Page 47 of Lord Ramsey's Red-Headed Ruin
Then Amber sensed him following her line of sight. He landed on the tall, dark-haired, handsome man and the golden-haired beauty by his side. Neither took their eyes off Amber.
Both appeared to be shopping, dressed in finely tailored clothing indicative of their status as merchants of good wine.
“Ram, you have no cause to worry. I know them well and I cannot ignore them. They are Aunt Cecily’s vintners from the Loire. Please. Come. We must greet them.”
Amber sailed forward, her manner that of one who welcomed the sight of them.
“Madame!” The young lady beamed and dropped into a curtsy.
“Madame, it is wonderful to see you,” said the man.
Amber embraced both with gusto.
“Allow me to introduce you,” she said to Ram, hoping he might appear less fierce and more friendly. “This isMademoiselle Inès Bechard and her brother, Monsieur Luc Bechard. My friend is Lord Ramsey, an Englishman attached to the British delegation. My dear,” she said as she turned to Ram, “the family Bechard live near Amboise on the Loire. They grow very fine grapes and produce excellent white wine, which Aunt Cecily stocks in her cellars for all occasions.”
Luc took a step nearer Amber. His manner was careful, his expression that of alarm, as he murmured to her, “We are pleased to see you well, madame. Never did we expect to see you in Paris. I assume my sister and I are to say we have not seen you.”
“You are correct, monsieur. This happenstance is one you must forget. Please.”
“We understand,” said Inès with a nod.
“The news of your disappearance has frightened many. Changed much in the city,” said Luc with troubled gaze.
“Too much to state here,” his sister added.
“I can only imagine,” Amber said with regret.
Ram intervened, a hand to her elbow. “We must return home.”
“Home?” asked Inès.
“None that you know, Inès,” Amber replied.
“Ah,” said the girl, her large umber eyes on Ram as if she understood he was her guard and protector.
Luc took his sister’s arm. “We are thrilled to see you well.”
“Merci beaucoup, Luc. Inès.” Amber had a smile for them. “We must go.Adieu.”
She and Ram had gone no farther than a step when Luc appeared at her side. “One thing. You must know this. We have problems, madame.”
Ram cast a withering eye over Luc and the restraining hand he had placed on Amber’s forearm.
“Please,” Luc said to him. “I know madame is sought by…” He looked around before he continued to speak. “You know to whom I refer, madame. Please listen to me. He promises to bring in any and all of your friends to question them about your location.”
Amber gasped. “No. No.”
“How do you know this, monsieur?” Ram scowled at the man.
Luc turned to Amber. “I was with your aunt at a dinner party last night.”
His sister attempted to appear normal, as if the four of them were having a pleasant conversation.
Ram stiffened. “We must go.”
“Amber,” Luc beseeched her, “listen to me. He told your aunt he has a list of those who will go to prison. He says it is his goal to strike each name off permanently until you reappear.”
“Oh, Luc.” She could not breathe.
