He had come to Sebastian’s home in the carriage to take them both to Juliette’s that evening. While waiting for Sebastian, Leila had come downstairs wearing a simple gown that hung about her body. The fabric didn’t cling to her but he remembered in perfect detail the curves hidden beneath.
“Monsieur Pousson,” she greeted him.
“Mademoiselle Fairfax.” He nodded but edged away from her as she entered the salon.
“I haven’t seen you in awhile,” she said.
As it was the evening, she was dressed simply with her brown hair pulled back. She looked very young. He moved to the small bar and poured himself a brandy with a shaking hand.
“Is that to fortify yourself?” she whispered behind him.
“Leila.” He turned to her. “That weekend at the chateau was a mistake. My only regret was that I behaved so badly. You were innocent.” He was in turmoil.
Leila smiled. “I was a virgin. No longer, thanks to you.”
Etienne cringed. It was vulgar. “I’m sorry. I took advantage.”
“Etienne. I imagine you think this is your fault because you are older and more worldly. However, I wanted you, and I usually get what I want. And I did. I regret nothing.” She shook her head.
Etienne was torn. He felt such remorse and wanted to approach her brother, admit all and take the consequences, even if it meant a duel to the death. The other part of him wanted to drag her onto the floor and feel her tight walls close around him again.
“Leila.” It almost came out in a groan.
“Stop torturing yourself. It’s unseemly.” She moved to him and touched his face with the back of her hand. She let her hand wander down his chest until it was in front of his breeches. He closed his eyes. She stroked him through the material, causing him to harden.
“My only true regret is that I can’t have you again. Married women have so much more freedom than unmarried ones.” She sighed deeply.
They both heard Sebastian coming down the stairs and moved apart. “Ready?” he asked as he entered the room.
Etienne downed another brandy and then cast a long look at Leila. “Yes.”
***
Later that week, Eugenie was to accompany Sophie to a Mozart piano concerto at the Theatre de l’Odeon. Several pieces by the composer would be performed and Luc would attend. Sophie had been preoccupied all day after she learned that the printer had rushed to have her pamphlet ready for distribution. She knew several people were talking about it and she was concerned about the response.
She was dressed in a lemon-colored gown with a scooped neckline, and her grandmother was in blue and grey dress. The carriage moved forward in line to drop them off at the entrance. The pair entered the theater quickly as a light rain was falling.
Sophie passed by the cloakroom and remembered Sebastian’s mouth on hers and their play of words. It seemed to be their way. They sparred, but nothing was ever settled or accomplished. She noticed Lizette with her father and smiled at them.
Several people she knew stood in the lobby, and she recognized Leila and Sebastian’s friend Etienne standing nearby as well. She breathed in a sigh of relief. Though Leila was standing near Etienne, she did not see Sebastian.
She watched the throng of people move forward and Luc was at her elbow, behaving attentively to her. He was courteous to both Sophie and Eugenie and offered to get them both a glass of champagne. Sophie admitted to herself that she enjoyed the attention.
Their box overlooked the stage and Eugenie took the choicest seat at the edge of the balcony, which never bothered Sophie. She liked to sit in the second row and survey the stage and audience at her leisure.
***
Sebastian was late in arriving and had asked Etienne to accompany his sister to the concert. For Etienne it was a pleasure and a curse, and all the more damning because he knew Leila enjoyed tormenting him. Any small move could cause him to shudder and she did it all on purpose.
A low neckline made even lower when Leila bent over to retrieve her fan from the floor caused him to crush his program in his hand. She merely smiled and eyed the poor program’s destruction. She brushed the back of Etienne’s hand innocently in conversation and he swallowed lightly. He moved his chair away from hers and she watched him with eyes like smoldering sapphires.
The noise from the audience below was loud and their private conversation could not be overheard by anyone.
Leila opened her delicately painted fan and waved it once in front of her face. “Find us a room, Etienne. I’ll make an excuse to get away.” She spoke to him, but looked out over the audience.
Etienne looked at her incredulously. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Not at all. I know exactly what I want.” Her blue eyes seemed almost black as they met his shocked ones.