nay, you ll do very well, Justin said.  You already know the answers to our mystery, don t you
Belle-mère? You can begin by explaining why Miss Briony Doyle threw herself into my arms a few
minutes ago.
 Briony? She& Oh dear! Dismay crossed Lysette s delicate features.  I had asked Briony to keep her
distance from you. I thought that what I told her would have kept her from& ah,mon Dieu & she knows,
then?
 She knows, Justin said flatly.  Belle-mère,tell me and my charming wife exactly what the
relationship between Philippe and Miss Doyle was.
Lysette cast an apprehensive glance at Celia.  I do not think it is necessary to divulge something that
should be kept private 
 Yes, itis necessary, Celia said fiercely.  I am weary of all the secrets this family keeps! I wish to know
what happened between Philippe and that girl. Did he love her? Did he make her his&  She found that
she could not bring herself to say the words.
Lysette looked at their determined faces and her brow wrinkled in concern.  Philippe would not have
wanted you to know, Celia. He never intended for you to know it had nothing to do with you. But he
never could have anticipated these circumstances, or what you would be asked to do for the sake of the
family. Before I explain you must understand that sometimes people cannot help the way they feel.
Sometimes they find themselves in situations over which they have no control 
 She understands all that, Justin interrupted.  Tell her.
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Lysette nodded and took a deep breath.  Philippe and Briony wereamoureux for more than a year, she
blurted out.  He very nearly married her.
Celia stared at her blankly.  Philippe? she asked in a tiny voice.
 He and Briony tried to ignore each other. For a long time they denied how they felt. But then& 
Lysette cleared her throat awkwardly.
 But I was waiting for him, Celia half-whispered. She could not imagine Philippe in love with another
woman. He had told her he loved her. He had written her long letters describing his feelings for her. A
wave of hurt swept over her.  I-I thought I was the only one.
Lysette regarded her compassionately.  You were the one he married,chérie. It took him a long time to
choose between the two of you. After much soul-searching, he decided you were the one he truly
wanted.
Celia did not find that comforting.  But if he loved Miss Doyle, why did he not marry her?
 Because he loved you too, dear, and he realized how much better suited you were to be his wife. You
are educated and from a nice French family, a doctor s daughter  [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]