Embrace the Night

Page 81



Gabriel's last name. "Gabriel, this is Maurice Delacroix, a member of the company."
"Will you join us?" Gabriel asked.

"I'm sure Maurice has other plans," Sara said, pinning Maurice with a look that clearly said "go away."
"Not at all," Maurice replied. He slid into the booth beside Sara.

Gabriel ordered a glass of wine for Maurice and another for himself.

There was a moment of awkward silence as Gabriel stared at the younger man. Uncomfortable under Gabriel's probing gaze, Maurice quickly drained his glass.

"Sara tells me you've been most generous in your support," Maurice remarked. "Do you sponsor many dancers?"

"Just one."

"I see. Sara has told me very little about you. Have you always had a fondness for the ballet?" "Yes," Gabriel replied, a small smile hovering at the corners of his mouth. "Always."
"How long will you be in Paris?"

"I'm not sure." Gabriel let his gaze move over Sara in a long, slow glance that could only be interpreted as possessive. "I've not been to Paris for many years. It's a beautiful city, don't you agree?"

Maurice glared at Gabriel, all too aware that the man wasn't talking about the city at all. "You seem a man of the world," he said, his voice harsh. "No doubt even a city as lovely as Paris will soon lose its appeal."

"Perhaps."

"I've asked Sara to marry me."

"It was my understanding she had refused your suit."

"For the moment, but I hope to change her mind. Perhaps she would be more willing to say yes if she knew she had your blessing."

Gabriel laughed softly. His blessing, indeed. "Sara doesn't need my permission to wed. I've already told her I will support whatever decision she makes."

Abruptly, Sara rose to her feet. "I'm tired of being discussed as if I weren't here," she declared. "I'm going home."

Maurice sprang to his feet. "I'll see you home."

"I brought Sara here," Gabriel said, rising, "and I will see her safely to her door." He held out his hand and Sara took it without hesitation. "Good night, Maurice," she said softly.