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

As the planning progressed and the trip became more imminent, the Duc seriously contemplated joining the trek he was financing—at least for a month or so. The more he considered the possibility, the more intrigued he became. And when Justin returned from Egypt, announced his intention of participating in Georges's journey East, Etienne definitely reviewed what business commitments could be relegated to others.

"Come along, Papa," Justin coaxed one day when the three of them were going over the maps. More than anyone, Justin was aware of his father's new moodiness, for their morning rides had resumed on his return and his father was visibly transformed. "The wind from the steppes will clear your mind," he added with a grin.

"A pleasant prospect… I could go on the first leg perhaps." Unlike his earlier trip years ago, Etienne could no longer contemplate months away from Paris. He hadn't been involved as a major shareholder in the rail lines then nor been active in the Bourse trading. Neither business gave him the luxury of being absent for lengthy intervals.

"Come as far as Samarkand. From that point you can return before the cold weather sets in."

"The trains to Samarkand are reliable," Georges added, knowing Etienne needed distractions in his life. Women had always been his entertainment in the past, but since Daisy, he'd not returned to his previous pursuits. He rarely went out and he was noticeably restless. "You could be back in Paris in eight days," his cousin suggested.

Etienne ran his slender finger over the etched railway line connecting Asia to the capital of France, paused for a moment, then, looking up, smiled. "I need a change of scene—why not."

They planned to leave in a month.

The Duc's anger with Daisy had abated over the past weeks, his previous bitterness overlaid with a benign magnanimity. He'd been selfish and unfair to ask Daisy to wait for the lengthy time required for his divorce. She deserved more immediate happiness, not a years-long delay while Isabelle appealed the final appeal with the last magistrate in the highest court of appeal. And she would—that much was patently clear. If he was absent fromDaisy's life she'd have the opportunity to find someone else to love.

His benevolence didn't withstand his most vivid dreams of Daisy though or his gloomiest melancholy, and he sat up and drank on those nights, to blur the graphic intensity of her image or dull the corrosive edges of his sorrow.

The days were manageable for Daisy. She arrived at the office early and stayed till late in the evening, the sheer volume of the work she took on consuming every minute. And if she could have worked all night, too, she would have, for at times her dreams wouldn't so conveniently succumb to conscious repression. She'd see Etienne then in the full beauty of his person, smiling and teasing her, holding her, making her laugh. Those mornings when she woke and realized she was alone in her bed were like a small death.

The opening of the new mine was a blessing, the complexity of establishing a mining operation from day one absorbing enormous time. Down two levels now and into the top perimeters of the ore vein, they were scheduled to start shipping in six months. Water had been a problem early on, but after a redesigned pumping system was operational, no further crises occurred.

Daisy had gone upmountain twice during the summer camp, to take part in the games and festivities, but her smiles were less spontaneous, she was noticeably more subdued, and she politely refused to accompany the young couples when they went berrying. On the moonlit nights when the beating drums drew the clans out to dance, Daisy found herself lured by the pulsing rhythm, the throbbing resonance bewitching her senses. She danced those nights, but never twice with the same man—as if she were no longer available for flirtation.

She continued her restraint back in Helena when Hazard and Blaze entertained; more quiet than usual, she'd listen rather than participate in the discussion, and more often than not, directly after dinner, she'd make her excuses or simply disappear.

Her refuge and security in all those weeks after leaving Paris centered on her commitment to her tribe. Like her father and her brothers, she'd accepted Hazard's vision of hope for their people. Together with the members of their small clan, she and her family cooperated in the mining ventures, the horse breeding, the education of the children, the struggle to maintain their lands for their people.

There was satisfaction in knowing each long day of activity contributed to the improvement of life for everyone in their clan. The percentage of their children in school was gratifying; the number of their students going to college and returning to serve as instructors was proof of the harmony of clan spirit. A special effort pridefully supported Absarokee artisans dedicated to preserving the craftsmanship of their nomadic way of life; apprenticeship programs had been established to guarantee none of the age-old arts would perish. Daisy volunteered, as well, at their medical and legal-aid clinics.

Contributing to a working society living in harmony, a society with common goals and purpose, offered her a measure of contentment.

But it wasn't complete compensation for what she'd given up.

And no one understood better than her family.

One morning at breakfast with Hazard, Blaze said with a faint frown creasing her brow, "Daisy stayed in town again last night. She's working entirely too many hours and you should put a stop to it."

A small startle reflex passed across Hazard's face. "How would you suggest I do that, darling? Bodily carry her from the office?" He smiled to mitigate his rebuff, set down his paper, and diplomatically added, "She may prefer being alone in her apartment in town."

"That's a worry as well. She shouldn't have so much time alone to brood." In her concern, Blaze was demolishing a muffin into dust.

"Darling," Hazard soothingly said, reaching over to put a calming hand on his