Alex began to feel bad. Had Liam really wanted his advice? Maybe he should have listened rather than blown up.
Madeline rose to her feet and motioned him to follow her. She spoke as she walked. “Alexandre,mon fils,I understand why the past ten years have been difficult, and I know why you went away. But I am not blind. I know the role my husband played in the tension between the two of you, and as a mother, it breaks my heart.”
She reached into an armoire and brought down an ornate wooden box, lifting the lid and drawing out a plain white, sealed envelope of heavy linen paper. She placed it into his hands.
“Before he died, your father left this to you. He wanted you to have it at the right time. I was never able to know what that meant, ‘the right time’, but the fact that you are back, and about to embark upon a new phase in your life with Jacyn. Providence is letting me know thatthisis the right time.”
CHAPTER 12
JACYN LISTENED TO WILLA as she sat across the table and chattered on about yet another of her escapades, pranking her tutor. It was something to do with releasing her pet rabbit in the small classroom where she did her studies. Normally, Jacyn hung onto every word; Willa was adorable, and she had already begun to love her as a niece. Even though that was foolish. After she left France, the chances of her ever seeing this spunky, smart little girl again were close to nil.
But were they, though? Even though she’d been out of the house for hours, roaming the upscale boutiques with Willa and Sofia, her mind was still back at the château with Alex. They had all three enjoyed mani-pedis at a spa that Sofia frequented, following a rare and unexpected invitation from the woman; who seemed to be trying to be pleasant. Jacyn even wondered if Liam had asked her to be nice.
But despite the fact that the day had passed pleasantly, and the foot massages had been divine, the only person’s touch she could think about was Alex’s.
The way he had made love to her, over and over. The way he’d kissed her. She’d given herself up to him, completely, and he had gladly explored every inch of her, taking everything she had to offer. Surely things had changed between them! Surely, everything would be better now. Maybe they could have a future. Maybe —
“You left too early last night, Jacyn,” Willa was saying. “You missed the Waltz! I wanted to see Mama do it with Ton Alex!”
Of one accord, both women turned to Willa in surprise. That was when it sank in that Sofia, too, had been broodingly distracted while Willa was talking. Poor girl was always battling for her mother’s attention.
“What was that, hon?” Jacyn asked.
“I heard people talking. They said that Mama and Ton Alex stole the show at grand-mère and grand-père’s twenty-first wedding anniversary ball.” Willa leaped to her feet and began to demonstrate the dance moves. “The man said there were pictures of them in the papers the next day, dancing. Last night someone paid the DJ twenty euros to announce the waltz, to see if they would do it again.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.”News to me,Jacyn thought.
Willa nodded vigorously. “Oh yes. The men said that Ton Alex and Mama were like Rose and Jack, except Tonton was the rich one! Everyone believed they would get married, even! The guy who was talking? He said they were surprised when Papa swooped in and married Mama instead. That they’d been betting on the wrong horse—”
“Willa!” Sofia hurriedly got up, bundling her linen napkin and tossing it onto her unfinished meal. “I think that’s enough.”
“But—”
“I think we should be getting back.” Sofia grasped Willa’s hand and gave Jacyn a brittle smile. “Shall we?”
But Jacyn’s mind was reeling. She was too shocked to join them. “You go ahead,” she said as coolly as she could. “I think I’ll stay awhile.”
After they were gone, she ordered coffee—a pot, not a cup. She needed to think. Alex had feelings for Sofia; that was clear. But dating? To the extent that people assumed they’d get married? That was news to her.
The warm expectations Jacyn had had about her future with Alex began to fade. How could she compete for Alex’s attention against a woman like Sofia, even when she belonged to another man? And why exactly had Alex decided to bring her to France for this elaborate scheme? She had no idea how to feel about all this, because she still wasn’t sure how she felt about Alex.
But one thing was painfully clear to her. Everyone in her life that she’d ever formed a bond with, always wound-up getting bounded to someone else.
***
Jacyn was still in a pensive mood later that evening, when Alex arrived at her door with two glasses and a bottle of port. She let him in, feeling almost shy and unsure. Less than 24 hours before, she had been melting in his arms, greedily taking and generously giving pleasure. Now, she looked back on it as an episode of temporary insanity.
They sat facing each other in the sitting area, nursing their drinks, but neither one ready to say much, or to discuss what had happened between them. Alex looked almost gloomy and decidedly distracted, but weirdly, it didn’t seem to be directed at her.
When he asked about her day, she talked about their girls’ day out and the trip to the spa, even repeating some of the amusing stories Willa had shared. She refrained from mentioning the bombshell that the girl had dropped about Alex and Sofia having been involved for years.
First of all, it was hard for her to imagine those two as a couple. That pale, frosty woman with Alex in all his vibrancy? Surely not. Maybe Sofia as a young woman had been different, more Alex’s type. But if that was the case, why did they break up?
And second, the past that Alex and Sofia had shared certainly impacted—maybe directly led to—the situation she and Alex now found themselves in. And she used the word ‘situation’ after great deliberation. It certainly wasn’t a relationship.
Jacyn set down her glass, then inhaled while praying for strength. “Alex,” she began.
He looked resigned, as if he’d expected this was coming. “Talk to me,” he said simply.