An Eligible Stranger

by Tracy Sinclair

"You don't have a corner on pride. Besides, they were young and in love. They treated poverty as a lark. Sandra told me that sometimes they drew straws to see if they should eat dinner, or go to a bistro with their friends, where they'd sit for hours, nursing one drink. They couldn't afford to do both." She had a moment's compunction when she saw the agony on Philippe's face. But he deserved it, she told herself.

  "At least I'm glad they were happy," he muttered. "But it didn't have to be that way."

  "No, it didn't," she said pointedly.

  Philippe jammed his hands in his pockets, tightening the fabric over his muscular thighs. "You think I'm the villainous older brother who robbed Raymond of his birthright, but you're wrong. I was honestly concerned about him. I loved my brother. I didn't want him to make a mistake."

  "If you loved him, why didn't you try to make up? Is your pride that important?" Nicole asked scornfully.

  "I'm not the monster you think I am. When my temper cooled and I thought his had, I did try to contact Raymond. I left messages, but he never returned my calls." Philippe paced restlessly. "After a while, I decided we had to sit down and talk like adults. I went to see him, but by then he had moved from the address I had and I couldn't find him." Philippe's hands clenched into fists. "I searched all of Paris, but nobody could—or would—tell me where he was. How could I guess he'd left the country?"

  "They didn't have any choice after Robbie was born. The bills were mounting up, and they were only going to get bigger. If they came back here to San Francisco, at least Sandra could get a decent job to support all of them while Raymond trained for some kind of work."

  "Were things better for them here, I hope?"

  "Yes, everything worked out great. Raymond developed an aptitude for electronics. He got an excellent job in the Silicon Valley, and they bought a darling little house." Nicole bowed her head and looked down at her clasped hands. "Then one rainy night when they were coming home from a movie, a drunk plowed into their 'car. They were both killed instantly."

  "I'm sorry," Philippe murmured.

  She nodded wordlessly. The animosity between them had evaporated. Nicole had an inexplicable desire to rest her head on his broad shoulder and let him hold her against his taut body.

  "We've both suffered a great loss," he said gently. "And now we both want what's best for their son."

  Her moment of weakness passed. Nicole squared her shoulders and prepared for battle. "If you really mean that, then I'm sure you can see that Robbie will be better off with me."

  Philippe's expression hardened. "I don't agree. Surely you must admit that a child needs a stable home."

  "How pompous can you get? This place doesn't meet your standards because there are a few things lying around?"

  "Our definition of 'a few' obviously differs," he said derisively. With a sudden impatient gesture, he said, "This is not the time to argue about minor matters. We have more important things to settle."

  "They've already been settled. Robbie stays with me, and you go home and stomp some more grapes so you can make some more money—which is all you really care about."

  "What kind of work do you do?" he asked unexpectedly.

  The question caught her by surprise. "I…well, I work for a dress manufacturer."

  "What do you do there?"

  "I do piece work," she answered reluctantly.

  Nicole didn't like having to admit she was a low-paid seamstress. It didn't tell the whole story. She aspired to be a dress designer, and this entry-level job gave her an opportunity to observe every aspect of the business. Maybe even get a chance to have some of her own designs considered. But she wasn't going to reveal her hopes and dreams to this arrogant man.

  "What difference does it make what I do for a living?" she demanded.

  "A lot of difference. Your job doesn't allow you enough time with Robaire. I assume he's placed in the care of strangers all day, so you can only see him briefly at night. And even then you're too busy to give him your full attention."

  "That's not true! The quality of our time together is what counts."

  "A feeble rationalization," Philippe said dismissively. "At my home in Paris where he belongs, Robaire will have constant care."

  "From a nanny whose main concern is her paycheck at the end of the week? I can give him something you can't buy with all your money! But you wouldn't know about anything as unprofitable as love." Her cheeks were flushed with a pink glow, and her eyes blazed like twin blue stars.

  Philippe stared at her delicate face in bemusement. If a little boy could evoke such passion, what would she be like in the arms of an experienced man? He was willing to bet she would bloom like a flower, surrendering all of her sweetness to his eager mouth.

  Philippe shook his head to clear away the disturbing vision. There was too much at stake to let his imagination run wild.

  "That's a very noble sentiment, Miss Trent," he said coldly. "But Robaire needs more than love. He needs a guaranteed future, something the money you despise can provide."

  The argument raged on and on, with neither giving an inch. Finally, Philippe was forced to play his trump card. It was based on a shaky premise, but he gambled that Nicole wouldn't know that.

  "I'd hoped you'd cooperate for the boy's sake, but I don't really need your permission to take him back to Paris. Robaire was born in France to a French father. That makes him a French citizen."

  "That's nonsense! His mother was American, so Robbie is as much American as he is French."

  "Not when the place of his birth was France," Philippe said in triumph.

  This was a nasty surprise. Nicole didn't know if what he said was true, but it was certainly a setback. Even if her claim to Robbie was valid, Philippe had the money to drag the matter through the courts indefinitely. She was just managing to scrape by, with no money left over for a lawyer. The Galantoires would have a whole team of them, all high-priced and eager to litigate.

  She decided her only choice was to appeal to his sense of fair play—not a very promising prospect. "I think you're wrong about Robbie's status, but neither of us wants to make him the pawn in a tug-of-war," she began in a reasonable tone of voice. "Can't you see how miserable he'd be living with you? He not only doesn't know you, he's afraid of you."

  "I deeply regret raising my voice in his presence, but I assure you, it won't happen again."

  Did he really think she believed that? "Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. Robbie has just lost both parents. You're proposing to take him away from the one person he feels safe with and carry him off to a foreign country to live with strangers. I can't believe anyone could be that cruel to a little child."

  "You do have a point." Philippe hesitated for a moment, frowning. Then his face cleared. "All right, you can come with us and stay until the boy is acclimated."

  Nicole stared at him in outrage. "You're incredible! I'm supposed to quit my job and move halfway across the world just to accommodate you?"

  "Not for my sake, for Robaire's. If you care as much about him as you keep insisting, you shouldn't have to think twice. As for giving up your job, that doesn't sound like a great loss. I'm sure you can get another one equally as good on your return."

  Nicole was almost speechless with rage—but not quite. "You are without a doubt the most irritating, high-handed, impossible man I've ever met!"

  His smile transformed his entire face. Before her eyes, Philippe Galantoire became a charming, devilishly handsome man with a wicked sense of humor. "That's the first impression I often make, but I'll grow on you."

  "Don't bet the chateau on it," she muttered.

  "I'll make the airline reservations," he said as though she'd agreed. "I assume you have a passport."

  Nicole saw a ray of hope. "I do, but Robbie doesn't. He couldn't go with you even if I would permit it."

  "I'll take care of that. The French consul can contact the necessary authorities and expedite the matter. Be ready to leave by tomorrow afternoon."

&
nbsp; "I couldn't possibly be ready that soon," she gasped.

  "Nonsense. Call your employer, throw a few things in a suitcase and lock your door. If you forget anything, you can buy it in Paris and send me the bill."

  "You think money solves everything!"

  "It's never proved a hindrance," he answered dryly.

  Nicole had the helpless feeling that she was on a runaway train with no way to get off. If she refused to go, he might get a court order and take Robbie in spite of her. Such things usually took time, but Philippe seemed to know how to cut through red tape. She couldn't let Robbie go without her. The child would be terrified!

  "There is a 5:00 p.m. flight to Paris tomorrow afternoon," he said. "I'll book three seats."

  "Why do we have to leave so soon?" she asked plaintively.

  "Because I have to get back to work. I have meetings scheduled."

  "Excuse me for not realizing that," she said with exaggerated courtesy. "I certainly wouldn't expect you to waste your valuable time on unimportant personal matters."

  He looked at her impassively. "I'll come for you at three-thirty. Be ready." Without waiting for an answer, he strode out the door.

  Chapter Two

  Nicole managed to get herself and Robbie packed and ready to leave the next afternoon, mainly by staying up most of the night.

  It annoyed her greatly that when he arrived the next day Philippe managed to look well rested and as perfectly groomed as he had the night before, only slightly more casual. This afternoon, he wore a navy cashmere jacket over a white silk shirt and perfectly pressed gray slacks.

  She did have to admit that it was nice to have a man ease all the frustrations of travel. Philippe was able to get a skycap when everyone else was clamoring for one without success, and he had already been issued boarding passes. They were flying first-class, of course. Nothing but the best for the Galantoires, Nicole thought cynically.

  Robbie was slightly intimidated by the crowds in the airport. He clung to Nicole's hand and ignored Philippe. But once they boarded the plane, his apprehensions vanished. He was intrigued by everything, especially the earphones that were on the arm of his seat.

  As Nicole was taking off Robbie's jacket, a very pretty flight attendant paused on her way down the aisle. The tag on her uniform blazer said her name was Gloria. "May I get you and the boy something to drink after we take off, Mrs. Galantoire?"

  She evidently assumed Nicole was Philippe's wife since they boarded together with a child. It hadn't taken her long to find out his name, Nicole thought cynically.

  "She's not Mrs. Galantoire, she's my Aunt Nicky. And he says he's my uncle." Robbie pointed at Philippe. "But me and Aunt Nicky don't—"

  Nicole cut him off swiftly. "Come sit by the window so you can watch the planes take off."

  Philippe's face was expressionless. When the attendant had gone back to the galley, he said to Nicole, "You're only making it harder for Robaire by showing your dislike for me. I thought we had come to an agreement."

  "Like I had a choice!"

  "Since you realize you don't, why not make the best of things? If you persist in fighting me, Robaire will suffer the most."

  Nicole hated being forced to give in to him so repeatedly, but what he said was true, unfortunately. She'd have to convince Robbie that she liked Phil—or at least hide her feelings better. What an acting job that would be!

  After the plane took off, Nicole was able to relax for the first time. At last, she had nothing to do— except keep Robbie amused, which might not be easy on such a long trip. She put her head back and sighed.

  "You look tired," Philippe remarked.

  "I guess you might say that," she replied ironically. "Most people have weeks to prepare for a trip to Europe. I had less than twenty-four hours. That didn't leave much time for sleeping."

  "Why don't you change places with me and take a nap?" He was sitting across the aisle with no one in the seat next to him.

  Before Nicole could answer, Robbie said, "No! I want her here with me."

  She couldn't help being gratified. Robbie's dependence on her should show Philippe that he couldn't take her place. But on the other hand, nothing would be gained by alienating him further.

  "You have plenty of things to play with," she told the little boy. "I'll be right over there where you can see me."

  Philippe watched moodily as she reclined her chair back slightly and closed her eyes.

  "Your seat goes back farther than that," he said.

  She opened her eyes to see him standing over her. "I know, but I'm not really going to sleep. I'm just going to rest for a little bit."

  "You might as well be comfortable while you're resting." He fiddled with the controls on the console until her seat reclined almost flat.

  Philippe reached into the overhead bin and took out a pillow and a blanket. After handing her the pillow, he tucked the blanket around her with surprising gentleness. Especially considering how annoyed he was at her, Nicole thought.

  "This is as good as being in a bed." She wriggled happily.

  His face was expressionless, but her comment triggered an erotic image. He could picture her next to him in bed, relaxed and adorably disheveled in the aftermath of making love.

  Philippe straightened abruptly. "Get some rest," he ordered.

  That was all Nicole had planned, just a few quiet minutes to herself. But she fell asleep almost the moment her eyes closed.

  Robbie refused all of Philippe's overtures when they were alone together, and Philippe had no experience in dealing with a cranky little boy. He was feeling extremely frustrated—something that almost never happened to him—when Gloria came to the rescue.

  She brought Robbie a bag of plastic building blocks, one of several toys kept for occasions like this. It was a common occurrence for children to get fussy on a long flight.

  The little boy's mood changed instantly, and he started building a tower on the lowered tray table in front of his seat.

  "You're a lifesaver," Philippe told her gratefully.

  Gloria smiled. "Just doing my job." She had to leave to take care of the other passengers, but she returned intermittently to chat with Philippe. When she found him stretching his long limbs in the aisle, she asked, "Can I get you a drink?"

  "No, but I'd like a cup of coffee. I'll come with you." He followed her to the galley.

  Through artful questioning, she found out his marital status and relationship to Nicole and Robbie. "What you need is a wife," she said lightly.

  "Don't I have enough trouble already?" he answered with a gleam of amusement in his gray eyes.

  "You just haven't met the right girl yet." She tilted her head to gaze up at him provocatively.

  Nicole woke a short time later and was indignant to see Robbie playing by himself while Philippe and Gloria were chatting outside the galley. The pretty flight attendant was obviously flattered by the attention of such a handsome, successful man. Philippe could be very charming when he wanted to be, Nicole thought in annoyance. He'd even tried to use that charm on her to change her mind about giving up Robbie.

  Philippe returned as soon as he noticed she was up. "Do you feel better?" he asked with a smile.

  "Not since I found out Robbie has been sitting here all alone," she said distantly.

  "He wasn't alone. I just left him for a few minutes to get a cup of coffee. Gloria and I kept him amused."

  "I like her," Robbie said, stressing the pronoun.

  Philippe's face was stormy as he said to Nicole, "Can I speak to you alone?" It wasn't a request.

  Nicole stood reluctantly and followed him down the aisle.

  When he was sure Robbie couldn't overhear, Philippe said grimly, "I don't care what you think of me, but I object to your making it so clear to Robaire. No wonder he thinks I'm an ogre!"

  "Don't blame me. Children are a good judge of character."

  His jaw tightened. "Then he'll just have to get used to the fact."

  "Not nece
ssarily. You've only won the first round, not the entire game. It isn't written in stone that Robbie is going to live with you permanently."

  "Don't even think of challenging me," Philippe said softly. "I always get what I go after—no matter what it takes."

  As they stared into each other's eyes, Nicole's defiant expression hid the little shiver that ran up her spine. This man would crush anything in his path without a hint of regret. Could she find a way out for Robbie and herself?

  The atmosphere was tense between them for the rest of the flight. But when they arrived in Paris, Nicole found it difficult to sustain a grudge.

  Although it was the middle of the night, the airport was crowded with people speaking different languages. It was all very exotic and exciting. Philippe took care of the formalities as usual, but this time Nicole wasn't as grateful. After their confrontation on the plane, she was spoiling for a fight—one that she had a chance of winning.

  As soon as they'd gone through customs she demanded her passport back. Philippe had pocketed all of them after they'd exited customs. They were in the middle of the baggage section and Philippe was looking around for both his chauffeur and the carousel where the suitcases from their flight would be arriving.

  "I'll give it to you in the car," he said.

  "How long can it take to hand me a passport?" she persisted.

  "I'm slightly busy at the moment, and you don't need it right now. We've already cleared customs." He beckoned to a man in uniform waiting in a roped-off section.

  "I want it," Nicole said stubbornly.

  Philippe swore in French under his breath, reached into his breast pocket and impatiently pulled out a leather folder. "Here! Are you happy now?"

  It was a small victory, but it filled her with satisfaction. She gave him a sunny smile. "Happier than I've been, anyway."

  While the chauffeur, whose name was Max, took the claim checks and went to retrieve their luggage, Philippe led Nicole and Robbie to a handsome black limousine parked outside. After only a short delay, Max returned, and the powerful car pulled away from the curb.

  When they reached the city, excitement bubbled in Nicole's veins. Her problems with Philippe were forgotten as she gazed at the magnificent Arc de Triomphe set in its own circle like a precious gem. She leaned over Philippe for a better look out the window.