However to her aid it was solely Bernadette. ‘Oh, so it’s true,’ she stated on seeing Maeve’s rucksack open on the mattress, disappointment in her tone. ‘You’re packing.’

‘I believed it was finest that I go away. I’ve heard from the embassy that I can return to England anytime I select. And I really feel that I’ve precipitated an argument between Leo and his father, fairly with out that means to. So it’s finest if I am going now.’ Maeve bit her lip. ‘Bernadette, wouldn’t it be doable for me to take a number of of your garments with me? Those you had been so variety as to lend me? I’ll ship them straight again as soon as I’m dwelling, I promise.’

‘After all, take no matter you want. You don’t have to return any of them although. I’ve loads of garments.’ Bernadette paused, her vibrant eyes looking out Maeve’s face with puzzlement. ‘I’m stunned although. I believed you and Leo… I imply, I believed there was one thing between you.’

Maeve swallowed, her abdomen pitching. She felt abruptly susceptible. ‘I do like your brother,’ she admitted. ‘I like him lots, actually. However he already has an in depth relationship with Liselle, doesn’t he? Apart from, it’s apparent his father doesn’t approve of me. He was fairly impolite within the studio.’ Her voice shook and he or she needed to cease and clear her throat.

Why did somebody being horrid to her like that make her tremble? It was ridiculous. She wanted to harden up. She had confronted the insult he’d thrown at her with out response on the time, however now she felt herself processing it extra deeply, her sense of self-worth genuinely wounded. Was that actually how she got here throughout? As somebody who was solely hanging round in order that she might go to mattress with Leo? That concept left a foul style in her mouth.

‘My… stepfather… is a nasty man,’ Bernadette informed her passionately. ‘I hate even calling him that. He’s extra like my abuser. Please, overlook him. He doesn’t matter. However Leo… My brother deserves higher than Liselle. He deserves somebody such as you. So please don’t go. I’ve by no means seen him so comfortable as he’s been this previous week. And I feel you two swimsuit one another properly.’

Sizzling-cheeked, Maeve started folding a few of Bernadette’s garments very inconsistently into her rucksack. ‘Oh, I don’t learn about that.’

However that was a lie. She did know. And she or he secretly agreed. There was one thing between her and Leo, and it was each robust and shocking. She hadn’t anticipated to come back to Paris and meet somebody who might probably change her life. And but right here she was, and now they had been going to be parted virtually as quickly as they’d discovered one another. It appeared so unfair.

Nonetheless, Leo hadn’t stated something to point that he felt the identical. She was simply guessing at his emotions, past his clear need to maintain portray her. And she or he definitely wasn’t going to make a idiot of herself by declaring how she felt. Particularly not given the uncomfortable argument she’d simply witnessed.

‘I left Leo downstairs together with his father,’ Bernadette informed her, ‘discussing the way forward for the enterprise. I feel they could be coming to some settlement that can enable Leo to maintain operating issues right here in Paris, however spend extra time portray too. And forSébastien to not reside right here. Although I can’t imagine he’ll be comfortable to depart.’

Remembering how Sébastien Rémy had strutted about, lording it over all of them with unbearable rudeness, Maeve needed to agree.

‘And Leo? How does he really feel about that?’

‘I’m undecided however I think about he’ll be tempted. He loves Paris. And the château. He’s put a lot into the enterprise too, he gained’t need to stroll away now.’ Bernadette studied her curiously. ‘And the way do you are feeling about Leo?’

Maeve didn’t know how you can reply. ‘What does it matter what I feel or really feel? None of that is something to do with me.

‘Is that so?’ Bernadette hugged her impulsively, and Maeve held her breath, astonished. ‘You’ll be able to’t faux, you realize. I’ve seen the way you have a look at my brother. And possibly you possibly can assist him.’

‘Sorry?’

‘Leo wants a clear break from Château Rémy. Someplace he can clear his head. Madame Rémy steered that he might accompany Sophie and Marie again to Bordeaux. The three of them will likely be taking the prepare down tomorrow, I imagine.’ She hesitated. ‘Possibly you can go together with them?’

Maeve felt just like the breath had been knocked out of her. Go to Bordeaux? With Leo and his nieces? ‘However I’ve to go dwelling,’ she stated blankly.

‘Are you certain? Even when it means by no means seeing Leo once more?’

‘I can’t simply keep in France indefinitely.’

‘No, however the British Embassy… Did they insist you needed to go away instantly?’

‘No, they gave me a short lived passport, till the brand new one arrives, and stated I might keep a little bit longer if I wished, after all of the upset of being mugged. However I feel they meant, keep in Paris. Not go gallivanting in regards to the French countryside with Leo Rémy.’ Maeve put her palms to her cheeks and shook her head. ‘Oh, I’m so confused. I… I don’t know what to assume anymore.’

‘Then possibly we must always speak about it,’ got here a deep voice from the doorway.

She turned guiltily to see Leo standing there, listening to them.

How lengthy had he been there? What had he heard?

Bernadette gave an embarrassed chuckle and hurried away. ‘Take all the garments you need, Maeve. I’ll so long,’ was all she stated, discreetly closing the door behind her.

Leo stood unmoving, arms folded throughout his broad chest, his gaze on her face. There was an odd mild about him.

‘You heard, I take it?’ he requested.

‘Solely that you just’ve come to some sort of association together with your father.’ She hovered by the mattress, awkwardly folding and refolding one among Bernadette’s attire, probably not conscious of what she was doing. She solely wanted one various hotter outfit for her journey again to England, but she gave the impression to be packing summer season attire as an alternative. Was her unconscious attempting to inform her one thing? ‘I’m glad. I hated the concept that you’d argued together with your father over me.’

‘I’m nonetheless taking a break,’ he stated shortly. ‘Although you already know that.’ He hesitated. ‘I couldn’t assist overhearing what you stated to my sister. I hope you’ll change your thoughts. I’d love you to come back with me.’

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