Page 57 of Love in Bloom

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Versailles

“It’s a big day, are you ready?” Tristan asked Camille as the bus reached Château de Versailles.

Her leg bounced up and down. “I can’t wait.”

He chuckled and placed a hand on her knee. “I can see that.”

They stepped off the bus, and Lisette handed them tickets.

“You’ll have the whole day to explore on your own. The bus will leave at five. If you wish to leave earlier or later, please text me, and I’ll make arrangements for you accordingly. These are your passports to Château de Versailles. They allow you access to the Castle with the audio guide included, the domaine de Trianon, the temporary exhibitions, the gardens and the park, the grandes eaux musicales, and the gallery of the coaches. There’s also a mobile app available. I do recommend it as a resource to enhance your visit. If you wish to extend your enjoyment of Château de Versailles an extra day, please let me know before four so I can upgrade your passports. In the morning we’ll have our adieu breakfast at the hotel, and your tour will be concluded. If you have any questions etc. Please see me at any time. Enjoy.”

“Do you have any questions?” Tristan asked Camille.

“No. Let’s go see the castle first and then the gardens.”

“Wouldn’t you rather do it in reverse and be indoors during the hottest part of the day?”

“That’s what every tourist will be thinking.”

“Very well then. Let’s crack on.” Tristan took her hand in his, savoring the feel of her skin against his. It would be their last day to hold hands. After the breakfast tomorrow, they would part. They still hadn’t discussed that yet. It was the elephant between them. He’d noticed it during their morning meditation. For someone who lived for facts and research, his wife seemed perfectly content to indulge in their fantasy marriage for as long as possible. Then again, he wasn’t being much better at saying goodbye either. Deep in his heart he knew he’d never find a woman like Camille Slade to love. He’d spend his life alone.

“Everything okay? You drifted off for a minute while I chattered away.”

“Yes. Fine.” He gave her hand a squeeze.

Tristan knew he should focus on the vast, opulent domain of Louis XIV, the Sun King, but all he could see was the gifted, talented, intelligent, and beautiful woman guiding him by the hand through the throngs of people as they passed through the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Grand Apartment, and the Battles Gallery. She kept a running monologue along the way, though Tristan couldn’t focus on the words as his heart grew heavier with every step. After an hour and a half, the vast castle seemed unbearably small.

“Tristan, are you alright? You’ve gone a bit pale.”

“I think I’ve had enough of the crowds and fancy stuff. I need some air.”

“Righto. Off we trot.” Camille located an exit route and soon they were outside. “Better?”

Tristan gulped the fresh air. The need to face the elephant built inside him as did his desire to confess his feelings for Camille. But not in this public setting. Why of all days did they have to be in one of the most popular tourist traps in France? He had terrible timing.

Tristan asked, “Perhaps you would like to see the sights as we head toward the domaine de Trianon?”

“Yes. I’m dying to see where Marie Antoinette would ‘flee’ from her queenly duties.”

They wandered the paths toward their destination.

Finally Tristan spotted a weeping willow off the path which would be an ideal location for a tête-à-tête. He tugged her under the tree.

“Tristan?”

He answered her question by capturing her mouth with his. She wasted no time in responding. Her lips moved against his. He pressed her against the trunk of the tree. She pulled him toward her until their bodies curved together. He trailed kisses down her neck and back up to her ear, relishing the softness of her skin.

“Tristan.”

He kissed her feverishly, as if he could never get enough of her. He needed her like a drowning man needed oxygen. He came up for air and pressed his forehead to hers.

“Tristan.” Camille panted. “Please don’t tell me that was a goodbye kiss. I mean, as kisses go, it would be the best adieu kiss ever, but I hope that’s not why we’re having a lover’s tryst under a tree in Château de Versailles.”

“No, it wasn’t a goodbye kiss.”

She traced a finger over his lips. “Then what was it?”

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