Page 14 of Sweet Siren
Chapter 4
The night wascool for late October in Paris. She pulled the collar of her cloak higher against the breezes off theriver.
The moon shone, full and buttery as he walked beside her along thequai. He'd chosen a portion of the Seine where filigreed black iron gas lamps illuminated the cobbles and he ordered his coachman to follow a few paces behind as they strolled along. He'd left his top hat and his gloves in his carriage and she had left her little evening purse upon theseat.
Killian had relinquished her hand once they'd alighted, though his nearness, enticing and fragrant of bergamot, clung to her consciousness. How many years had it been since a man had made such an impression on her? Ah, she knew. Since she was an ingénue naive, gullible and unable to discern character fromappearance.
They walked along the water's edge, the sounds of the river lapping at the docks draining her anxiety of meeting this man and the shock of enjoying his company. If she could now continue to reconcile her previous hatred of him with her delight at his attentions, she might learn how to forgive what destruction she'd endured after his theft of her prospects and herhappiness.
"How did you learn to play the piano sowell?"
Struck that he should ask such a pertinent question about the origin of her wounds and her salve for them, she avoided looking at his all too handsome face. "Years, hours, days of devotion to it. Most young girls take lessons early and I used it as an escape. As a cure. Medication. Laudanum, if you will, forunhappiness."
"I'm sorry. I've touched a nerve and meant only to compliment you on your expertise. I enjoyed itthoroughly."
"Thank you." She could be gracious. "I'm glad youdid."
"Chopin is a favorite ofmine."
The American tycoon had culture? Of course. How could he survive here or in London withoutit?
"My wife liked his etudes. I prefer hissonatas."
Oh, give over, Liv. The man attempts to be engaging."Did your wife play thepiano?"
"She did. Not as well as you. Your talents reminded me of her. I thank you for that as I don't remember her often enough thesedays."
Manners would be a good thing to display here."How many years have you been withouther?"
"Nearly thirteen. With her, I learned how to put all my efforts intowinning."
"She knew yourstrengths?"
"And my weaknesses. She wasn't shy about reminding me of them,either."
Liv laughed with him. "A proper partner doesthat."
"I wasfortunate."
Liv could not say the same of her own—and she strolled onward. "The river is serene tonight. It splashes softly against thedocks."
He kept pace. "You like thewater?"
"Yes. I do," she said smiling. He knew when and how to change the subject to a more agreeable one. "The sound is like no other. Gentler than a bell. Sweeter than a chime. Oceans, rivers, streams, seas. I am free inwater."
"Do you sail?" he asked in that mellow tone that defrosted more of her defenses againsthim.
“No. Doyou?”
"I leave that toothers."
"How can that be? You own shippingcompanies."
"I do. I've commanded a few smaller vessels in the sixties. But I always had an experienced assistant on board. I know more about how to make them efficient for trade. These days, I let others run them with my instructions. Do you like tosail?"
"Iswim."
He laughed. "Are you anygood?"
