Page 49 of Frankly, My Dear

“Arrow-backs?”

“No, aerobics. Exercise.”

“Wonderful. You need a few more bones jutting out.” He ignored the comical face she made at him and dug into his food. After a short time, he took pity and handed her a beignet. “Here. I don’t want you drooling on the table.”

“I was not drooling. I never drool. Besides, you should give me two beignets since you’re being so churlish.”

“You should thank me for my generosity.”

“Oh, yeah, I can just imagine how you’d expect to be paid.”

“Chérie, you can’t begin to imagine the payment I would like.”

Her mouth…her lush, full lips…parted in wonder as she pondered the possibilities of his words. Their eyes clung while a delicate thread of intimate promise grew between them. He was unable to drop his eyes before her steady gaze, even though he feared she could hear the loud thunder of his heart, feel the heat of his attraction. He had already noticed the blossoming of her breasts under the thin gown…the passionate need in her greenish eyes…the sensual parting of her lips.

Mon Dieu! He needed to get a grip on his careening emotions.

Blossom’s loud guffaw of delight interrupted the erotic haze that hung over them. “Bless the Lord. He done sent a woman to mend the master’s broken heart.”

“Me? A broken heart?”

“Yessirree. I can see how you cotton to the lady. Afore you know it, there’ll be a whole passel of young-uns runnin’ about.”

James made a loud grunting noise of disgust and turned back to his food. “Where’s my mother?”

“Locked in her room.”

“How long this time?”

“Two weeks, ever since you left. Been seein’ haints again, and those voodoo drums het her up somethin’ awful.”

James nodded stoically in acceptance. His mother had managed his household in the past, but of late her “spells” had increased in frequency and intensity. And Blossom was too old and ill-equipped to handle those responsibilities. As a result, the mansion had deteriorated badly. Perhaps Selene could help, but, with her background, he doubted her capabilities in that regard.

Selene laid a hand on his arm in commiseration, as if reading his mind. “I’ll do whatever I can to help. Do you want me to go to her tonight?”

He shook his head, trying not to be affected by her concern. “She’s probably asleep by now. Tomorrow will be soon enough.” Looking pointedly at her hand still resting on his sleeve, he remarked, “You shouldn’t touch me. I’m dirty from working in the fields.”

Her eyes blinked with confusion. “From honest toil, James. There’s nothing repulsive about a hardworking man.”

James closed his eyes for a moment and felt himself sinking.

“By the way, that marble tub is a luxury I never expected here. Even without running water, it’s marvelous. There’s plenty of lukewarm water left in the cistern, though. Do you want me to go up and draw a bath for you? I wouldn’t want Blossom to have to climb those stairs again tonight with her ailing feet.”

Stunned, James stared at her as she rambled on. She would draw a bath for him? And her consideration for a mere slave amazed him. She’d better say something dumb or shrewish soon or I might just kiss her. Or ask her to share a tub with me.

Selene saw the myriad emotions rippling across James’s handsome face. And, yes, despite the day-old shadow of whiskers, despite the lines of weariness that furrowed his forehead, despite his infuriating, biting tongue, he was a devastatingly handsome man. Unconsciously, he licked his dry lips, as if relaying a message.

“Wha…at?” she asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Blossom chuckled knowingly, and James shook his head as if to clear it. Then he turned on Blossom with a scowl. “Where’s Etienne?”

“Hidin’ from you, I ’spect.”

He frowned. “Why? No, don’t tell me now. I’d rather save some bad news for tomorrow.”

“The boy missed you somethin’ fierce.”

James’s Adam’s apple moved visibly in his throat, but he said nothing.