She turned toward the duke who stood quietly watching. Quite the man, she joyfully mused. Robert stood next to his father, and the two of them looked so much alike it appeared comical.
“Thank you for what you’ve done to bring us together,” she said.
“My pleasure,” he responded with a warm smile.
For a moment, she wondered if she should hug him. Her eyes darted toward Robert, who gave a slight nod toward his father. She did as he suggested and stepped forward putting her arms around him. He reciprocated for a few seconds and then pulled away.
Looking at Robert, she felt like bursting into laughter and then crying like a baby. “You already know how I feel about you, Robert. You have been my friend, support, and wonderful brother. I love you so much.”
“Listen,” he said, gruffly. “Don’t try to make me cry.” His own eyes glistened with moisture.
“Rascal,” she said, giving him a wink.
“I’m a changed man,” he quickly retorted. “And it’s your fault.”
“Iron sharpens iron,” she smiled.
He leaned into her ear for a private word. “I’ve been thinking, too, that I might court Grace when I return home and see where it leads.”
Her eyes widened in approval. “Well, good for you. Please write and tell me all about it.” She smirked and teased in return. “And I shall write Grace to find out if you are behaving.”
They hugged each other for the last time. With difficulty, Jolene released him and stepped away. She turned toward Philippe. “Well, Father, it’s time.”
“Indeed,” he said, offering his arm. He looked at the duke, Suzette, and Robert. “I’ll take good care of her,” he announced. “Perhaps one day soon we will see each other again.”
He escorted her out the door to the waiting motorcar. She turned and looked at her family, who stood outside waving goodbye. One more glance would burn them into her memory.
“I love you,” she said with tears in her eyes. They climbed inside, and the driver closed the door. Jolene felt as if she were leaving a part of her soul behind.
Her father sensed her struggle, reached over and took her hand. He patted it gently. “It won’t be the last time, Angelique, that you’ll see them.”
“No, I think not,” she said.
The car pulled away heading toward the train station. “Though I leave them behind, I have you,” she reminded herself. “I won’t be alone.”
Philippe smiled and settled back into the seat keeping her hand in his. With one last glance, Jolene looked out the window and said goodbye to Paris.
It truly had been the city of light and love.
The End
The Legacy Series
The Legacy Series has been a fascinating journey as a writer. Book One in the series, The Price of Innocence, was my first independently published novel, which realized my dream of writing a book. It took me over eighteen months to pen, mostly because of the time I spent doing background research and questioning my sanity. Releasing it into the world turned out to be the most terrifying experience of my life. The story has been loved and hated.
The second book in the series, The Price of Deception, I wrote during a turbulent time in my life, which probably accounts for the turbulent story. It has been well received, and I had not planned to do Book Three until readers demanded more.
The Price of Love, the third in the series, took me a long time to write. I knew reader expectation was high because individuals became attached to the characters.
Of course, I fully intended for the series to end at Book Three, but there were a group of readers who continued to entice me to write Book Four, The Price of Passion (released March 2016).
About the Author
My publications include:
The Price of Innocence (Book One – The Legacy Series)
The Price of Deception (Book Two – The Legacy Series)
The Price of Love (Book Three – The Legacy Series)
The Price of Passion (Book Four – The Legacy Series)
The Phantom of Valletta (A continuation of Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera)
Dark Persuasion (Award-Winning Victorian Romance – See Below)
A Portrait of Perfection (A Dark Gothic Tale of Love and Betrayal)
A Christmas Oath: Novelette
A Christmas Mission: Novelette
Upcoming 2017: Ladies of Disgrace
I also write novellas, Romance With a Kiss of Suspense, under the pen name of Nora Covington. Works to date include:
Thorncroft Manor
Whitefield Hall
Blythe Court
Romance With a Kiss of Suspense Box Set
Subscribe to my mailing list for release updates: SUBSCRIBE HERE
Visit my Official Website
Author Links
For more information and updates on forthcoming publications, visit my websites below:
Website http://vickihopkins.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Vicki.Hopkins.Author
Twitter at http://twitter.com/VHopkins_Author
Thank you for reading The Legacy Series.
The Price of Love Page 30