Embrace the Night

Page 74



begged her to see past the monster he had become and love the man who no longer existed.
Chapter Twelve

"What do you mean, you can't see me after the show?"

Maurice stared at her, his brow furrowed, his eyes mirroring his confusion.
"I have an appointment," Sara replied.

"An appointment? With whom?"

"An old friend." An exasperated sigh escaped Sara's lips. "If you must know, I'm meeting Gabriel."

Understanding replaced confusion in Maurice's eyes, but only for a moment as jealousy quickly took its place. "So, he's finally come to see you after all these years."

"Yes."

"Do you think it's wise for you to meet with him alone?"
"What do you mean?"

"How will it look, the two of you being alone together in your room?"

Sara felt a blush stain her cheeks. It wasn't proper to entertain a man alone in her apartment. But Gabriel wasn't just any man. He was her benefactor; but, more than that, he was her friend, the closest thing to a family that she had. But it wasn't that thought that brought the flush to her cheeks. It was the knowledge that she wanted to be more to him than a protégée. Much more.

"It will be all right," Sara said, keeping her voice carefully cool and calm. "After all, he's been supporting me for the past five years. I can hardly refuse to see him." She hated lying to Maurice. It wasn't Gabriel who had insisted on seeing her. Quite the opposite, in fact.

"Someone should be there with you," Maurice insisted. "A chaperon, if you will."
"Babette will be there," Sara lied.

Maurice laid his hand on her arm. "I love you, Sara. I only want what's best for you."

"I know." She gazed into his eyes, wishing she could return his affection, but she belonged to Gabriel heart and soul, had been his since the first time she saw him on her veranda.

"Marry me, Sara," Maurice implored. He dropped to one knee and took her hand in his. "I know I'm not nearly good enough for you, but you'll be rich in love if nothing else, I promise you that. Only say yes."

"Maurice…"

"It's him, isn't it?" Maurice rose to his feet, his eyes blazing with anger and jealousy. "You're infatuated with that old man."