Forbidden Monsieur: Princes of Avce

by Victoria Pinder

A twig snapped behind her as Chelsea hung up the phone. She turned and saw Cassidy, who gave her a small smile. “That was a sweet message you just sent, sis.”

  Her heart felt like it stopped. She hadn’t meant to be overheard. She held her sister’s gaze. Unlike last time, Chelsea hoped her sister understood at least a little. She pocketed her phone. “I wish he’d answer the phone.”

  “Love is never easy,” Cassidy said without moving.

  Love? Yes, she and Alex came closest to what she thought might be love. Her eyes felt glassy but she refused to cry about it. She shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “I ruined my chances with Alex. I know that, even if I wish it was different.”

  Her sister stepped closer and then stroked her back like she was their mother in the times she’d comforted them. Cassidy was clearly a natural. “How?”

  Right. Well her sister was always the believer in true love and happily-ever-after. However that wasn’t going to happen. She let out a long sigh and admitted, “I told him I was going to marry Stefano for his money. Who would ever love me after I said that?”

  Without another word her sister just hugged her.

  Chelsea waited a second but then hugged her back. At least she hadn’t scolded her though Chelsea couldn’t think of one thing her sister might say that she hadn’t said to herself.

  As the hugged ended, Cassidy kept her voice low. “How do you feel, Chelsea?”

  Right. She wasn’t going to break down in tears. Though as she thought about her painting and Alex’s gaze, she realized that yes, she must have loved Alex. Soon she’d let the world see inside her heart, even if most never understood. It was all there. She took a step back and massaged her forehead. “I need to finish my painting for next week’s showing.”

  Her sister raised her eyebrow. “Why? How do you feel about Alex, not your art, which we already know you love.”

  Was love branded on her face now? Chelsea finally realized that she didn’t have to compete with Cassidy anymore. However, she raised her eyebrow to match her sister and asked in a dare, “Do I?”

  Her sister lifted her chin. “Of course, you do.”

  A small laugh grew inside and bubbled out. Her sister was unwavering in her beliefs. Chelsea shook her head. “I never believed in love, not like you.”

  “I remember,” Cassidy said without challenge.

  Chelsea blinked and tried to really say what she could express better on canvas. “If love is that, I wish Alex would return and I could emotionally depend on him…”

  Cassidy picked up where Chelsea left off. “That sounds like a friend, not a lover.”

  “Friends” wasn’t possible with Alex. And he’d probably never forgive her for her stupidity. She’d have to live with herself, but Alex was always going to be the perfect man she’d loved and lost. She sighed and met her sister’s compassionate gaze. “It’s so much more with Alex, but I ruined it. I hurt him. I saw his face the morning I ended things and I can’t forget that expression of pain.”

  Her sister walked beside her, her hands behind her back and said, “You could return to his vineyard and tell him how you feel in person.”

  Yeah, that sounded childish. He had every right to hate her. She’d been awful. She turned her head as they went back inside the building. “That sounds scary. What if he runs me off his land with a pitchfork?”

  Cassidy winked at her. “Then I’ll be here for you and we’ll go shopping together.”

  Her mother’s comfort. Chelsea usually matched everywhere. She pushed her hair that fell out of her ponytail behind her ear as they passed security. “Shopping? Somehow that’s not going to fix anything.”

  Cassidy giggled. “Good, that means you really love Alexandre Travers.”

  And she should have known her sister would never give up in her quest for helping others find true love. Chelsea slowed down to ensure no one heard them. “I don’t care that he has no money. I just wish he was in my life again because I do love him.”

  “You do?” Cassidy’s dreamy beam of a smile said without a word how she was a believer in all things romance and happy-ever-afters are possible.

  Chelsea ignored her normal retort but held her breath. She swallowed and finally said, “And you’re right. I need to tell him, but I want to show my art too. I’ve been hiding my work for years. After the showing, I’ll drive down to his vineyard. If he kicks me out, you better be there to help me drink.”

  Cassidy held up her right hand like she was swearing before a judge. “Now that sounds like a plan.”

  Her sister deserved her happiness. Would people understand her fractured images and their true meanings? Her heart raced as the showing was coming up fast, but now she had a plan. Even seeing Alex one more time would help her. She’d go as she’d said.

  They picked up the pace to return to their father. “I just hope I can last that long without talking to him. If I don’t do this now, I might never get another shot and Alex was the first person who really pushed me to prove I could show my art and prove I could believe in myself.”

  Cassidy patted her back. “Relax and like I said, we’ll do something as sisters no matter what happens and that will include lots of alcohol.”

  “I’d like that.” Chelsea meant it. She hadn’t treated her sister kindly all her life, but she wouldn’t switch her out for anyone else. Someone needed to believe in love when she never had.

  “Me too,” Cassidy said, bumping her shoulder.

  No matter what their parents did, they had each other. Hopefully after the showing, Alex would at least open the door and talk to her. Apologizing in person was the best thing she could do, and she refused to even think about anything more. Her lips still tingled for his kiss. She’d have to get used to disappointment, but at least she’d try. It was a start. Alex deserved a woman far better than her, but she had to show she could stand on her own, just as he said.

  Alex Travers circled the Art Paris Art Fair venue for almost an hour trying to find a parking spot. Hordes of people kept going inside. He’d driven all day from the vineyard to take this chance and see her, but as the sun was truly now gone and the moon getting higher in the sky, he realized he might miss the opportunity.

  Tempted to abandon his car and run inside, he knew he’d only be stuck without a ride home.

  Finally, he saw a car pulling away and put his blinker on.

  No one challenged him to the spot, and he parked his car next to the sidewalk.

  He stepped out, grabbed his blue sweater and threw it on. Made him look like a professor instead of someone who’d spent his past few days tilling new fields as he walked toward the art festival.

  Once inside, the huge gallery with tons of people milling around in different corners and small “stores” reminded him of a Middle Eastern bazaar rather than a fancy art show. Near the door, the first groupings seemed Native American in style. He passed that artist and continued down the indoor market that normally doubled as a nice museum and former mansion.

  None of the paintings made him stop or think about Chelsea, but then he saw green vines and brown eyes. He stopped and stared at it, recognizing how she’d explained her visions as emotion.

  This must be Chelsea.

  No one else had her grace. He walked inside the exhibition corner and asked the blonde cashier, “How much for that painting with the eyes?”

  “It’s beautiful, no?” The blonde had a bounce to her step. “The artist will not part with it for less than fifty thousand euros.”

  “That’s fine.” He handed her his credit card.

  “Perfect.” She rang him up. “Please fill out this form for where to send it once the show is finished.”

  He read the artist statement and breathed easier. This was Chelsea’s work as he thought. He signed and wrote down his address.

  As he finished, he saw her sister, and her husband near some darker works that were also clearly Chelsea’s. She must have been upset at herself when she made those. He ignored the butterflies in
his stomach that she might be close and joined them. “Cassidy. Remington. Nice to see you both again.”

  Her sister put her champagne glass down and smiled brightly at him as she held her husband’s arm. “Alexandre Travers.”

  At least they remembered him. He nodded and shook their hands as he asked, “Can you tell me where Chelsea is?”

  Her sister glanced at her husband and then said, “She’s…” For a second, he wondered if she’d tell him something horrible, but then she waved at him. “Follow me.” His heart sped up, but he passed her husband and followed her further into the museum, which had turned into an indoor and outdoor mall. As they walked, Cassidy faced him. “She wasn’t expecting you.”

  Fair enough. Chelsea had no reason to expect him. He hadn’t known he was going to come, but he had to at least tell her. He had to tell Chelsea Bright that she still had his heart in her hands and that he loved her. But to her sister he simply said, “I didn’t call.”

  “She’s out there.” Cassidy pointed toward a side door. “She went outside for air.”

  All he needed was two minutes of her time. If she tossed him out after he said what he came to say, he’d understand. But her message on his phone haunted him and fueled hope in his heart which was why he’d come all this way. He squared his shoulders. “Thanks.”

  As he walked outside, his skin tingled. Chelsea was close. He glanced around, through the smoke, and people milling near the door and saw her legs cross on a park bench next to the Seine.

  She was alone.

  His steps were faster and lighter as he made his way toward her. As he stood above her, he saw sadness on her features and then shock bloomed on her face as she realized he’d come. He motioned toward the seat beside her, and she nodded. He sat and took her hands. A spark of awareness washed through him. “Chelsea.”

  She squeezed his fingers like she was happy to see him. “Alex, what are you doing here?”

  To tell her how he felt. He stared into her beautiful blue eyes and instead said, “I promised you I’d come if you put your art in a show.”

  A small laugh escaped her lips, but then she tightented her grip. Tears formed in her eyes. “Alex, I’m so sorry about what I said.”

  A moment later, tears splattered down her face, and he reached out and brushed one of her cheeks. “Chelsea, don’t cry. You’ll ruin your perfect look.”

  Again, she laughed and held his hand to her heart. “I don’t care what I look like.”

  He wiped another tear and shook his head. “This is your party today. I didn’t want to upset you.”

  She squeezed his hand and said with a small smile on her face, “I’ll only be upset if you leave, now.”

  Her smile was brighter than the moon and stars. He hoped she’d listen to him and give him a chance. “Then I’ll stay.”

  She wiped her face with her sleeve but kept the smile on her face and stayed so close he could smell her rose perfume. “Why did you come back? I was truly awful to you.”

  Now he had to tell her. He took a chance. “Because despite how upset I was that day, I realized one important thing that I should have said to you…”

  He trailed off as he steeled himself for any reaction she might have to his declaration.

  However, she slipped closer and said, “Oh Alex, I have so much to tell you. When you left, I was heartbroken.”

  First, he needed to tell her that he loved her. She deserved the truth. “Me too.”

  “Let me finish,” she said first.

  Even if she told him to leave, he would tell her how he felt. Then he’d go. So he narrowed his gaze and braced himself. “Okay, but then you need to promise to listen to me for one minute. I have something important I need to say.”

  She nodded and took his hand to her heart. “Fair enough.” She then brushed his skin and he had goosebumps from her simple touch. A soft sigh escaped her and finally she said, “Alex Travers somewhere along the way I fell in love with you when I didn’t even believe that love was an emotion I could have in my life. You taught me that love absolutely fits in my heart, and I don’t have to be afraid.”

  Wait. She loved him? He thought he’d run every scenario in his mind on how tonight might play out, but he never expected her to say that to him, not at first. “Seriously?”

  Her face went white, but her eyes shone bright. “Is that bad? Are you upset?”

  A huge weight on his shoulders was lifted. The drive was worth coming here. If she loved him then maybe more of his dreams might come true. He smiled, scooted closer and said, “No, mon cher, the opposite. I came back here, not really expecting anything, but I needed to tell you that I love you and still do.”

  Her entire face glowed like she was an angel. “You love me?”

  “Oui. Je t’aime.” He traced the side of her face, wanting nothing more than to kiss her. She almost sparkled, at least to him.

  She jumped on his lap, kissed his cheek and hugged him. “Then after the show, take me home with you.”

  Instantly his body hardened, but he held her and claimed her lips in a kiss.

  The world tilted for him.

  Chelsea was everything he ever wanted. Her complications just made her more appealing.

  As the kiss ended, he kept her close but then realized he might ruin everything if he didn’t tell her the rest. He helped her sit beside him. “If that’s what you want. I have something else to say as well.”

  She blinked as if to assess what he might say. Then she held his arm around her, so he’d not let go. “What else is there? I know you convinced my father into seeking rehab for his addiction.”

  “And I paid his debts.” It was time to confess that his business was successful. He could afford some luxuries in his life.

  Her face paled and she jumped off the bench, pulling him to stand with her. “You didn’t mortgage your vineyard, did you? If you did, let’s go talk to Cassidy and Remington now. You shouldn’t have put your livelihood on the line for me.”

  She turned toward the busy art fair, but he held her waist, and refused to move. Like an anchor that stopped her sails, she turned as he said, “Chelsea, stop.”

  “What?” she asked with wide, trusting eyes.

  He nodded. “You promised to listen.”

  Then he motioned for them to sit back down. She flitted for a moment but then retook the seat beside him. As she settled, she said, “Okay, I’m here.”

  Now the whole truth needed to come out. He kept his voice low so only she heard him. “Remember the contract I was excited to sign the day we drove to Paris?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Yes. So?”

  He waited, frozen by fear of losing her. She might hate him for lying and slap him, but he braced for it. “I never mentioned it was for twenty million dollars up front and an additional eighty over the next decade.”

  Her expression stayed blank. “Wait. What are you saying?”

  “I’ve been retooling my vineyard for the last five years, with the goal of long term investments. This was the first of four contracts I intend to net. Most of the money from the retainer went into buying even more equipment, but my wine will be in every store in the world.”

  Her lips pursed as she took in his words. Once he finished, she stared at him and asked, “So you’re not poor, Alex?”

  His cheeks didn’t sting from any slap. Now that he’d told her, he could breathe. Hope pushed him to ask for more as she said, “The opposite, but you are a lady and need to marry for money before you turn thirty.”

  “I do need to marry before I turn thirty.” She crossed her legs, letting him see more of her bare calf. “But I wanted to marry you when you didn’t have a dime. I was even willing to give up my family entirely and just devote myself to you if you’d have me.”

  Her father had written him a letter of thanks from rehab that Alex had in his car, if she wanted to see it. “Your father has already consented in writing, but I’d still like to see him to ask formally, if you agree to marry me.
I know I’m not a noble-”

  “Yes. Absolutely.” She interrupted fast and took his hand. “I wanted to marry you when I thought you were struggling. I really did, Alex. Now? I’m excited.” She pulled him to stand up again. “Let’s go tell Cassidy.”

  This time he stood and walked beside her, through the crowd that smoked and back into the busy art fair. As they returned to her section of the building, he asked, “Are you getting along with your sister now?”

  Her eyes sparkled. “We always got along.”

  Perhaps. He tugged his ear, unsure how or if he should remind her how angry she’d been at any mention of her sister. “Umm…”

  She shrugged. “Okay, so we argued, but that’s what sisters do. I’ve always loved her, and she loves me, so yes, we’re getting along now.”

  She slipped her arm in his and they walked over to her family. And now he’d have his impulsive Chelsea that made him live without planning everything, and living with her meant he’d have fun too. With her love, Alex felt like he could conquer anything.

  Chelsea glanced at herself in the mirror of her bedroom on the vineyard that had been transitioned to a bridal suite. Her sister and mother had been in and out of the room for the past few minutes, but Chelsea realized as she stared at herself that she had never imagined this moment.

  How could she? She never thought marriage was about being happy and in love.

  So much had changed and all because of Alex Travers.

  Peace had settled inside her soul ever since her move to the vineyard. Life was simple here. She could secretly let her feet soak in mud while she walked without shoes, and no one said a word about being pretty all the time.

  Someone knocked on the door which broke the spell. Chelsea turned toward the opening and smiled at her mother, who wore a stunning royal blue gown. “Are you ready, my darling?”

  Chelsea grabbed her shoes. She probably should have put the heels on before the dress, but she hadn’t worn anything but flats in weeks. She stood with her hand on the dresser as she tried to slip them on now. “Where is Dad?”

  Her mother came in and motioned for her to sit on the bed. “Sipping wine at the door with Henri.”