While Rachel laughed, Luc said, “I have an even better idea, Giles. While you make arrangements with Solange for tomorrow, I’ll take care of Ms Valentine today. We’ll tour the vineyards and en route she can sample the wines you picked out for her. I’ll get in touch with you later.”
“Parfait.” Giles packed the bottles in a carton. “I’ll put this out in the car for you.”
After he left, Luc’s gaze trapped hers. “How does that plan sound to you?”
Though a little voice in her head warned her not to read too much into this, another part of her was screaming to go with him.
She moistened her lips, feeling a sudden nervous excitement over being with this arresting man who by some magic had caused her to abandon common sense.
“If you’re sure.”
He flicked her a questioning glance. “What’s going on in that intelligent mind of yours?”
It could never be as brilliant as his. She had to think fast not to give her deepest reservation away.
“When my grandfather recovers, I’m going to bring him to Thann. Since he and Giles were friends with Louis, I’d like the two of them to meet. They’re both remarkable people.”
“Agreed. Otherwise your relative wouldn’t have such a kind and compassionate granddaughter worrying about him. Every grandfather should be so lucky.”
Stop saying these things to me, Luc. Already her attraction to him was too strong. If she were wise, she would leave for Champagne before the day was out.
“Thank you for the compliment, but the truth is, he’s easy to love. Much as I’d like to phone him with this news right now, I’ll wait and let Solange surprise him. A call from her will mean a lot more to him.”
“That’s a moment I would like to witness.”
In an unexpected move, he cupped her elbow. “Shall we go?” His touch sent fingers of awareness through her. She was afraid he could feel her trembling.
Together they walked outside the convent, but she didn’t understand when he led her to her car instead of his estate wagon.
“Follow me to the rental agency. After we drop off your car, I’ll help you check out of your hotel. By the end of the day we’ll get you installed in a hotel renowned in the region.”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to go to all this trouble for me.”
“I like to take care of my potential buyers.”
He opened the car door so she could climb inside. She took the greatest care to make sure her skirt wouldn’t ride up her thighs, but before he shut the door his all-seeing glance took in everything anyway.
He leaned in the open window. “Have you forgotten that without wine buyers like you, I wouldn’t have a business?”
That was true.
To her chagrin she’d been so mesmerized by him, she’d almost forgotten she was a woman who fell into the client category.
But he hadn’t.
CHAPTER THREE
ON THE outskirts of Ribeauville, Rachel turned her head in Luc’s direction.
“You live in the most beautiful place on earth.” She drew in a deep breath of the warm June air. “Alsace must be one of the world’s best kept secrets.”
They’d long since checked her out of the hotel and had turned in her car.
The rest of the time she’d been drinking in the passing scenery while Luc gave her a history of the area. He’d enchanted her with a tale of the legend of Thann called the Miracle of the Fir Trees. She could listen to him indefinitely.
He darted her a lingering glance. “At the risk of sounding smug, I admit I feel the same way. I never wanted to be anywhere else but here, or do anything else except the work my father did.”
“How wonderful to have that kind of relationship with him.”