“Yes. My suite is like an apartment. Since you have something extremely serious to confide in me, we won’t be disturbed there by anyone. We’ll enter through a side entrance so no member of the family will be aware.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Follow me.” He walked to his truck and started the engine while she got back in her mother’s car. Through the rearview mirror he watched as they headed for his home. For years he’d longed for the day when she’d step inside the place where he’d always lived. He never imagined it would happen at a time when she would tell him the one thing that was worse than her rejection of him. Never had he needed strength of the kind necessary to get through this next hour.

  He drove around the side and parked by the side door. This entrance gave him easy access to his suite. He walked over and opened it as Fleurine pulled up next to him. After getting out, she followed him inside and up the stairs to the second floor.

  Raoul walked down the hall and opened his suite door. “After you, Fleurine.” She entered the foyer but seemed hesitant to go farther. “Why don’t you go on through and sit on the couch.”

  “Thank you.”

  Her behavior confused him. She seemed wary rather than assertive, more like the old Fleurine. Her illness must be changing her in ways he was still trying to understand.

  “Can I get you a drink?” he asked as she sat on one end of the sofa. “Do you need anything?”

  She shook her head and looked at him with pleading eyes. “I don’t need anything except the chance for a final talk with you.”

  Final. He groaned. At this point he sank down on a chair across from her and leaned forward with his hands on his knees. “After what you told me at the boulangerie, I haven’t thought about anything else. Why don’t you just say it and get it over with. How much longer do you have to live?”

  She jumped up and walked around for a moment before standing in front of him. “Raoul—” she spread her arms as if in exasperation “—I’m not dying! I tried to explain earlier at the boulangerie, but there were too many people around.”

  “But you said—”

  “I said that my only cure would be to talk to you, but it didn’t mean it had anything to do with the physical.”

  Raoul’s hands slid to his face before he lifted his head to stare at her. “So you’re saying that you’re not dying?”

  “Yes, I am, but it’s because... I’m dying of love for you!”

  Shocked and confused, he got to his feet, convinced he was having an hallucination like before. “Fleurine—”

  “Let me finish. I gave up my job and have moved back here for good because I’ve loved you from childhood, and that has never changed. It’s true, my darling. I love you more than life itself, but I know I’ve killed every ounce of feeling you’ve ever had for me because of my cruelty. Everything I said to you in Paris and Ischia was a complete lie!”

  Reeling, he took several breaths. “But why?”

  “My reason stems from the words my mother wrote to me in that letter inside my winter coat ten years ago. Maman put the fear of my father into me to keep us both safe. She knew he’d threatened to kill us, and she didn’t want me to go back to you and endanger us.

  “Being the wonderful mother she was, she understood I might die over losing you, so she urged me to escape and become successful through work. She counseled me to live a happy, fulfilled life without a man. That meant you. I determined to follow her counsel and tried not to look back. But then you and I met accidentally at Aire-Tech, and from that moment on, my life has been pure torture.”

  “Torture is the word, all right,” he ground out.

  “You’ll never know how much I’ve hated myself for pushing you away, convinced I was doing the right thing. But then everything got worse when I realized Emma was falling in love with you.”

  He frowned. “Emma?”

  “I couldn’t let that go on another second and sat her down to tell her you were and are the great and only love of my life. She never knew about us, and when I watched her fall for you the moment she met you, I couldn’t handle it. You were so wonderful to her, my jealousy turned me inside out.”

  “But you couldn’t have been jealous. She’s your sister!”

  “You can’t comprehend how much I’ve suffered since seeing you again. I’ve been halfway out of mind and not thinking clearly. That day when you came in my office and we saw each other for the first time in ten years, I wanted to fly into your arms and hold onto you for dear life. I wanted to tell you I’d marry you that very instant. I still want to be your wife and love you until the day I die and beyond, Raoul. I want children with you. Everything! That’s what I came here to tell you.”

  No one had ever told Raoul you could die of a heart attack from too much joy.

  “I know you despise me for everything I’ve said and done, Raoul, so I’ll leave. You have my promise that I’ll stay out of your way now that I’m living here and planning to find computer work. Just so you know, I’m not really working at Beauchamps. Maman arranged for that so you would eventually find out I was working there. I prayed the mannele would lure you there. I needed to talk to you but was afraid to approach you.”

  Raoul shook his head again. “I don’t believe what I’m hearing.”

  “I’m sure you don’t, and if you tell me you want me to leave La Racineuse and never come back, I’ll be on the next plane out. But you deserved to hear the truth from me first. Thank you for giving me this much time.”

  His adorable Fleurine was back and so damn sweet he was melting on the spot. She started to head for the foyer, but Raoul raced in front of her and put his hands on her upper arms. “You’re not going anywhere.”

  Her head flew back, revealing the stunned expression in those violet eyes that looked at him with pure love.

  “We have wedding plans to make, mon amour.”

  * * *

  The love and desire licking through those impossibly black eyes consumed her so completely, Fleurine had no words. She slid her arms around his neck, bringing their bodies together. He lowered his dark head and his compelling mouth found hers. This was no experimental kiss like the one in the barn. So great was their need to express their love, they came close to engulfing each other.

  She lost track of time as they tried to become one, imprinting on each other, heart, body and soul. No dreams would ever match the reality of being in his strong arms again. “Darling,” she moaned in ecstasy, “I love you. I love you so terribly it frightens me.”

  “You don’t begin to know the meaning of fright. When you walked out of my suite at the palais declaring there was no us, I died inside.”

  “So did I, but that will never happen again.” Ravenous for him after being deprived all these years, she covered his mouth with her own.

  Once again he swept her away with overpowering passion. “How have I existed this long without you?” he cried much later, finally giving her a chance to breathe.

  “It’s a miracle we’re still alive at all,” she whispered against his lips.

  “That’s why we need to be married. I’m calling Father Didier right now. It’s not too late.” He picked her up like a bride and carried her back to the couch, kissing her with a hunger that matched her own. After sitting down with her ensconced in his lap, he eventually relinquished her mouth long enough to pull out his phone and call the church.

  She buried her face in his neck. “How do you have his number?”

  “I’ve talked to him many times about you and your father.”

  Fleurine nestled closer, kissing his jaw. “I had a long talk with my priest in Paris before I flew here. He knows of my deep heartache over you.” She half lay in his arms in a euphoric trance while he made the call. Her heart thrilled to the pure happiness in his voice as he asked the priest to marry him and Fleur Dumotte right away. More jubilant conversation ensued before he hung up and pulled her closer.

  “Father Didier said it was long overdue that at least one of the Causcelle triplets took his vows in the cathedral. We will have a ceremonial blessing after a civil marriage. He’ll officiate any time we want because our marriage takes priority over everything.”

  His mouth captured hers and they clung in the kind of rapture she could never have imagined before this moment. Their wedding really was going to happen. He’d be the husband she would love and cherish forever.

  “Mon trésor,” he murmured, covering her face with kisses, “the only thing I want to do is take you in the bedroom and make love to you forever. But I want you to be my wife before I hide you away from the world and keep you to myself. What do you say we go downstairs so Papa can meet you in person? We’ll tell him our news, then go to your house and inform your mother she’s getting a new son-in-law. If it were up to me, we’d get married first thing in the morning.”

  “I’d give anything if we could.” On fire for him, she kissed him hungrily, never wanting to leave his arms. A few minutes later they let go of each other long enough to stand up.

  He kissed her again. “Wait here one second.”

  She stood there in a daze until he returned and grasped her left hand. “This ring has been sitting on top of my dresser since Ischia.”

  A cry escaped her throat as he slid a gold ring with a two-karat violet stone onto her ring finger. “Oh, Raoul, it’s the most incredible diamond I’ve ever seen.”

  “I finally found the one I wanted to give you that comes close to the color of your eyes. It comes from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia, which is one of the only sources of violet diamonds in the world.”

  “I didn’t know one like this existed!” She launched herself in his arms again, unable to contain her love for him.

  He cupped her face and kissed her. “We’re finally engaged. I will never be separated from you again, my darling, but if you want to pursue your career in tech or be the finest baker in all of France, then you have my support. As long as you are by my side while you do it.”

  “Oh, darling! I want more than anything else to be your wife and the mother of your children. Beyond that maybe I could find a software-engineer position in La Racineuse or work at the boulangerie. All I know is I never want to be separated from you again.”

  “That’s all I needed to know. Now I’m going to phone Luca, my father’s health-care nurse. If Papa’s still awake, I want him to hear our news.”

  While she repaired her hair and lipstick, he pulled out his cell phone. Seconds later, he hung up and said, “Let’s go.” Putting his arm around her shoulders, they left his suite. He walked her down the hallway in the other direction leading to the main staircase. Her eyes took in the magnificent chateau interior. Soon they walked down another hall and entered another suite.

  Fleurine saw Luca standing next to Raoul’s father in a wheelchair. The older man had dressed in pajamas and a robe. His lively brown eyes darted to the two of them in surprise.

  “Papa? Forgive us for coming this late, but my news can’t wait.”

  As they drew closer, he broke out in a broad smile. “Well, well, well. Little Fleur Dumotte, all grown-up. You were the cutest little girl. It’s no wonder my Raoul started following you around.”

  His words touched her heart. “Monsieur Causcelle, it’s a privilege to finally meet you. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for all you’ve done for me and my family.”

  “Ma chère fille, I had no idea what you and your family had been through until recently. I’m thankful all of you have survived and done so well.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “Everyone is more than fine, all due to your incredible generosity and goodness.”

  Raoul kept his arm around her shoulders. “Papa, tonight my Fleurine agreed to be my wife. You’re the first to know.”

  His father’s eyes watered. “Now my every prayer has been answered. Come here, Fleurine. Let me welcome you to the family.” He held out his arms, and they embraced. “Finally my son is going to be happy again.”

  “We want to be married as soon as we can, Papa.”

  “Then don’t let anything stop you.”

  “Father Didier will marry us in the cathedral.”

  “At last, we can all meet there together. Please let me offer the chateau for your wedding reception. The ballroom is large enough to hold all our families and friends.”

  Raoul hugged him. “That’s my wish, mon père.” He turned to Fleurine and kissed her cheek. “Would you like that, chérie?”

  “I can’t think of another place to hold it. This is your home and legacy. My mother will be overjoyed.”

  His father clapped his hands. “Joy has finally come back to the estate. I can die a happy man.”

  “Oh, please—don’t say that!” Fleurine cried.

  “We expect you around for many years, Papa. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to drive to Simone’s house.”

  He eyed Fleurine. “Give her my very best and tell her to call me.”

  “I will, and thank you again. You’ve raised the most wonderful son on earth.”

  Raoul led her out and down another hall to the side door of the chateau. After another kiss to die for, they parted long enough to drive the short distance to her home. Fleurine was so happy she felt like they were floating on clouds.

  “Maman?” she called to her when they entered the house.

  “I’m coming!” She rushed in the living room from the kitchen. “Oh, Raoul—”

  “Simone!” He let go of Fleurine and hugged her mother. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to tell you how much I love your daughter. Tonight she agreed to be my wife. We want your blessing.”

  Tears ran down her cheeks. “You’ve always had it and should have been married years ago.”

  He shook his head. “None of that matters now. We’re going to enjoy the rest of our lives now as man and wife. And you and Marti and Emma are going to be my family too.”

  Fleurine couldn’t contain all the happiness building inside her. She ran to the two of them and threw her arms around both of them.

  Her mother whispered, “He found out you couldn’t live without him...”

  La cathédrale in La Racineuse,

  one week later

  At twelve noon, Raoul waited impatiently outside the entrance of the cathédrale with his brothers. They were surrounded by the whole Causcelle family while they waited for the limo that would bring Fleurine and her family. Their wedding day was being celebrated not only as a marriage but a day of liberation and healing. A huge crowd of estate workers had assembled outside.

  “Settle down, cousin. The limo has rounded the corner.”

  Grâce à Dieu.

  “What would I have done without you all these years, Pascal? No man ever had a better friend.”

  “Ditto.”

  Another few seconds and Raoul hurried toward the place where the limo rolled to a stop. A chorus of aahs resounded when he opened the rear door and Fleurine stepped out on the cobblestones. In her flowing white wedding gown and long lace veil, she looked like a vision from heaven.

  “My love,” he whispered and grasped her hand as they made their way to the cathedral entrance. She carried her bridal bouquet of white roses in her other hand. He could hear the music inside as the doors opened. Father Didier, dressed in his ceremonial vestments, greeted them with a beautiful smile. He bade them follow him, and the processional began.

  Everyone filed behind to fill the nave for the matrimonial mass. Raoul squeezed Fleurine’s hand. She squeezed back harder, delighting him. They’d had a lot to do to prepare for this day. He’d purposely kept busy so he wouldn’t kidnap her ahead of time and love her into oblivion. He had trouble believing that this day had finally arrived.

  The priest turned and faced them. Emma stepped forward to relieve Fleurine of her bouquet, then he put up his hands. “In the name of the father, son, and holy spirit, grace to all of you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  “Dearly beloved, you have come together into the house of the church so that your intention to enter into marriage may be strengthened by the Lord with a sacred seal.

  “Christ abundantly blesses the love that binds you. Through a special sacrament, he enriches and strengthens those he has already consecrated by holy baptism, that you may be enriched with his blessing. And so, in the presence of the church, I ask you to state your intentions.

  “Raoul Causcelle, have you come here to enter into marriage freely and wholeheartedly?”

  “I have.”

  “Fleur Dumotte, have you come here to enter into marriage freely and wholeheartedly?”

  “I have.” Her voice sounded strong and clear.

  “Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of holy matrimony, join your right hands and declare your consent before God and his church.”

  Raoul reached for hers with eagerness.

  The priest sprinkled holy water on their rings before handing them over. “Raoul, repeat after me. Fleur Dumotte, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, son, and holy spirit. Then put the ring on her finger.”

  Never had he wanted to do anything more than claim Fleurine for his own.

  “Now Fleur, repeat after me. Raoul Causcelle, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, son, and holy spirit.”

  Fleurine’s fingers trembled as she slid home the gold ring she’d bought for him.

  The priest smiled. “Now repeat after me. I, Raoul Ronfleur Causcelle, take you Fleur Binoche Dumotte, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”

  Turning to her, he repeated the vow that came from his soul.