His black eyes played over her. “You should wear your hair long more often. It’s stunning,” he said before driving them down the street toward the main route leading up into the hills. His compliment had her trembling.
Cami whispered her thanks, but found it hard to comprehend that when she’d thought she’d never see him again, he’d invited her to come with him this evening. If they were headed for a relationship, her feelings for him were already over the top.
“How is your son? Did you bring him home?”
“I did, and we’ve been having the time of our lives. Nathalie is with him now.”
“I’m thrilled for you.”
Within a few minutes their drive brought them to the gate of the famous Fontesquieu estate. He turned in. Suddenly it was déjà vu. In the distance the fantastic château came into view.
“I can’t believe this has been your home all your life.”
“It was like living in a large zoo under one roof. In comparison, my villa is paradise.”
He’d packed so much emotion into those statements, Cami felt saddened and stirred in her seat. “Every time my father brought me and my mom here, I wondered about the people who lived inside.”
Raoul darted her a glance. “Besides your prince?”
Cami laughed quietly. “I was a child with a big imagination and can be forgiven.”
“I assure you no prince or princess lived here. We were the same, difficult, ordinary people who live in apartments and houses throughout the world with the same flaws and imperfections that make up part of the human family.”
“Please don’t destroy all my illusions. I’d like to keep a few.”
He chuckled. “The public isn’t allowed inside, but I’ll drive us around on those forbidden roads so you can see it up close.”
“Where were you when we needed you?” she teased.
He reached over and squeezed her hand. It shot warmth through her body before he slowly let it go, leaving her bereft. Soon they’d come to the private road that circled next to the base of the magnificent structure.
“Does your whole family still live here?”
“You mean my grandmother, my parents, six aunts and six uncles, eighteen cousins, twelve nieces, ten nephews and a load of great grandchildren?” He pulled the car to a stop and flashed her that heart-stopping smile. “Then yes. In fact every one of them except for my cousin Dominic and myself.”
She couldn’t imagine it. “Does that mean you two are the rebels?”
“The family considers us the black sheep. Is it any wonder I’ve found pure peace at the villa?”
More than ever Cami realized what an enormous change he’d gone through to separate himself from the world he’d been born into. Her eyes took in the architecture that made the château so spectacular. “Where was your room when you were young?”
“On the third floor in the center right up there.” He pointed.
She didn’t want to ask where he’d lived with Sabine. “There have to be so many fun places to explore.”
“Fun, yes, but I paid a price when I got caught.”
Cami frowned. “Why?”
“My grandfather ruled supreme and everyone obeyed him. He wouldn’t tolerate a child being a child, especially me or Dominic whom he called the ringleader since he was a year older. No noise. No friends allowed inside the château. Any play had to be done outside under supervision, and those friends had to be handpicked by our fathers because they considered us serious problems who needed discipline.”
“No wonder you’re so fond of Dominic.”
“He and I grew closer than brothers to survive our childhood. If we did something wrong, we were separated for a week from playing together. We were also locked in our rooms without food for twelve hours so we would come to our senses.”
Cami was scandalized. “Are you kidding me?”
He lifted his hands. “I swear.”
“My father was so sweet to me, I feel terrible for what you had to suffer.”
“That was a long time ago. If you’ve seen enough, I’ll drive over to the office. It’ll only take me a minute.”
To her surprise it was housed in a large modern building behind the château. Being a Sunday, the parking lot had few cars. She marveled over the incongruity of new and old in the same panorama sweep.
He parked in front and got out. “I’ll be right back.”
She watched him stride inside on those strong powerful legs. No man could ever measure up to him, inside or out. He had hold of her heart.
Sure enough he returned quickly. After he climbed in behind the wheel, his smile made her feel all fluttery inside.
“Did you get what you came for?”
“I needed this.” He showed her a thumb drive before putting it in his shirt pocket. “This contains valuable new client information I couldn’t find earlier and didn’t want anyone else getting hold of. On our way out of here I’ll drive you through one of the vineyards where tourists come to taste our wine. We’ll stop there for a bite to eat too. How does that sound?”
“You know how much I’d love it.” Cami would have gone anywhere with him for as long as he wanted. Her moment of truth had come. She was absolutely crazy about him. It was hard to believe a man like him existed.
The rows of vines were perfectly aligned and didn’t look real. It thrilled her to think he was going to help would-be vintners to choose the right property and soil in order to grow grapes. His expertise would guarantee he’d make a huge success of his new company. Cami had no doubt he’d be touted forever. It was a privilege to know him.
Her eyes widened when he slowed down near a château much smaller than the main one that offered the delights of the Fontesquieu vineyard to the public. There were dozens of cars surrounding the structure.
“One of my jobs growing up was to run this place one summer.”
“Did you like it?”
“Let’s just say I learned a lot toward my later job of becoming head of Sales and Marketing. It surprised me how many people, women and men, love to talk about wine, the dreams they have about the perfect wine and what they prefer. Some of them wanted to start a vineyard of their own. I gained insights I wouldn’t have had otherwise. But enough about the past. It’s time to feed you and enjoy a little wine.”
Little did Raoul know it, but he’d fed her in so many ways today, she never wanted any of it to end.
He led her around the side to a private entrance that took them inside a tasting room with arched ceilings and all sorts of signs with writings about wine. She found it fascinating.
Raoul found them a table, and an aproned man at the bar walked over. “Eh bien, Raoul. What can I get for you?” The man’s gaze kept eyeing Cami.
“Your tapas and drinks from my special bouteille.”
“Tout de suite.”
“Auguste couldn’t keep his eyes off you,” Raoul whispered after the other man had gone.
“You’re imagining things.” But his comment excited her. She started looking around and began laughing when she read one of the signs near their table.
Raoul smiled. “Which one amuses you?”
“The Baudelaire quotation.”
Without looking at it he said, “One should always be drunk. That’s all that matters. But with what? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue as you choose. But get drunk!”
They both laughed. When it stopped, the way he was looking at her made her senses swim. For the next half hour they ate delicious fish hors d’oeuvres and sipped his favorite rose sherry.
“Try it,” he urged her, studying her mouth.
“All right.” She drank a little. “Um. It’s really delicious.”
“Can you detect the rich, ripe fruit flavors of vanilla, strawberry, pomelo and tangerines?”
“I think I can taste stra
wberry.”
He smiled. “I find this particular vintage at it’s perfect sweetness.” He leaned closer to brush his lips against hers. “Almost as sweet as your mouth glistening from the sherry.”
His kiss turned her body to liquid and she was so entranced, she forgot the time. But it had to come to an end.
Raoul took her to the car and they left for her apartment. Filled with good food and wine, she couldn’t bear to have to say good-night, but his son would be waiting for him at the villa. Cami knew Raoul was anxious to get home to him.
He cupped her elbow as he walked her to the apartment door. She raised her eyes to him. “Thank you for the private tour of your estate and the delicious dinner. I’ll remember it always.”
“I’ll never forget this Sunday evening either. Expect a call from me tomorrow. We have a lot to talk about.” In the next breath he lowered his head and gave her a lingering kiss she couldn’t help but respond to before he strode swiftly to his car.
Cami stood there shaking from the sensations he’d aroused in her before she found the strength to go inside. Her mom still wasn’t back yet, but it was only ten, which was just as well. Cami wanted to go to bed and savor what had happened this evening.
* * *
Raoul returned to the villa, aching with desire for Cami. He had plans for them tomorrow, but when he sat down at his computer before going to bed, he faced a mass of emails from clients he’d serviced over the years. They were waiting for him to get back from vacation so life could return to normal with him overseeing everything.
Raoul should have anticipated that reaction and realized it was time to clarify his situation. First, he called the Fleur-de-Lis Hotel in Fréjus. After reserving their largest conference room for tomorrow afternoon and evening, he reserved two rooms for Monday night.
With that done he phoned Jean-Pierre to tell him what was going on. It was time to make his cousin’s position official as head of Sales and Marketing.
Between the two of them they sent emails throughout Provence to as many clients who could come. Those who couldn’t make it would hear about it. Though it was short notice, he decided it was better to put out the fire ASAP. The move would be a fait accompli by the time his father heard about it.
On Monday morning he got up early to feed Alain and swim with him. Nathalie had stayed the night and agreed to stay for the day After the three of them had lunch, he packed and left for the thirty-minute drive to Fréjus.
En route he sent Cami a text that he’d gone out of town, but would call her on Tuesday to make plans. She’d be cleaning so he didn’t want to bother her with a phone call. It was hard to have to wait another day to see her, but he needed to get this out of the way.
Jean-Pierre met him and they set up the large room. Before long the clients trickled in. The place was soon filled, which was very satisfying to Raoul. These were men and women he’d worked with for years.
When it was time, he walked up to the microphone. “Thank you for coming on such short notice, but my life has completely changed and you deserve to know what’s going on.
“I have a son named Alain who’s almost nineteen months old. He’s come to live with me for good while I’ve been on vacation. I’ve entered a new phase of my life as a single man and can no longer work for the family business. He needs my full attention. But I know you’re going to approve of my successor. After dinner is served, we’ll both be on hand to talk to all of you.”
He turned to his cousin. “Jean-Pierre Fontesquieu? Come on up here so I can officially introduce you as head of Marketing and Sales for the entire Fontesquieu Company. Not only are we cousins, we’ve worked together for years. He’s been in charge while I’ve been on vacation and is the man who has my backing 100 percent.”
As everyone stood and clapped, Raoul patted him on the shoulder. “It’s your turn,” he whispered with a smile.
No one could know what it meant to have this over and done. He truly was free now to embrace his new life with his son and the woman who was already necessary to his existence.
CHAPTER FIVE
ON MONDAY AFTERNOON Cami received the disappointing text that Raoul was out of town and would call her tomorrow. That must have been a sudden move on his part. She hoped he was all right. Somehow she got through the rest of the day, but couldn’t wait until she saw him again.
Her sense of loss had grown acute by the time she and her mom returned to the apartment at the end of the day. No sooner had they walked inside than their neighbor Suzanne, the widow next door, was at the door.
“These flowers arrived for you. Just a minute. There are more.” She was back in a minute. “Lucky you! Now I have to run, but I want to hear the story behind these later.”
They thanked her and put the flowers on the coffee table. Cami took the paper off the first one. A gasp escaped her lips when she saw a vase filled with a dozen long-stemmed lavender roses, so exquisite they took her breath.
Another cry came from her mother who’d discovered a basket of yellow daisies called marguerites that looked like summer. She looked up at Cami.
“Is there any doubt where these came from?”
Cami smelled the roses with their heavenly bouquet. At this rate, that bad heart of hers needed an operation tomorrow. “No.”
“That must have been quite an evening you had at the vineyard with Raoul Fontesquieu last night.”
“He took me to see the château up close and then we had a meal at the wine-tasting château.”
Her mother smiled. “And on Saturday you helped him clean his study.”
Cami nodded.
“He not only looks the part, he’s every woman’s idea of perfection.”
Don’t remind me, Maman.
She reached for the card inserted in the roses.
“What does it say?” her mom asked.
“‘You’ve brought light into my life. R.’”
A little shiver ran through her body before Cami glanced at her mother. “What did he write to you?”
“‘Thank you for an outstanding job despite the pain in your shoulders. Raoul Fontesquieu.’” She eyed Cami with uncommon interest. “He says and does everything right, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. But what you’ve just said makes me suspicious. It’s all happening too fast.”
“Why do you look so troubled?” her mother prodded. “Does this have anything to do with your ex?”
“Maybe somewhere deep down I don’t trust my own feelings after my bad marriage.”
“Then talk to me. Come on.”
Cami sank down on one of the chairs, remembering the last kiss Raoul had given her. She still trembled from it. “He walked me to the door and said he’d call me today. Then he sent a text that he’d gone out of town.
“Now I see these roses. I feel like I’m spinning out of control and still have so many questions about him.”
Her mother sat down opposite her. “Like what?”
“For starters, he has a toddler son he only learned about this fall. In the nursery he’s put a picture on the dresser of his lover who died after the baby was born. He’s barely divorced. I have no idea if he was unfaithful to his former wife or not.
“I can’t help but wonder how many other vulnerable women have been left in his wake—women hoping for life everlasting with a man like him. The nanny who came for an interview couldn’t take her eyes off him. Her behavior reminded me of myself.”
“Give it time and you’ll learn a lot more about him.”
“I’m afraid to learn more and then find out I was a detour along the way.” Cami was already disturbed at the thought of his losing interest in her. “It might be better if I never see him again, that is if he calls me again.” He would haunt her dreams forever, but she didn’t dare open herself up for possible heartache when she was already facing a personal health crisis.
Her mom walked over and hugged her. “Christophe hurt you.”
“At first, Maman. But after I realized I’d made a terrible mistake to marry him, I was no longer in pain. He was a child and always will be. With hindsight I realized I’d gone into that marriage so young because I’d wanted security after losing Papa. Christophe was too immature to handle any crisis, especially the fact that my heart murmur wasn’t getting better.”
A wince marred her mother’s brow.
“On the surface, Raoul Fontesquieu appears to be heaven’s gift to women and has more money than most of us can imagine. But because of my former experience, I need to be aware of the warning signs—like that picture of his lover—and not get any more involved with him.
“Soon my life will be going in a brand-new direction. Depending on a positive result of my operation, which I worry about, I’ll be working at Gaillard’s, and be able to take care of both of us. You need a rest.”
“That’s not your job, Cami.”
“Why not? You’ve sacrificed for me all these years. It’s my turn.”
“But there will come a time when—”
“I don’t think so, Maman,” she interrupted her. “I have to get through the operation first and find out the chances for survival. Forget thinking about a mythical man in my future. He would have to be the antithesis of someone like Raoul Fontesquieu with his complicated life and background.
“His type comes from another planet, let alone a different cultural postal code from mine, and has so much family baggage you can’t wade your way through it. I have to face reality. If a man does show up—that is if I have a future—and he isn’t trustworthy or can’t add richness to the solid life I’m planning to establish, then I don’t want him under any circumstances.”
She kissed her mom. “I’m going to get ready for bed and read for a while. We’re facing another workday tomorrow. Get a good sleep.”
“Don’t you want to put the flowers in your bedroom?”
“It wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Falling For His Unlikely Cinderella (Escape To Provence Book 2) Page 6