Raoul groaned. “Tell me about it. Let’s get this over.”
The Fontesquieu family was laying a despotic patriarch to rest with all the grandeur of burying a king. Raoul couldn’t take much more.
Both of them had dressed in black. They slipped in the back behind everyone else, refusing to join their individual families. Sabine, also in black with a veil, sat next to Raoul’s parents with her family as if there’d been no divorce. They were all in denial. She turned her head when she saw them come in.
“Sabine never gives up, does she?” Dom said under his breath.
“Of course not,” Raoul bit out. “I’m still waiting for Papa to inform the press of the truth. It’s been five days...”
“He’s waiting for you to come around.”
Raoul shook his head.
Once the services were over, he and Dominic escaped out the back of the church with relief and walked to the Mercedes.
Between his cousin’s private wedding where no Fontesquieu had been invited, plus the infuriating news that Raoul’s divorce had gone through, not to mention his refusal to become CEO, they’d outraged both sets of parents and couldn’t leave fast enough.
Everyone else would go on to the family cemetery on the eastern end of the estate to bury Armand Fontesquieu. All Raoul could think about was seeing Cami again. He couldn’t wait to see her again and learn more about her. She was like a breath of fresh air.
Dominic dropped him off in front of the villa. Arlette had probably come and parked in back. The first thing Raoul did was hang his suit jacket and tie in the sitting room closet. After loosening the top buttons of his white shirt, he searched for Cami, nodding to some of the cleaners on the way.
Raoul found her in the large room he’d designated for a playroom where Alain could bring his friends. It was down the same hall near the indoor pool. She’d put a drop cloth on the floor and was kneeling while cleaning the vents. He couldn’t be more pleased to find her alone. Her mother had to be somewhere else cleaning.
“Mademoiselle Delon?” he said softly. Their eyes met. It made him glad to think she’d taken her maiden name, which meant she’d chosen not to keep her married name after her divorce. Obviously there’d been trouble in a marriage she’d chosen to forget. He and Cami already had something in common.
“I take it the funeral is over.”
“Oui, thank heaven.” He sat down by her and settled against the wall, resting his hands over his raised knees. “At least you weren’t up on the ladder when I walked in.”
She chuckled.
He undid the cuffs of his shirtsleeves and pushed them up to the elbows. “Can I help?”
“I’m almost through here.” She lifted those heavenly eyes to him. “Are you all right?”
“I am now.” Knowing she’d be here after the funeral had made his day. “I’m expecting a new applicant for the nanny job in a little while. Until then, give yourself a rest and put me to work.”
“The way you’re dressed, I wouldn’t dream of it. This isn’t a normal day for you. I’m aware you’ve just buried your grandfather and have turned down the CEO position. None of it could be easy for you.”
He studied her for a moment, marveling at her capacity for understanding, even if she didn’t know what was really going on inside of him. “This is probably going to shock you, but this has been a liberating day for me in so many ways you can’t imagine. That may sound harsh to you, but I’m telling you the truth. Today I’m happier than I’ve been in years! My son’s coming to live with me and a whole world has opened up. Since I feel like celebrating, I have an idea.”
“What would that be?” Her engaging smile lit up his insides.
“If you’re finished, why don’t you come to the kitchen with me? We’ll grab a drink and go into the sitting room to wait for the next woman to show up. You can help me vet her, maybe give me a signal one way or another what you think.”
“As if I’d dare,” she answered with a teasing tone.
“Why not? Once we’re in there we’ll have something comfortable to sit down on while we talk. All the furniture I’ve bought won’t be delivered until tomorrow.”
At his suggestion, she removed her gloves. “You once lived at the château, right?”
“All my life until now.”
“What about the furniture you brought with you?”
“It went with my ex-wife.” Including the two paintings Jerome had done years earlier and given to Raoul before his death.
She looked surprised, but didn’t comment on it. “So in order to fill this villa, you’ve had to purchase everything?”
“That’s right.”
Her fabulous eyes widened. “You must have been shopping for ages.”
“And having the time of my life. It’s been a treat buying modern furniture that wasn’t invented when the château was built. Alain wouldn’t feel comfortable—”
“The way you weren’t comfortable?” she surmised sotto voce. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Don’t be sorry. Your instincts are right.” Cami was amazingly easy to talk to. They seemed so keyed into each other, it had caused him to let down his guard when he was with her.
“Still, please forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. You were only speaking the truth. The first time my cousin Dominic and I were throwing a ball around in his family’s suite, we broke a statue by accident. Needless to say, that never happened again. Life at the château was never meant for children, let alone lively ones. The paintings and tapestries covered up what I always thought was a gigantic prison where children couldn’t be themselves.”
“And here I’ve found myself envying you.”
“I’ve ruined your picture of life at the château, haven’t I? But I’m afraid it was built and furnished for a very different period of time that was hard on children.” Not waiting for a response from her, he got to his feet and put out his hands to help her stand.
“Thank you.”
Together they walked through the house to the kitchen. He pulled two colas out of the fridge and left for the sitting room. She sat on the couch while he chose a chair.
“I haven’t seen your mother, Cami.”
“I think she and Marise are out cleaning the back patio. You didn’t notice them?”
“My cousin drove us to the funeral and he dropped me off in front.”
She nodded. “I hope this next interview for a nanny will produce the desired result.”
He examined the features of her well-shaped nose. That enticing mouth was shaped like a budding rose. He longed to kiss her and it was starting to drive him mad. Again, he was shocked by his strong attraction to her. But it was too soon to be experiencing these feelings.
When he remembered how quickly his desire for Antoinette had taken over his life before fate stepped in to end their relationship, it worried him that history could repeat itself. Raoul needed to be careful not to rush into anything with Cami that could hurt her.
“That’s my hope too. I’m excited about my new life.” Right now, he was making a home for his son and establishing a new business. At least that was what he kept telling himself, but Cami was a raving beauty and her charisma had rubbed off on him. He found he couldn’t be with her long enough to satisfy him.
“Everything you’re doing has been based around your son in order to make him happy. He’ll be a very lucky little boy,” she asserted.
“Once I find the right nanny, one of my biggest worries will be solved. It’s the worry about being a good father that gives me anxiety.”
She flashed him one of those encouraging smiles. “The fact that it’s your first thought guarantees you’ll never fail. Papa always made me feel important.”
The way Raoul’s father and grandfather never did. Her hopeful, comforting words coincided
with the ringing of the doorbell. Disappointment swamped him for being interrupted. “That will be she. Just a minute.”
He walked to the front door. “You’re Monsieur Fontesquieu?” the brunette woman asked after he opened it. She kept staring at him.
“I am,” he said. “Come in.” He walked her into the sitting room. She was probably Cami’s age. By now Cami had gotten to her feet.
Their eyes connected as they remembered what they’d said about vetting her. “Mademoiselle Delon? Let me introduce you to Mademoiselle Herve.”
“How do you do, mademoiselle?”
The woman stared at Cami. “Does this mean you’re the new nanny?” she blurted, surprising Raoul. “I thought the position hadn’t been filled yet.”
“It hasn’t,” Raoul declared, bringing the other woman’s head around.
“If you’ll excuse me, monsieur, I have a floor to clean. À demain.” Cami had been surprised too and couldn’t escape fast enough. Raoul couldn’t blame her.
He watched her leave the sitting room, already regretting the fact that she’d gone back to her work.
Unfortunately he knew he hadn’t found the right nanny for Alain yet. He hadn’t yet put into words what he really wanted because he needed to be cautious when it came to getting involved with Cami. Again, after what had happened with Antoinette, he couldn’t bear for Cami to be injured in any way because of him, but he could tell he was falling for her.
* * *
Cami’s mother awakened on Friday morning, with a lot of pain in her right shoulder. “That does it, Maman. Yesterday you overdid it cleaning the patio and porch. Today you’re staying home and taking care of yourself. There’ll be four of us washing windows, so you don’t need to worry. I’ll see you tonight and bring dinner.”
She kissed her mom and took off for her last day of work at the villa. After today she’d never see Raoul Fontesquieu again. It shouldn’t matter to her, but she couldn’t lie to herself. From the first day when he’d miraculously caught her in his arms, she hadn’t been the same.
A man like him was unforgettable—and as out of reach as the stars in a distant galaxy whether she had a heart problem or not, which she did. He was the stuff that had made up her fantasies after visiting the Fontesquieu estate with her parents. She was supposed to have given those up.
You fool, Cami Delon.
When she reached the villa, she noticed a furniture truck out in front. Three men were unloading. Two of them carried a large box. She saw Madame Gilbert at the front door conducting traffic. Alain’s grandmother held a trusted place in Raoul’s heart. Naturally she did when he’d loved her daughter enough for a child to be born.
Experiencing a pang she shouldn’t be feeling, Cami turned the van to head up the drive. As she passed, one of the men smiled at her with male interest, but no man could compare to the owner who’d already slipped past her defenses to make chaos of her emotions.
After parking around back, she entered the villa and found her coworkers in the kitchen. For their last job, they paired up. Cami and Patrice worked on the downstairs windows inside and out. By one o’clock, every pane in the villa had been cleaned and they were free to go. Madame Gilbert thanked them for their outstanding work before the four of them walked out in back to go home. Patrice and the others left first.
Cami got behind the wheel of her van. She’d brought a lunch, but since they’d finished work early, she would eat after she got home. After finding the keys, she started the engine. But Raoul suddenly appeared, blocking her way. Her heart jumped to her throat.
Shaking, she lowered the window. “I could have run you down!”
Laughter escaped. “I’m a little faster than that.” His chiseled jaw and sensuous smile melted her bones. He came closer. With that black hair and those gleaming black eyes, he looked too marvelous in a navy pullover and khaki chinos.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you without your safety glasses. Has anyone ever told you those eyes are the exact lavender blue color of the flowers popping up in my family’s vineyard?”
Heat surged to her cheeks. “Never, but then I don’t know anyone who’s had an intimate knowledge of your vineyard.”
“You know me.”
Cami couldn’t believe they were having this conversation.
“Before you go, I’d like you to see the nursery and tell me what you think. The furniture company delivered everything while you were cleaning windows this morning. Do you have time?”
How could she turn him down when he sounded this eager? Cami had to be honest with herself. She’d drawn closer to him so fast, she’d been disappointed to leave without at least seeing him once more to say goodbye.
“After telling me what you’d picked out, I’m curious to see the finished product.”
He seemed happy with her answer and opened the door for her. They walked in the house. Several times their arms brushed, bringing a new awareness of him as they climbed the elegant staircase to the second floor.
“Oh—” she cried when they reached the nursery. She’d never seen a more delightful sight in her life!
The room contained the white furniture he’d talked about including a stand for diapers next to the dresser. There was also an adult rocking chair and a toy box. She spied a collection of toy cars and trucks in a basket with some other toys. Blocks filled another basket.
She loved the blend of the blue walls with white woodwork and white window shutters. A sand-and-ivory rug covered part of the pecan floor. All the wall prints and books in the bookcase added vibrant colors.
Cami chuckled over the French bulldog placed in a child’s rocking chair. On a shelf in the bookcase she saw a blue-and-white toy sailboat.
She smiled at him. “This room is utterly enchanting, Raoul. What little boy in the world wouldn’t want to claim it for his own?”
“I hope he’ll learn to be happy here. I’ve spent part of every day with him since the grape harvest, but he’s never lived with me.”
Why? “To live morning, noon and night with his own papa who loves him? Surely you couldn’t have any doubts.” Yet Cami knew that he did and it tugged at her emotions to feel his vulnerability.
The sweetest sight of all was an exquisite quilt of nursery rhyme characters hanging over the end of the crib. She moved closer to examine it.
Raoul followed. “Alain’s grandmother made several quilts before he was born. The other day she gave me this one for the nursery.”
“It’s absolutely beautiful!”
Cami looked up at him. Where was the boy’s mother? She was dying to know.
“Antoinette died ten days after Alain was born.” Raoul had read her mind after seeing the question in her eyes.
“Oh, no—” Cami put a hand to her heart. “How tragic.” All this time she’d assumed Alain’s mother was still alive somewhere.
“That’s her picture on the dresser.”
She glanced at the propped eight-by-ten framed photograph of a beautiful brunette woman.
His former lover.
“I want him to see her face every day.”
“Of course.” The man had to be in love with her memory. His words brought a lump to Cami’s throat.
“I didn’t learn through Antoinette’s stepsister Nathalie that I had an unknown son until this fall.”
Unbelievable. Was the baby the reason for his divorce to the Murat woman? There was so much she didn’t know about him. It was getting more complicated all the time. “How amazing and wonderful to be united with him.”
His black eyes fused with hers. “You have no idea.”
“Judging by this room you’ve created, I think I do.”
“Thanks to you and your mother, plus the other women cleaning the villa, it’s ready to be lived in. You’ll all receive a bonus for your hard work and doing it so fast.”
“It was fun.” She flashed him another smile to hide what was going on inside of her. He still had to be suffering over the loss of the woman he’d loved. “We don’t often clean a place as beautiful and exclusive as this. I’m sure you’re going to be very happy here with your son.” After a pause, “Did you hire Mademoiselle Herve? She seemed very eager for the job.”
“You know very well I didn’t. I’m afraid she was too eager and too impressionable.”
“She was probably nervous about the interview.” Though it was none of her business, Cami let out an inward sigh. The woman hadn’t been able to take her eyes off Raoul. Not that Cami could blame her since she suffered from the same affliction. “Someone else will come along who’s right for you and your son. Now I’m afraid I have to leave. My mother wasn’t feeling well today.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s her arthritis that acts up in her shoulders. I need to pick up some dinner for her and get home.”
“Then don’t let me keep you. I’ll walk you out.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“What if I want to?”
His comment sent an unbidden dart of excitement through her. They went downstairs to the kitchen and out the back door. En route she discovered that while they’d been in the nursery, the kitchen furniture had been delivered. She’d spied a high chair, a table with six chairs and two stools placed at the island.
They continued walking outside. He opened the car door for her, then spoke to her through the open window. “What does a woman who cleans for NI do on a Saturday?”
“Clean the apartment.”
He broke into rich male laughter. “The proverbial busman’s holiday.” She nodded, enjoying their conversation way too much. “Do you live alone?”
“With my mom.”
His eyes studied her features for a moment. “Unless you have other plans tomorrow, would you help me clean my study? Naturally I’ll pay you for your time. I’ll do the ceiling if you’ll do the walls.”
She wondered why he hadn’t left the room open while all of them had been cleaning during the week, but it wasn’t any of her business. “I could come in the morning, but I have an appointment after lunch.”
Falling For His Unlikely Cinderella (Escape To Provence Book 2) Page 4
