Forbidden by Susan Johnson (good books to read for teens .TXT) 📕

her until she was almost four. He'd always felt guilty about missing that portion of her childhood. But Dawn Light had fallen in love with Seven Arrows by the time he'd returned from the war and in the way of their tribe, Daisy had been raised with her mother and Seven Arrows.

In some ways he felt more responsible for Daisy because of his absence in her first years of life, feeling that perhaps he'd contributed in some way to her reserved nature. Clearing his throat, he leaned forward, his expression grave. "I might as well get right to the point," he said, his dark eyes fixed on the Duc. "I was wondering—if you don't mind the fatherly term—exactly what your intentions are toward my daughter." Hazard wasn't prudish; he understood passion and need. But he'd seen Nadine tonight and knew the Duc's reputation.

"I asked Daisy to marry me."

Etienne's statement elicited a skeptically raised eyebrow.

"After my divorce is finalized."

"Daisy says perhaps that isn't a possibility." Hazard's tone was scrupulously polite, exquisitely polite, a tactful inquiry into the Duc's honest intentions.

"She probably told you my wife isn't cooperating." Etienne sighed. "It could take some time."

"How long?"

The Duc set his glass down on a small table intricately inlaid with fragrant sandalwood. "I don't honestly know." A moody ill-humor colored his voice. "Neither Isabelle nor her family approves of divorce… a very new option in France anyway, as you might know."

"So I've been told." Hazard's dark gaze took in the Duc's brooding scowl for a long moment, and his voice, when he spoke, was grave. "How much do you love her?" He didn't ask do you love her because he wanted to know more than that. "She's my only daughter," he cryptically added.

"I've never loved anyone before. I love her that much," Etienne simply said.

Hazard put his glass down, too, as if the amenities were past and the serious issues confronted them. "I don't care about your divorce," he quietly said. "Our culture enfranchises individual choice. Male or female," he softly added. "What I do care about though, is my daughter's happiness. My question is whether you can offer her that." He put his hand up to stay the Duc's response until he finished. "She's not sure apparently about her feelings and I don't know if the problem is yours or hers. I don't even know positively a problem exists, but my wife tells me one does. You tell me."

"Is Daisy involved with anyone else?" Not only jealousy but practicality prompted Etienne's question. "Because if she is, then the reasons she's given me for her refusal of my marriage offer are in the way of a polite dismissal. If not… I'll do my damndest to change her mind."

"I don't know if her involvement matters. In my culture, a man woos a woman whether he has rivals or not. If he cares."

"Good." Etienne's smile drove the moodiness from his eyes.

"You shouldn't have any trouble pressing your suit if rumor's true," Hazard mildly said, amusement prominent in his tone.

"I have your permission, then, to court your daughter?" The Duc spoke in swift declaration. "And I intend to divorce Isabelle if it means buying off every magistrate in France."

"I was wondering if you hadn't considered that possibility before. Bribes are quite effective over here. Although certainly never cheap. Trey's divorce cost us one of our mines, but you met Valerie tonight. The exorbitant price was worth it."

"Yet the man with her tonight is a family member."

"Valerie's a pleasant diversion; one simply wouldn't want her for a wife, and Blaze's brother Kit is still only interested in diverting himself. He'll enjoy her company."

"A benevolent point of view."

"Kit's special. He's my wife's only family."

"Does he live in Montana too?"

"At times. He mostly sails."

"For business?"

"No. Kit's only business is pleasure. Some of your commercial interests are railroads, Daisy tells me. A problem for her, she also tells me, with your lines in Europe. Do you see it as a problem?"

"I was hoping she might live with me in Paris… at least part of the year. I honestly hadn't considered it an issue. I told her the problems of our two lives could be solved… somehow."

"Can they though? I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit Daisy's extremely important to our clan as well as to our family. We're in litigation right now over mineral rights to our new mine. These court fights are hell; the case could very well drag out for years and she's the best legal resource person we have. In that respect I don't know how much she'll be willing to compromise. Daisy is seriously committed to our tribe."

"I'm more of a romantic than she. I'm convinced we can reach some agreement."

"Would you live in Montana?"

"I can't permanently. My business ventures require my presence in Europe at least occasionally."

"Hmm," Hazard murmured.

An ominous sound suddenly in the silence of the Alhambra chamber. "Surely we can compromise."

"We've railroad building out West now too. You might want to think about it. Come out some time and take a look for yourself."

The door to the smoking room opened then and Nadine swept in, her arms open wide, her smile radiant. "There you are!" She sailed over in a cloud of perfume and black lace. "You've had him long enough, Hazard. He's mine now."

"Good luck," Hazard murmured to Etienne with a grin. "He's all yours, Nadine," he said aloud. "But remember, we might need him for a polo match tomorrow if our play-off is scheduled. The Duc might like some sleep."

"Rest assured, Hazard, I'll see that Oliver arranges a rest day for tomorrow. The Duc has graciously promised to come over to Barkley lighthouse later in the afternoon for my picnic."

"I do have an early appointment with Hector in the morning, Nadine."

"It's only one-thirty, Etienne."

"It's only one-thirty for people who sleep until noon, Nadine. And that doesn't include me since I'm Hector's breakfast partner. In fact, Jolie invited me to stay with them tonight."

"Could I drive you over on my way home?"