Page 76 of Right With You
“I for one am certainly delighted to be a part of the Devereaux family,” Michele said, beaming a smile at all of us before setting a smacking kiss on Aurelie’s lips.
God bless the man for his valiant attempt to distract from the weird but not entirely unexpected turn.
“And I’m so glad you are, my love,” Aurelie said, giving him a showy, adoring look.
“Yes, we had hoped to see our families connected. The Devereaux name is storied, and joining with les de Valois would be a wonderful, historic event.”
Cynthia’s words silenced the low bustle around the table. For some reason, I hadn’t expected such an overt statement.
“Ah, yes. But sometimes, we must follow our hearts.” Michele linked his pinky with Aurelie’s like they’d followed their hearts to each other. One would think so by looking at them.
“It’s a bit old-fashioned, isn’t it? This idea that we marry for love and pretend the rest of it doesn’t exist?” Cynthia pressed.
“The rest of it?” Odette asked, a crystal-clear hollowness to her words.
Her mother flicked a manicured hand in my direction but spoke to my grandfather. “How will he fulfill obligations as a member of the family? Will he live in this ridiculous ink smear of a town as though it fits? Will he wear his shop girl on his arm at international events while he represents you, Devereaux?”
As a man who moved to anger rather slowly, I found myself at an immediate ten. “I am not the only representation of the family, Madame de Valois, nor do I plan to participate in the family business. And Elise isn’t looking to benefit from any of it, nor does she want any part of this.”
Not my most eloquent, but at least I’d gotten something out through my clenched teeth.
Aurelie and Michele spoke but Bernard’s voice rose above them. “You may think she doesn’t want any part of it but just look at her. She’s hungry for it—maybeyouwhile you’re young and look like you do, but no doubt she’s after what’s in that trust of yours for the long haul.”
The self-satisfied look on his face had me clenching my fist to anchor it to my side in lieu of swinging across the table at him.
Odette gasped. “Dad, that’s not okay.”
Michele grumbled, and Aurelie’s eyes grew wide.
It was my grandfather who spoke and quieted everyone.
“Indeed. Though it’s my understanding she’s already benefited, has she not?”
Elise, who’d been utterly still and silent, said, “What do you mean?”
It hit me far too late, what this all was. The plan he’d spun, the web he’d weaved that I’d walked right into like a rube.
“Why, he’s invested in your company. He owns nearly half, doesn’t he? Bought it from that pathetic partner of yours and is single-handedly keeping you afloat?”
The words settled around us like ash. What had burned? Any trust I’d built with Elise. Because she was putting it all together—why Callum was still casting her furious, longing gazes and approaching us like he’d somehow been betrayed. Why she hadn’t heard from him about selling the shop. Why she’d been so free lately.
How I’d done what I wanted, even when she told me she didn’t want my help.
Just like my grandfather had always done to me.
Her throat worked as she turned to me, devastation in her gaze when she finally spoke and everything inside of me hollowed out.
“Is it true?”
Frozen in my seat, my mouth worked without sound. I wanted to drag her away from here and tell her what I’d done—how I’d done it for her. For hergoodand not to control her or harm her. But she read my silence as the answer it was.
“How could you?” she breathed out, gaze on her plate, then stood slowly and set down her napkin, facing Aurelie and Michele. “It was lovely to meet you.”
I was out of my seat following her, wanting to reach for her but sensing my touch wouldn’t be welcome and I didn’t want to do anything to make this worse.
“Please, Elise. Let me explain.”
She didn’t turn, just kept walking toward the main building, toward the exit, head down looking at her phone periodically. Was she texting someone?
