Louis looked up. “Well, well. You’re back, Raoul. What’s going on with the triumvirate tonight?”

  They took a seat. “We have vital news.”

  His chin lifted. “That sounds serious.”

  “It is, Papa,” Jean-Louis murmured, “but in a way that should bring peace to your soul as well as to the estate and the Church.”

  “My soul has been at peace for years.”

  “Except for one thing,” Nic interjected.

  Their father looked away. “Eh bien, mes fils. Don’t keep me in suspense.”

  Raoul leaned forward. “The men responsible for the monastery fire that killed Gregoire and the monks have been arrested. Soon they will face imprisonment.”

  Louis’s bald head turned toward Raoul in amazement. “Who did it?”

  “Brace yourself, Papa. Garber Dumotte, Keller, Hartzel and Richter, along with four others rounded up in Switzerland.”

  Their father shook his head. “Garber?” he whispered.

  “His wife Simone gave testimony to the police. She knew what he did and held her peace under threat of death all these years. She also helped Fleur escape after he threatened her and me. It turns out Garber wanted to marry Maman. Maybe you knew that.”

  “I suspected.”

  “When she chose you, he couldn’t handle it and wanted to hurt both of you in a way to make you suffer.”

  His father moaned. “He accomplished his purpose and hurt you too.”

  “But that’s old history now, and Gaston Farouche has been named the new head of the dairy.”

  “Excellent choice.” After a long pause he said, “All this happened today?”

  “That’s right, and the world is a better place for it.”

  Tears dripped down his cheeks. “Poor Simone and her children.”

  “They’re going to be fine.”

  He stared at the three of them. “Mes fils, we need to help that family.”

  No one had a bigger heart than their father. “It’s being done,” Raoul assured him. “More importantly, we hope this news will help you sleep better from now on.”

  * * *

  Fleurine loved it that their mother was in charge for the first time. They’d just finished dinner. The last few days with the family had been a healing time for all of them. They’d strengthened their bonds and found joy being together.

  “Emma? Marti? Have you two decided what you’d like to do? Raoul has texted that he’ll come by here at eight in the morning to take Fleur to the airport.”

  There’d been no text to Fleurine, no greeting, no conversation or questions. He’d kept his promise and hadn’t come near since leaving her and her mother at the door of their house four days ago. It shouldn’t have surprised her. He’d always been a man of his word, but it brought her indescribable pain.

  Marti eyed their mother. “We’ve never been anywhere, so I’d like to go to Paris and stay in that palais for a few days. I don’t know about work or school yet.”

  Emma nodded. “I’d like to do the same thing. What about you, Maman? Will you come with us?”

  Nothing had been settled where her siblings’ future plans were concerned. The thought of leaving her mother for long periods of time tormented Fleurine.

  “I don’t think so. While you’re gone, I’d like to do some shopping and visit my friends.”

  Marti grinned. “In your new Renault.”

  “No one deserves free time more than you, chère Maman,” Fleurine commented. She looked at her siblings. “I’m thrilled you guys are coming with me. After my work we’ll go out for dinner to some famous places, and I’ll show you around. We’ll shop for new clothes, get new hairdos. The works!”

  “I can’t wait!” Emma cried.

  “Then, I think we’d better do the dishes and get our packing done. Eight comes early. We’ll eat breakfast on the jet.”

  Marti let out a whoop of excitement before helping to clear the table.

  Later that night as Fleurine was on her way to bed, her mother stopped her in the hallway. “I’ve loved our time together.” She hugged her.

  “I’ll visit whenever I can and phone you every day, Maman. If you want to move to Paris, you can live with me. Just say the word.”

  “No. My home is here, but I’ll visit.” She smiled at her. “Before I go to bed, come in my room and talk to me for a minute.” They went inside. “I’m curious about something. When did Raoul start calling you Fleurine?”

  Her heart thudded. What?

  “We were on the porch when he accidentally called you that on the day he dropped you off here at the house.”

  Fleurine swallowed hard. “He nicknamed me that after I turned seventeen.”

  Her mother smiled. “It’s beautiful and suits you perfectly. You never said a word to me, but it’s obvious you captured this young man’s heart before your father tore you from our family.” Her eyes misted over. “I’m so sorry. Garber said he caught you in the barn with Raoul.”

  “Yes. I went there to say goodbye to him, but that was a long time ago.”

  “And now you’re living a full life in Paris?”

  “I am, and I love it.”

  “Is there a man you’re interested in?”

  “I’ve dated from time to time, but no one special.”

  “Please tell me how you actually happened to meet up with Raoul again.”

  “There are so many things to tell you. You have to know the beginning first. Within a month of arriving in Paris I had my name legally changed to Laure Millet so I couldn’t be traced.”

  “You smart girl.”

  “Now leap ahead to a few months ago where I was working as a software engineer at Aire-Tech. Another engineer working there named Paul began pursuing me. We had one date, and that was it. I wasn’t interested, but he became impossible, so I decided to try for employment elsewhere. I decided to go for an interview with Rayonner-Tech, the best software company in Paris. That turned out to be a move that has changed my life.

  “As the receptionist led me to the conference room for my second interview, she mentioned that Raoul Causcelle was in there with the CEO.”

  “Oh, ma chère Fleur. What a shock!”

  “You have no idea. It frightened me so badly I tripped and hurried out of the building. Later, Raoul came to my office at Aire-Tech to find out what had happened to Mademoiselle Millet. He’d been called to sit in on the interview. Causcelle planned to buy Rayonner-Tech but needed to approve the person who’d be hired for the chief engineer position.”

  “Meaning you. That’s incredible. I bet you had no trouble recognizing him.”

  She hugged her arms to her waist. “No. He’s a breed apart from other men.”

  “Your transformation must have shocked him.”

  “You mean no more Cinderella-in-white.”

  Her mother studied her for a moment. “Then what happened?”

  “We met again at the palais where he stays when in Paris. I told him I’d never married.”

  A slow smile broke out on her mother’s dear face. “When he learned you were still single, it’s obvious he wasted no time arranging for your father’s arrest. What else haven’t you told me?”

  Fleurine knew what her mother was getting at. “He arranged a bogus interview for me three weeks later in Nice where he showed up. We flew to Ischia, Italy, and stayed with friends of his family overnight. He wanted us to pick up where we’d left off, but I took your advice because you’ve never led me wrong.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You sent me a note with that money ten years ago. It said, You and Raoul were born into separate worlds. You were never meant to step out of them to be together. Remember that a woman can be fulfilled and successful without a man.”

  “I said that because you were only seventeen.”

  “Even so, being with him again made me realize you’d spoken the truth. We come from separate worlds. He’s a bachelor with a lifestyle most men would give anything to have. I’ve taken your advice to heart and am determined to own my own software company someday. I haven’t looked back, and it’s because of you. You’re a saint, Maman, and I adore you. Now we both need to get to bed.”

  She kissed her cheek and rushed out in the hall to the bedroom she was sharing with Emma.

  “I’m so excited, Fleur. I’ve never been on any kind of plane before.”

  Fleurine laughed. “I know how you feel. You’ll love it.”

  “Do you have to go to work tomorrow?”

  “Of course not. I’ll call my boss and ask for a few more days off. He’ll understand when he learns you and Marti have come with me for a short visit.”

  They talked until they turned out the lights. Emma kept her distracted from the conversation she’d had with her mother until her sister fell asleep. Unfortunately, she tossed and turned for the rest of the night. She kept remembering the worried look in her mother’s eyes after she’d hurried out of the bedroom. What had caused it?

  Worse, her dreams were filled with Raoul and that moment in Ischia when he’d asked her again to marry him. She’d turned him down and wanted to die.

  Long before it was time to get up, Fleurine showered and dressed once more in her apricot suit she liked for travel. She put out one of her skirts and print blouses she’d brought so Emma could wear them. Her sister was the same height, so she also let her borrow a pair of her flats.

  “Oh, Fleur—these clothes look like my friends’ outfits! I can’t believe it.” She ran around the house showing Marti and their mother. “I need to get my hair cut. So do you, Marti. Yours is too long.”

  “That’s one of the first things I’m going to do.”

  “What’s the other?”

  “Buy some cargo pants and sandals.”

  Fleurine smiled as she watched the two of them step out of the eighteenth century into life. The giant hand of their father no longer crushed them in his grasp. She had Raoul to thank for their liberation. But knowing he would be coming by for them in a few minutes had made her restless.

  Her mother came out to the porch where Fleurine waited with her suitcase. “I’ll get rid of their clothes while they’re with you in Paris,” Simone whispered. “Make sure Emma gets a haircut like yours. It will suit her too.”

  Fleurine turned to her. “You’re so wonderful, Maman. It’s hard to leave you, but I promise I’ll be back soon.”

  “I have no doubt of it. Don’t tell the others, but I’m following your example. Later today I’m interviewing for the position of head pastry chef at the Beauchamps boulangerie in La Racineuse.”

  With a cry, Fleurine threw her arms around her. When she let her go, Raoul had pulled up in the Mercedes.

  Her heart leaped as she watched the man she used to think of as a dark-haired pirate get out and walk towards them. Today he wore a tan suit with white shirt and striped tie. In the news or otherwise, he and his brothers always looked like they’d just stepped off the front page of GQ.

  “Bonjour, tout le monde!” he called out.

  “Bonjour, Monsieur Causcelle!” Emma and Marti had come out on the porch with their overnight bags and hurried toward the car like young children on holiday. The scene tugged at Fleurine’s heart.

  He came closer. His black eyes blazed. “Eh bien, Simone. It looks like everyone is ready for a trip to Paris. Are you prepared to be an empty nester for a few days?”

  “I’ll manage somehow,” she answered with a broad smile. Fleurine knew her mother was excited to get going on a career for herself.

  “You have my phone number, and I have yours. Be assured I’ll return your children safely to you.”

  “I know you will. Bless you, Raoul.”

  After another hug, Fleurine hurried down the steps to the car carrying her suitcase before Raoul could take it from her.

  He loaded their cases into the trunk and opened the rear door. The three of them got in the back. After he took his place behind the wheel, he honked and waved to their mother before pulling away. They drove through the estate past the chateau in the distance and reached the highway leading to the airport in Chalon Champforgeuil.

  She experienced another surreal moment riding in Raoul’s car with her excited siblings on either side of her. They talked about what they wanted to do on their trip, while Raoul made several calls on his phone. During his last one, he caught her staring at him through the rearview mirror.

  Feeling uneasy, she turned her head to look out the window. Fleurine had let him know there could be nothing between them. Her father had been arrested. That action ended any more association with Raoul. But it was difficult not to look at him while they were together in the car.

  After her dreams of last night, she knew she’d thrown away the possibility of something wonderful by turning him down. She’d have to be careful and stay occupied with her siblings after they boarded the jet. Once in Paris, she and Raoul would go their separate ways for good.

  “Wow,” Marti blurted when they reached the airfield and parked near the Causcelle jet. Several airport workers came running and helped with their luggage.

  “Eh bien, you two.” Raoul smiled at her siblings. “Let’s get onboard. Once we’re seated, we’ll buckle up and be off. It’s a perfect fall day, so I know you’ll enjoy your first flight.”

  They followed him up the steps and into the lounge compartment. Fleurine knew how overwhelmed they were feeling. The Causcelle lifestyle couldn’t be compared to anything they’d known before now. Raoul introduced them to the pilot and steward who promised to serve them breakfast once they were in the air. Raoul had a way...

  Fleurine found her own seat while he answered their questions. He soon had them laughing and feeling totally comfortable. This was the Raoul who’d charmed her from the first second she’d met him as a young girl on the estate.

  The seat-belt sign flashed on, and they all buckled up. Fleurine stared out the window so she wouldn’t be caught a second time gazing at his incredibly handsome features and dark hair.

  Once they’d reached cruising speed, breakfast with all the trimmings turned out to be one happy event. After the steward cleared their trays, Raoul asked them what they would like most to do after they arrived in Paris.

  Marti spoke first. It came as a surprise since he’d always been quiet and rarely assertive. “You mentioned we could stay at the palais where you live when you come to Paris. Is it a real palais?”

  “It used to be and looks like one from the outside. My sister’s suite on the main floor is vacant with two bedrooms. You and your sister are welcome to stay in it for as long as you want.” He turned to Emma. “What sounds good to you?”

  “I—I’d like to stay there too,” she stammered. “Is that all right with you, Fleur?”

  “I would have been surprised if you’d said you wanted to stay with me.” Who would choose her apartment after being offered the world?

  Raoul nodded. “Then, it’s settled. The palais has laundry service. There’s also a kitchen staff that provides meals day and night. Just call on the phone. We keep an Audi in the parking lot if you want to drive around. Guy, the man in the foyer, will give you key. I’ll be on the second floor in my own suite in case you need to phone me for anything.”

  They plied him with questions for what felt like ages. Then to her surprise he got to his feet. In the next breath he pulled two envelopes from his pocket and handed them to her siblings. “This money set up in your own accounts is for you to go on a shopping spree. Fleur will help you navigate around Paris and find what you’re looking for.

  “After we arrive, we’ll drive to the palais to get you situated. I have work today, but tonight it will be my pleasure to take all of you to dinner on top of the Tour Eiffel. It’s a wonderful place to drink in the atmosphere of Paris on your first visit.”

  Emma squealed for joy. As for Marti, Fleurine thought he looked like he’d died and gone to heaven.

  Following Raoul’s unexpected dinner invitation, and his display of unimagined kindness and generosity, the seat-belt warning flashed. He sat down once more, and they buckled up for the descent. She needed another belt fastened around her chest to quiet her palpitating heart. The sooner she didn’t ever have to see him again, the better.

  CHAPTER SIX

  RAOUL DROVE THEM into Paris from the airport. He alerted Guy to make sure his sister Corinne’s suite would be ready for the Dumotte family. If ever three people deserved to be showered with a few gifts after a lifetime of emotional abuse, they did.

  Once upon a dream he’d planned to marry Fleurine and spoil her with everything her heart could desire. But those days were over. Though he would always be in love with his memory of her, she’d changed beyond recognition. They could never have a relationship now.

  Still, he found it cathartic to do something of value for Simone’s younger children who deserved a fresh start. After he pulled up in front of the palais, he walked inside the foyer and introduced them to Guy. The man had a friendly, warm nature they would enjoy.

  “Have a great day, guys,” Raoul said a few minutes later. “I’ll meet you out in front at seven thirty, and we’ll enjoy a night out.” Avoiding Fleurine’s eyes, he returned to his car and took off for headquarters a block away.

  “Hey, Raoul,” his cousin cried out when he walked in the office. “I’m so glad to see you. My wife and I were just talking about you so we could set up a dinner engagement for tonight with you-know-who.”

  “Tonight I’m busy, but how about tomorrow night? A river cruise on the Seine?” He needed his cousin to divert his attention while he entertained Fleurine and her siblings one more night. Then he could walk away forever.

  Pascal’s head flew back. “Are you serious?”