“I’m playing host to the Dumotte family while they’re in Paris.”

  “You what?”

  “I know what you’re thinking, but no. Fleurine and I will never be together, but Jean-Louis and I are doing this for their family. I’ll tell you the reason later. Do you think you and Janelle could join us and bring this new woman with you? I’ll be going back to La Racineuse the day after tomorrow, so that might be the only time for a while.”

  “I’ll phone my wife. If it can work, I’ll let you know.”

  “Bien. We’ll board the cruise from the Pont de Bir-Hakeim at eight o’clock.”

  He left his cousin and walked down the hall to George’s inner sanctum. His first priority was to call Philippe Charbon, the CEO at Aire-Tech. After he was put through, he explained he was phoning for the chief of police in Nice. The chief was a friend of his father’s and was willing to help.

  “The real-estate arrangement fell through so we couldn’t use Mademoiselle Millet after all. She flew back to Paris this morning. We’ve reimbursed her and your company for your willingness to loan her to us. If we can find another property, we’ll be calling both of you again. Merci bien, Monsieur Charbon.”

  With that lie taken care of, he called Marcel, the maître d’hôtel at the Tour Eiffel restaurant.

  “Ah, Raoul!” he exclaimed excitedly. “What can I do for you?”

  “Tonight I’m bringing guests for dinner, two women and a man. We’ll be there by eight o’clock. They’ll order whatever they want, but I’d like the best champagne served. Will you seat us at a window where they can see everything? This is their first trip to Paris.”

  “I understand and will find the perfect spot, Raoul. What about flowers?”

  “Perhaps a red rose in a vase for both women at their places.”

  “A delightful touch. Merci, Raoul. À bientôt.”

  Raoul hung up and made a third call to Simone. She’d left her voice mail on. He let her know they’d arrived. “All is well with your enfants.”

  For his last call, he phoned Jules Vaugier at Rayonner-Tech. “Jules? Have you filled the position of chief software engineer yet?”

  “No. We have to get the best person, and I’m not convinced we’ve found one yet. It was a shame that Laure Millet had that accident. The reports on her were outstanding, even if she hadn’t worked in the business ten years.”

  “I agree, and I have good news. She had a slight ankle sprain but is now back to normal. I’m impressed with the reviews on her from all the Aire-Tech clients. My instincts tell me she’d be a good candidate for the position if you decide to hire her on probation. Who knows? The CEO at the Causcelle Corporation might still be willing to talk business with you.”

  “You think?”

  “You never know.”

  “That’s true. I’ll get Gabrielle to contact her about another interview. I’m curious to find out what your gut is telling you.”

  “Best of luck, Jules.”

  Raoul clicked off, wanting this to be his farewell gift to Fleurine. She’d hoped to work for Rayonner-Tech. Heaven knew she deserved it with her outstanding credentials and all she’d been through.

  He got up from the desk and walked back to Pascal’s office. “Tell me, cousin. What is the latest decision on Rayonner-Tech?”

  “We’re still waiting to find out who they hired for the chief software engineer. Janelle is working on that date for tomorrow night. I’ll call you when I know anything.”

  “Perfect. Now I’ve got to run.”

  Out in the car, he phoned Guy and learned that their guests had left in the Audi to shop. With that good news, he returned to the palais where he could relax in his own suite and make a ton of calls.

  The first one to his father made Raoul happy. He could tell his papa had definitely found peace after learning of Garber’s arrest. The police had informed Father Didier about it. He paid a visit to the chateau to thank Louis and the family on behalf of the Church. Their gratitude caused his father to weep over the phone.

  After ordering a sandwich from the kitchen, Raoul was able to get hold of Jean-Louis.

  “What’s going on, frérot?”

  “The Dumotte family is now installed at the palais in Corinne’s old suite.”

  “Does that mean Fleurine and her mother too?” Jean-Louis and Nic had always known about his love for her. But he’d let them know there was no possibility of a future for them now.

  “It turns out Simone wanted to stay home. As you know, Fleurine has her own apartment and will probably go back and forth while her siblings are in Paris. It’s just Emma and Marti I’m concerned about. Guy’s being a great help to them.”

  “There’s no one better.”

  “The reason I’m calling is that I could really use your expertise. All the work you’ve done for the vets is phenomenal, and I’m hoping you can help them.”

  “What Garber did to those poor kids was criminal. I’ll do whatever I can.”

  “Have I told you lately how glad I am you’re back from the army?”

  Jean-Louis laughed. “No one is happier than I am.”

  Raoul knew his brother’s life had turned around since his return. Françoise had become his great joy. “If your wife doesn’t mind, would you be able to fly to Paris in the morning and meet with them in their suite? I’ll have the jet waiting at the Chalon Champforgeuil Airport for you. They need guidance about their future education. You’re the one to do it, and you know all the important contacts.”

  “Will do. I should be there by ten thirty.”

  They hung up, and he called Damond, his assistant at the estate office. They discussed business and a few problems before it was time to shower and shave for the night out.

  Dressed in a navy suit and tie, Raoul left the palais at twenty after seven and went out to the parking area for his car. He pulled up in front of the entrance and waited.

  Between becoming new hairstyles that brought out their blond hair and attractive features, he hardly recognized his guests. Emma wore a valentine-red cocktail dress. Marti looked like the elegant young man about town in a charcoal suit and paisley tie. Their shopping spree had produced stylish results. Raoul took a picture of them with his phone to send to Simone.

  He’d already been stunned by Fleurine’s transformation weeks ago, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her in a breathtaking black sheath with long sleeves. They climbed in the back and couldn’t stop talking about their adventures all the way to the Champs de Mars.

  Fleurine didn’t say anything. Her siblings talked nonstop, making it difficult to get a word in. Raoul couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so entertained. The oohs and aahs continued when they got up close to the Tour Eiffel. They might be in their early twenties, but their reactions were childlike, and Raoul couldn’t stop smiling.

  Like his brothers, he’d always felt guilty about the Causcelle billions, but not tonight. It brought him joy to spread some happiness to Garber’s innocent children. The fact that Fleurine didn’t fight him and his family on doing what they could for her mother and siblings made this what his father called a sacred experience.

  After he parked the car, they wove their way through the ever-present crowds and rode the elevator to the restaurant. Marcel came hurrying up to them.

  “Soyez la bienvenue, Raoul!” He clapped his hands.

  “Merci, Marcel. Meet my guests Emma, Marti and Fleur Dumotte from eastern France.”

  “Enchanté. Let me show you to your table. It’s ready for you.”

  They followed him through the room to a table next to the window that looked out over Paris.

  “Please be seated, and we’ll take care of you.”

  Raoul purposely helped Emma, leaving Marti to assist Fleurine. Soon a waiter came with menus, and orders were taken. Next came the sommelier, who poured the champagne.

  After he walked away, Raoul raised his glass. “You guys look terrific! I want to welcome you to Paris and propose a toast. May this be the beginning of new hopes and dreams.”

  They all clinked glasses and sipped his favorite vintage.

  Emma beamed at him. “I feel like I’m in a dream right now. Thank you, thank you for everything you’ve done for us, Raoul.”

  Marti nodded. “All this is fantastic.”

  “You’ve done too much,” Fleurine murmured, avoiding his gaze.

  He expected that from her. “Not at all. There’s more to come. I’ll tell you about it while we eat.”

  They chose fish since they rarely ate it at home. Raoul loved it too. At the end of their meal, he tapped his glass with a spoon. “My father is grateful for Marti and Emma’s work at the dairy and for everything your mother has done to bring your father to justice. Now he’d like to do something for you in return. Maybe you want to stay on the estate and work. Maybe not. But he’s hoping you’ll consider going to college here in Paris the way my brothers and I did.

  “I have business tomorrow morning, but my brother will be meeting with you at the palais. He’ll arrive around ten thirty to talk about your plans for the future. He’s been helping returning veterans go to school to earn degrees or to learn a trade. Jean-Louis has many connections and can answer a lot of questions you might have. If or when you decide to fly home, I’ll make sure the jet is available.”

  “You’re unbelievable,” Marti blurted with tears in his eyes.

  Raoul shook his head. “My entire family admires you. It’s a pleasure to bring you and your mother a little happiness. Now it’s late. If you’re ready to go, I’ll get you back to the palais for a good night’s sleep.”

  Emma gazed at him. “Would it be all right if I took this rose? I’d like to keep it to remember.”

  “By all means.”

  Fleurine said nothing before he got to his feet and walked them to the restaurant entrance. Marcel shook their hands before they went down the elevator.

  In the car Emma exclaimed, “I’ll never forget this night for as long as I live.”

  “You can say that again,” Marti agreed.

  Raoul started the engine, and they took off. “I, too, enjoyed it more than I can say.”

  Again there was no comment from Fleurine. He knew she couldn’t wait to say good-night, and this caused him unimaginable pain, but she had made her feelings clear. All he could do now was see that her family were happy. Fleurine was lost to him...

  Before long they reached the palais, and the three of them got out of the back, but Emma held back.

  “I’ll be thanking you over and over again for all you’ve done for us and are still doing.” Her eyes shone as she looked up at Raoul. “It’s so strange to think we could live on the estate all these years and never have known each other. Yet now, I feel so close to you and your family. I wish I could do something personal and important for you.”

  He smiled at her. She had that same sweetness and vibrancy he’d seen in Fleurine during those growing-up years. It touched his heart. Her lovely gray eyes didn’t have violet flecks, but in some respects she resembled her elder sister, especially with her new hairdo.

  “There is one thing you can do for me, Emma. Don’t let anything stop you from finding your happiness. That’s what’s important.”

  “I think I already have.”

  * * *

  Fleurine overheard them talking. She thanked Raoul before hurrying inside to their suite for the night in order to get a grip on her emotions. Tomorrow night she’d go back to her apartment. Though she’d said goodbye to him in Ischia, minutes ago the sight of a lovesick Emma gazing up at Raoul as if he were her whole world had turned Fleurine inside out. It never occurred to her that something like this could happen.

  All Raoul had to do was be kind to Emma and flash her his heart-stopping smile. Like every smitten woman within his orbit, the very last thing on earth her vulnerable sister would want was to escape. Emma was a twenty-four-year-old woman, no longer a child. She’d never met a man to compare to Raoul.

  She never would...

  Fleurine thought back to her conversation with Emma at the house. Her sister had admitted to having a slight crush on one of the guys working in the estate hothouse. But any chance of dating him had been impossible since their father had arranged for her dreaded marriage to a man in Switzerland at the end of the year.

  Now Raoul’s intervention had changed everything for Emma who couldn’t stop talking about Raoul and how wonderful he was. Fleurine groaned. Emma knew nothing of Fleurine’s history with Raoul. There was no question her sister had fallen for him. This called for an intervention of her own making.

  Before it was too late, she would have to tell her everything. The mere thought of them being together brought such exquisite pain she could hardly breathe.

  While she agonized, Marti came in. He was over the moon about everything, especially Raoul who’d won her brother’s heart from the beginning.

  “C’est un etalon!”

  That was Marti’s French slang for the American word stud. High praise indeed. Fleurine looked past him. “Where’s Emma?”

  “She’s still talking to Raoul about living here at the palais if she decides to stay in Paris.”

  How well Fleurine understood what drove her sister! Tomorrow she’d have a serious talk with her. Right now, it was time for bed.

  Fleurine experienced another bad night with little sleep. Nothing had been settled where her siblings were concerned. Raoul had orchestrated everything which meant she couldn’t avoid him altogether. At least not yet.

  Jean-Louis arrived at the appointed time the next morning. Like Raoul, he was gorgeous and also had a way that charmed her siblings. He asked the right questions and showed an interest that made them feel incredibly comfortable.

  When they’d finished eating, he looked around. “I did some snooping and discovered that the two of you graduated from high school with excellent grades. That means I can get you enrolled at a university here. After listening to you, I would advise that you attend the Sorbonne here in Paris and take the normal general classes to get started. There will be housing available. How does that sound?”

  “Fantastic!” her siblings blurted in unison.

  When he smiled his slow smile, it reminded Fleurine of Raoul, something she didn’t need right now.

  “Très bien. Then, let’s leave now and get you two registered. Classes started two weeks ago, but I have no doubt you can catch up. Later in the day Raoul will meet us at one of our car dealerships and you can each pick out a new car you would like.”

  At the mention of Raoul, Fleurine’s heart turned over. She got to her feet. “Before any more plans are made, we need to tell our mother what’s going on and get her approval. Right?” She stared at them.

  Marti pulled out his phone. “I’ll call her now and put her on speaker phone.” Fleurine would never forget the look of elation on her brother’s face. There was no stopping him.

  Their mother answered and an animated conversation ensued. Jean-Louis took over and explained what had been discussed. “It’s up to you, Simone.”

  “You’re giving my children a priceless gift. It sounds like they’ve made up their minds.”

  “We have!” Emma affirmed. “Are you okay with it?”

  “What mother in her right mind wouldn’t be?” She laughed.

  “Guess what? We get to pick out new cars today!” This from Marti.

  “I know I love my new car, mes enfants. Have fun. I’ll see you on your first break home. Thank you, Monsieur Causcelle, from the bottom of my heart.”

  Another burst of excitement came out of both of them. “We’ll call you tonight,” Emma assured her. “Love you, Maman.”

  Two hours later, after leaving the student office at the Sorbonne, Jean-Louis drove them to the main Causcelle car dealership in Paris. After he’d parked, Raoul and another man walked toward them while Fleurine got out of the back seat. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t prevent her pulse from racing when she saw him.

  But it was impulsive Emma who dashed toward Raoul. “Marti and I are now enrolled at the Sorbonne because of you and your family. We’re overwhelmed with gratitude.” In the next instant she raised up to kiss his hard jaw with a familiarity that shocked Fleurine.

  Always the gentleman, Raoul patted her shoulder and moved toward the rest of them. “Since you’re now matriculated, I’d like you to meet Pierre Amant, the manager, who will help you. He’s going to walk around with you, answer any questions and let you do a test drive. When you see something you like, come back over here and we’ll talk.”

  “Let’s get started,” Fleurine urged them, not wanting to monopolize Raoul or his brother. “We can’t afford to waste Monsieur Amant’s time.”

  For the next hour they followed the manager around to inspect the new cars. In the end Marti chose an Alpine and talked Emma into buying one too. She loved the blue. He picked silver.

  The manager took them inside the dealership to finish up business and congratulated them for their excellent choices. He told them to come back in the morning. The cars would be serviced, washed and ready to go.

  They walked back out to Jean-Louis’s car where the two brothers were still talking.

  Raoul turned to them. “Tell you what. We’ll go back to the palais and get ready for a dinner cruise on the Seine.”

  “You’re kidding!” Emma cried.

  “You’ll love it,” Jean-Louis interjected. “I’ll call ahead for a reservation on Le Capitaine Fracasse. The food and wine are spectacular.”

  Raoul nodded. “Everyone should take the cruise once because the monuments are illuminated. It’s a history lesson that takes you past seventeen sites including La Cathédrale Notre-Dame, my favorite.”

  “At night La Tour Eiffel is also amazing,” Jean-Louis added.

  Marti nudged Emma. “Are we lucky or what?” But his sister’s eyes were focused on Raoul. Emma appeared oblivious to anything else going on around her, sending an unmistakable message to Fleurine.