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.He knew Philippe would be far from pleased by the turn of events, but deep in his heart he could not fault Gabby for fleeing from a situation that had caused her so much grief and terror.He blamed his own beautiful daughter for attempting to harm his mistress and his master for leaving his young wife unprotected.Inside the house, Gabby was so happy to be away from Bellefontaine and danger that she nearly collapsed with relief.“What is it, cherie?” Marcel asked when he noticed her pallor and violent trembling.“What has happened? More than the wedding has brought you here.Do you wish to tell me about it?”Unable to contain her emotions for a minute longer, Gabby burst into tears, whereupon Marcel gently drew her into his arms and led her to a sofa, letting her cry out her frustrations into his chest.“Is it Philippe?” he asked, his jaw tightening.“Has he hurt you? I thought he was still aboard the Windward.”Clinging to Marcel, Gabby gasped out, between sobs, the events that sent her from Bellefontaine in fear of her life.When she finished Marcel’s mouth was agape with shock and his hard, emerald eyes wide with distress.“I would not have thought Amalie would go to such lengths to rid herself of a rival,” he muttered darkly.“To think that St.Cyr would leave you at the mercy of that witch is inconceivable.You poor child,” he consoled, barely able to contain his anger at Amalie for putting Gabby through an ordeal that might have damaged her mind had she been a weak woman.“You need never return to Bellefontaine if that is your wish.My home is yours for as long as you care to remain.Amalie cannot harm you here and Honore will remain in St.Pierre after the wedding to forestall any gossip attached to your visit.It is well known that you and my sisters are great friends.”“No matter what Philippe thinks about you, Marcel, you have been a true friend to me and I shall never forget it,” Gabby said gratefully.“I have no desire to return to Bellefontaine and I’m afraid to stay at Philippe’s townhouse where either he or Amalie can easily find me.As long as it is agreeable to you I will stay here until I decide where my future lies.”“What do you have in mind, cherie?” Marcel asked, searching her violet eyes hopefully.“I can no longer live with Philippe,” Gabby declared firmly, her small chin thrust forward, eyes unwavering.“I intend to leave him.Will you help me?”“Ask anything of me, Gabby,” Marcel said fervently.“Does your sister in New Orleans still need a governess for her children? If so, I would like to apply for the position.”“The job is yours, cherie, and I will be happy to see you to New Orleans personally if you are still determined to leave your husband,” he quickly replied.“I have no choice.I am afraid of Philippe and fear Amalie even more.”“After the wedding…” But Marcel got no further.Honore and Linette burst into the room throwing themselves upon Gabby.“Gabby!” exclaimed the volatile Honore.“You’ve come!”“We were afraid you would not come to the wedding,” explained the less dramatic but nevertheless sincere Linette.Then, being a very perceptive young lady, she noticed Gabby’s red-rimmed eyes and immediately voiced her concern.“Why have you been crying, ma chere? Is something amiss?”Almost immediately she realized her blunder, remembering the recent loss of Gabby’s child, and blushed furiously.But it was Honore who surprisingly voiced Linette’s feelings.“You dunce, Linette,” she rounded, “Gabby has a right to be sad, but now that she is here we will keep her too occupied to have sad thoughts.”“Gabby has consented to stay with us for a while,” interposed Marcel, “so you will have plenty of time for gossip.Right now she must be exhausted after the long, hot ride from Bellefontaine so why don’t you two take her to her room so that she may bathe and nap before dinner.Don’t tire her with your jabber,” he warned with mock severity.Gabby glanced around appreciatively at the handsomely appointed room to which the Duvall sisters had taken her.She noticed that her trunk had already been unpacked and a change of clothing laid out on the bed.A tub of steaming water sat upon the hearth.Gabby had so many reasons to be grateful to Marcel.Honore and Linette made to leave but Gabby urged them to stay and talk while she bathed.“Tell me about your husband-to-be, Monsieur Bonnard.What is he like?” Gabby asked Linette while she undressed.She could not help but think of her own hastily arranged marriage and how she had railed against becoming the bride of the cold, aloof stranger her parents had chosen for her.The radiant smile on Linette’s face told Gabby volumes about the bride-to-be’s feelings.“He is so handsome, Gabby,” enthused Linette happily.“Although Marcel told me I would find Monsieur Bonnard pleasing I somehow pictured him anything but handsome.”“She nearly swooned when they met,” giggled Honore.After a sharp, albeit fond look at her sister, Linette continued shyly, “I… I think he found me attractive, also
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