“What's the matter?” asked Victor, surprised by the sad look in her eyes as they spent their last hours in the royal suite.
Tara huddled up against him, not wanting to answer.
“Tara?” he insisted, searching for her gaze.
After a few seconds, realizing that Victor wasn’t going to give up, she resolved to tell him how she felt:
“Nothing Victor, absolutely nothing. It's just that tonight was so perfect... everything was so perfect... that I’m wondering how long it will last.”
“It’ll last,” replied Victor, grasping her chin delicately and looking deeply into her eyes. “Now that I've found you Tara, I won't ever let you go. You're safe with me.”
“You seem so perfect, Victor!” she worried. “I barely know you and yet I can already feel the magnitude of my feelings and it scares me!”
“Don't worry,” he said, holding her tighter, “I'll never make you suffer. You're an angel, Tara, and I protect angels.”
With that, he softly kissed her forehead and held her so lovingly that her fears could no longer resist. Once again, she surrendered to her feelings. She would love him fully and without restraint. Having never experienced emotions so deep before, she prayed that he would never break her heart, fearing in advance the pain that would most likely overwhelm her.
Chapter 5
The maids and cooks had been busy for three days preparing an event worthy of the duke’s reputation. The maidservants ran back and forth through the corridors that connected the reception hall to the kitchen so that everything would be ready in time for the ball. The men were been busy working in the stables, moving furniture and displaying the new vases and chandeliers ordered by the master of the house. Meanwhile, the cooks received their vegetable orders in the backyard. The portions of fresh meat passed from hand to hand between the carts and the kitchen. Deer, beef, pork... the large array of fine dishes and flavors would demonstrate the wealth of the duke’s house.
The first guests arrived at sunset. Copper torches, candelabra and crystal chandeliers illuminated the castle with thousands of shimmering lights. The tapestries and moldings all glowed under the sparkling lights. Pink satin dresses, green silk shawls, corsets embroidered with gold threads... Thick blond and brown curls and porcelain skins were on display for the occasion... A beauty spot on a breast, at the corner of a mouth or on a neck. Big green eyes glittering before the sparkling elegance of the palace which stirred the yearning and desire of the female guests. Beautiful black eyes, charmingly smiling at the duke of the region, a victorious grin extended to the already-wed marquis, a forbidden caress to the newly engaged earl... The smell of jasmine mingled with that of roses.
Amidst the parade of fabrics and fragrances, breasts and hairstyles, Madeleine wandered through the palace to welcome her husband's guests as any fine duchess would do. Etiquette was the order of the day as she elegantly greeted everyone that she encountered. The men raved about the extraordinary beauty of this delicate being from Paris, while the women smiled graciously at her, before stabbing her with their eyes once her back was turned.
She went gracefully from guest to guest until she arrived on the steps overlooking the park. There, she cast a glance at the fountains and labyrinths that were plunged into the darkness, lit only by torches. The gravel had disappeared under the dozens of fine dresses that were gathered there for the occasion. The crowd was so large that it stretched out on to the lawn, between the fountains in front of the newly trimmed hedges. At the foot of the imposing building, an orchestra had been set up while the servants were circulating among the guests offering drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
As she arrived on the terrace, a carriage, more beautiful and impressive than the others, made its entrance on the gravel path leading to the park. It stopped in front of the steps facing Madeleine, as a valet came to set up the steps and open the door.
Three sublime women appeared, stepping out of the carriage like goddesses descending from heaven. The magnificence of their clothes had been heralded by that of their carriage: the dresses were so elegant and showed such exquisite workmanship that they could have eclipsed the women wearing them if they had not themselves exuded beauty and charm of striking intensity. The heaviest of the three but also the loveliest, had beautiful Venetian blond hair, large brown eyes and a perfect ivory complexion. Her mandarin chiffon dress embroidered with gold thread, and her spectacular headdress with its thousands of golden pearls, paid tribute to her solar beauty. She was splendid in every way, and her charm increased tenfold when she laughed jovially with the two brown-haired women that accompanied her, dressed in gowns of green and blue. They seemed to be waiting for someone.
Captivated by the sight before her eyes, Madeleine waited breathlessly to discover who would be the fourth goddess to emerge from the carriage. When she saw a man appear, she froze on the spot. Dark-haired and blue-eyed, he was more beautiful than all the Greek gods put together. Proud, he straightened his chest while putting his foot on the ground, like the head of a divine harem. Introduced by the valet at the top of the steps beside her, the four of them proceeded in the direction of the duchess who had not ceased to admire them.
“The Marquis De Villiers and his sisters!”
Unable to articulate a greeting, Madeleine nodded her head in a troubled silence. Her eyes expressed such desire that when she looked into the Marquis' eyes, he couldn’t help but smile at her. She felt her heart melt for the first time in her life.
Her state of grace was brief however, as she was violently interrupted by the heavy hand that grabbed her arm and removed her from her cloud: her husband had joined her to greet the three beautiful De Villiers sisters by presenting his wife.
“Johanna, my beautiful marquise,” he said joyfully, kissing the hand of the sister wearing the mandarin chiffon dress. “How happy I am that you have done me the honor of coming.”
Disgusted by her husband's mere presence, Madeleine took a step backwards. Understanding that he had no intention of leaving the De Villiers sisters, she left to join the other guests in the drawing room. Charmed by her presence, the brother’s eyes followed her with curiosity while he reluctantly stayed by the duke’s side as etiquette required.
Chapter 6
The next morning, Tara slept peacefully in Victor's arms. She had become accustomed to cuddling up against him to keep herself warm during the winter chill.
He had been awake for several minutes already and was taking advantage of her sleep to ponder her freely. Not daring to caress her hair for fear of waking her, he looked at her with gentle and caring eyes.
When she woke up, she turned her face towards him and looked him in the eyes for a long moment, totally enamored. Victor's skin was so soft, his muscles so relaxed and comfortable under her head, that she wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else in the world. Remembering her dream, she caressed his face and said:
“I think I dreamt of you...”
“Really?” he said with a gentle kiss on her forehead.
“Yes... Well, there was a man who looked a lot like you, but his hair wasn't curly, and his eyes were blue…”
Victor couldn't hold back a playful laugh:
“In that case, it wasn't me...”
“I’m sure it was! I dream almost every night that I’m the same person, her name is Madeleine,” she added pensively. “In each dream the story moves ahead in what seems like perfect chronological order… and last night Madeleine met a marquis that really looked like you... I can still feel her emotions... It was the same feeling I had the first time you kissed me...” she said, as she lifted her head towards his cheek to kiss him.
But Victor, hurt by her words, unexpectedly turned his face away and asked coldly:
“Do you think you dreamt of one of your past lives?”
Surprised as much by his question than by Victor's unexpected reaction, Tara remained speechless for a moment before laughing out loud:
“What are you talking about?” sh
e said, as she grabbed hold of him despite his resistance. “Past lives don't exist. There's only you and me, here and now...” she affirmed, placing a gentle kiss on the corner of his lips.
Victor wasn’t convinced. Visibly upset, he didn’t respond.
“Are you jealous?” she laughed, surprised. “It was only a dream.”
“According to your description, it was much more than a dream.”
“Because you believe in past lives?”
“I don't just believe in them,” he replied, “I know they exist.”
“How can you be so sure?” she asked, barely holding back a mocking laugh.
Her smile disappeared when Victor turned and look at her so profoundly that she felt herself questioning her convictions.
“I don't think now is the time to talk about all this,” Victor said, standing up. “Let's forget your dream and have breakfast.”
Jumping out of bed, he stood in front of her and offered her his hands to help her up.
For several weeks now, she and Victor had been living and breathing their passion for one another daily. Spending most of her nights at his apartment on the Champs-Elysées, she no longer lived in her home in the sixth arrondissement. Their love had given her wings and it could be felt all the way to Cesucom, where she arrived late in the morning and left early in the evening. In the mornings, she no longer wanted to leave the warm bed where the man her heart had chosen lay sleeping. And, for nothing in the world would she begin her day until he had honored the generous and devoted body she offered him so lovingly. She would only go home for short periods of time to see Max, who, moreover, seemed to be holding her prolonged absences against her. Every time she fed him, the Persian cat would sulk and refuse the food she offered him unless she stayed by his side and cuddled him until he agreed to eat.
Tara hadn't dared to tell Victor about him yet, thinking that it was still too early in their relationship for her to impose her cat on him. But the situation definitely couldn’t go on like this for much longer either. Not only was Max losing weight, but he also began urinating on her belongings to demonstrate his disapproval.
“Do you want to stay over tonight?” asked Victor, buttering her toast with jam.
Every morning, he made her breakfast while she quickly got ready for work. Given that he had no boss, nor commitments to any company, he went to work at whatever time suited him and so, he allowed himself time to have breakfast with her every day.
“Yes!” she replied from the bathroom where she was drying her voluptuous body. “I'll just have to stop by my place to get my suit for tomorrow.”
“Why don't you move all your clothes over to my place?” he offered, pouring green tea into two cups. “That would save you from going home every night after work and then coming back to my place…”
Tara didn't respond, not wanting to admit that she was going back to her apartment every day for Max. She was afraid he would refuse to adopt him. Victor's apartment was exceptionally comfortable, clean and bright. It was the ultimate in modern luxury. It was a very spacious Haussmann-style apartment with antique moldings that matched perfectly with his elegant furniture. It was situated on a quiet street, perpendicular to the very famous Champs-Élysées. She could only imagine the damage that Max's claws and hairs would cause in this beautiful place, and she wasn’t yet prepared to assume the consequences.
After saying goodbye to her prince, she arrived at work at ten o'clock, looking completely fulfilled.
“Miss Châvigner,” said the CEO ironically, noticing she had arrived two hours later than usual, “you look great!”
“Hello Mr. Galland and thank you!” she said joyfully, as she passed him by with her head held high.
She didn't blame Nicolas for getting the promotion of her dreams. However, as far as Galland was concerned, it was a different matter! He had been the sole decision-maker and she now regarded him with indifference because of it.
As usual, she went to greet Nicolas in his office and asked if Nina would visit him today. She hadn't seen her again since their introductions.
“Yes!” he exclaimed, as he pulled out several files. “She’ll be here soon.”
Tara didn’t hide her enthusiasm. Nonetheless, when she returned to her office, her joy quickly gave way to apprehension: what would she say to her? How would Nina react when she saw her?
With her heart pounding wildly, she started to panic, as though she were going on her first date. To regain her composure, she attempted to study her files but to no avail. Knowing that Nina would arrive “soon”, it was nearly impossible for her to concentrate.
Thus, she spent the next half hour going discreetly back and forth between her office and Lecoindre's, claiming she wanted to get a coffee, when all she really wanted was to see if the coach had arrived.
At last, after her fourth coffee in thirty minutes, she heard the elevator doors open. Her heart jumped and, as the coach entered the hallway, the heat rose to her head.
When she saw Tara however, Nina froze on the spot. To get to Nicolas' office the coach had to pass by her, the thought of which didn’t seem to delight her one bit. In the end, she decided to sweep by her, barely uttering a greeting. While Tara couldn’t keep her eyes off her, Nina displayed an impenetrable and arrogant look before ignoring her completely.
Nina's disrespect was a blow to Tara's heart. Her whole body trembled. She felt more sadness than humiliation as she watched Nina enter her colleague's office and greet him warmly. Her frail legs quivered on her stiletto heels. She no longer knew why she had left her office. What had she hoped for? She had acted ridiculously, waiting for a stranger who had never shown any interest in her.
With a heavy heart, she returned to her office and sat down in front of her screen, far too upset to concentrate. Despite her natural analytical abilities, she hadn’t asked herself why this woman put her into such a state. The only thing she cared about was that Nina was in the room right next door. The mere thought of it clouded her mind completely. How long would the coach stay with Nicolas? Would she have to put the idea of striking up a conversation with her out of her mind?
Maybe Nina just had this attitude with people she didn't know. She shouldn't give up so easily she thought, not until she attempted to talk to her at least. When Nina reappeared she would try again, one last time, even if to do so she would have to put her pride and sorrow aside.
Without taking her eyes off Nicolas’ office for a single second, she waited for her to leave. Never had a wait seemed so long to her before.
Finally, when she saw Nina crossing the corridor towards the elevator, her heart jumped so hard against her chest that she almost choked. The fateful moment had arrived. She had to take the plunge.
Without hesitating a second longer, she flew out of her chair and rushed down the hallway. Nina had just pressed the elevator button and was waiting patiently. No one else was around, she was alone with Nina.
When the coach saw her, she stiffened and her eyes welled-up with a disconcerting emotion. Their seemingly shared bewilderment reassured Tara and gave her the courage to speak:
“Hello,” she began timidly. “We saw each other the other evening at the Hotel Costes and we met again a few weeks ago in Nicolas' office.”
“Yes, I remember,” replied Nina, staring at her strangely.
The coach tried to hide her emotions behind her hostility, or so it seemed. Tara, on the other hand, was completely under her charm, despite her apparent distance. She continued with enthusiasm:
“You may find this strange, but I felt like I needed to talk to you...”
The surprised look on Nina's face gradually gave way to an odd look of sadness:
“I'm sorry,” she replied in a voice that sounded both hurt and firm. “I don’t share your feelings.”
Immediately, Nina pressed the elevator button again, avoiding her gaze and leaving Tara totally baffled.
She felt like she had just been stabbed in the heart. As she observed Nina s
taring at the closed elevator doors with an unflustered look, a terrible feeling of abandonment seized her, leaving her totally dumbfounded.
Suddenly the doors opened and Nina stepped into the elevator. Instantly, Tara’s fear of never seeing her again became stronger than her pride. She knew she couldn't just let her go.
Driven by her instinct, she leaped forward and put her foot between the elevator doors to prevent them from closing:
“Nina,” she said, in a final burst of hope. “I don't think we understood each other. I want to work with you, can you coach me?”
She hoped that the coach would develop an interest in her, but to her surprise, her reaction was quite the opposite: annoyed that Tara was holding her back and offended that she wasn’t respecting her will, Nina suddenly became much more uncompromising.
“You’re the one who doesn’t understand, Miss Châvignier. I don't want to work with you, and I don’t want to see you again. I wish you a good day. Please let me leave now.”
Not waiting for an answer, Nina angrily pressed the button to the ground floor while ignoring her ostentatiously. As for Tara, she had trouble swallowing. Not finding anything else to say, she took a step back and watched the elevator doors closing on the woman she would probably never see again. In addition to the humiliation, a deep sadness came over her. Without consciously understanding why, she suffered the same grief she would have felt if someone dear to her had turned their back on her. Bleak, she went back to her office and tried to work, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
HAGEN: 1. Revelations Page 6