Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon

His sandy hair held no hint of gray and his blue eyes twinkled as he held a hand out to Liberty, who raced across the polished cypress floor, and threw herself into his comforting arms.
    "I am so glad you came home tonight," she whispered against his ear, feeling like a condemned felon who has just been handed a reprieve.
    "Did you think I would miss your fifteenth birthday?" he said, so only she could hear. "We will speak of it later," he added in a soft voice. "I see your mother is feeling neglected."
    Taking Liberty by the arm, Louis strode to his wife. Reaching for Ursula's hand, he raised it to his lips. "You are lovely tonight, ma chere," he said with warmth.
    Ursula blushed with maidenly delight as her husband gave her a tender look. That she loved him was apparent to everyone in the room. Not to be left out of the family circle, Bandera elbowed her way forward to receive a kiss and a hug.
    "Do you wish to change before we dine?" Ursula asked her husband. "We can hold dinner if you wish."
    "No, no. Let us proceed with the meal. I assume there is a party tonight. I feared I wouldn't make it home in time for the festivities."
    Ursula looked puzzled for a moment; then she smiled. "No, you have the dates wrong, Louis. Bandera's mas querade party is not until next Saturday. Did you remem ber to pick up Bandera's gowns from the dressmaker?"
    A frown creased Louis's brow, and he caught the sadness in Liberty's eyes. "Oui … the gowns were ready, but-"
    "Oh, Papa," Bandera cried excitedly, forgetting to act distingue for Sebastian's benefit. "When can I see them? Do I have to wait until after we have dined?"
    Louis turned his soft blue eyes on Liberty. "All in good time, Bandera. First, however, I have a gift for Liberty."
    Bandera's lips drooped into a pout when Louis removed a black velvet-covered box from his pocket and held it out to his young daughter. "Happy fifteenth birthday, ma petite"
    Silence followed his announcement. Ursula shook her head and reached out to Liberty, distressed that in all the excitement she had forgotten her daughter's birthday. "I . . . happy birthday, Liberty. It seems only yesterday you turned fourteen. Time passes so swiftly," she managed to choke out.
    As Liberty felt her mother's cool lips brush her cheek, she noted the momentary sadness reflected in Ursula's dark eyes. Even Bandera had the good grace to look ashamed, but she said nothing.
    Sebastian saved the awkward situation by stepping for ward and extending his best wishes to Liberty. Your father is right, you are a bud almost ready to bloom." Sebastian's eyes saw past the ill-fitting gown to the girl's delicate bone structure. He did not mistake the future promise of beauty.
    "Thank you," Liberty said, thinking this was the third time today she had been compared to a bud about to bloom. She could not stop the blush that tinted her cheeks. She was not accustomed to receiving compliments from gentlemen, even if this one was only from Sebastian.
    Bandera, not liking the attention Liberty was receiving, laced her arm through Sebastian's, her lips curling viciously.
    Liberty took the velvet box and opened it slowly, savoring the moment. Joy lit her face as she picked up a golden bracelet with a tiny dangling heart. "Oh, Papa, this is lovely. This is the best birthday ever," she said through a mist of tears. Liberty's father hugged her to him, so she did not see the look that passed between her parents. Louis was not at all pleased that no one had remembered his daughter's birthday.
    "Is it the best birthday you have ever had, my darling daughter?" he asked, watching his wife. "It seems to take so little to bring you joy." Ursula caught the sarcasm in her husband's voice, and she knew he was displeased with her.
    But Bandera was watching Liberty slide the bracelet onto her arm. "A pretty bauble," she said under her breath, while thumping the dangling heart with her finger.
    "It will do you no good to covet this, Bandera," Liberty told her.