[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Genny glanced down and realized there was blood on her good leather boots. Mama would be furious
with her for ruining them, but she sat down and yanked them off as quickly as she could.
Thank you for your help, Bernard. She rose and handed the boots to him. Burn them.
98 www.samhainpublishing.com
Devils on Horseback: Lee
He nodded, wide-eyed, as she walked out of the stable barefoot, filthy and smelling of death and
decay. She d gone into the house and tried to wash up before her mother found her. By then Camille had
heard of Allen s murder and slapped Genny so hard her ears rang.
How dare you? Camille had snarled. You have no right to take revenge on an important man like
that. Do you have any idea what they ll do to me if they find out?
It was always about Camille, never about Genny. She let her mother rant and rave without saying a
word. What could she say? Genny had become an adult and a murderess at the tender age of twelve.
A month later, Genny discovered she d be a mother too. Her life, as pitiful as it was, had been
destroyed completely. She thought it couldn t get any worse, but she d been mistaken. Her mother found
out about the pregnancy and rid herself of such a burdensome daughter.
Camille had shoved her into a carriage in the middle of the night with her awful cousin with the
sweaty hands and smelly breath. She s yours now, Henry. You know she s with child and out of control.
She needs a firm hand, which I m sure you won t mind. Do with her what you need to. I wash my hands of
her for good. Camille turned and left Genny alone in the carriage with Henry without so much as a
goodbye.
It was the last time she saw her mother. Genny rose to her feet and tried to swallow, but she had no
spit left in her mouth. Jake appeared at the bottom of the steps and looked up at her. She couldn t hide any
longer.
www.samhainpublishing.com 99
Chapter Nine
Genny stepped into the room slowly, Gabby at her heels. She saw her mother sitting at the table, a tall
man behind her with dark chocolate hair and a bland expression. Although she didn t know him, he was as
familiar as one of her mother s favorite hats they all had the same style, they just looked slightly
different. Same with her men.
Hello, Maman. Genny straightened her spine. I never expected to see you again.
Her mother smiled and rose, arms outstretched. Ah, ma petite, it s wonderful to see you. You look so
tired. She brushed a kiss against each of Genny s cheeks as the familiar scent of Camille s perfume
washed over her.
Genny closed her eyes against the waves of memories invoked by the simple scent. An ache spread in
her chest and she had trouble catching her breath. She d endured so much unhappiness, pain, darkness in
her young life. Her mother was a monster with a pretty smile, one with an ugly side Genny knew too well.
She stepped out of her mother s reach and walked over toward Lee, who stood near the sink, Sophie firmly
attached to his leg.
His gaze was wary, but she also saw a little disappointment. She d been honest with him for the most
part. There were details she didn t quite tell him. He folded his hand around hers. Although she was still
shaking, having him beside her helped her feel stronger.
Why are you here, Maman?
Ma petite, I come to see you. Henry has kept you safe all these years from the Coddingtons. Now
they have given up their search for you. The old man, Allen s father, died two weeks ago. No one is left to
remember or seek vengeance.
Genny mulled over what her mother said, knowing of course she was probably lying. Did you bring
the clipping?
Camille raised one brow. Clipping?
Sirius Coddington s obituary clipping from the newspaper. That was his name.
Camille waved her hand as if shooing away a pesky fly. Of course I brought no clipping. Why would
I need one? You are my daughter. I tell you the truth as always. She smiled at Gabby, who stood silently
in the doorway. Bonjour, Madame. I am Camille Boudreaux and this is my traveling companion, Willard
Hill.
Devils on Horseback: Lee
Willard sketched a short bow while Camille held out her hands for Gabby. Bless her heart, Gabby had
more fortitude than Genny did. She squeezed Camille s hands briefly.
Hello, Miss Boudreaux. I am Gabrielle Sheridan. May I offer you some coffee?
How very polite you are. That would be wonderful. Camille sat down. I have not had a good cup
of coffee since I left New Orleans.
Gabby flashed a look at Lee who scowled fiercely at her. Genny understood though Gabby was
being a considerate hostess. Camille had done nothing to offend her and was wearing her polite social
mask, which would likely slip when the others left the room.
You did not answer my question, Maman. Why are you here?
Camille waited until Gabby had set the cup of coffee in front of her. She didn t say a word, but she
picked up the tin cup with two fingers as if it were the finest china. A backhanded insult to be sure. I have
come to visit you of course. This man here tells me Henry is dead.
Genny took a steadying breath. It had been so long since she d played her mother s games, and she
was sorely out of practice. Most folks in Tanger simply said what was on their minds, good or bad, blunt or
sweet. Camille played a game of words. She was incredibly smart, very manipulative and devious as a
demon.
Henry died six months ago so you came for nothing. I have a farm to run and a daughter to raise.
Genny was proud that her voice didn t tremble.
Ah, ma petite, I didn t come for nothing. I came to see you, not Henry. Poor Henry, he was not
young when he took you under his wing, but then we did what we could under the circumstances. I was
lucky my cousin was in New Orleans when I needed him. Camille sipped at the coffee and pursed her lips
as she swallowed, another subtle backhanded insult to Gabby.
Henry didn t take me under his wing. He took me to his bed, he put me under his fists. Genny s
voice grew stronger as she pushed aside her anger. You are not welcome here so you can just pack up your
Willard and go back to New Orleans.
Camille laughed at Genny s command. It was a tinkling, sing-songy laugh she d practiced for years. It
was a part of Genny s childhood, almost from the cradle. In fact, Genny couldn t remember a time she
didn t hear it. Exactly as it sounded now, never different, never honest.
You are too clever, Genevieve. Camille tutted at her. She cocked her head and pretended just to
notice Sophie tucked behind Lee s leg. This is the child, oui? Thank God she looks like me. Oh, but she
needs pretty dresses and hair bows. She looks like a dirty street urchin.
You d better watch your mouth, lady, or my new daddy will kick your ass. Sophie frowned just as
fiercely as her future stepfather did. For once, Genny was glad Sophie was outspoken.
Your new daddy? Camille s gaze raked up and down Lee, pausing on what was left of his shattered
arm. Ah yes, Mr. Blackwood told me of your nuptials. My felicitations. You ll be adopting the child
www.samhainpublishing.com 101
Beth Williamson
then? She said it so subtly, so nonchalantly, Genny had the awful thought that Sophie was the reason
Camille had come to Tanger.
As his daughter, Sophie was the heir to Allen Coddington s fortune since he had no children prior to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl ocenkijessi.opx.pl
Genny glanced down and realized there was blood on her good leather boots. Mama would be furious
with her for ruining them, but she sat down and yanked them off as quickly as she could.
Thank you for your help, Bernard. She rose and handed the boots to him. Burn them.
98 www.samhainpublishing.com
Devils on Horseback: Lee
He nodded, wide-eyed, as she walked out of the stable barefoot, filthy and smelling of death and
decay. She d gone into the house and tried to wash up before her mother found her. By then Camille had
heard of Allen s murder and slapped Genny so hard her ears rang.
How dare you? Camille had snarled. You have no right to take revenge on an important man like
that. Do you have any idea what they ll do to me if they find out?
It was always about Camille, never about Genny. She let her mother rant and rave without saying a
word. What could she say? Genny had become an adult and a murderess at the tender age of twelve.
A month later, Genny discovered she d be a mother too. Her life, as pitiful as it was, had been
destroyed completely. She thought it couldn t get any worse, but she d been mistaken. Her mother found
out about the pregnancy and rid herself of such a burdensome daughter.
Camille had shoved her into a carriage in the middle of the night with her awful cousin with the
sweaty hands and smelly breath. She s yours now, Henry. You know she s with child and out of control.
She needs a firm hand, which I m sure you won t mind. Do with her what you need to. I wash my hands of
her for good. Camille turned and left Genny alone in the carriage with Henry without so much as a
goodbye.
It was the last time she saw her mother. Genny rose to her feet and tried to swallow, but she had no
spit left in her mouth. Jake appeared at the bottom of the steps and looked up at her. She couldn t hide any
longer.
www.samhainpublishing.com 99
Chapter Nine
Genny stepped into the room slowly, Gabby at her heels. She saw her mother sitting at the table, a tall
man behind her with dark chocolate hair and a bland expression. Although she didn t know him, he was as
familiar as one of her mother s favorite hats they all had the same style, they just looked slightly
different. Same with her men.
Hello, Maman. Genny straightened her spine. I never expected to see you again.
Her mother smiled and rose, arms outstretched. Ah, ma petite, it s wonderful to see you. You look so
tired. She brushed a kiss against each of Genny s cheeks as the familiar scent of Camille s perfume
washed over her.
Genny closed her eyes against the waves of memories invoked by the simple scent. An ache spread in
her chest and she had trouble catching her breath. She d endured so much unhappiness, pain, darkness in
her young life. Her mother was a monster with a pretty smile, one with an ugly side Genny knew too well.
She stepped out of her mother s reach and walked over toward Lee, who stood near the sink, Sophie firmly
attached to his leg.
His gaze was wary, but she also saw a little disappointment. She d been honest with him for the most
part. There were details she didn t quite tell him. He folded his hand around hers. Although she was still
shaking, having him beside her helped her feel stronger.
Why are you here, Maman?
Ma petite, I come to see you. Henry has kept you safe all these years from the Coddingtons. Now
they have given up their search for you. The old man, Allen s father, died two weeks ago. No one is left to
remember or seek vengeance.
Genny mulled over what her mother said, knowing of course she was probably lying. Did you bring
the clipping?
Camille raised one brow. Clipping?
Sirius Coddington s obituary clipping from the newspaper. That was his name.
Camille waved her hand as if shooing away a pesky fly. Of course I brought no clipping. Why would
I need one? You are my daughter. I tell you the truth as always. She smiled at Gabby, who stood silently
in the doorway. Bonjour, Madame. I am Camille Boudreaux and this is my traveling companion, Willard
Hill.
Devils on Horseback: Lee
Willard sketched a short bow while Camille held out her hands for Gabby. Bless her heart, Gabby had
more fortitude than Genny did. She squeezed Camille s hands briefly.
Hello, Miss Boudreaux. I am Gabrielle Sheridan. May I offer you some coffee?
How very polite you are. That would be wonderful. Camille sat down. I have not had a good cup
of coffee since I left New Orleans.
Gabby flashed a look at Lee who scowled fiercely at her. Genny understood though Gabby was
being a considerate hostess. Camille had done nothing to offend her and was wearing her polite social
mask, which would likely slip when the others left the room.
You did not answer my question, Maman. Why are you here?
Camille waited until Gabby had set the cup of coffee in front of her. She didn t say a word, but she
picked up the tin cup with two fingers as if it were the finest china. A backhanded insult to be sure. I have
come to visit you of course. This man here tells me Henry is dead.
Genny took a steadying breath. It had been so long since she d played her mother s games, and she
was sorely out of practice. Most folks in Tanger simply said what was on their minds, good or bad, blunt or
sweet. Camille played a game of words. She was incredibly smart, very manipulative and devious as a
demon.
Henry died six months ago so you came for nothing. I have a farm to run and a daughter to raise.
Genny was proud that her voice didn t tremble.
Ah, ma petite, I didn t come for nothing. I came to see you, not Henry. Poor Henry, he was not
young when he took you under his wing, but then we did what we could under the circumstances. I was
lucky my cousin was in New Orleans when I needed him. Camille sipped at the coffee and pursed her lips
as she swallowed, another subtle backhanded insult to Gabby.
Henry didn t take me under his wing. He took me to his bed, he put me under his fists. Genny s
voice grew stronger as she pushed aside her anger. You are not welcome here so you can just pack up your
Willard and go back to New Orleans.
Camille laughed at Genny s command. It was a tinkling, sing-songy laugh she d practiced for years. It
was a part of Genny s childhood, almost from the cradle. In fact, Genny couldn t remember a time she
didn t hear it. Exactly as it sounded now, never different, never honest.
You are too clever, Genevieve. Camille tutted at her. She cocked her head and pretended just to
notice Sophie tucked behind Lee s leg. This is the child, oui? Thank God she looks like me. Oh, but she
needs pretty dresses and hair bows. She looks like a dirty street urchin.
You d better watch your mouth, lady, or my new daddy will kick your ass. Sophie frowned just as
fiercely as her future stepfather did. For once, Genny was glad Sophie was outspoken.
Your new daddy? Camille s gaze raked up and down Lee, pausing on what was left of his shattered
arm. Ah yes, Mr. Blackwood told me of your nuptials. My felicitations. You ll be adopting the child
www.samhainpublishing.com 101
Beth Williamson
then? She said it so subtly, so nonchalantly, Genny had the awful thought that Sophie was the reason
Camille had come to Tanger.
As his daughter, Sophie was the heir to Allen Coddington s fortune since he had no children prior to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]