“Your Honor? Much as I wanted custody of Jean-Luc, after hearing from Dr. Bruchard, it’s obvious the baby belongs with his rightful father.”
Kellie knew that’s what her husband would say, because he was that kind of man. The vet’s head jerked toward Philippe in total shock.
“I’m now going to say something that wasn’t in any of the written or oral testimonies. I hope it will ease Dr. Bruchard’s mind to some degree.
“While a friend and I were climbing in Chamonix, there was an avalanche. We helped the skiers who were caught in it. One of them was Yvette.”
A gasp filled the court room. It came from Analise. Kellie looked over at her, realizing Yvette had never told her mother about her close call with death.
Philippe went on talking. “I flew in the helicopter to the hospital with her. She was fortunate that nothing serious had happened to her, but she was very shaken. After such a traumatic experience for her, she was afraid to be left alone, so I accompanied her back to her hotel and brought her dinner.
“I’m telling the court all this to explain the unique circumstances of that twenty-four-hour period. There’s an old saying about loving the person who saves your life. Yvette didn’t love me, but she was grateful to me that her life had been spared. I didn’t love her. She was a stranger to me. But I was grateful fate had placed me in a position to be able to save her.
“It’s a tragedy that illness that took her life so early. But she left a wonderful legacy behind. Jean-Luc. He belongs with the man who loved Yvette and wanted to make a home for them. Therefore, I don’t feel it appropriate to waste any more of the court’s time. After consulting with my attorney, I withdraw the custody petition.”
Oh, Philippe. You wonderful man. I know your heart is heavy, but as soon as we leave this courtroom, I’m going to tell you something that will change your world forever.
The judge summoned the attorneys to the bench. They chatted quietly, then took their seats once more. He looked down at Philippe with an admiring expression.
“The court would like to thank Monsieur Didier for a decision that could not have been made lightly. I have no doubt that little boy would have found a fine home with you and your wife.”
His glance switched to the vet. “Dr. Bruchard, you heard Monsieur Didier’s declaration. Therefore the court grants you full custody of your son, Jean-Luc Bruchard. Congratulations.
“Court dismissed.”
In the next instant Analise hurried down to the their table and threw her arms around Philippe. Her face was awash in tears. “I didn’t know you had rescued my darling girl. I didn’t know. Forgive me for being so cruel to you.”
Philippe stood up and put his arm around her. “There’s nothing to forgive.”
“Can we still be friends?” Analise’s pleading gaze took in Philippe and Kellie.
“Of course.” Kellie reached out to hug the older woman. “Thank you for letting my husband have some time with Jean-Luc,” she whispered. “It pulled him out of one of the lowest points of his life. For that I will always be grateful.”
In the periphery Kellie saw Philippe walk over to Dr. Bruchard and shake his hand. His noble character filled her with awe all over again.
“Surely he won’t divorce you now,” Analise said in a quiet voice. “Not after everything you’ve been through.”
“I—I’m afraid so.”
“But it doesn’t make any sense. Your husband’s in love with you.”
“Once upon a time he was, Analise.”
“Nonsense. I spent an evening at your apartment. I know what I saw. He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
“That’s because he’d suspected I’d done something to get you there. You and I both know he had every reason to be suspicious.”
“I didn’t hear him complaining,” the older woman said dryly.
“No. He loves that child. So do I.”
“Then go home with him and do something about it. There are ways around a man, if you get my meaning.” Her eyes twinkled.
Kellie took a fortifying breath. She loved Yvette’s mother. “I’m going to.” Just not exactly in the way you mean. “Thank you for the advice. I’ll call you one day soon.”
She felt a hand on her arm. It was Honore. “Come on. While your husband is still talking to Dr. Bruchard, I’ll walk with you down to the limousine.”
Needing no urging, she left the courtroom with him. “Thank you for helping Philippe,” she said in a tear-filled voice. “I know how much he appreciates all you did for him.”
“I did it for both of you.”
“You know what I mean.”
“But I don’t think you know what I mean.”
Kellie darted him a surprised glance. “I don’t understand.”
They’d reached the underground parking. To her surprise Philippe’s car was waiting for them. A parking attendant opened the front passenger door so she could climb in.
“Kellie—” Honore’s eyes peered into her soul. “There never was any possibility of Philippe winning that custody suit. Not with all his money. Not even with you doing everything you could in the capacity of a loving wife.”
It took a moment for the words to sink in. “So what are you saying?”
“You’re an intelligent woman. I’m going to leave you alone to figure that out. I have every faith in you, ma chère.”
He leaned down to kiss her cheek before climbing into the limousine behind Philippe’s car. While she was still reeling from the revelation, she caught sight of her husband’s tall, male physique as he walked swiftly toward the car.
It was almost time…
CHAPTER NINE
THOUGH Philippe appeared to be as relaxed as he’d been in the courtroom, he hadn’t said a word since they’d left the hall of justice.
After handing Jean-Luc over to Dr. Bruchard without a struggle, Kellie knew her husband’s heart was breaking. But he wasn’t about to let her see his anguish. To her chagrin she couldn’t begin to read what was going on behind his inscrutable expression.
All she knew was that he wasn’t taking her straight home so she could tell him the news that would make him a new man. Instead he drove to the gates leading to the Château D’Arillac. The guard allowed them to pass through.
Maybe Lee and Raoul had told Philippe to come for lunch once their court case was over. It was very kind of them, but this was one time when she needed to be strictly alone with her husband.
She’d been to the their château several times with Lee since Philippe had bought the house, but she’d never had the time yet to explore the extensive grounds of the royal estate. Through the princess she’d learned that among other things, they had their own riding stable.
Horses were one of the Mertiers passions. Apparently she and Raoul rode most mornings in the surrounding forest which all went to make up their private property.
Both of them had known a lot of pain before they met. Now they led a fairy-tale life, but that was because they were madly in love. The royal trappings only provided a backdrop.
Kellie might not have been a princess, but for the one month of her marriage to Philippe, she’d led that same fairy-tale life as his wife.
Turning her head away from him, she wondered if she would ever stop grieving over an act on her part that had destroyed something so rare and precious.
To her surprise he didn’t turn into the driveway that led to Raoul’s private entrance. Instead they continued along the tree-lined driveway past the château which led to the woods covering the lower hillside. Another minute and they came to a building hidden among the trees. Philippe pulled to a stop.
She looked over at him in confusion. “What is this place?”
“The royal kennel.”
Kennel?
“Since you’re going to be living alone on the property, you need a good guard dog. Raoul’s favorite black lab had a litter of pups some time ago. They’re old enough now to leave their mother. There’s one I’ve had my e
ye on, but you’re free to choose the pup that catches your eye.”
Kill her with kindness. That’s what Philippe was doing, but enough was enough.
He started to get out of the car to help her, but she grabbed hold of his arm.
“No, Philippe!”
He stared back at her in puzzlement. “You grew up loving your grandfather’s labrador before it died.”
“That’s true. But I c-couldn’t handle another dog right now.”
“Raoul has a man who will help train it for you if that’s your worry.”
“It isn’t!” she cried.
Lines formed, darkening his features. “What’s wrong, Kellie? What’s going on?”
“Please could we go back to the house first? Then I’ll tell you.”
He had to know the truth now, but she refused to make her confession on someone else’s property, even his best friend’s. Philippe deserved to be in his own home when she told him something that would change both their lives forever.
He backed his car around so fast, she gripped the armrests for support. Gone was the man at the courthouse who’d been relaxed and in control. The way he was negotiating the twists and turns back to the gate of the estate, they might as well have been racing in the Grand Prix at Monte Carlo.
Once allowed past the guard, they sped the short distance home. As soon as he pulled to a shrieking stop in the parking area, she got out of the car.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to change out of this suit, then I’ll join you in the living room of the house.”
She shut the door and starting running across the lawn, heedless of her pregnant condition. Within seconds he’d caught up to her. Grasping her arm, he guided her into the house.
After slamming the front door behind them, he let her go. His eyes glittered with anger. It was the look she’d seen at the chalet when he’d discovered her lurking in the kitchen.
“All right. We’re home. What is going on? I want an answer, Kellie.”
“Could we sit down?”
“No.”
He stood there like a dark colossus waiting for an explanation. The time had come.
“Philippe?” she began in a tremulous voice.
He didn’t say anything, but she could tell he was listening because the moment she spoke his name, a grimace marred his features.
Her mouth went dry, making it impossible to moisten her lips. “D-do you remember that night at the hospital when you said there was something you had to tell me?”
A weightier silence greeted her question.
Of course he remembered! What a ghastly, insensitive way to begin what had to be said.
“After I flew home to Washington, I started getting headaches and ended up going to our family doctor for a checkup. T-that’s when I found out tha—”
This was so much harder than she’d imagined it would be.
“Found out what?” he demanded with stunning ferocity.
“We’re going to have a baby.”
Instant stillness permeated the foyer.
She kneaded her hands.
“I know this comes as a tremendous shock to you. It did to me, too, but it shouldn’t have. Not when we’d talked about starting a family right away.”
Kellie finally dared to look at him. He stared at her as if he were transfixed.
“The doctor referred me to an obstetrician named Dr. Cutler. At that point in time I was six weeks along. He estimates the delivery date for our baby is June 14.”
While she waited for Philippe to say something, her whole life seemed to flash before her eyes.
“Did you find out before or after you knew Yvette had died in childbirth?”
There it was. The question she’d been dreading. The one question whose answer would lead him to believe it was the only reason she came back to Switzerland. It was the only question that mattered to Philippe.
“Before.”
She heard his sharp intake of breath.
“Darling—” she cried out in panic. “I only learned of my condition just before I found out about Yvette’s tragic death!
“If there hadn’t been extenuating circumstances, you must know I would have told you immediately. But after your accident and everything you were struggling with, I was afraid to make things any more complicated for you.”
He let out an epithet that raised the hairs on the back of her neck. “So—you decided to play God with my life a second time.”
Her honesty had come three months too late.
“What kind of a wife shoves her husband at another woman for the sake of a child who might or might not be his, yet would keep all knowledge of the baby they’d made together a secret?”
“I’m sorry, darling. You’ll never know how sorry.” Her face glistened with tears. “I realize now I should have phoned you with the news the second I got home from the doctor. But I was a fool back then. I did everything wrong.
“When I came to my senses, you had already fallen in love with Jean-Luc. I felt it was more important to help you win custody of him first.”
“Mon Dieu. First you use Raoul, then Honore,” he lashed out. “When I warned you at the chalet it was too late for any elaborate ploys to fix what was wrong between us, it never occurred to me your trump card would be our baby.”
Long ago from a hospital bed, Philippe had risked ruining their marriage with his confession. The risk hadn’t paid off. She’d done the worst thing a wife could do. Instead of standing by him, she’d left him and filed for a divorce.
Now their positions were reversed. She’d just taken an enormous risk with her confession. At this late date she’d given him every reason to despise her forever.
Defeated beyond hope she said, “It wasn’t a scheme to get closer to you. I knew you’d think that. But you’d be wrong. I’ve been waiting this long to tell you the truth so you could focus on Jean-Luc. In case the court didn’t rule in your favor, it’s been my dream to give you a gift no one could ever take from you.”
Raw pain filled his eyes which were suspiciously bright, even for Philippe at his most vulnerable. “I really don’t know you, do I?” he whispered in such a bleak voice she wanted to die.
In the next instant he whipped past her and disappeared out the door. Within seconds she heard the squeal of tires as he drove off. At the speed he was going, it wouldn’t surprise her to hear later he’d been in another accident.
Please, God. Don’t let that happen. Their baby needed its father.
Oh where to turn? Right now she needed a friend. Someone to talk to who knew Philippe better than anyone else besides Raoul.
She dashed to the study and phoned the Didiers’ home in Paris. “Claudine?” she cried when heard her friend’s voice.
“Kellie— I was praying you’d call! Honore has already told us the bad news. My brother’s too damn noble for his own good,” her voice throbbed. “How is he?”
“T-that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Oh Claudine— I don’t know what to do.”
“Where are you?”
“At our new house.”
“Where’s Philippe?”
Her eyes closed tightly. “He’s gone.”
There was a period of quiet.
“You mean as in really gone?”
“I don’t know!” Kellie wailed in agony.
“Something else has to be wrong then. What haven’t you told me? No, don’t answer that. As soon as I hang up, I’m flying there on the company jet. I should be with you in an hour. Don’t you dare do anything crazy like leave before I get there.”
The receiver was soaking wet. “I—I won’t. Do you know the address?”
“Bien sur. I should think everyone in French Switzerland knows the location of the Château des Fleurs. I’d be insanely jealous if it were anyone but you living there.”
“Castle of flowers?” Kellie murmured.
“Yes. It was built as compensation for the second son of an Arillac whose elder brother was crowned prince.
His only pleasure came from cultivating flowers. In its original state, the gardens were so fabulous, I understand people came from every canton to see them.
“Until now only royalty has been allowed to live there. For Prince Raoul to allow it to be sold to Philippe tells you of his deep affection for your husband. I’ll tell you more when I get there. À bientôt, chère amie.”
Stunned by the revelation on top of her grief, Kellie hung up the phone and went directly to the tower. After she’d changed into jeans and a loose fitting blouse, she threw on a jacket and walked out to the pier to wait for Claudine.
As soon as her friend arrived, they could go for a boat ride. In anticipation, Kellie unsnapped the cover and found the key to the ignition in the side pocket where Philippe always kept it hidden.
Battle weary in heart and soul, she made a bed out of the padded seats and lay down on her back to look at the overcast sky.
A breeze had come up on the lake, lowering the air temperature. She welcomed its bite. The rocking of the boat against the pier was very soothing. The next thing she knew she could hear Claudine’s voice calling to her.
Kellie sat up too fast and got a cramp in her side. “Over here, Claudine!” She scrambled to the driver’s seat and blew the horn.
“I wondered where you were!” Her brunette friend ran on to the pier and jumped into the boat.
“Thank you for coming,” Kellie half-sobbed the words.
They hugged for a long moment before Claudine eased away from her first. Her dark brown eyes were so much like Philippe’s it was uncanny. They dropped to Kellie’s stomach.
When they lifted again she cried, “Mon Dieu—how far along are you?”
There could be no secrets from Claudine.
“Thirteen weeks.”
Her expressive face turned serious. “When did my brother find out?”
“Today. After court.”
Claudine groaned.
“A-as soon as I told him, he accused me of playing God with his life a second time and left with his tires digging up the gravel. I’m surprised you didn’t see the ruts!”
The Baby Dilemma Page 13
