Читать книгу Seduction by the Book - Linda Conrad - Страница 8

Prologue

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The smells of French pastry, boiled crayfish and scented table candles filled the sultry air. Paper lanterns, laughing couples strolling wide sidewalks and twinkling lights all made for a merry party atmosphere.

But none of it made a difference to Passionata Chagari. It was her duty to be here in the French Quarter this evening. Her duty to fulfill her father’s dying wishes.

She swung the multicolored shawl around her shoulders to protect against the crisp December night and looked down under the table to be sure the old treasure chest was safe and unseen. Her father, the late king of the gypsies, had left a chest full of bequests of magic to the young men of the prominent Steele family. Young men the king had never met. He had also directed Passionata from his grave to see the gifts delivered and used to their proper purpose.

And that she would do gladly. After all, she too owed much to the late Lucille Steele. So Lucille’s blood descendants were about to receive a boon, in payment for the ultimate act of kindness.

From Passionata’s position, sitting at the white-draped table with her crystal ball directly in front of her, she could see the approach of her current target— Nicholas Scoville, great nephew of Lucille—as he used a cane and limped in her direction.

A tall and quite handsome young man dressed in a dark gray European suit, Nicholas was strong of heart yet currently weak of body and soul. His old knee injury was acting up tonight, she knew. But what Passionata had in mind for him would eventually take away all his pain.

Passionata smiled to herself. This young descendent of Lucille Steele, who needed help so desperately, should be the easiest one to assist.

He wouldn’t admit it readily, but deep in his soul Nicholas already believed in the power of magic. The passion of her father’s legacy should be quite a relief to this young man who was so controlled by obligation and guilt.

She saw Nicholas in the distance as he leaned heavily on his walking stick and looked around the crowded square for someplace to wait. Passionata directed her thoughts toward bringing him closer.

With his attention turned elsewhere, Nicholas absently sat down at her table. She waited for him to become aware of her presence.

Finally, he turned to her with a start. “May I rest here a few minutes, old woman? I have an appointment and need to kill some time, but I don’t need my fortune told.”

“Welcome, Nicholas Scoville,” she whispered. “I have been waiting for you.”

“You must recognize me from photos of my great-aunt’s funeral in the papers.” He scowled at her. “But don’t think you can con me just because you know my name. I only need a spot to rest for a few minutes. Nothing more.”

She grinned with a knowing and sly smile. “You need a great deal more than that, young friend.”

For example, later tonight she knew that he would be going in search of a personal trainer to work with him toward his knee’s recovery. Passionata had already placed the right person in his path and the wheels of fate were set in motion. But that would only be the first step to his ultimate legacy.

“I have something to help you.” She reached into the chest under the table and produced a book with a heavy, inlaid covering. “This is but one part of the legacy left to Lucille Steele’s heirs. It has been bequeathed to you from my father in payment for a debt owed to her.”

“Great-aunt Lucille? If you have something owed to her, you need to contact her estate attorneys.”

“No,” she argued. “This book is a special gift, made for you alone.” Passionata shoved the journal-sized book toward him, and he automatically reached a hand out to take it from her.

Nicholas looked down at the original edition of The Grimm Brothers’ Children’s and Household Tales with its exquisite gold-and-ivory inlaid cover. She could see his fascination and curiosity grow.

“You must be mistaken,” he said once again, without looking away from the book. “Perhaps someone in my mother’s family is a first edition collector. But I am not.”

“Look for your name burnished on the back, Nicholas Scoville. This book will lead you to accept your destiny. Accept it. Cherish it.”

She watched him slowly turn the cover over in his hand before she silently took her leave. When he finally looked up with questions in his eyes, he found himself sitting all alone at the table.

But Passionata would be watching. Watching and waiting for her father’s legacy to weave its magic for Nicholas Scoville.

Seduction by the Book

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