Would it be possible to come to your office in Vence? I only have a small amount of money to purchase land for a future vineyard and have several spots in mind. Perhaps none of them will do, but I’d like to hear what an expert like you has to say.
I could be there by tomorrow evening at seven if that works for you. Otherwise I’ll have to wait a month before I can come back to Vence.
I await your response.
Sick with nerves and excitement over what she’d done, she hurried to the salon to tell the family her plans. They all had dinner, then she hurried back to the bedroom to see if he’d answered. She trembled with happiness to read his response.
Monsieur Sorel.
I’ll meet you at seven.
I’m afraid it will have to be a short meeting because I have another engagement.
Just follow the map and knock at the outside door with the sign on it.
Cami answered.
Merci mille fois, monsieur. I’ll be there on time.
She closed the lid of the laptop. “Raoul Fontesquieu? Get ready for a big surprise, my love.”
The next day Cami and her mom drove back to their apartment in Vence. The doctor cautioned her to be careful. She had to take it easy, but it was good for her to be up and around. Depending on how things went, her mom might return to Nice the next day. As for Cami, anything could happen.
She took a shower and washed her hair. This time she would wear it long again and brushed it from a side part until it gleamed. The last time they’d been together, he’d revealed how much he loved it loose.
She pulled her dressiest dress out of the closet. A sleeveless, filmy black affair with a round neck. Cami had only worn it one time to a party with her friends after they’d graduated in November. The operation had transformed her into a new woman.
After putting on her lavender-blue earrings and slipping on her black high-heeled sandals, she was ready. It was time to knock the socks off her prince. Before leaving the apartment, she changed handbags to the silky black one. Then she gathered the shopping bag holding some gifts for him and Alain.
One more item to go. A stylish, waist-length black coat she’d spent some money on when she’d bought the dress. Cami was so glad she’d purchased it. There’d be no sign of the cleaning lady tonight.
Giving her mother a kiss, she left the apartment and got in the car. Despite the fact that she was still recuperating from the operation, her body was so alive, she could be a rocket getting ready to fly into space.
* * *
Raoul kissed his son who was still in his high chair. “Be good for Delphine.” He eyed the nanny who was turning out to be a treasure. She’d had a lot to put up with since he’d returned from Nice so devastated he was barely functioning. So far no return call from Cami. “I’ll look in on him later. I have a client coming to the office.”
“This late?”
“It’s all right. What else do I have to do but try to make more money?” He heard her chuckle before he left the kitchen and went upstairs to shower and shave. In a few minutes he put on dark trousers and a dark blue long-sleeved sport shirt. When he was ready, he headed for his office.
Dominic’s brother Etienne had invited him over to the château for dinner. He loved him, but didn’t want to go near the place. They settled on meeting at Le Petit Auberge at nine.
As soon as he entered his office, he heard the knock on the door. He walked over, but when he opened it, he was surprised to smell the delicious flower fragrance Cami wore.
“Bonsoir, Monsieur Fontesquieu.” When she walked in looking a heavenly vision in black, he thought he was hallucinating.
“Cami—”
“I’m afraid Monsieur Sorel couldn’t make it because he doesn’t exist. I made him up and hope you’re not angry with me. The thing is, I had to see you or die in the attempt. I can’t live without you, Raoul. That’s why I’m here.” Her eyes dazzled like rare amethysts. “I love you more than life itself, but you better not touch me until I can explain.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m recovering from a heart operation I underwent on the eighteenth.”
“A heart operation?” He looked staggered by the information.
“I know it’s a shock for you to hear that. Like your Celine, I was born with a heart murmur, but by some miracle the surgeon was able to fix it. In another two weeks I’ll have recovered enough to get back to normal living. I’m afraid for you to hold me too tightly.”