Riad Dubois: The Complete Romance Series

by Avery North

  “I’m not the one you have to convince.”

  “But I bought this today for Louise,” Gilbert pulled a little box from his pocket and opening it revealed a pendant set with amber stones on a delicate gold chain. “To match her eyes. Have you seen how they glitter, especially in the moonlight?”

  “No, I haven’t. You will have to work hard to get her to accept that. She’s not a gold digger, unlike your other friend.”

  “What do I have to do?”

  “That you are going to have to figure out for yourself. You should have left her when I told you she was in trouble. But no!” Ahmed stamped his foot angrily. “You said you needed a woman, and look what happened.”

  Gilbert was still in the office when Ahmed returned from his preparations for dinner.

  “Gilbert, I’m sorry for being angry before. I understand you when you say there are very few women of your age or type here. But, please be careful, be careful, my son.

  The porter met Louise at the main door of the Riad.

  “You are going out, Miss?” he asked, noticing the beautiful dress she was wearing.

  “Yes, for a while. I think I’ll eat in town.”

  "Be careful about how you go, Miss. Call us to get you a taxi if you need to get back."

  “Thanks.”

  She retraced the steps she had taken with Gilbert the previous evening. Noticing the gathering dusk, she realized they had left the hotel much earlier than she had thought. Suddenly thinking this wasn’t one of her brighter ideas, she fiddled nervously with her ring before deciding to keep walking. Whatever could happen in the square couldn’t be any worse than being in the same room as Gilbert after what she had seen earlier.

  The square was as full of life as it had been on the previous evening, but the atmosphere was somehow different. Maybe it was different because she was alone? Because Gilbert wasn’t with her this time? Pulling her wrap tighter around her shoulders, she headed for the restaurant Gilbert had taken her to, but her sense of direction had gotten confused. It had been in the corner, but which corner? Following the sound of voices, she turned a corner and found herself in a street of covered stalls.

  This was hopeless. The dim lights, the glaring lanterns, the raucous shouts of vendors – it all surrounded her in a confusing racket. The tour group walking in her direction blocked her path. A hand on her shoulder drew her attention to the vendor seeking to entice her to buy his wares.

  “We have the best value here, Madam, and the best quality. Are you looking for a leather bag? Some nice jewelry?” He waved a hand at the shelves overflowing with merchandise.

  “Madam, see here at the back. We have the finest shoes made of the best leather."

  “No,” Louise gasped, “just some water, please.”

  “Gem, a chair!” the vendor called. “The lady isn’t well.”

  A grinning youth brought over a chair for her to slump into.

  ***

  The dining room was already busy when Emma and Joshua entered.

  “Not here either,” Joshua commented. “She must have gone out. No point in waiting for her. Let’s get some food.”

  “OK,” Emma answered. “This just isn’t like her.”

  “Should I set this place?” The waiter indicated the third setting at the table when he had taken their order.

  “No,” Emma shook her head. “Not right now.”

  “Why does that man keep looking at our table? See, the owner.”

  Emma looked over to where Joshua was pointing. Mr. Gilbert was indeed watching them a frown on his face.

  “He’s coming over,” Joshua remarked. “Probably wants to impress us before we send our report.” He took another swig of his wine.

  “One of your group is missing,” Gilbert commented when he reached their table.

  “Yes, the lady in green,” Joshua was drinking too quickly again. Emma noticed with a frown.

  “Where is she?”

  “No idea,” Joshua answered.

  “Have you looked for her?”

  “Of course. She’s probably gone out to that square again.”

  Gilbert swore under his breath as he ran to the main door.

  “Have you seen a female guest leaving on her own this evening?” he asked the porter.

  The porter confirmed that a lady had left earlier, taking the alleyway to the square. Not waiting for him to finish talking, Gilbert was running, brushing past returning guests, stubbing his toe on the cobbles. He had to find her quickly; she shouldn’t be out there on her own.

  But how to find her amid the milling throng of people? Where could she have gone?

  He stopped for a moment, holding his head in his hands.

  "Mr. Gilbert, can I help?" that damn child who always begged for money outside the Riad was at his elbow.

  “Yes, you can, you can. There is a lady, an English lady from the Riad. I have to find her,” Gilbert searched his pockets for some coins.

  “You mean the lady with the dress. She’s in the souks,” another child had joined the first. “She’s sick.”

  “Follow us,” the newcomer was eyeing the coins in Gilbert’s hand.

  Louise burst into grateful tears when she saw Gilbert approaching with his two small guides.

  “Let’s get you back,” Gilbert said, sharing a fistful of coins between the two boys.

  The taxi pulled up at the side of the Riad. He suggested that they go to the library. She could rest there before meeting her party and answering their questions. They already knew she was safe, that should give Mr. Joshua an excuse to have another bottle of wine Gilbert had said in a voice laden with sarcasm.

  The library was an oasis of calm when they entered. Flames from the newly lit fire cast their shadows on the wall, a tea tray sat on a low table, and a pile of soft blankets lay on the couch.

  “Thank you, thank you,” Louise whispered, tears filling her eyes.

  “Here’s some coffee." He said, handing her a steaming cup, “I have to go check on the diners. And please,” he gently wiped a tear from her face, “stay here. I will be back soon.”

  When he returned, she was already asleep, curled up under a blanket, the coffee untouched. Listening to her soft breathing and watching her chest rise and fall as she slept, he counted his blessings. He had found her safe and had been overreacting to think she could have been harmed in the square. How many of his guests had returned safely to the Riad? Tourists were constantly wandering off.

  Yet, this one was different. He knew there was something in her that answered to him that seemed to align with the life he had lived. He might have an opportunity to get to know her better if he could convince her that Mathilde belonged in his past. Ahmed had sent that lady a stern warning to keep her distance.

  Gilbert winced when he thought of the other stern warning Ahmed had issued − the warning to himself, to conduct his love affairs with more decorum. Good old Ahmed, who seemed to have been happily married for most of his life and born to parents who had been equally happily married. Gilbert didn’t want to tell him that life hadn’t been as happy growing up in the Dubios household.

  He poured himself a coffee. Ahmed would be along shortly with something stronger.

  Till then, he could sit and watch her sleep.

  ***

  Louise woke just before midnight, unfurling herself from the blanket he had tucked around her. Sitting up, she took in the scene before her, the fire reduced to embers, the moonlight shining through the long windows, the sleeping man in the armchair with the purring cat curled up on his lap.

  Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she called his name gently, “Gilbert! Gilbert!”

  He was awake on the second call. Nudging the cat off, he asked, “Are you OK?”

  “Yes. Thanks for bringing me back. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have gone there alone.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  She nodded apprehensively.

  “There is nothing to be afraid of, you know. Maybe w
e both need to explain some things.”

  “Yes, we do.”

  He gestured towards the couch. “May I sit next to you?”

  “It would certainly be more comfortable.”

  “Before we begin, may I ask whether tonight is the other night that was mentioned?”

  “No, that is tomorrow night. But you may kiss me if you like.”

  “Gladly, Madame.” His hands reached to sweep the tangle of hair off her face and then pulled her towards him, feeling her erect nipples brushing against his chest.

  “You smell so good,” he said as he nuzzled her neck, his hands bringing her hips closer to his.

  “No,” Louise laughed, “I smell of the souk and sweat.”

  “All very charming,” his fingers finding the clasp of her bra.

  "Hey," Louise said, pulling away, “I know some people think a man doesn’t fall in love with a woman until he has had sex with her. But some,” she said, pressing a finger to his chin, “say that a woman won’t fall in love until she has had a meaningful discussion with her partner.”

  “Well then,” he said, removing the finger from his chin and bringing it to his lips. “Let’s have a meaningful conversation.”

  Chapter 6

  “Did you get to your own bed last night?” Ahmed asked while they enjoyed a mid-morning coffee.

  “Yes, at some point,” Gilbert reached for the coffee pot. “Ahmed, have you ever considered taking up marriage guidance counseling?”

  “You mean you had the conversation? How did she take it?”

  “Yes, and she was very understanding. She seems to have come through a difficult time herself.”

  "Must have been different from your normal night with a woman?"

  “Yes, but I need you to take over tonight. We’re having dinner in the Ville Nouvelle after we both finish work for the day.”

  ***

  Louise was facing the inevitable quizzing from Joshua. Why a woman would turn her back on a good meal and instead go to a town square, no matter how exciting, was beyond his comprehension.

  “Do you actually intend to eat street food?” he asked in horror.

  “Maybe, I want to experience the local culture.”

  “Well, you’re the writer. Fortunately, I am the photographer. Now for today, here’s the plan.”

  His voice droned on, but Louise was barely listening. She had read the schedule already and had more important things to think about than camera angles. Like that moment when her bra had come undone and how he had listened when she said she wanted to wait until they had a real date. And the conversation where they bared their souls to one another.

  “Are you with me, Louise?” Joshua’s voice intruded on her thoughts.

  “Sure, Sir,” Louise answered, catching a wink from Emma.

  "Louise, get the last of those write-ups to London, and we might even have a few free days before we finish up here," Joshua said, picking up his camera gear.

  “Why the good humor all of a sudden?” Louise whispered to Emma as they left.

  “That excellent bottle of wine from Mr. Dubios when we finished up last night. Pity you missed it,” with a roguish smile and another wink, Emma turned to follow Joshua.

  Smiling, Louise headed to the library to start her day’s work, but privately admitted to herself that she would also be reliving the previous night and dreaming of the night to come. Still, work had to be done, and she was determined to do it efficiently and at high quality. Her plans now depended on turning in good work and building a reputation. How had she not seen until now that all this was possible?

  The faster she could work now, the more time she would have to get ready for the meal in Ville Nouvelle. By all accounts, it was more elegant and sophisticated than the old city. But had she brought anything sophisticated to wear with her? There was the green dress, but she had already worn that, and her hair needed styling. Checking her watch, she calculated that if she could finish her work in an hour, she could go shopping and get herself ready by six.

  Mid-afternoon in the New City was less busy than in the older part of town, and thankfully the high buildings blocked out some of the sunlight. Searching for a boutique, Louise spied a shop carrying French labels. Refusing to look at the prices displayed on the window, she stepped inside. Her immediate reaction was a silent, "Wow." An impeccably dressed sales lady approached her and read the situation perfectly.

  “You are going on a date, Mademoiselle? A first date, perhaps?"

  Louise nodded. It was kind of true that it was a first date, well not quite a first, but in terms of what was planned, it could be counted as a first.

  A slinky dress was produced, tried on, and bought. Chunky, matching bracelets, were added to the haul with a gauzy wrap.

  “And perhaps lingerie, Mademoiselle? This range is very popular,” the sales lady flaunted a couple of matching sets for Louise to try.

  Tempted again, Louise tried on a set. Yes, it all fitted perfectly and was added to the pile.

  “This man, he is Moroccan, perhaps? You may be staying overnight?”

  “He’s French,” Louise heard herself saying.

  “French! Mademoiselle, you will be staying late! You have a nice negligée?"

  Louise was astounded to find herself paying so much money for clothes, something she didn’t usually do. But she also didn't usually go on dates; she reminded herself.

  A hairdresser who could bring order to her unruly hair was next on the list and quickly found.

  Hair freshly styled and carrying her shopping bags; she sat at a pavement café. She was enjoying her coffee when a ping from her mobile alerted her to an incoming email. Opening her inbox, she discovered more than one new message − all from Helen. Judging by the tone, a very angry Helen. She had booked her flights to Morocco and would be in Marrakesh within a week. She expected Louise to refund her travel expenses as it was out of concern for her that Helen was undertaking the journey …

  "Heavens above!" Louise slammed the phone on the table, causing the coffee cup to dance in its saucer. What was this about? What was up with Helen?

  Louise wouldn't allow herself to get upset. She had a date, her first one since the divorce. She had shopped for the date as if she were a love-struck teenager. No, Helen would have to wait for an answer for a few days more. Stuffing her phone into her bag and collecting her many shopping bags, Louise stood to hail a taxi.

  ***

  “Gilbert, when are you leaving for your date?” Ahmed asked across the papers strewn on the desk.

  “At eight,” Gilbert shot him a look of surprise. Ahmed was showing a lot of interest in this date.

  "Good," Ahmed shuffled uncomfortably in his chair. "Remember, this is not one of your usual casual flings."

  Gilbert raised his eyebrows. Was Ahmed trying to tell him something?

  “Remember, you are the son I never had. Maybe it is time you started to take your lady friends seriously.”

  Throwing back his head Gilbert let out a peal of laughter.

  “You are trying to marry me off!”

  "Perhaps. Your lady in green may well be the one, she certainly seems to like you," Ahmed said rising. "I have a dining room to manage, and you have a date to get ready for. Enjoy your evening.”

  He laid a hand on Gilbert’s shoulder in passing. He had a good feeling about this one. It made a change from seeing Gilbert speeding off in that fast car of his to visit some lady who was interested in only his money and his looks.

  “Good old Ahmed,” Gilbert thought as he collected his papers, “maybe he has a point. That last experience with Mathilde is certainly one I don’t want to repeat.”

  Locking the office door behind him, he decided to take the private entrance to his apartment.

  ***

  Louise put the finishing touches on her outfit. The sales lady had been right; it suited her. The dark green brought out the color of her eyes; the v-shaped neckline drew the eye to her figure. She had never spent so much on an
outfit before this and had never felt so good.

  Slipping the bracelets on her wrist, she checked as she always did that her ring was safely in place. A spray of perfume and she left the room, pausing briefly at the stairwell mirror. Yes, she had chosen well. A flutter in her stomach told her it was time to go down.

  Chapter 7

  The smooth purr of a car announced Gilbert’s arrival at the Riad steps. Incoming guests turned to look at the red sports car, its rooftop open to the balmy evening air.

  With a flourish, he opened the door for her, pausing to give her a peck on the cheek and whisper, "you look lovely.”

  Louise was suddenly shy. Her recent social evenings had been work outings with colleagues, and there hadn’t been too many of those. Apart, of course, from those early years with her ex, but best not to think about that now.

  “Nice car,” she turned to look at Gilbert as they drove off.

  “Thank you,” he darted a quick look at her. She was strangely quiet, not at all her bubbly self.

  “Are you OK?” He laid a hand on her knee. “Just because I’m driving a sports car doesn’t mean you have to be afraid of me! Think of it as a blast from the past.”

  Louise could feel her shoulders relaxing into the leather upholstery.

  “A blast from the past, I have some of those too.”

  “I know. Tonight, let’s try to make new memories.”

  She stroked the hand on her knee. Yes, they understood one another.

  Ville Nouvelle was alive with revelers when he parked the car by the restaurant.

  “It’s so different to Djemaa El Fna,” she said as he helped her from the car. This was more European, wider streets, more cars.

  “Yes, welcome to the wealthy side of town,” he said, resting an arm across her shoulders. "But never mind, Morocco, what is the name of your perfume? It reminds me of something."

  She laughed, telling him the name. “The ads say it evokes memories of summer evenings on a French beach.”