he was made.
She drew closer until Andrea could see her light blue eyes. “Brigitte explained why you’re here. I understand you lost your husband recently. May I extend my condolences.”
“Thank you.”
“Have you accomplished everything needful for his book yet?”
“For the most part, yes. I’m still hoping to get a picture of a stag or a wild boar.”
“They’re very elusive creatures. I’ve never seen a boar in the forest. It could take a long time. If you’d like, I’ll ask the groundskeeper to keep a watch and get some pictures. I’d be happy to send them to you.”
She spoke excellent English. Andrea could only marvel. “That would be very nice of you. Geoff has been wonderful to let me stay here.”
“Everyone adores him, but no one more than I. He’s the only father I’ve ever known. Mine abandoned me and my mother.”
“I’m sorry,” Andrea commiserated. “My parents died before I turned four, so I understand how it leaves a big hole in your heart.”
“Geoff filled mine. When he and mother divorced, he didn’t let it make any difference to our relationship.”
So far Lance’s name hadn’t been mentioned. An intentional omission?
“He wouldn’t. He’s too genuine for that.”
“We love each other.”
Andrea didn’t doubt it.
“Since he’s resting, would you like to drive to Lyseaux for lunch? I just got back from a long trip to Australia and am yearning to taste French food again.”
Evidently she hadn’t caught up with Lance yet.
“I’d enjoy that, but I need to finish up my work here this morning.”
The other woman’s brows knit together. “Why is that? I thought the book was your husband’s project.”
“It was, but I was also his assistant and am looking for something special on Lancelot to turn in to the publisher with his manuscript.”
She folded her arms, resting her slender hip on the edge of the table. “There must be thousands of books on him.”
“There are. I’m sure my husband read them all. He was steeped in legends surrounding King Arthur’s court. But being a professor, he was determined to add his own fresh outlook. The Château Du Lac captured his imagination and mine.”
After a brief silence, “I suppose you were told you can’t take pictures of the room where you’ve been sleeping.”
“I would never do that without permission.”
“Geoff doesn’t want anything about the room to get in print.”
“I don’t blame him. In my opinion those paintings constitute some of France’s greatest art treasures. If the public knew about them, he’d be hounded to death.”
“It’s good you understand.”
“Of course. I feel privileged to be allowed to stay in there.”
“You have no idea how fortunate you are.”
Uh-oh. The other woman’s comment had a territorial sound to it.
“How long before you return to the States?”
The burning question was finally out.
“I’m not sure.”
“You don’t need to get back to your job?”
“If by that you mean do I work at Yale University? The answer is no. After teaching classes, my husband would come home and I’d help him do his research on the computer.”
“What will you do now?”
“Andrea’s going to have her hands full from here on out.”
The deep masculine voice could only belong to one person. She hadn’t heard Lance enter the library.
Corinne swung around. “Chéri—“ she cried with uninhibited longing. “I heard you were back!”
“Bonjour, Corinne.” He shut the doors behind him, but made no advance toward her. “I’m glad to see you two have already met. It saves me having to find you in order to make introductions.”
“Mrs. Fallon and I were just getting acquainted.” She hurried toward him, and grasped his arm. “Now that you’re here, let’s go somewhere private. It’s been forever since I last saw you, and we have so much to catch up on.”
“We can do that later. Right now I have something important to tell you.”
“Not in front of your father’s guest surely,” she pleaded in a hushed tone, but Andrea heard her.
“This involves Andrea. It can’t wait.”
At this point Corinne’s head jerked around. Her eyes stared at Andrea as if she were some kind of alien. “What could she possibly have to do with us?”
“Since you became my stepsister ten years ago, and we’re family so to speak, I would say quite a lot.”
Andrea was coming to know Lance’s moods. Right now his features had taken on a faintly chiseled cast. She was reminded of that night in the forest when he’d ordered her off the property. It sent a shiver down her spine.
The other woman looked less sure of herself. “Lance—I don’t understand you.”
“Then let me enlighten you.”
He removed Corinne’s hand from his arm and crossed the expanse to reach Andrea. “I told you I’d be in to remind you to take your pill,” he said to her sotto voice.
“I would have taken it when we went into lunch.”
To her surprise he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close against his hard physique.
“Corinne?” he addressed the woman standing there like a piece of petrified wood. “You might as well hear our news now.”
“What news?”
“I’m in love and have found the woman I’m going to marry.”
It was a good thing Lance was holding on to Andrea, otherwise she would have collapsed in a heap.
“If Papa continues to improve, we’re hoping to be married within three weeks time.”
Corinne’s face lost color. “Married—”
Lance hugged Andrea tighter. Looking down at her he said, “It happened so fast we can hardly believe
