The Frenchman's Bride

“Of course you haven’t.” He sent her a mocking smile. “Just as you had no idea that stone is the real thing.” His eyes impaled her. “I wonder what else you’ve managed to wangle out of him.”

Such cynicism explained Monique’s remarks earlier. Like father, like daughter.

Hallie eyed him without flinching. “I’d be happy to discuss this with you, but I think you should talk to your son alone first.”

His glacial smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m not interested in what you think, Ms. Linn. The more you say, the more I’m convinced the ring is only part of an elaborate scheme of extortion only a brazen young woman of your obvious charms would dream up to keep him in your thrall.”

“Now wait just a minute,” Paul cried. “You have no right to speak to Halli—”

“Enough!” His father silenced him. “Do you think me a complete imbecile? Don’t you ever shout at me like that again, and don’t ever speak to me of rights. You’ve forfeited any of yours by abusing my trust.”

As if on cue Monique made her entrance. “Me voici!” she called from the foyer. “I’ve returned. Your time is up, Paul. I’m giving you fair warning in case I’m interrupting anything…”

Monique’s words set the seal on this incredible tableau of misunderstanding. The little monkey had aided and abetted her brother so he could be alone with Hallie. It was a total revelation to her.

She couldn’t understand how the twins would think she could have a romantic interest in Paul, who was so much younger. To spend all these months with her and still not appreciate her commitment to the vocation she’d chosen to follow…

The more she thought about it, the more she supposed it was a case of two idealistic young people believing what they wanted to believe.

From what they’d told Hallie, their mother had died in childbirth. After being separated from their father this last year, no matter how hard he’d tried to be an attentive parent and stay in close contact with them, they’d clung to Hallie. And this was the result!

“So—the prodigal daughter returns to the scene of the crime loaded with more clothes than are humanly decent.”

The moment Monique entered the dining room, her face turned to a study in bewilderment. She came to a standstill in front of her father. “Papa,” she murmured, clearly shocked by his presence. “I thought you wouldn’t be here until tomorrow.”

“Obviously.” He clipped out. “Otherwise this clandestine little arrangement would have gone undetected. What is it, nine months now that Ms. Linn has been given carte blanche to exploit my children and their propensity for handing over their material goods, which you’ve conveniently forgotten I provide?” he thundered.

“I’m surprised you had enough money left to purchase anything at all!” He plucked the box from under Monique’s arm and opened it. Out slithered a flaming red cocktail dress. “Is this another contribution to the impoverished Ms. Linn?”

Hallie didn’t think her blouse and skirt looked that bad.

“She’s obviously doing very nicely by you two. Let’s see…a designer scarf, a Givenchy dress and a nine thousand dollar ring.”

Nine thousand dollars—

Her shocked gaze met his.

“That’s quite a haul for one day’s work, Ms. Linn.” The skin around his lips had turned a noticeable white.

“Papa—” Monique gasped, shaking her head. Tears filled her eyes. “What’s wrong? You are totally mistaken about everything, mon pere.”

He straightened to his full height. “It seems my daughter as well as my son has been thoroughly duped. You do know the meaning of the word, as in taken—conned—” His chest heaved.

“By Hallie?” Monique cried. “Impossible!” She stamped her foot, a habit of hers when she took a stand. “This was a surprise birthday party for her. She knew nothing! In fact she was so worried we might get into trouble, she almost didn’t come in the taxi with me.”

“But she did come,” her father rejoindered. “Take a good look. Until a moment ago she was wearing a small fortune and thanking your brother in that age old feminine way that leads a man to his destruction.”

His reaction didn’t add up to the man the twins idolized. That person was a success in his business affairs, and a hero to his family. The unbending male standing a few feet from her bore little resemblance to the paragon of her imagination.

“Don’t you realize she’s made utter fools of you both, and gives me great cause to reflect on my own effectiveness as a parent,” he ground out.

Hallie heard agony in his voice just now. In spite of his anger, it tugged at her.

“You two will go downstairs now, and take a taxi back to your schools. I’ll visit you after I’ve had a little chat with Ms. Linn.”

The combination of pain and bitterness in Paul’s eyes caused Hallie to fear for the relationship between him and his father.

Paul’s anger was more frightening than his parent’s because he was young and vulnerable, and had been caught redhanded at a very precarious moment in his life. It would take him much longer to forgive his father.

Her heart sank when he stormed out of the dining room and Monsieur Rolland let him go.

Monique stared up at her father like she’d never seen him before. Then her injured glance shifted to Hallie. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed the words before hurrying after her brother.

The minute Hallie heard the elevator doors close she said, “Please don’t let them leave this way. Run after them quickly and apologize before any more damage is done!”

CHAPTER TWO

VINCENT ROLLAND’S eyes glittered with menace.

“It’s a little late to be talking about damage, particularly if you’re pregnant. But Paul couldn’t know of your secret yet, otherwise he would never have left here without you.”

Whoa. “Haven’t your children ever mentioned me to you? Not even once?”

He looked like a man who’d had about all he could take.

“I didn’t know of your existence until I saw my son kissing you with enough passion to convince me he’s moved way beyond rational thought.

“I’m warning you now, Ms. Linn— No woman is going to trap my son into a travesty of a marriage and put him in bondage for the rest of his mortal life.

“If you’re pregnant, you’ll never have the opportunity to blackmail him. Before morning you’ll be on a plane to wherever you came from with enough money to satisfy even your colossal greed.”

This was a side of the twins’ father she doubted they knew anything about. Perhaps he was wealthier than Hallie had imagined. Naturally he would want to be certain his children weren’t being preyed upon. But to assume she was pregnant and accuse her of manipulating his son without giving her or Paul a chance to explain, fueled her anger.

“I’m not pregnant. But if I were, are you telling me you would bribe me into going away, knowing I was carrying your grandchild inside my body?” she asked incredulously. “You would deprive Paul of his own child to love and raise?”

A harsh laugh came out of him. “Who said anything about it being Paul’s?”

All these months Hallie had secretly revered the twins’ father, but no longer.

“Be careful before you say anything else you’ll live to regret, monsieur. Paul took us both by surprise today, but since you weren’t capable of listening to reason, I fear your reaction will have caused real damage to your relationship with him.

“The truth is, I had no idea he’d developed a crush on me. Boys do that on occasion around an older woman. However I didn’t realize it until a few minutes before you walked in.”

“It’s hardly a crush, Ms. Linn,” he retorted bleakly, appearing older all of a sudden. “The reality of the ring and everything it entails puts this whole matter in a different light.

“Too many afternoon cocktail parties have a way of turning a boy’s head and dissipating his brain. Particularly when a predatory female who looks like you supplies that extra je ne sais quoi.”

“Je ne sais quoi?” Hallie mimicked the words as she untied the scarf and laid it on the table with the ring. “That ‘little extra something’ is a dated expression Americans acquired years ago. Your daughter uses them constantly.”

He moved closer, putting his hands on his hips once more. A grimace darkened his features. Even in his anger, he was so attractive she was alarmed to find herself distracted by his potent sensuality.

“Who are you? What are you doing in Paris? How did my children meet you?” he fired one question after another.

“I’m someone who has been a friend to the twins.”

“You expect me to believe that?” he lashed out.

“Yes. Just as I believe anything you tell me would be the absolute truth, too. Monique is like you in so many ways. But you’d be wise to watch your words because your cynicism has rubbed off on her.

“She was sure her headmistress wouldn’t get her into trouble with you because, to quote your daughter, ‘the woman is still trying to seduce you.’ Sorry to be blunt, but dated expressions don’t have quite that je ne sais quoi with me anymore.

“And one more thing. I don’t care if you’re as rich as King Midas! Since your son hasn’t worked in the vineyards for the last school year, then leaving nine thousand dollars in his account is entirely too much money for an impulsive eighteen year old to handle, no matter how trustworthy he’s been up until now.”

“Are you quite finished?”

“Not yet,” she said, ignoring his withering tone. “Let’s just be thankful he tested the waters with me because I love your son like I would a younger brother. I care about his welfare.

“Paul doesn’t realize it yet, but I’m part of a fantasy in his mind. He’s confused right now. Give him a few more years and he’ll have figured everything out.

“Do you know he wants to be exactly like you when he’s grown up?” she drove the point home. “Self-assured, desirable to women, a success in life? For your information he did everything right when he toasted me with wine from your vineyards and wished me a happy birthday.

“No one could have been more charming or gallant. And even though he trembled when he kissed me, he didn’t hesitate. In fact he was very masterful when he reached for my hand and slid that ring on my finger.

“In ten years or so years he’s going to make some lucky woman a wonderful husband in every way that counts. He shows all the promise, but he’s still young and capable of being wounded because you shamed him in front of me.

“Surely you must know how much you hurt him by not letting him talk to you in private. I don’t understand you, not when I think you’ve raised the most wonderful children I’ve ever met. That’s why I stopped short of slapping your face.”

Silence followed her last remark. He studied her for a long moment. “Before I have you investigated, why don’t you answer my questions.”

Investigated— He would go that far?

“Paul already told you. My name is Hallie Linn. Today I turned twenty-five, not eighteen! Until your children decided to surprise me with a little birthday celebration, I’d forgotten about it.

“We met last fall when they came into Tati’s where I work. They were looking for birthday gifts for you, but were sticking to their budget. I asked them to describe you to me before I suggested a pair of gloves and a wallet.”

She could tell by a flicker in the recesses of his dark eyes that he remembered receiving those gifts.

“They were surprised to find an American working there and loved trying out their English on me. In fact they begged me to correct their mistakes. I was charmed by their earnestness and their adoration of you. It was Papa this, and Papa that.

“Before they left the store, they asked if they could come back the next week and practice their English with me again. I said yes, but didn’t really expect to see them.

“Two days later they showed up and pled with me to spend my lunch hour with them. They’d brought sandwiches and drinks. I could hardly refuse, so we walked over to Notre Dame cathedral and had a little picnic.

“They spoke English the best they could and told me about life in St. Genes with you and their great grandfather Maurice. Oh yes, and Beauregard.

“At some point that afternoon the three of us became friends. It just happened. We’ve been close ever since. I should have recognized the signs of Paul’s infatuation before today, but I didn’t.

“I assume that’s why they’ve never told you about me. It was wrong of them of course. But just now you treated their omission like they’d committed a sin. Why did you do that?”

He moved closer. “How did you get a job at Tati’s?” His question proved he was too upset to be reasonable. “The government rarely issues work permits to Americans.”

“They made an exception in my case, but don’t be concerned. I’ll only be depriving your countrymen of a job for another two weeks, then I’ll be gone for good.

“As for your other fear, you’ve already solved that problem by coming to Paris to take your children home. Tell me something—if you’re so distrustful of them, why did you send them away to boarding school?”

His lips twisted unpleasantly, but she was determined to make this last point.

“The twins could have gone to a perfectly good college in St. Genes so they could live at home with you where they belong. Life is so fleeting! Don’t you know the love of a parent is more vital and necessary to a child than any expensive education?

“Your children worship you. They’ve missed you horribly and have studied hard to get the best grades so you’d be proud of them. I ought to know because I’ve spent hours tutoring them for their exams while we’ve explored Paris together on my days off.

“No doubt Monique bought that beautiful red dress to wear in front of you for Pere Maurice’s birthday celebration next month. She claims every woman fantasizes about you.

“Though she hasn’t said as much to me, I know she’s worried that someone will come along you do want in your bed. Every day that she grows older, she’s frightened she’ll be replaced in your affection.

“Please—if there is a special woman in your life you haven’t told them about either, don’t let her be at the chateau when you take your children back to St. Genes. Give them your total attention first so they’ll know nothing has changed.

“And please—promise me you’ll work things out with Paul tonight before it’s too late. He’s trying hard to be a man. Go to him and explain why you were so upset. Paul’s so sweet and sensitive inside. He’ll understand and forgive you.

“Adieu, monsieur. Que dieu vous benisse.”

A few seconds later the elevator doors closed, leaving Hallie’s words reverberating in the dining room.

Vincent remained frozen in place.

Like a master swordsman, she’d cut and thrust to produce a firestorm of emotions at the deepest level of his psyche. Then she’d had the audacity to bid him goodbye forever, imploring God to bless him.

He’d never met anyone remotely like her.

Never mind the womanly attributes that had blind-sided his son. What spell had this enigmatic stranger cast over both twins to evoke such singular affection?

For nine months their relationship had been flourishing without his knowledge. Vincent felt wounded. Betrayed.

He didn’t buy the explanation that the twins had kept Ms. Linn’s existence a secret in order to surprise him with their English proficiency.

No doubt Paul had fallen hard for her from the outset and had sworn Monique to secrecy. For a long time now she’d managed to infiltrate their world. No telling how many intimate details about his personal life and those of his children she’d elicited.

Though he didn’t have the faintest clue who this American really was, he was going to find out.

He went to the study to look up the number of Tati’s Department Store, then made a call to the manager. After being put on hold for a long time, someone in the credit department picked up and told him the manager had left for the day.

Vincent tried to get information about Ms. Linn, but was told he’d have to speak to the manager in the morning.

No sooner had he hung up, so he could call his attorney who would get the desired information for him, than his cell phone rang. The number of the chateau was displayed.

He clicked it on. “Vincent here.”

“My boy…are you sitting down?”

Pere Maurice’s sober question caused him to break out in a cold sweat. “What’s wrong?”

“We just had a call from Passy Hospital in Paris. According to the police, Paul ran in front of a truck while he was crossing the boulevard against the light. They checked the ID in his wallet, then called here. He’s still unconscious.”

“I’m on my way!”

The short trip to the nearby hospital passed in a blur. He entered the emergency room on a run. The fear that Paul might not wake up had taken hold. Now it was Vincent imploring God to bless his son and keep him alive.

“Where have you put Paul Rolland?” he asked the staff worker at the admitting desk. “The police tell me he was hit by a truck. I’m his father.”

“Your son is in cubicle five. You can go through those doors.”

He pushed them open and hurried inside. The drawn curtain at number five caused his heart to drop like a stone. A nurse was just coming out.

“Is my son still unconscious?” he demanded without preamble.

“No. He woke up a few minutes ago.”

Vincent could breathe again. “Dieu merci—oh, thank God.”

“He’s still being examined, but you can go in.” The nurse pulled the curtain aside for him.

At first glance, Paul looked wonderfully alive despite his pallor. There was a goose egg at the side of his forehead near his hairline.

The doctor was cleaning an abrasion on his left cheek. He looked up as Vincent introduced himself.

“Your son is a lucky young man. There are contusions on his left arm and leg, but no broken bones. The X-ray shows he has suffered a concussion, but with a few days bed rest the dizziness will pass and he’ll be fine. I’ll arrange to have him moved to a private room.”

Those words brought exquisite relief. “Thank you for everything,” he said before the doctor left the cubicle.

Now that they were alone, Vincent snagged a stool with his shoe and rolled it over to the examining table. He sat down next to Paul whose eyes had been closed the whole time.

“My son.” He reached for his right hand. “It’s Papa. I’m here. Thank God you’re going to be all right!” his voice shook.

Paul didn’t respond.

“Paul? Say something to me.” His throat swelled. “I love you.”

“No you don’t.”

The hurtful retort issued between taut lips sounded so cold, Vincent was crushed.

“Leave me alone. I don’t want you here.” He found the strength to pull his hand from his father’s grasp.

Vincent’s spirits plummeted to new depths. “That’s your anger talking. You know I would never leave you. You’re my son. I plan to stay with you until you’re out of the hospital and I can take you and Monique home with me.”

Paul’s eyes opened once more, but there was no sign of warmth in those dark remote depths, or in his facial expression. The son Vincent had loved and raised from birth was nowhere to be found.

“I’m not going to St. Genes. That’s over. I plan to stay in Paris. Don’t worry. I’ve already arranged for a job and a place to live. You won’t have to provide for me ever again,” he tossed Vincent’s words back at him with a bitterness that went marrow deep.

A grimace broke out on Vincent’s face. “I know I said a lot of things in the heat of the moment, Paul, and I apologize for them. When you’re feeling better, we’ll have that talk you wanted.”

“It’s too late. We’re finished. I never want to see you again.” His eyelids fluttered closed, dismissing his father.

Letting out a sigh of remorse for having brought on this impasse Vincent said, “We’ll talk about things later. Right now the only thing that matters is that you recover.”

If Paul heard him, he made no further comment.

Deciding it was better to let him rest, Vincent used the cubicle phone to put through a credit card call to Pere Maurice and let him know Paul was going to be all right. The old man wept with relief. Fortunately he hadn’t tried to reach Monique who knew nothing about the accident yet.

They talked for a few more minutes, then Vincent followed the orderlies who took Paul to a private room on the third floor. While a nurse took his vital signs, another doctor came in the room and shook hands with Vincent.

“I’m Dr. Maurois. If you’d step outside in the hall for a moment, I’d like to talk to you about your son’s case.”

Vincent complied, but his senses were on alert that something was wrong. He eyed the man grimly. “Are there complications I haven’t been told about?”

“I’m afraid so. However the attending physician felt it best that you hear the details from me. I’m the head of the psychiatric department here at Passy Hospital.”

The doctor might as well have driven a fist into Vincent’s gut. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”

In the next few minutes he heard news no parent ever wants to hear.

“If you’d prefer another psychiatrist, feel free to find someone else.”

“I’m sure you’re well qualified,” Vincent murmured. “Heaven knows my son needs help. The sooner, the better.”

The psychiatrist nodded. “What are your plans for the next few days?”

“To stay here with my son. My daughter Monique, his twin, will be joining me.”

“Good. For the time being, don’t mention what I’ve told you to him or your daughter. Only say and do the things that come naturally. I’ll be talking to him at regular intervals over the next forty-eight hours, then I’ll meet with you and your daughter, both together and individually. We’ll go from there.”

“Thank you,” Vincent said in a dull voice.

Once the nurse assured him Paul was resting comfortably, Vincent left to drive over to Monique’s school.

Before going to her room, he went to the office and thanked the headmistress for watching out for his daughter. She told him it had been a pleasure. She also invited him to come by any time when he happened to be in Paris on business. Her eyes held a private invitation he couldn’t possibly misconstrue.

After hearing Ms. Linn repeat Monique’s words revealed in confidence about the headmistress, he found himself repulsed by her blatant offer.

There’d been several women over the years he’d enjoyed when he’d gone out of town on business. But the headmistress would never be one of them.

Still in shock after learning what Dr. Maurois had to say, his heart sank further to discover Monique in her bedroom lying prostrate on the bed. Her tear-ravaged cheeks devastated him. He’d seen her like this before, but never because of something he’d done. It cut him to the core.

Riddled by guilt on so many counts, he sat down on the bed and put his arms around her. “I’m sorry, mon cherie. So sorry.” He rocked her for a while. “One day I hope you and Paul will be able to forgive me.”

Like Paul, she remained mute. What had he done?

Aware that Paul had been left alone he eventually said, “Come on. We need to get back to the hospital. Let’s carry your things out to the car. There’s something important I have to tell you, but I don’t want to talk about it until we’re away from the school.”

On that note his puffy-eyed daughter helped him load the trunk with her cases which she’d already packed in anticipation of leaving school for good. En route to the hospital he turned to her. “How come you and Paul didn’t share a taxi back to your schools?”

“He took off running. I couldn’t stop him. But I have to tell you—I don’t blame him for what he did, Papa.”

Monique was fiercely loyal to Paul. Vincent loved his daughter for it.

“Neither do I. Unfortunately your brother was so upset, he met with an accident.” It was the truth, just not all of it. That wouldn’t come until Dr. Maurois felt the time was right. “But he’s going to be fine,” he added the second he heard her frightened cry.