He closed the door firmly behind him, facing his cousin.
“What’s going on? Are you involved with this one? Is that why she was about to throw herself off the Pont Neuf?”
Nick’s handsome face curved into a smug smile. “There was a certain something going on in the wilds I must admit. Most entertaining-”
“You seduced her? Nicolas, you are utterly incorrigible!”
“I haven’t slept with her yet, but she wants it. She craves me-“ Nick drawled. “-Give me a little credit for having some class-“
“And it amuses you to play with a young girl’s heart like that. What have you done?”
“Nothing! Her husband was a brute, scarcely deserved the boon of a lovely young girl like that in his bed every night. I was doing him and her a favour by intervening-“
“La Seraphina mentioned some kind of murder. The husband died in his bed from stab wounds. You know anything about that?”
“Don’t fuss, it was the only way-“
So you are responsible, Nick. What have you done? thought Vivonne in alarm.
“I don’t know what you’re playing at, but you’re playing a dangerous game.”
“A dangerous game, but worth every single bit of risk. I think she is the one, Louis-Victor, I really do.”
“You want to marry her?” Vivonne couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Why not? My father wants me to marry. Secure the family name, bring forth an heir. Why not her?”
Vivonne shook his head, troubled by Nick’s cynicism. “You are crazy. There’s no way in hell that the Le Grand Marquis will allow you to marry a girl like that never mind her background. With La Seraphina as an aunt... an actress, a singer-”
“A courtesan? Don’t mince words I know what you meant. I’ll have you know that Pippa Foley is of noble blood, Louis-Victor. Maybe not as pure and noble as ours but she has nothing to be ashamed of. As for my illustrious father, at this point I dare say he’d be glad if I shackled myself to anyone-“
“You are a Rochechouart by birth! You should have more pride in your ancestry.”
“If ‘having more pride in my ancestry’ means roping myself to some inbred high born woman, then I’ll none of it. Get this straight, I want Eve Foley, body and soul-“
“You want me to leave her to your advances? Alone with you all night?-“
Nick’s dark eyes narrowed appraisingly. Vivonne was reminded sharply of the Le Grand Marquis and his ruthlessness. The Prince d’Argenteuil was famed for his guile, arrogance and his utter conviction that his every desire should be met at once. Nick was truly his father’s son at that moment.
“It would help dear cousin. Let nature and emotions take their course, for who would be fool enough to argue with fate?”
Vivonne was troubled by his cousin and the girl but agreed, ignoring his uneasy conscience. Maybe it’s not my business to interfere. He wants her and she must be in love with him. If Nick wants her so badly-
“Don’t hurt her!”
“What? Are you getting all sentimental on me, dear coz?”