Soldier of Fortune Read Online Free Page B

lounging against a
wall on opposite sides of the lane, they were not really engaged in casual
conversation. They had been waiting for someone to fall into their trap. As
soon as Daniel drew level with them, they pounced. One man seized the reins of
his horse while the other tried to haul him roughly from the saddle.
    They
had chosen the wrong victim. A swift punch from Daniel broke the nose of the
man who had grabbed him and sent him reeling to the ground with blood streaming
down his chin. Slipping a foot out of the stirrup, Daniel kicked the other man
so hard in the chest that he yelled in agony and let go of the reins, thudding
against the wall with a force that knocked the breath out of him. Daniel urged
his horse into a brisk trot and left them to nurse their wounds and rue their
mistake.
    His
destination was the fashionable Faubourg Saint-Germain, an area renowned for
its countless inns and cabarets but replete as well with fine houses and
imposing hotels. It was Daniel's second visit to the address so he had no
difficulty in finding it. As before, he was met with a welcoming signal. A
candle burnt in an attic window to assure him that the coast was clear. He
needed no more invitation. Riding down the side of the house, he dismounted in
the courtyard at the rear and tethered his horse beside the stables.
    The
maid was waiting for him. As soon as he reached the rear door, she opened it
for him, her pretty face glowing in the light from the lantern in her hand. She
looked at the visitor and exchanged a conspiratorial nod with him before
leading the way up the backstairs. After shutting the door behind him, Daniel
followed, blessing the day when he had first made the acquaintance of Madame
Berenice Salignac and learnt how often her husband was away from his lovely
young wife.
    The
maid reached a landing and checked that nobody was about before she conducted
him furtively along it. When she came to her mistress's boudoir, she gave a
coded tap on the door then stood back. When he heard the expected three knocks
from inside the room, Daniel dismissed the maid with a smile of thanks before
opening the door and going through it. Berenice had moved back to the middle of
the room where light from the fire and from the flickering candelabra combined
to show her at her best. Daniel feasted his eyes on her.
    Removing
his hat with a flourish, he gave a low bow before putting his hat on a chair
and tossing his cloak over the back of it. When she offered her hand, he held
it lightly between his fingers and bestowed a loving kiss upon it. Berenice
noticed his glove.
    'Oh!'
she exclaimed. 'That looks like blood.'
    'It
is,' he said, examining his knuckles, 'but you need have no fear, my love. It's
not mine. It belonged to a man who was foolish enough to try to stop me
reaching you this evening.' He pulled off his gloves and dropped them on a
little table, holding out both hands for inspection. 'There you are - not a
mark on them, as you see.'
    Berenice
was fully reassured. Still in her early twenties, she was a shapely woman of middle
height with exquisite features and complexion. Her blond hair, parted in the
middle, fell down both sides of her head in ringlets. Though she was
entertaining her lover, she was not wearing night attire in readiness. Her
costly blue satin dress had a close-fitting bodice with a trained skirt worn
open in the front. The sleeves were short to the elbows with turned-up cuffs
and deep ruffles emerging from below. Hitched up at the back to give a bustle
effect, the skirt revealed a decorative petticoat. Shimmering jewellery
enhanced an already complete portrait of feminine beauty.
    Daniel
had learnt the rules on his previous visit. Berenice Salignac liked to take her
time and savour each moment. They began with wine, poured from a decanter, then
sat beside each other on an ornate settee. Daniel kept up a steady stream of
compliments in the fluent French he had taken pains to master. He was no longer
the sturdy boy