Page 24 of Only You
Still, she smiled politely. The proper thing to do would be to blush or appear smitten but she didn’t need to go that far out of her way to please him; she was already promised to him.
‘Your words are kind.’ Her face felt it was on the verge of breaking, her smile too wide to be natural. ‘You reflect the beauty of your homeland as well. France is exquisite.’
Lamont lit up, and he looked around at the few people who had surely overheard the exchange, including his mother, Madame Genevieve Laurent. She had been watching Sabine carefully since she had arrived. Sabine tried not to seem bothered by the scrutiny, but it was starting to wear on her. It was becoming too much, but it was a party, and she was finally meeting her future husband. She had to stay.
‘I’m glad you find it appealing,’ Lamont said. ‘Truthfully, I was concerned that the chill would be troublesome for you.’
‘Then, you should know that my people are known for their resilience,’ she told him, careful to keep any bitterness or insinuation from her words. Still, she noticed his mother narrow her eyes.
That’s not good.
‘Though, I could use some fresh air,’ she added.
‘Then, I shall provide it.’ Lamont held out his arm. Sabine took it and let him lead her to a quiet path outside. She pretended to straighten her dress to cover how her eyes darted to Damien, who nodded once. She held back a breath of relief. The trio were quiet as they walked.
‘I hope you’ve enjoyed your time in Paris so far.’
‘How could I not?’ she said, forcing her voice to stay neutral. ‘The journey was more taxing than expected but Paris has a lot to offer.’
‘How so?’
‘I’m not used to such long journeys. I hadn’t taken many until recently.’ ‘Travelling suits you.’
Sabine shrugged. ‘I guess we’ll find out over time.’ ‘Perhaps we should go to Nice for our honeymoon.’ Genuinely curious, Sabine asked, ‘And what’s there?’
‘Oh, you would enjoy it. They have beautiful beaches, a chance for you to relax all day. I wouldn’t dare subject you to sports like tennis. I can be a bit competitive.’ He laughed. ‘Otherwise, doesn’t that sound like the perfect holiday?’
It was practically bait, the way he put it. She wondered what type of woman he saw her as. Sabine could argue or tell him she liked being outdoors rather than being tended to all day, which wouldn’t help her. She needed to get married. It would be better to concede now, keep the illusion until the fateful day.
So, she smiled politely. ‘Of course.’
Lamont seemed satisfied with her response, and Sabine fought not to scowl at him. It wasn’t ladylike.
‘I have a feeling we will have a great marriage,’ he said as they continued to walk.
Sabine chuckled at the irony but kept her response light-hearted. ‘It will be quite the treat. However, I do not believe your mother is too fond of me.’
‘Don’t worry about that.’ Lamont placed his hands on her arms, rubbing them. ‘Only I have to be fond of you.’ He leaned closer, and Sabine tensed before stepping back. She cleared her throat and turned away.
‘We should return before people think we’re being indecent,’ she excused quickly. He sighed in frustration behind her, and she frowned. The nerve of him.
‘I suppose you are right,’ he agreed reluctantly.
She turned to him, and he was holding out his arm again. She didn’t want to touch him, but took her place by his side, swallowing her discomfort.
Later that night, Sabine’s new maids chattered around her as they prepared her for bed, but she tuned them out.
Had she been too harsh in her judgement of Lamont? He didn’t know she studied history or knew how to fight, how gardens were her favourite place in the world because it reminded her of home. He had been eager to meet her, so she could understand his frustration at her lack of reception. Yet, she couldn’t shake her dislike of him.
‘Mademoiselle Kouassi.’
Sabine closed her eyes to clear her mind before turning to Damien. His face was the usual aloof mask of a guard, but she could spot the protective glint in his eyes.
‘I have a message for you from your father, remember?’
‘Yes, I do,’ Sabine said quickly. ‘Sandra, you are dismissed.’
‘But the Laurents might find it inappropriate if they find out I left you two alone,’ Sandra warned, suspicious eyes landing on the soldier, but one pointed look from Sabine made her avert her gaze. She ushered the other maids out even as she continued to glare at Damien on her way out.
