“Then you need to. Since I’m busy, you and Josette will have to take the parents to the Laroche funeral at the church today. It starts at noon, so plan ahead to make certain father’s wheelchair is put close to the front before the priest begins the service. The flowers have been taken care of. À bientôt.”
In a few minutes Abby emerged from the petit château. At her appearance he drew in a deep breath. The female lines and curves of her figure were made for the simple short-sleeved black dress that fell to her knee. In the darkest room, her hair and eyes would gleam gold and green fire.
He got out to help her into the car. If he didn’t suppress the urge to devour her mouth, they would never make it to the funeral. In moments, they headed for the local church.
“Who is the person who passed away?”
“André Laroche. He’s been our director of viticulture for sixty years and died at eighty-three. He left a widow, three children and four grandchildren.”
“How hard for them. What did he do exactly? That’s a long time to carry out one job.”
“He managed multiple terroirs, a difficult task.”
“It’s a coveted position, right?”
Raoul nodded.
“I presume there are many others who would like to step into his shoes.”
“You have no idea.”
“Then you’re going to miss him terribly.”
Abby had amazing insight and compassion. “His sons have helped him, but he’s virtually irreplaceable. Still, he has one grandson with a feel for the terroirs. Working with his grandfather has helped him to understand climate, soil type and geomorphology. Not everyone is gifted with that sensibility. I have great hopes for him and am grooming him to take over.”
“Did André know you wanted his grandson to replace him one day?”
“I assured him of it last month after he’d been put on bed rest for failing kidneys. His heart attack happened after that.”
“Oh, the poor thing. But to give him that news was a great compliment and must have thrilled him. You helped him die a happy man.”
“You think?”
“I know.”
Raoul swallowed hard and clung to her hand. Before long the church came into sight. Already a large crowd had gathered. He found a spot and parked the car. “Stay by me today.”
She darted him a puzzled glance. “Where else would I go?”
“One of the relatives might try to take you aside.”
“Don’t worry,” she murmured, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
“We’ll go in now and pay our respects to his family before the funeral starts.”
She held on to his arm as they lined up behind the people and waited their turn to enter the nave. If this hadn’t been such a solemn occasion, he would have laughed to see the way every eye in this closed, provincial group of mourners stared at him and Abby.
He saw shock and disbelief in every expression. Angélique had been his duchesse-to-be, revered in their elite community. To see him bring another woman to an occasion not meant for outsiders represented something close to blasphemy in their minds. But if he had his way, they were going to have to get used to it.
Raoul walked Abby down the aisle to the front of the chapel, which was filled with flowers. One huge wreath of white roses and lilies with the Decorvet domaine banner dominated.
The Laroche family were seated near the draped coffin. Raoul approached André’s widow. “Madame Laroche, may I introduce Mademoiselle Grant, visiting from the US? On behalf of the family, I want to tell you how much we’ll miss André. He’s irreplaceable.”
When Abby shook her hand, the other woman broke down. Raoul moved down the line taking Abby with him. He introduced her to each member of the Laroche family. Raoul kept her planted at his side.
Once he’d greeted all of them, he escorted Abby down a side aisle. A fourth of the way, they came to the row where his own family was seated. His graying father sat in the wheelchair on the outside and shot him a black glance of disapproval.
He stopped in front of him. “Papa? Maman? May I present Mademoiselle Grant from San José, California.”