“How dare you? How dare you leave before the King?” The hiss came at them from behind like a snake"s approach.
The three young women whirled round on their leather heels finding Gaston du Bois, his face gnarled and red, burning with anger.
“Monsieur du Bois, she—”
“Be still and away, Olympe,” Gaston ordered with a flip of his hand, not looking at the young woman. “And you as well, Lynette, away.”
Gaston had known these young women since they were crawling upon the rug. He knew as well their parents, whose rank stood far above his own, but tonight his actions flowed unguarded by any concerns of propriety.
Jeanne took a step, hoping her enraged father would want her gone as well.
“Do not dare,” he barked, capturing her shoulders in his firm, clutching grasp. “Why? Why did you leave the
