“You had mine when you saved me after that helicopter crash on the mountain years ago.”
Raoul breathed in the crisp night air. It didn’t matter what he had to face. After being with Lee, he had a sense of well-being nothing could diminish.
By tacit agreement they started walking toward the stairs. “How was the climb?”
“Good. Naturally it would have been better if you’d been along, but I’ll forgive you this time.”
A smile broke the corner of Raoul’s mouth. “I didn’t know I could feel like this.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling myself since I met Kellie,” Philippe confessed.
“Then don’t let her get away. Do whatever it is you have to do.”
“I intend to.”
After what had transpired here in Zermatt, Raoul realized anything was possible. Right now his whole purpose was to make Lee see that too. Physically and emotionally, they were attuned. It was her mind that had to get past the prince part to the man.
After what she’d told him on the drive home, that part wasn’t going to be easy. She’d been around Sophie long enough to see past the trappings to the kind of life required of a royal. Obviously it held no appeal.
But he couldn’t worry about that right now. At least when he woke up in the morning she’d be under the same roof and they’d spend another glorious day and night together.
He climbed the stairs after Philippe, aware the adrenaline surging through his body wouldn’t allow him to fall asleep for hours.
Now was the time for the talk with his parents.
For the first time in his life, they weren’t his first priority. He had to count on their understanding that what they’d seen and heard on the news tonight had happened for a specific reason. He prayed that because of the strong bond of love and trust that had always existed between the three of them they would reserve judgement until they’d heard from him.
He planned to tell them the truth of everything. Destiny would have to take care of the rest.
“Madame Simoness?”
The older woman looked up from her desk. “Lee-you’re back a day early from Zermatt. I didn’t expect you home until Sunday night. Come in.”
“Thank you, madame.”
Lee shut the office door and took a seat opposite the desk of the headmistress who’d always been so good to her. She was close to eighty, but madame’s wise gray eyes still regarded her as shrewdly as ever.
“What’s wrong, ma chére?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard the news by now.”
“Yes. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”
“I knew that would be the case. Madame? I happen to know Mademoiselle Lambert would give anything to have my job. Would you consider letting her take my place until you find someone permanent?”
“Why would I do that?”
“I’m going back to America. There’s an eleven a.m. flight to Brussels from Geneva this morning. I have to be on it.”
“Lee-if you thought I would fire you over this, you’re very much mistaken.”
“No. You’re too kind for that.”
“Then it’s true-”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve fallen in love with Sophie’s prince, haven’t you?”
So many emotions had welled up inside Lee she couldn’t stop the tears. They gushed down her face until she was convulsed.
“I-I’m sure you think I’m a wicked person.”
“Nonsense. As soon as I read this morning’s headlines I saw Sophie’s hand somewhere in all this. Remember, I’ve known the two of you for a long time. She was always the one at the bottom of any trouble around here. The poor thing had too much to rebel against.”
Madame Simoness understood a lot about life. That was what made her such a remarkable substitute mother for the girls at Beau Lac.
“Why don’t you begin at the beginning and tell me everything?”
It felt so good to confide in someone Lee trusted, and it all came pouring out. Everything except for the interlude in Roger’s kitchen.
“…so as soon as Raoul brought me home from the disco bar I realized I couldn’t stay in Zermatt another second. I left the things he’d bought me on the bed. Then I packed my bag and walked down to the village station.”
“In the dark?”
“Yes. I wanted to be on the first train back to Visp. From there I rented a car and drove straight here. It won’t be long before he discovers I’m missing. Madame-I don’t want him to find me. I’ve played the part he asked me to play. Now it’s over. There are other titled women his family will suggest he marry in place of Sophie. At this point it will be much better for Raoul if I disappear. I’m so sorry to run out on you like this, but I can’t stay here! I simply can’t.”
“Is this to be a permanent move on your part?”
“Yes.”
“I see.” After a brief silence, “Of course you’re free to go. Whenever you wish.”
“You mean it?” she cried out.
“Bien sûr. Even when you were mourning your family, you never let up in your duties. I worried about that. It wouldn’t surprise me that it has all caught up with you. I’ll phone Mademoiselle Lambert right now and ask her to come over.”
Lee jumped up from the chair and rushed around to hug the older woman. “Thank you, madame. I’ll never be able to repay you for everything.”
“Nonsense. You’ve been through a lifechanging experience far too early in your young life. I want you to find happiness, ma chére. I had hoped it would be here in Switzerland, but evidently that’s not the case.
“If you’re going to make that flight, you need to leave for Geneva in the next few minutes. On your way out, come back in here. There’ll be a check for you on my desk.”
“I don’t deserve your kindness.”
“Of course you do. You’re the best assistant I ever had. Don’t worry about your things. The maids can pack up your belongings and I’ll have them shipped to your address in Jackson. It’s still in my file.”
“If you wouldn’t mind, could you ask them to take them up to the attic? You see, my parents’s house is being rented at the moment. Their things are in storage. I’ll probably stay in Montana with my aunt and uncle until I’m free to move back to Jackson. Even then I may sell up and move somewhere else. When I’m settled in a place for good I’ll send for my things here. Right now e-everything’s so up in the air I can’t make definite plans.”
“Of course not. I’m just thankful you have relatives who love you and will be happy to see you. Promise me you’ll stay in close touch?”
“I swear it.” She sniffed. “Madame? There’s one more thing. I’ve written Sophie a letter and put a stamp on it. Will you wait a week and then put it in the post?”
“Consider it done.”
They embraced once more before she hurried from the office and raced up to her room on the third floor. All she needed to do was put a few more blouses, jeans and shorts in her suitcase. She wouldn’t need anything else until she knew what she was going to do about the rest of her life.
For the moment nothing was as important as putting an ocean between her and Raoul.
Philippe finished off his croissant with another cup of tea. “You keep pacing the floor like that and you’re going to wear a hole in it, mon ami. It’s only nine-thirty. After a night of dancing, I wouldn’t be surprised if she slept till noon.”
Raoul’s frown turned into a grimace. He eyed his friend. “I doubt she could sleep anymore than I could. I’m going to phone her.”
He walked across the kitchen to the house phone on the wall and rang the guest bedroom. After four rings he decided she could be in the shower. When he’d counted twenty of them, he knew something was wrong and hung up.