If the prince and his wife had taken up residence in Neuchâtel since Kellie’s flight from Switzerland, they couldn’t possibly be here. Could they?
“Hey— Kellie— What do you want me to say?”
His question brought her thoughts back to the present. “Roy—did her last name sound like Mertier?”
He nodded. “That’s it exactly!”
Kellie’s legs started to shake.
If Lee Mertier of all people was in The Eatery dining room, then the only reason she would be here was that something terrible had happened to Philippe. Maybe his injuries were worse than Claudine had made them out to be.
“Tell her to meet me in the foyer. I’ll be right there.”
“Okay.”
As soon as he left the kitchen with the dinners, Kellie told the other chef she needed more time off. After washing her hands in the sink, she hung her apron and hair net on a peg in the back room. On trembling legs she made her way through the kitchen and dining room to the restaurant lobby.
The reality of the lovely, vital woman with short silvery-gold hair and violet eyes who turned in Kellie’s direction surpassed her image of the princess in the newspaper photos. Yet in jeans and a knit top, Lee Mertier looked completely down to earth and approachable.
As Kellie hurried past a line of customers to reach the other woman, she was so terrified to hear bad news about Philippe, she could hardly breathe.
“Princess?” she said in a shaky voice.
“Call me Lee.” She flashed her a sweet smile. “I knew you had to be Kellie. You’re more beautiful than the picture Philippe carries around with him.”
“Maybe he did once,” she said in a tortured whisper. “I was about to tell you no news clipping could do you justice.”
“Thank you.”
“Please—” Kellie struggled to keep her emotions under control. “I know you wouldn’t be here if something weren’t seriously wrong with Philippe. Were his injuries from the car accident more severe than his sister led me to believe?”
Shadows darkened Lee’s eyes, increasing Kellie’s fears. “He’s not dying, so let me put your mind at rest about that.”
“Is there something wrong with the baby?”
“Kellie?” she said quietly. “Can we go someplace to be alone and talk?”
“Yes. Of course. Forgive my lack of manners. I—I admit I’m scared to death.”
Kellie opened the door to the stairway, urging Lee to follow her up to the living room of the house.
“Please sit down. Can I get you anything?”
“No, thank you.” She found a place on the end of the couch. Kellie took a chair opposite her.
The other woman spoke first. “I know my presence has alarmed you, but after discussing it with Raoul, we agreed this wouldn’t work over the phone.”
“Did your husband come with you?”
“No. I left him hosting an international bankers’ conference he’d already put off once before.”
“But you’re barely home from your honeymoon, aren’t you? To think you had to leave him to fly this far—”
“My husband loves Philippe like a brother. He’d do anything for him. I’m pretty crazy about your husband myself. The problem is, he’s not the same man who introduced me to Raoul in Zermatt. All traces of the dashing Frenchman who lost his heart to you have vanished.”
Kellie’s head was bowed.
“He’s in such a severe emotional crisis right now, my husband I are deeply concerned.”
“I’m sure that being a new father, plus trying to help Yvette with their little boy must be—”
“Kellie—” Lee interrupted. “Yvette died during the delivery.”
“What?” she cried out aghast, unable to remain seated. Claudine hadn’t phoned to let her know. “I thought Philippe said she wasn’t injured in the car accident.”
“Just listen,” Lee cautioned her in a gentle tone. “Her death resulted from eclampsia in labor. It’s very tragic. She had convulsions, then fell into a coma. Yvette passed away without ever seeing her son. That was a week ago. The baby wasn’t released from the hospital until after the funeral.
“It was the grandmother who took him home with her. So far she has refused to let Philippe see his son because she blames him for her daughter’s death.”
Kellie’s groan reverberated throughout the living room. She could hardly comprehend it, or the guilt he must be suffering unnecessarily. “My poor darling husband,” her voice shook.
“He’s in agony, but he won’t talk about it.”
“What do you mean?”
“After you left him, he cut himself off from everyone. His family couldn’t get through to him. His brother Patrick left Paris to take over for him at the office.
“Raoul is the only person Philippe has let into your apartment. My husband was shocked to discover he hasn’t been eating or taking care of himself for the last month. Apparently he’s lost at least ten pounds, maybe more.
“But the thing that alarmed Raoul most was to learn from the maid that your husband was getting his climbing gear together. When Raoul asked him what was going on, he said he was planning an ascent of the Matterhorn this weekend.”
“He can’t!” Kellie blurted in anguish. “Claudine told me he’s still recovering from surgery on his knee.”
“She’s right. But he’s beyond listening to reason. Somehow Raoul managed to get him to agree to wait until the bankers’ conference was over so he and Roger and Yves could go with him.
“The guys have a plan to do everything in their power to prevent him from trying anything dangerous. Unfortunately my husband hasn’t ever seen Philippe like this before. He isn’t sure they’ll be able to stop him.”
At this point Kellie’s whole body was trembling. “I’ve got to go to him! It was only because of Yvette’s love and need for him that I initiated the divorce. Nothing could keep me away from him now. I love him so desperately you’ll never know.”
“I think I do. Raoul and I feel you’re the only one who can make a difference. That’s why I came. To fly you back to Switzerland with me tonight in Raoul’s private jet. I rented a car at Sea-Tac airport. We can drive to Seattle whenever you’re ready.”
What wonderful people they were.
“Thank you for your generosity, but I couldn’t accept your offer,” she whispered, fighting tears. “I’ll arrange for a commercial flight just as soon as I let my family know.”
Lee got to her feet. “Kellie? Before you turn me down, there is one more thing you should be aware of.”
Sickness welled up in Kellie’s throat. “What is it?”
The princess seemed almost hesitant. “Philippe has changed.”
“In what way?”
“He wants the divorce now.”
She was trying to understand. “Now? But if Yvette’s no longer alive…”
When Lee didn’t say anything else, the significance of her words started to sink in.
Kellie felt the room tilt. She clung to the first available chair. Lee was at her side in an instant.
“You look ill. Sit down.”
When Kellie was seated, Lee knelt next to her. She stared into her eyes. “Tell me what caused you to almost pass out. Surely you must have realized what your continual rejection was doing to him? Sending Philippe those divorce papers absolutely shattered him.”
Lee’s gentleness and sincerity slipped past her defenses. Tears gushed down her cheeks.
“I was t-trying to bow out so he could do the right thing for Yvette and his baby. Now to hear that she’s gone, a-and he doesn’t want me back—you see I’ve just learned that I’m pregnant with his baby.”
It was Lee’s turn to let out a soft gasp before putting her arm around Kellie’s shoulders. Several minutes went by while Kellie tried to come to terms with what the princess had told her.
“D-do you know if he’s already signed the papers?”
“Not yet. Raoul talked him into waiting until
after they’d made their supposed climb, when he had a clearer head.”
“Oh, Lee—” She fought to break down sobbing. “What am I going to do?”
There was a long silence. “What do you want to do?”
“I want my husband back, but I don’t want to use the news that we’re having a baby to be the reason he doesn’t go through with the divorce.”
“I wouldn’t want that, either.”
“What if he refuses to see me?”
“There has to be a way. But as I told you before, he’s not the same man.”
Kellie got up from the chair. “Then I’m going to have to fight for his love because I can’t lose him!”
Lee rose to her feet. “I’m glad to hear you say that because it is going to be a fight.” She opened her handbag and pulled out what looked like a newspaper clipping. “Read this, then you’ll understand part of your husband’s turmoil.”
With trembling fingers Kellie unfolded it to discover the front page of a major French-Swiss newspaper. The date September 30 stood out as if it had been stamped in red ink.
On the bottom half was a picture of Philippe’s car jammed against a van. There was a smaller picture of him in a business suit. Kellie’s shock turned to horror as she started to read the accompanying story.
Last night an accident sent well-known wealthy French auto-magnate Philippe Didier and an unidentified pregnant woman to Vaudois Hospital in Neuchâtel. Hospital authorities would not give out details, but it’s rumored that Kellie Didier, the new American bride of Monsieur Didier has fled the country. Speculation of an affair between M. Didie—
A moan escaped Kellie’s throat. She couldn’t read anymore and handed it back to Lee. “I—I had no idea—”
“Forgive me, Kellie, but Raoul made me promise I would show this to you if you decided to fly back with me. First, he wanted you to understand what Philippe has been forced to deal with on top of everything else.
“Secondly he says you need to be prepared for an invasion of the press. If you arrive with me, you can clear customs on board the jet. Raoul will have a limousine waiting to drive us to the château. He’ll make certain there aren’t any journalists around. That way you can slip back in the country without being bombarded with questions and camera flashes.”
She took a shaky breath. “How can I ever repay you and the prince for all this?”
Lee’s gaze searched hers. “If you and Philippe can works things out and be happy again, it’s the only payment we want. We’ve been looking forward to meeting the woman who brought Philippe to his knees.”
“I’m afraid it’s always been the other way around,” Kellie whispered in pain. “After what you’ve told me, getting on my knees isn’t going to be nearly enough.”
“Love will find a way.”
“I pray that’s true because I love him more than life itself!”
They regarded each other for a long moment before Lee said, “You have to admit it’s an amazing coincidence that our husbands married American women. To find out you and I are the same nationality has been so exciting for me.”
“Me, too. The truth is, Philippe and I could hardly wait for you to return from your honeymoon. We had this whole evening planned to welcome you back and really get acquainted.”
“So did we! You should hear Raoul talk about all the things the four of us are going to do together in the future.”
“If there is one,” Kellie’s voice broke.
Lee’s expression sobered. “When we found out you were divorcing him, you have no idea what a crushing blow it was to us. My husband has taken it very hard. He’ll do anything to facilitate a reunion.”
“Your presence here is testimony of that fact. Philippe’s blessed to have such friends. He told me about the time Raoul saved him on the mountain. Now you’re here to rescue him again.”
“It’s no more than Philippe did for Raoul.”
“What do you mean?”
“If it weren’t for your husband, Raoul and I would never have met. I’ll tell you about it on the plane.”
“I want to hear everything. Please excuse me while I talk to my family and pack. I’ll try not to take long.”
“Don’t worry. In the meantime, I’ll call my husband and let him know what’s happening.”
“Come in my grandfather’s den where there’s a phone and you can have your privacy.”
Thirteen hours later their private jet landed in Geneva where the official came on board to stamp their passports. When he left, Lee and Kellie went out to the black limousine bearing the D’Arillac royal crest. It sat parked a few feet beyond the stairs. The tinted glass prevented anyone from seeing inside.
One of the stewards stowed their bags in the trunk while Kellie followed Lee into the back of the limo. The door closed and they were off to Neuchàtel.
“Petite—” she heard the prince cry an endearment before pulling his wife into his arms.
Kellie took the seat opposite them and tried to look anywhere else while he kissed her. Talk about two people in love! They reminded her so much of the way it had once been between her and Philippe, she was wounded all over again.
“Raoul, darling?” she heard Lee finally say in a husky voice. “Meet Kellie Didier.”
“How do you do, your highness.”
His brilliant blue gaze flicked to Kellie. “Please—call me Raoul,” he said in English with hardly a trace of accent. With one arm still hugging his wife tightly, he clasped Kellie’s hand for a moment before letting go. “Thank God you came. Philippe is badly in need of his wife.”
Kellie struggled not to fall apart. “I need him even more. Thanks to you and the princess, I know what’s happened. You have no idea how grateful I am for all you’ve done to make this easier for me. As I told your wife, someday I’ll find a way to repay you.”
A grave expression spread over his attractive features. “The only thing of importance is that you’re here now. You do understand his fragile emotional state?” he asked with an underlying trace of demand.
She couldn’t blame him for being protective of his best friend. In fact she loved him for it.
“Darling,” Lee cautioned softly. “Kellie’s in a pretty fragile state herself.”
“What do you mean?”
“You didn’t tell him?” Kellie asked her.
Lee shook her head. “I didn’t think it was my place.”
Raoul stared at Kellie. “Tell me what?”
“I found out I’m going to have a baby.”
He shook his handsome dark-blond head. “Unbelievable.”
Her news had shocked him. But not as much as it had shocked Kellie who still couldn’t comprehend the fact that she was going to be a mother.
“I should be congratulating you,” he added. “Instead all I can think of is that when Philippe hears the news, he’ll believe it’s the only reason you came to Switzerland.”
“I’m way ahead of you,” Kellie’s voice shook. “That’s why he mustn’t be told about it until—until—”
“How can we help?” he broke in.
“You’ve already done so much, I’m ashamed.”
“Kellie— I know in my gut you and Philippe would do the same thing for us if our positions were reversed.”
“Of course we would,” she avowed. “Philippe looks on you as a brother.”
“The feeling’s mutual so there’ll be no more talk on that score.” He sat back in the seat while he clung to his wife. “Do you have a plan of what you want to do first? It goes without saying that our home is at your disposal.”
“Thank you.” She smoothed the hair out of her eyes. “During the flight I thought of several ways to approach him, but in the end I was afraid they’d all fail. Then Lee told me about Philippe’s plan to help you when you found out your marriage date to Princess Sophie had been brought forward. That’s when an idea came to me.”
“What a black day that was,” he confessed.
“As I understand it, P
hilippe talked you into luring the princess to your chalet in Zermatt with the hope she’d call off your wedding when she found out the two of you had nothing in common.”
Raoul nodded before smiling at his wife. “Then you showed up in her place.” He kissed her again.
Kellie cleared her throat. “I—I was thinking we might try his strategy in reverse?”
The prince was quick on the uptake. He turned his head and looked at Kellie with a shrewd regard. “So Philippe shows up at the chalet before the climb and finds you in residence.”
“Yes. For one thing, it might be better for us to meet on neutral ground where we’re away from his work or any associations to do with us. The apartment has too many memories that could tear both of us apart.
“For another, I left my keys on the dresser before I left Neuchàtel. I’d have to ask the concierge to let me in the apartment. He’d probably warn Philippe firs—”
“There’s no probably about it. The penthouse has become a fortress,” Raoul was swift to respond. It gave Kellie a deeper glimpse into Philippe’s tortured psyche. She shivered at the uphill battle ahead of her.
“Beyond surprising my husband at your chalet, I don’t have any other ideas yet.”
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re as inspired as Philippe was,” Raoul murmured.
She bit her lip. “I’m not at all certain it will work, but since he was already planning a climb, he won’t be suspecting any subterfuge. If the only thing I accomplish is to prevent him from going up on the mountain in his condition, I’ll be thankful.”
“We all will, believe me,” Raoul said in an emotion-filled voice.
“There’s only one problem. Philippe’s going to realize you made this possible for me. I couldn’t bear it if he turned on you. You’re his dearest friend.”
Raoul eyed her with a glint of what looked like admiration. “Let me worry about that.”
“When is your banking conference over?”
“Today’s the final day. My suggestion is that you and Lee get some sleep while I’m in attendance. I should be through around four-thirty. We’ll fly to Zermatt in the helicopter and spend the night. I’ll give the staff a few days off.
The Baby Dilemma Page 3
