Элайн Нексли: Captive mistress. English-language novels

The old lady reluctantly opened his eyes: «Arabella, sweetheart, is that you?

– Yes, mother, I’m here. How do You feel?

– I slowly languished without you, my child, but you came and lit everything like the sun, embraced his ward: – Where have you been for two days?

Arabella lowered her eyes. Anger at Antonia passed, but the French did not dare to tell my mother and mistress that knows about her past. The lady brought up the daughter of a Duke in severity and obedience, did not allow the girl to touch upon sensitive themes of love and togetherness, even at this age.

– Mom, you shouldn’t have to worry about me. I…, " stammered blue-eyed beauty: – I stayed in the Palace of the king. The dance lasted for a long time, and I decided to visit the master. Yes, and his Majesty asked me to stay. How could I refuse him? Besides, You wanted me to I went there.

– Yes, I wanted to, but you could at least warn me. Okay, go to your room. I’ll bring dinner, you must be hungry, tired, the road was far. Eat and rest, "meekly nodding, Arabella slowly walked into his modest quarters. She almost cried, remembering Louis. If he loves her or not? This question haunted the young girl? It is one thing to acquire the body, quite another to run it in your heart to love.

By late evening the mood Arabella quite spoiled. Salutis flow of tears, poor woman sitting near the window and gazed into the impenetrable darkness. Only a small lantern hanging on the porch, covered yard. But sometimes it seems that there is no rest for the innocent souls. Everywhere just wandering pain, suffering and loneliness.

The room slowly came Antonia. Hearing the steps of his mother, Arabella quickly brushed eyelashes with tears. Approaching the daughter, the woman handed her a glass of hot milk with honey: For dinner you haven’t even touched your food. At least drink it, the young woman merely shook her head: «Arabella, I’m sure that in the way in your mouth and crumbs are not the same, you’re so pale. Don’t torture yourself, have a drink, – with a trembling hand he took the Cup, the Duke’s daughter from her emptied, feeling the warmth spreads throughout the body. Putting the pot on the table, the French did not dare to look at her mother, feeling the tears burn your eyes.

– What is it, daughter? Are you crying?

– No, mom. With me everything is in order.

– Don’t lie to me. I can see it. Just a few hours ago you came back from Paris and already closed and sad. What is the cause of your bitter sufferings?

The girl could not resist. Sobbing, she clung to the foster mother: it’s very hard, mom.

«Arabella, it comes to love? – the young woman nodded frantically, clutching icy fingers in the palm of his wrinkled mother.

– Listen to what I tell you and remember my words. They will be useful to you in the future: men can never truly love. Their hearts like rocks, in which there is no place of tenderness and passion. All the words flying from their mouths is a false phrase. Never trust men, my daughter, especially monarchs. They are able to enter an innocent girl into a whirlpool of intrigue, and no one even curve will not say a word, not dare. Arabella, at the time, I also loved, but was refused and a complete disappointment in this alluring feeling called love. Then I realized: life is like a feather: released – fly away, will keep – will remain. Therefore it is always necessary for yourself and not becoming a toy in the hands of men.

– Mom – he tried to smile, the French woman: – I’m very tired. You may have to go. Good night.

Antonia wanted to protest, but seeing the convicted daughter’s gaze, silently, left the room.

Mademoiselle de Frase spent the whole night in tears. Her unbearably burned the fire of hopelessness and doubt. She knew that I loved Louis, but how could she be with him? The throne and crown will never pass to a normal commoner, of whatever kind it didn’t happen. Power and position will possess another woman, became the wife of the Queen rulers of France. Then Arabella will become a mere mistress, nothing more. Is this ever dreamed the daughter of the Duke de Frase? And is it the fate most charming lady all over Europe?

Early morning over the estate there was a deafening crackle and roar. Arabella, dressed in the same nightgown, ran out into the yard. The girl’s eyes widened from fear and shame. The body ran shivers, heart pounding in his chest. Before Belle stood six tall men in national dress to the French gendarmes. One of them threw to the feet of the young woman’s Bathrobe. The daughter of the Duke frantically covered his half-naked shoulders and chest.

– Who are you?! Why are you here?!

Is You Mademoiselle Arabella de Frase? – scornfully threw the fat man already middle-aged years.

– Yes, and who are you? How dare you intrude on the territory of a single woman?!

«Madam, we personal the gendarmes of our great monarch!

The young woman smiled sarcastically at him: – what want from me the king

Six of the guards took a step forward: – By order of his Majesty, we must arrest you!

Arabella backed away. The cold wind was choppy obvestil her face and ruffled the Golden, hot like fire, hair. Do this way Louis decided to get rid of unwanted mistress?

– Arrest? But what rights? I’m a free woman, and you have no right to detain me. In such cases, please present the charges. What did I do wrong? – continued to fend off the girl. Of course, she knew that for making a Royal judgment the accusations are not needed. The monarch wanted all sang and nobody even dares to open his mouth contradictory, otherwise they will be deprived not only of language but also of the head.

– We don’t know, ma’am, «Arabella snatched the brooding tall, handsome young man, the head of this case:" We are only following orders of his Majesty the king. Please, no noise, quiet, follow us.

The frightened girl took a step back. Under her feet rustled the grass. Arabella clung to the thick trunk of a tree: – do Not you dare come near me! Do not approach!

The brown policeman, dressed in a suede tunic and the same material of the knickers, and took the young woman by the hand: – Calm yourself, lady Arabella. Nobody will hurt you. We’ll just take You to where it should be.

– I’m not going to waste time on accusations not relating to me! – blurted out of the blue-eyed beauty.

Lady! Don’t test our patience! Come on! – gendarmes put at the hands of captive iron chains.

– Let me go! You have no right! I will complain to the justice! Release!

– Mademoiselle de FRASE, shut up! And humbly follow the crew! «the men who brought the slave to the carriage. No sooner had the girl knew it, her eyes flew black patch. Arabella felt someone’s strong hands forced her on something hard and uncomfortable. The gendarmes, tying their prisoner’s eyes started to wrists. Hard fast hands of a young woman with a rope, the guards dropped on the face of Arabella’s heavy, black bag. Being blind, mute and bound, the French stopped struggling. The soldiers, armed with swords, sat down to one side, like a helpless, weak woman could resist six trained, strong men. The carriage has silently moved from a place. The girl tried to act calm, but it is poorly managed. Shackled to the blood scratched wrists from the ropes, sucking on the tender skin, swollen fingers and palm, the bandage rubbed his eyes, under a heavy bag breathing was difficult.

Arabella froze, the thin robe that barely kept the heat on the fragile body in a freezing carriage. The young woman softly groaned. Due to the dense matter surrounding the lips, she couldn’t say anything. The policeman gently removed the bag from the head of his prisoner, watching the mass of tangled hair hides his skinny shoulders: – if you are going to sit back, this uncouth, rough fabric touches you’re the pretty, innocent face. Quite the one bandage that covers your eyes, the crew stopped abruptly. The daughter of the Duke felt a sudden chill seize the body: for the shoulders, then falls to a small girl’s chest, sliding over flawless, flat stomach, wraps around the waist and thigh tickles. Arabella flinched. She could not forget the sensitive, stimulating touch of the king in their first night, could not forget his daring movements. And even frost, sliding on the leather reminded the girl about it.