Read Lily (Song of the River) for Free Online Page A

instructions, although she didn’t use as many gestures as the bartender had.
    Blake asked a couple of questions to make sure he understood before handing her the money.
    She placed it in a tiny pocket in her skirt. “Thanks.”
    Blake stood up. “Have a good evening.”
    Her pout was supposed to be attractive, but Blake was unmoved. She was more pitiful than voluptuous. He wished he could tell her to go home and find a husband.
    Instead he picked up his hat and settled it on his head. He had more important things to see to … like claiming his boat and the new future that awaited him.

Chapter Five
     
    W hen he met his mother’s concerned gaze, Jean Luc realized he should have gone out instead of taking a meal with his parents.
    “You’ve hardly touched your dinner, enfant. Are you ill?”
    He shook his head. “I’m fine.”
    “But it’s not like you—”
    Papa interrupted. “Leave the boy alone, Gabrielle. He doesn’t have to stuff himself at every meal.”
    Jean Luc shared a sympathetic gaze with his papa.
    Mama pushed her chair back. “I will leave you gentlemen alone, then. Will you join me in the parlor later?”
    “We won’t be long.” Papa’s voice lost some of its irritation.
    A slave moved to open the door, and Mama sailed through. “We’ll need a tray in the front parlor.” The slave nodded and left to do her bidding.
    Papa tossed his napkin on the table. “I was surprised you didn’t come to the office today.”
    Grasping his goblet, Jean Luc drained the wine in one gulp. “I was busy.”
    Silence filled the room. He could almost feel his father’s piercing gaze burn straight through him, but he refused to look up. Papa would see the truth. Another thought made his heart stutter. Did Papa already know? Against his will, Jean Luc’s gaze rose and smashed into his father’s.
    Feeling like a youngster, Jean Luc gulped. He tried to marshal his thoughts, but his mind wouldn’t function properly. He opened his mouth to confess when a knock on the door interrupted them.
    “I wonder who that can be?” Papa rose from his chair and opened the door.
    “Good evening. You must be Mr. Champney.”
    It could not be. Jean Luc started at the sound of the voice that had dogged him through every waking minute today. He coughed in an attempt to ease the dryness in his throat.
    “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, Monsieur …”
    “Matthews. Blake Matthews.”
    Papa waited, a look of mild curiosity on his face.
    “I need to speak with your son, sir.”
    Papa’s gaze raked Jean Luc before turning back to Matthews. “Come in. You’ve arrived too late to join us for dinner, but perhaps you would care for a glass of brandy.” He moved back to the table.
    Matthews followed. “I don’t believe so, sir. I don’t wish to disturb you. I was only coming by to make sure Jean Luc was not ill. He missed our appointment today.”
    Papa raised an eyebrow. “With all this concern over his health, I’m beginning to wonder if I should send for a doctor.”
    “Before you do, sir, could I have a few moments alone with your son?”
    “Whatever you have to say to Jean Luc can be said while I’m here.”
    Jean Luc pushed back his chair, indignation and horror fighting inside him. Had he stumbled into a nightmare? Surely Blake Matthews hadn’t dared to come here to demand payment. But he could not ignore the evidence. “Shouldn’t you be on your boat?”
    A tight smile appeared on the man’s face. “I would be, but I cannot gain access.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that.” Jean Luc tried for an imperious stare. All he needed to do was imitate his father’s expression. “But I don’t understand what I have to do with that unfortunate circumstance.”
    “I’m not talking about the
Lucky Lucy.
” His eyes glittered like shards of glass. “I’m referring to the boat I won from you last evening, the
Hattie Belle.
”
    “What?” Jean Luc’s father looked from Matthews to his son. “What is he