The crowd responded with a roar. "Yes!"

He'd given her no choice. She looked around at the throng clamoring to hear her song, and then at him. Why are you doing this? was clearly etched on her lovely face. He wanted to answer her unspoken question, to tell her to trust him, that it was the only way he could think of to avoid having to punish her yet still appear impartial. But then again, she didn't trust him. Did she? Not with a single meaningful detail about herself?

"Sing," he commanded her.

She looked around again, then back at him and finally took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and paused. Eagerly, he awaited that first heavenly note. She didn't disappoint. She began to sing. Softly at first, then stronger.

The crowd fell silent.

He hadn't forgotten the song. That beautiful, haunting voice pervaded his heavy soul. It was but one of the many multifaceted reasons he was so very drawn to her.

Absorbing every sweet note, he wanted to remain suspended in it. Her voice and that song had a way of vanquishing all else but its melody. And the woman it came from.

When the last note faded, she opened her eyes and scanned the crowd. For a moment, there was only silence.

Lucio and Nicolo were the first to clap vigorously, followed by thunderous applause from the rest of the throng, their cheers and whistles filling the air. The look of astonishment on her face was priceless. Slowly, a brilliant smile formed on her sweet lips. He couldn't hold back his own grin. It was obvious she'd never truly realized until this moment how moving that song was. There was pure joy in her eyes, and in his heart for her.

His beautiful songbird had succeeded in winning over the entire crowd.

Just as he knew she would.

He glanced at Jules, Armand, and Domenico, thoroughly enjoying the stunned looks on their faces.

Simon raised his hand, and the jovial noise dissipated. "I must agree with Madame Dragani. That sounded far too angelic to be wicked. Would you not agree?" he questioned the crowd. They cheered anew.

"This is preposterous!" the priest began to spout, red-faced. "The church is no place for-"

"That song is as close to heaven as some of us here will ever get," Simon interjected. There was applause and some laughter that rippled through the crowd. "The mademoiselle will henceforth refrain from singing her prayer in the church, and you, Pere Crotteau, will accept her onetime form of spiritual devotion to her mother's memory. We are finished with this matter. Step back," Simon ordered. The old priest complied with a nod, being wise enough to know how far to push.

"Now then, I'll hear about the incident at the schoolhouse next." Simon's gaze was fixed on Angelica. He'd schooled his features into a more purposeful look, though he still reeled with pleasure over her accomplishment.

With regret, he saw her smile die, yet she didn't flinch under the weight of his stare as others did. She never had. Inner strength was something he'd always admired. And she had an abundance of it.

"Today, I observed, while on my way past the schoolhouse, Grignon whipping a child severely," she responded, her tone dripping with disdain and anger.

"That is nonsense. A gross exaggeration of the truth," the schoolmaster argued.

"It is not an exaggeration." She cast Grignon a look of contempt. "The boy was terribly wounded. This man does not teach. He terrifies these children. No child can possibly learn under these conditions. Nor should they be made to."

"You know nothing of what you speak. And you know nothing of teaching," Grignon countered.

"Not true. I have taught children in the past, and they can learn, even difficult pa.s.sages, when you stir within them the desire to learn," she shot back.

Simon watched as she stood her ground, not allowing Grignon to intimidate her. She spoke with conviction. And she was completely alluring in her temper.

She was completely alluring always.

"Is this true, Grignon? Did you beat this child?" he asked.

"The child was simply disciplined. Discipline is an important part of any child's education."

Simon nodded. "I will see the boy for myself before making a decision on this matter."

"But she is out of control. She needs punishment!" the schoolmaster exclaimed, his eyes scanning about for someone to concur.

Simon frowned. "Grignon, do you dare question my judgment?"

Grignon's brows shot up. "No-No, of course not." He cleared his throat. "I am confident your decision will be just and proper, as always." He forced a weak smile.

"Simon, the boy is here," Sabine announced. She motioned to her servant, who carried the boy to the center of the square next to Sabine.

Sabine lifted the boy's shirt.

Instantly, a soft cry quivered through the crowd. Simon felt his ire grow as he gazed at the child's back.

"Grignon, you call this discipline?" Simon demanded.

"Yes. It is important-"

"It is excessive. And unacceptable!"

Jules let loose a string of expletives. "If I'd had any inkling he was capable of doing something like this," he growled, "I would have broken his skinny neck."

Simon knew if Grignon had done this to other children, their parents would have been afraid to report authority to authority. It was often the way with peasants. Regardless, he had to know for certain. "Have others among you had children suffer something similar to what this boy has suffered at Grignon's hands? I demand a show of hands."

People exchanged uneasy glances. Slowly, some reluctant hands began to rise.

Merde. "Grignon, you are relieved of your duty as schoolmaster."

"What?" Grignon paled.

"Furthermore, three months' labor in the fields, without pay, will hopefully give you enough time to consider your ill ways."

"But..."

"Don't speak!" he barked. "Or I'll reconsider my punishment and flog you myself. That is all." Simon stood.

The crowd began to depart.

Simon stepped around the table. "Angelica?"

Standing with Gabriella, Sabine, and their husbands, she turned around. She was smiling, despite the marital discord near her.

"A word with you," he requested.

She approached. He wanted to shake her, to hold her, to lose himself in the sweet oblivion she induced with just one of her kisses.

"Yes?"

"A warning, if you will. In a single morning, you have managed to offend the Church and unsettle our system of schooling. Tell me, do you have any plans for the afternoon?"

"No, I believe I'm done for the day."

"Excellent. I think we need to keep you busy. You have been teaching Suzette to read and have taught children in the past. Would you like the position of schoolmistress?"

A small gasp escaped her. "Oh yes! Yes, I would!"

Angelica felt as though her heart was ready to burst, overjoyed by what she'd just observed-his anger and outrage over the abuse the boy suffered. How many more times did she need to see him demonstrate his compa.s.sion for others? With each matter brought before him today, he'd been fair. Considerate. He'd even a.s.sisted her with the old priest-and now he was granting her a position that meant the world to her-schoolmistress.

Why keep her past a secret from him when it cost her more than it gained? When it was keeping her from more bliss. From more with him. Everything she'd seen today further confirmed in her heart that she should take the risk. He'd shown himself to be worthy of her trust. And she was going to lay her secret bare.

The wall of silence that kept her apart from him was going to be torn down.

"If you like, you may start tomorrow, Angelica."

She couldn't stop smiling. "Thank you!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "For the position and for making me sing." Each time she sang that song, it gave her great comfort and strength. She stepped back. He looked utterly stunned.

She laughed. "That wasn't very discreet of me, I suppose," she said without apology. She didn't care who was watching. She wasn't going to be afraid. Or hide anymore.

Everything was going to be all right. He'll understand.

He smiled back at her. "I'm glad you are so pleased."

"I want to accept your invitation," she blurted out.

He was speechless for a moment, her words astounding him more than her public affection. "Really..."

"Yes, Simon, truly. Will you come to my room tonight?" She had the overwhelming urge to kiss that perfect mouth. Never to stop.

"You understand what this means, don't you?"

"Yes."

"You will reveal yourself to me completely, without holding back?"

Old fears rose within her. She quickly said, "Yes," before they could overtake her. "I will, but-"

"But what?"

"I want to be with you first, just like on the ship. One more time. Then I will tell you what you wish to know. I promise."

Simon walked through the front door of his home. The day couldn't have trickled by more slowly. He'd gone through the motions, meetings, and inspections, but all he could think about was Angelica. In his arms. Finally trusting him. His knowing all her secrets.

He climbed the stairs. Each step that brought him closer to her made his heart beat a little faster. By the time he reached Angelica's door, he felt nervous. Incredible. He'd never been nervous with any woman. Not ever.

Entering her room, he found her standing on the small balcony. The breeze caressed her hair and the hem of her pale-colored dressing gown.

Basking in the moon's silver light was his moonlight angel.

Momentarily transfixed, he watched as she inhaled the night air and gazed at the mult.i.tude of starry lights. Raw hunger shot through his body. Hardening his c.o.c.k.

His desire for her was humbling.

He approached, the sound of the distant sea becoming more p.r.o.nounced.

"That is indeed a beautiful moon," he said.

Startled, she spun around, then smiled. Her smile wasn't as joyful as it had been earlier. It was a little nervous, a little apprehensive.

She threw herself against him, taking him off guard. Twining her arms around his neck, she planted a zealous kiss on his mouth. There was nothing apprehensive about that.

Capturing her face between his hands, he angled her head and took command of the kiss, sliding his tongue past her lips, possessing her mouth. He gave her slow, measured strokes of his tongue, enjoying the sensual sound of her soft moan, and the sweet, hot press of her form against him. For an instant, he wondered if he should shatter her mystique at all. Did he really want this enchantment to end? Would it end?

She ended the kiss, breathless. Big green eyes stared back at him, darkened with desire. Taking his hand, she began to pull him toward the bed. "There was a moon just like that one on the night we met," she said.

He rooted his feet to the floor, halting them from moving any closer to the bed. Yet he couldn't stop his gaze from stroking down the length of her body. A breeze stole its way into the room and swirled her dressing gown, giving him a glimpse of her legs. Beneath the wrap, she had on only a night chemise. The two layers of thin material didn't come close to shielding her from his burning regard.

"You are beautiful. Pa.s.sionate," he said. "A devastating combination."

She blushed. It was an appealing novelty. The women he normally bedded were not the blushing types. Especially in the boudoir.

"We have matters to discuss before we do that." He nodded toward the bed. He couldn't believe he was hesitating, in any way, to take a beautiful woman who was offering herself to him. To take his fantasy angel.

She slipped her arms around his waist, her soft belly pressing against his stone-hard c.o.c.k. His eager p.r.i.c.k twitched hungrily. "Take me first, Simon. I love the way you make me feel... Just one more time before we talk." She pressed her mouth against his neck and trailed hot kisses toward his throat. He closed his eyes. She was moving things along, using the oldest of ploys. And it was working. The crest of his c.o.c.k was already wet with pre-come. Yet he wasn't going to let her use his body against him. He was here for more than s.e.x. She'd made him promises she was going to keep. He'd never agreed to her suggestion of s.e.x first.

He picked her up and had her on her back on the bed in one fluid movement. He lowered his body on top of hers. Taking her wrists, he slowly raised her arms above her head and pinned them there with one hand. Her eyes widened, but she didn't fight him.

"You are still playing games, and you are trying to distract me with s.e.x."

"No, Simon, I just want-"

"I know what you want. We are not leaving this room until you have told me everything you've promised to tell me." He wanted her to trust him enough to tell him the truth. He wanted to stop obsessing about her. His gaze fell to her sweet b.r.e.a.s.t.s, rising and falling with her excited breaths.

G.o.d help him, he just plain wanted her.

He couldn't keep chasing after her or tormenting himself with questions about her. Nor did he want to be jealous of phantom lovers he envisioned with her. He had to have answers. Or lose his b.l.o.o.d.y mind. Maybe then he could return to his old self or at least to some semblance of that person.

Slowly, he opened her dressing gown and untied the silk ribbon at the neckline of her chemise. "We are going to play my game, chere."

Chapter Fifteen.