Page 57 of Ravishing Camille
“Thank you, I like the idea myself. More income is always a good concept.” She lifted her own goblet and drank.
Pierce approached the more delicate topic with trepidation. “Lee MacFarlane called on me briefly at two. He and I discussed our proposal for a new railroad in China. He leaves for Paris day after tomorrow.”
“Then we will see him there. And have him to supper. Where does he stay?”
“The Meurice.”
“Not far from Rue Haussmann. Perfect,” she said, her attention on her plate, more than him. All of which was wise of her because, in the velvet glow of the flickering candles, her lovely eyes beguiled him.
He cleared his throat. “I thought he’d also enjoy coming to Monet’s and Remy’s joint exhibition.”
Camille met his gaze, her own denoting only friendship. Damn, she was good at this acting. But he preferred her enchanted with him, wanting him. “And the ball.”
“Right you are,” he said and went back to his dinner. “There’s more you should know.”
“Oh? What?”
Pierce put down his fork and knife. “He will have company in Paris.”
Camille cocked her head in question, but as he took his time to answer, she went quite still. “Who?”
“Lady Brianna joins him. At his hotel. And in a few weeks, they travel together to Berlin.”
Her mouth dropped open. “How…how can that be? I mean she—”
“He knows she acts against the rules. But they are quite taken with each other. Lee predicts he may face censure for it, but frankly, he does not care. He wants her.”
Camille fell back to her chair. “And she knows what will happen to her for this. She’ll be disgraced. No one will receive her.”
Pierce felt compelled to explain more about his friend. Such developments, so very unusual, would stun many here, in Paris and even in Shanghai. “Lee does not act out of impulse. He is the soul of restraint and consideration.”
“And does he…? I have no right to ask, but I will. Does he have liaisons with other women?”
“To my knowledge he has had a few, yes. And he knows this will shock a few of his European business partners. But he told me he cares more for Brianna than success with them. You see, the man is a millionaire so many times over that he can value love more than money.”
Camille stared at him. “A maxim I’ve heard my mother, Lily and Julian repeat time and again.”
“Each of the three faced the same choice.”
“And chose love,” she said. “Oh, Pierce. I am shocked. I don’t know Lee, but I do understand Brianna very well. She does not succumb to infatuations. She does not delude herself about men. She has never done anything like this and may not care about the consequences now. But later…”
He had to ask the ultimate question that had elements of his and Camille’s challenge in their own affair. “What of her family?”
Camille put her napkin to the table. “They are not on the best terms. Their opinion, I am certain, would not weigh greatly in her decision to go with Lee. But I do know that once she is committed to something, that is her final word. No matter what her family or society decrees.”
He drummed his fingers on the table. If things did not go well between them, life would be difficult to manage. Especially being with the family. He must offer Camille a way out. “If you have any doubts about our decision, you must tell me.”
She met his gaze, frank and bold. “I won’t change my mind, Pierce.”
He narrowed his eyes on her. How far would she go to make love to him, regardless of anyone or anything else in the world? “If you do, I will know anyway.”
She tipped up her chin, courage incarnate. “I realize.”
I won’t allow you to be ruined.“And I won’t proceed.”
She took a minute to consider that. “I understand.”
He made a move to leave the table. “Will you join me for brandy?”
