Olivier grinned at them both with amusement. “Chloe believes in something she calls the French Effect. It’s all about séduction et plaisir … seduction and pleasure.”
“The two most important words in the French language,” Chloe said dreamily, softly drawing her finger along Olivier’s jaw as she gazed into his eyes. “It caused me to fall so in love with this Frenchman.”
She looked at Nora. “Just you wait, Maman, just you wait.”
“She is right, you know,” Olivier said, addressing Nora with a slow, knowing look. “Séduction has long been a philosophy in France in every aspect of life.”
Nora looked from one of them to the other, not knowing quite how to interpret their words. “Fine, my children. I think that’s enough of that. I do believe you both are trying to brainwash me.” She laughed nervously as a vision of Luc filtered into her thoughts… Was he part of the French Effect? He just might qualify.
At the same time, Giselle’s words of a similar nature came into Nora’s head. Seduction and pleasure, the appreciation of beauty in everything down to the smallest details, passion… She radiated the French Effect.
“Enough already. On another topic,” Chloe said, “how would you like to go to Strasbourg on the weekend? We’ve been working so flat out, Oli and I feel like we need a break.”
“You must be making good progress,” Nora said.
“Yes, but only because we’ve been so focused. Olivier has some Zoom meetings on the weekend and said he would keep Atticus with him, so you and I can play and immerse ourselves in all things Christmas.”
Nora’s face lit up. “Oh, bless you, Oli! You know I would love to go there again with you, Chloe. Will we take the train as before?”
They chatted enthusiastically about the day trip. Nora had never forgotten the day they’d spent there two years previously, in October. There had been an Octoberfest celebration throughout that stunning town and they enjoyed an unforgettable day of tasting wine, cheese, and local delicacies.
Nora had read about how the Alsatian town, with its two thousand years of history, had the very best Christmas markets, and she had seen Chloe’s photos from past visits.
“Très bien! Sunday it is!” Chloe exclaimed. Nora wondered how she would manage to sleep for the next two nights, she was so excited.
ChapterTwelve
Friday morning,Nora’s phone rang. She was in the studio doing research on Paris during the Occupation. Hoping Marie-Louise would want to speak with her about it on her next visit, she wanted to be more prepared than what her long-ago history courses had taught her. She was surprised to hear Luc’s dulcet tones on the line.
“Bonjour, Nora.” His deep voice caressed her name, smooth and deliberate. It sent a ripple through her – not entirely unpleasant and Nora felt a slight discomfort hearing it, even though she was flattered.
“Do you have plans this evening?”
Being the polite Canadian, she replied without really thinking about it. “No, I don’t.”
“Are you brave enough for a little tango tonight? We can begin much earlier than our last dance party. You will have to settle for me as a partner instead of Frédé, however.”
Nora hesitated. She turned away from her computer screen and looked out across the rooftops, wondering how to respond to such a surprise request..
“Please say you will.”
“Well…” Nora began. His French accent was hard to resist. And he had seemed such a gentleman both times she saw him.
“Giselle made me promise to take you to dance the tango at least once a week while you are here. And you know Giselle cannot be refused.”
Trying not to laugh, Nora exclaimed, “Really?”
“Vraiment! Really! So I will pick you up at nine o’clock. Non? This club begins dancing at ten and maybe we don’t have to have so much champagne. Unless you wish to, of course.”
“So I don’t have a choice about going?”
“Non, pas du tout! Not at all! But you do have a choice about the quantity of champagne you want to drink.” He was teasing and Nora knew it.
Nora couldn’t help laughing. She knew she did have a choice but … why not go? She would be impulsive again. She asked Luc about appropriate attire and said she would come down when he arrived.
Luc said, “You will like it. We are going to a very nice tango club. I will see you this evening. A tout à l’heure, ma belle.” And he clicked off.
Nora stood gaping at her phone, momentarily stunned. Had that really just happened? The casual confidence, the unexpected invitation ... and that “ma belle”. It was all so unexpected.
