1.
"Well my dear," he lifted her hand and kissed it gently, "we are at Gare St. Lazarre. This is the end of the line for us. Paris awaits!"
Cecille smiled smartly with a definite twinkle in her eyes.
"Indeed it does Royale. I shall miss you."
"Ah but you needn't Ceci, you could come live with me forever as my private beauty to ravage at will."
A laugh escaped Cecille's pretty young lips.
"How far we have come from Normandy!"
``***``
Really the train can take as little as three hours, depending on the stops required along the way.
It is not a long trip.
When Cecille escorts Tante Vive on these journeys she usually reads a book. Rarely is there anyone worthwhile meeting in this semi-private seating.
She never bothers to make conversation with Tante because her aunt is practically deaf.
Often others in the booth attempt to strike a conversation with Tante, and are quickly dismayed when they find themselves called upon again and again to repeat what they have said at an uncomfortably loud level.
``***``
It seemed as if today they may have the booth privately; the opposite seat remaining empty while the train pulled out of Normandy.
Cecille watched out the window for a few minutes and then, already tired of the scenes she had viewed so many times before, she pulled out her novella.
No sooner was it that she had finished the first page,than she was startled by the rich deep timbre of a masculine voice and looked up to see a most striking man removing his hat to Tante Vive.
"Bonjour Madame, Mademoiselle" he nodded gentlemanly to them both, but with a clear bouyant jubilation.
He lifted Tante's hand and kissed it. "I am Monsieur Royale Bedard, and you beautiful lady are?"
Amazingly enough Tante heard Monsieur Bedard quite clearly.
``***``
"I, am Madame Vivienne Vaillancourt; and this, is my niece Mademoiselle Cecille Depuis."
"Mademoiselle Depuis" he lifted Cecille's hand and he kissed it. Cecille smiled politely "Monsieur Bedard".
She began naturally to draw her hand away, but was shocked when Msr. Bedard held it fast and kissed it a second time in a most overt manner.
Bedard shifted his eyes to hers and smiled brightly as he raised a brow.
"A pleasure to meet you my dear".
Cecille gasped and pulled her hand from the grasp of this rake.
She was incredulous.
Before she could think, he had seated himself across from her and Tante and began to engage her Aunt in conversation.
``***``
His mission seemed to be to keep these ladies thrilled by his company. His method was uncouth.
He continued Tante Vive talking by asking her questions and was able to keep her going with the occassional . . . Ah oui . . . Mais non! and other such nothings.
While Tante and Msr. Bedard spoke, Cecille was busy studying his appearance; greying dark haired man, silver mustache and a dapper style. His eyes were pale, gray blue, and full of reflective brightness.
Most engaging was his manner; completely self assured and devilish. That smile!
He glanced away from Tante Vive and looked directly at Cecille and said in a quiet firm tone . . .
"I'm going to kiss you."
His eyes shone mischief.
Then he resumed his chatter with Tante who never even noticed that he had not been listening with rapt attention.
Cecile was taken aback; burning, with shock.
He repeated himself the same way, over and over again in the course of the first hour; breaking out of conversation with Tante Vive to taunt and tease Cecile directly under the nose of her Aunt.
"I'm going kiss you"
"You have beautiful lips"
"You will love the kiss"
"We are going to kiss"
Cecille soon lost her control and showed temper towards Msr. Bedard making angry faces at him. She poked her tongue out at him like a petulant child.
"Oh, oh yes! Tempt me beauty. Show me that pretty red tongue. I will know it's taste...and perhaps I shall taste the sweet little tongue of your nether mouth too!"
Cecille was burning with anger at his bold teasing.
But; she could not keep it up. The temper led to amusement, as Royale Bedard continued his little game. He had such shine, such joie de vivre, she simply could not resist him.
"My hands will roam your body as we kiss"
Cecille smiled and chuckled quietly.
"See. You smile! Laugh! You like to play."
Royale Bedard grinned to her and said