“I’ve ruined your picture of life at the château, haven’t I? But I’m afraid it was built and furnished for a very different period of time that was hard on children.” Not waiting for a response from her, he got to his feet and put out his hands to help her stand.
“Thank you.”
Together they walked through the house to the kitchen. He pulled two colas out of the fridge and left for the sitting room. She sat on the couch while he chose a chair.
“I haven’t seen your mother, Cami.”
“I think she and Marise are out cleaning the back patio. You didn’t notice them?”
“My cousin drove us to the funeral and he dropped me off in front.”
She nodded. “I hope this next interview for a nanny will produce the desired result.”
He examined the features of her well-shaped nose. That enticing mouth was shaped like a budding rose. He longed to kiss her and it was starting to drive him mad. Again, he was shocked by his strong attraction to her. But it was too soon to be experiencing these feelings.
When he remembered how quickly his desire for Antoinette had taken over his life before fate stepped in to end their relationship, it worried him that history could repeat itself. Raoul needed to be careful not to rush into anything with Cami that could hurt her.
“That’s my hope too. I’m excited about my new life.” Right now, he was making a home for his son and establishing a new business. At least that was what he kept telling himself, but Cami was a raving beauty and her charisma had rubbed off on him. He found he couldn’t be with her long enough to satisfy him.
“Everything you’re doing has been based around your son in order to make him happy. He’ll be a very lucky little boy,” she asserted.
“Once I find the right nanny, one of my biggest worries will be solved. It’s the worry about being a good father that gives me anxiety.”
She flashed him one of those encouraging smiles. “The fact that it’s your first thought guarantees you’ll never fail. Papa always made me feel important.”
The way Raoul’s father and grandfather never did. Her hopeful, comforting words coincided
with the ringing of the doorbell. Disappointment swamped him for being interrupted. “That will be she. Just a minute.”
He walked to the front door. “You’re Monsieur Fontesquieu?” the brunette woman asked after he opened it. She kept staring at him.
“I am,” he said. “Come in.” He walked her into the sitting room. She was probably Cami’s age. By now Cami had gotten to her feet.
Their eyes connected as they remembered what they’d said about vetting her. “Mademoiselle Delon? Let me introduce you to Mademoiselle Herve.”
“How do you do, mademoiselle?”
The woman stared at Cami. “Does this mean you’re the new nanny?” she blurted, surprising Raoul. “I thought the position hadn’t been filled yet.”
“It hasn’t,” Raoul declared, bringing the other woman’s head around.
“If you’ll excuse me, monsieur, I have a floor to clean. À demain.” Cami had been surprised too and couldn’t escape fast enough. Raoul couldn’t blame her.
He watched her leave the sitting room, already regretting the fact that she’d gone back to her work.
Unfortunately he knew he hadn’t found the right nanny for Alain yet. He hadn’t yet put into words what he really wanted because he needed to be cautious when it came to getting involved with Cami. Again, after what had happened with Antoinette, he couldn’t bear for Cami to be injured in any way because of him, but he could tell he was falling for her.
* * *
Cami’s mother awakened on Friday morning, with a lot of pain in her right shoulder. “That does it, Maman. Yesterday you overdid it cleaning the patio and porch. Today you’re staying home and taking care of yourself. There’ll be four of us washing windows, so you don’t need to worry. I’ll see you tonight and bring dinner.”
She kissed her mom and took off for her last day of work at the villa. After today she’d never see Raoul Fontesquieu again. It shouldn’t matter to her, but she couldn’t lie to herself. From the first day when he’d miraculously caught her in his arms, she hadn’t been the same.
A man like him was unforgettable—and as out of reach as the stars in a distant galaxy whether she had a heart problem or not, which she did. He was the stuff that had made up her fantasies after visiting the Fontesquieu estate with her parents. She was supposed to have given those up.
You fool, Cami Delon.
When she reached the villa, she noticed a furniture truck out in front. Three men were unloading. Two of them carried a large box. She saw Madame Gilbert at the front door conducting traffic. Alain’s grandmother held a trusted place in Raoul’s heart. Naturally she did when he’d loved her daughter enough for a child to be born.