Читать книгу Count Maxime's Virgin - Susan Stephens, Susan Stephens - Страница 9

CHAPTER FOUR

IT WASN’T just the aura of danger surrounding Lucien Maxime that drew attention as he crossed the hall. Tanned by the sun, and hardened by experience, Lucien married menace with style, which was a compelling combination. His tailoring was the best, and his only adornment a wrist-watch and a pair of gold cuff-links engraved discreetly with his crest. A man whose estates encompassed thousands of squares miles either side of the French and Spanish borders felt no need for the show other men considered necessary to boost their status.

Halting at the foot of the stairs, Lucien saw the hotel manager hurrying towards him. ‘Where is she?’ he demanded.

‘Ms Devenish will not be coming downstairs, Monsieur le Conte—’

A spear of concern pierced him. ‘My niece—’

‘Is quite well, as far as I can determine, monsieur.’

Relief coursed through him, but his thoughts switched immediately to Tara. ‘Then why does Ms Devenish choose to remain in her room?’

‘Mademoiselle Devenish asked me to inform you that she will be happy to receive you in her suite in ten minutes.’

She will be happy? She will be happy?

Anger flared inside him. Not only had Tara defied his explicit instruction, she had dared to issue one of her own. It was time to call her bluff. How much could she have changed? Was she cowering in her suite? Or exulting in it at the thought that her pay cheque was only a few steps away? Whatever her motive, his niece would be raised in the security and stability of his family home and would not be left to the careless affections of some woman on the make. ‘No matter,’ he rapped in a tone that caused the unfortunate manager to press back against the wall. ‘I will go to her.’

‘Yes, Monsieur le Conte…’

As he mounted the stairs he fingered the cheque in the breast pocket of his jacket. If he had learned one thing from his father, it was that life had a universal currency. Tara would have her price. He would pay her off and then forget her. He stopped at the half landing and turned to see the manager still hovering and eager to be of service. ‘I take it Ms Devenish is alone?’