“I’d love that. Au revoir, Nathalie.”
They clicked off, but she was restless and went to her room to take a shower. As she was getting dressed in a skirt and blouse, she received a text. Maybe it was her mother. She reached for her phone on the dresser.
Dominic.
The blood pounded in her ears as she read it.
I have some information you’ve been wanting. If you’re interested come to my office between five thirty and six today. You can pick up your paycheck at the same time. If you don’t come I’ll have it deposited in your bank.
Dominic—
She let out an agonized groan. To hear from him now when the separation had been so excruciating for her... What information did he think he’d found for her when she believed either he or his brother could have been the man involved with Antoinette? Or not. Did she dare break down and walk through fire in order to be with him again?
While she stood there in utter turmoil, that fluttering organ she called her heart gave her the answer. Fool that she was, she answered back. I’ll come.
Having done that, she rushed around to get ready and left the house after her mother got home at three.
She battled fear and excitement all the way and felt feverish by the time she drove onto the estate. The road led around the magnificent seventeenth-century chateau. Seeing his home in all its glory up close brought back the conversation she’d had with Dominic about his family.
The big modern business building beyond the chateau and sculptured topiary trees looked out of place. She studied the cars parked in the lot on the side. The black Renault and silver Mercedes caught her eye immediately.
On trembling legs she got out of her car and entered the door of the main entrance.
A well-dressed, attractive receptionist seated at a desk smiled at her. “Bonjour. Can I help you?”
“Yes.” She could see Dominic’s name on the door to the right. “I’m Mademoiselle Fournier. I was told to pick up my paycheck in Monsieur Dominic Fontesquieu’s office.”
“Très bien. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
A few seconds later the door opened. The tall, dark Frenchman she loved with all her heart and soul stood there dressed casually in jeans and a tan sport shirt. Every inch of him was so arresting, she felt inundated with longings, but lines marred his handsome face and she noticed a certain pallor. Maybe he’d caught his brother’s flu.
“I’m glad you could make it. Entrez, Mademoiselle Fournier.”
He’d never been this formal with her. “Thank you.”
Nathalie stepped inside, but came to a sudden halt. She’d thought Dominic would be alone. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another tall, dark-haired man standing near the desk wearing a blue business suit. He was on his phone.
After he hung up, he turned in her direction. She let out
a tiny gasp, unable to trust the sight before her eyes. This man reminded her of Dominic and Etienne. With his coloring and those familiar features, he had to be another Fontesquieu! Incredibly he had a look of Alain, as well. Now she really knew she was losing it.
His smiling black eyes looked over her with male interest. “Dom? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Dominic didn’t answer. What was going on?
“I’m Nathalie Fournier.” She spoke up to ease the sudden tension. “And you?”
“Raoul Fontesquieu.”
Dominic’s cousin! The one going through the painful divorce. “It’s very nice to meet you, Monsieur Fontesquieu.”
“I hear you did an excellent job of picking grapes while you were here. Not everyone has a knack for it.”
“I don’t know about that, but thank you.”
He walked over to Dominic and patted his shoulder. “We’ll talk later at home.”
That’s right. She remembered his cousin had moved in with Dominic while getting his divorce.