The Frenchman's Bride

“It’s hardly a crush, Ms. Linn,” he retorted bleakly, appearing older all of a sudden. “The reality of the ring and everything it entails puts this whole matter in a different light.

“Too many afternoon cocktail parties have a way of turning a boy’s head and dissipating his brain. Particularly when a predatory female who looks like you supplies that extra je ne sais quoi.”

“Je ne sais quoi?” Hallie mimicked the words as she untied the scarf and laid it on the table with the ring. “That ‘little extra something’ is a dated expression Americans acquired years ago. Your daughter uses them constantly.”

He moved closer, putting his hands on his hips once more. A grimace darkened his features. Even in his anger, he was so attractive she was alarmed to find herself distracted by his potent sensuality.

“Who are you? What are you doing in Paris? How did my children meet you?” he fired one question after another.

“I’m someone who has been a friend to the twins.”

“You expect me to believe that?” he lashed out.

“Yes. Just as I believe anything you tell me would be the absolute truth, too. Monique is like you in so many ways. But you’d be wise to watch your words because your cynicism has rubbed off on her.

“She was sure her headmistress wouldn’t get her into trouble with you because, to quote your daughter, ‘the woman is still trying to seduce you.’ Sorry to be blunt, but dated expressions don’t have quite that je ne sais quoi with me anymore.

“And one more thing. I don’t care if you’re as rich as King Midas! Since your son hasn’t worked in the vineyards for the last school year, then leaving nine thousand dollars in his account is entirely too much money for an impulsive eighteen year old to handle, no matter how trustworthy he’s been up until now.”

“Are you quite finished?”

“Not yet,” she said, ignoring his withering tone. “Let’s just be thankful he tested the waters with me because I love your son like I would a younger brother. I care about his welfare.

“Paul doesn’t realize it yet, but I’m part of a fantasy in his mind. He’s confused right now. Give him a few more years and he’ll have figured everything out.

“Do you know he wants to be exactly like you when he’s grown up?” she drove the point home. “Self-assured, desirable to women, a success in life? For your information he did everything right when he toasted me with wine from your vineyards and wished me a happy birthday.

“No one could have been more charming or gallant. And even though he trembled when he kissed me, he didn’t hesitate. In fact he was very masterful when he reached for my hand and slid that ring on my finger.

“In ten years or so years he’s going to make some lucky woman a wonderful husband in every way that counts. He shows all the promise, but he’s still young and capable of being wounded because you shamed him in front of me.

“Surely you must know how much you hurt him by not letting him talk to you in private. I don’t understand you, not when I think you’ve raised the most wonderful children I’ve ever met. That’s why I stopped short of slapping your face.”

Silence followed her last remark. He studied her for a long moment. “Before I have you investigated, why don’t you answer my questions.”

Investigated— He would go that far?

“Paul already told you. My name is Hallie Linn. Today I turned twenty-five, not eighteen! Until your children decided to surprise me with a little birthday celebration, I’d forgotten about it.

“We met last fall when they came into Tati’s where I work. They were looking for birthday gifts for you, but were sticking to their budget. I asked them to describe you to me before I suggested a pair of gloves and a wallet.”

She could tell by a flicker in the recesses of his dark eyes that he remembered receiving those gifts.

“They were surprised to find an American working there and loved trying out their English on me. In fact they begged me to correct their mistakes. I was charmed by their earnestness and their adoration of you. It was Papa this, and Papa that.

“Before they left the store, they asked if they could come back the next week and practice their English with me again. I said yes, but didn’t really expect to see them.

“Two days later they showed up and pled with me to spend my lunch hour with them. They’d brought sandwiches and drinks. I could hardly refuse, so we walked over to Notre Dame cathedral and had a little picnic.

“They spoke English the best they could and told me about life in St. Genes with you and their great grandfather Maurice. Oh yes, and Beauregard.

“At some point that afternoon the three of us became friends. It just happened. We’ve been close ever since. I should have recognized the signs of Paul’s infatuation before today, but I didn’t.

“I assume that’s why they’ve never told you about me. It was wrong of them of course. But just now you treated their omission like they’d committed a sin. Why did you do that?”

He moved closer. “How did you get a job at Tati’s?” His question proved he was too upset to be reasonable. “The government rarely issues work permits to Americans.”

“They made an exception in my case, but don’t be concerned. I’ll only be depriving your countrymen of a job for another two weeks, then I’ll be gone for good.

“As for your other fear, you’ve already solved that problem by coming to Paris to take your children home. Tell me something—if you’re so distrustful of them, why did you send them away to boarding school?”

His lips twisted unpleasantly, but she was determined to make this last point.

“The twins could have gone to a perfectly good college in St. Genes so they could live at home with you where they belong. Life is so fleeting! Don’t you know the love of a parent is more vital and necessary to a child than any expensive education?

“Your children worship you. They’ve missed you horribly and have studied hard to get the best grades so you’d be proud of them. I ought to know because I’ve spent hours tutoring them for their exams while we’ve explored Paris together on my days off.

“No doubt Monique bought that beautiful red dress to wear in front of you for Pere Maurice’s birthday celebration next month. She claims every woman fantasizes about you.

“Though she hasn’t said as much to me, I know she’s worried that someone will come along you do want in your bed. Every day that she grows older, she’s frightened she’ll be replaced in your affection.

“Please—if there is a special woman in your life you haven’t told them about either, don’t let her be at the chateau when you take your children back to St. Genes. Give them your total attention first so they’ll know nothing has changed.

“And please—promise me you’ll work things out with Paul tonight before it’s too late. He’s trying hard to be a man. Go to him and explain why you were so upset. Paul’s so sweet and sensitive inside. He’ll understand and forgive you.

“Adieu, monsieur. Que dieu vous benisse.”

A few seconds later the elevator doors closed, leaving Hallie’s words reverberating in the dining room.

Vincent remained frozen in place.

Like a master swordsman, she’d cut and thrust to produce a firestorm of emotions at the deepest level of his psyche. Then she’d had the audacity to bid him goodbye forever, imploring God to bless him.

He’d never met anyone remotely like her.

Never mind the womanly attributes that had blind-sided his son. What spell had this enigmatic stranger cast over both twins to evoke such singular affection?

For nine months their relationship had been flourishing without his knowledge. Vincent felt wounded. Betrayed.

He didn’t buy the explanation that the twins had kept Ms. Linn’s existence a secret in order to surprise him with their English proficiency.

No doubt Paul had fallen hard for her from the outset and had sworn Monique to secrecy. For a long time now she’d managed to infiltrate their world. No telling how many intimate details about his personal life and those of his children she’d elicited.

Though he didn’t have the faintest clue who this American really was, he was going to find out.

He went to the study to look up the number of Tati’s Department Store, then made a call to the manager. After being put on hold for a long time, someone in the credit department picked up and told him the manager had left for the day.

Vincent tried to get information about Ms. Linn, but was told he’d have to speak to the manager in the morning.