Love at First Dance

By Francine LeGrove

A romantic encounter ensues on the same night tragedy occurs. In two European capitals, in the lat 1800's, love blossoms along with a trail of intrigue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Francine LeGrove
• Release date: Nov 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463703748

Book preview

Love at First Dance

A story of love and Intrique

in the late 1800's in Paris and London

By Francine LeGrove

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 - The Scene of the Crime

Chapter2 - A Letter Found

Chapter 3 - An Interview

Chapter 4 - About that Letter

Chapter 5- The Letter is Opened

Chapter 6 - Cafe Monique

Chapter 7 - The Dance

Chapter 8 - A Kidnapping-

Chapter 9 - The Button

Chapter 10 - Telling Pierre

Chapter 11 - Off to London

Chapter 12 - Chasing the Devil

Chapter 13 - Trying to Escape

Chapter 14 - The Final Plan

Chapter 15 -The Storm Abates

Chapter 16 - The Capture

Epilogue

Prologue

He sat at his desk and began writing. This would be the most important letter of his life.

My dear Jeanette,

I know our marriage has not been a smooth one. I’ve not been faithful to you for a year.

Now is the time to make amends, I have ended a long time affair with a woman you know

and admire. Many times when I've had long hours away from you and Monique, I was not

at the office as you thought, I've been with her.

He put the pen down -- there was so much noise. So he closed the door. He took the chair

and sat down. Picking up his pen again he wrote -

I want us to begin again – maybe a short trip to Italy.

We'll talk it over.

Love, Charles.

He put the letter in an envelope, sealed it, and put in the desk drawer. She was coming home tomorrow. There was a knock on the door.

Come in my dear daughter.

The door opened just enough to see the muzzle of a gun, but he was too paralyzed by fear.

The door opened further.

Oh my God!

He started to say a name. But he was too paralyzed to move. The gun came closer. He just stared. Then a bright light, and then nothing.

Chapter 1 - The scene of the crime

It all began with the chiming of the clock in the hallway. Monique DuPree, the elegant daughter of Charles DuPree, newly elected or appointed foreign minister of France, had been dancing with Pierre LaMont, an intelligence agent for the French government. The dance began exactly at 9:00 pm. Now, it was 10::00 pm. and Monique and Pierre were still in each others arms. The music was loud, but the shot was heard above it.

It’s coming from the minister’s office, someone called out.

Monique froze in Pierre’s arms. Her father worked late in his office at home, even on his daughter’s 20th birthday. He had appeared early in the evening to begin the celebration

and had introduced Pierre to Monique. He had gone to his office soon after. Pierre and

Monique ran to where the shots were fired.

The room was cold and the body of Charles Dupree was slumped at his desk. Pierre lifted

his head. The bullet hole was on his left temple. Pierre looked at Monique. She was in tears

and threw her arms around Pierre.

A suicide, said Pierre.

Why? cried Monique. What would be the reason?

Send for the police!

Pierre told the house man who had just come into the room.

Monique, was your father left handed? Pierre asked.

No, he was right handed, answered Monique.

Pierre noted that the gun was put down by the right side of the body. ‘Then it was

murder’, thought Pierre.

"Monique, go back to your guests. It isn’t important that they know what happened

just yet."

Oui, answered Monique. They will know soon enough.

Tell them I’ll be in to explain.

He knew that no one at the party could be responsible. They were all dancing, and were Monique’s young friends. Monique dried her tears with a handkerchief.

It was buzzing in the ballroom when she returned. Her best friend, Suzette, put her arms

around her.

Monique, what has happened?

Agent LaMont will be in soon to tell you.

Just then, he appeared.

Listen, everyone. Please. There has been an accident and we should adjourn this party.

After the guests had left the house and gotten into their waiting carriages, Monique stood by

the window in the ballroom.

Pierre saw how vulnerable she looked, so lost, He wondered, could I fall in love so fast? He

had lost his ‘almost’ wife two years ago. Josette, (Josie, he called her) had been his friend

since childhood. They were to marry when she turned 19, but she died of pneumonia a month before her birthday.

Pierre walked to the window. A slight breeze was blowing Monique’s soft white silk gown.

She took Pierre’s hand.

Please stay with me tonight

Of course I will. And he took her in his arms.

Monique, the police will be coming soon. I’m afraid your father’s death was not a suicide.

You know that?

Yes, the bullet was in his left temple,

Monique stared at Pierre.

"Someone murdered my father? Mother is coming home tomorrow. Grandmother has been

very ill. Pierre, she will be devastated."

Just