He felt a sliver of cold penetrate. A thought even more unwelcome than that dart of doubt pushing into his consciousness.
Did she give herself to me because it meant I would let her stay on at themas, here with me?
Instantly he refuted it, yet the echo remained. The intrusive corollary.
Is it me she wants? Or her preciousmas?
Again, he pushed the thought aside, thrust it from him. He would not allow himself to think it. Would not even allow himself to wonder why he asked it. Why it disturbed him so.
She was speaking again. That same look of uncertainty, confusion, still on her face.
‘I’m not sure what you mean,’ she said. ‘I have to pack up my things here. Leave themas.Go to England.’
He felt the disturbing question in his head set aside. Focussing now on driving forward towards the goal he sought—Arielle’s acquiescence to what he wanted. Taking her to Paris and having her there with him.
This time at themaswith her has been good, so very good. A relaxing escape. A pastoral idyll. But it cannot last for ever and I need to pick up my own life. My old life.
Besides, he wanted to take Arielle to Paris. Wanted to show her the bright lights and the luxury life he led. The one he hadmade for him himself, won for himself. He wanted to bestow it on her.
He lifted one eyebrow. ‘Why not stay with me in Paris first?’
He felt his thoughts start to run ahead. He’d wondered what Arielle’s beauty might be if she actually paid attention to it. Well, in Paris he would find out. He’d take her to the couture houses, get her properly dressed and gowned. Get her hair done, her face done. Get everything done. Buy her some jewellery.
Then take her out and about with me.
A sense of anticipation arose in him. But she was still looking uncertain. He wanted to push past that.
‘We’ll sort things out here before we set off. Tell Jeanne and Claude they can collect the poultry whenever they want. I’ll arrange for your piano to go to thelycéebefore I sell. As for your things, just pack what you need for Paris and for England. Everything else can stay boxed up in the barns and I’ll have it all sent to England when you’re settled there.’
She still looked confused, dazed even. He walked over to her. Took the egg whisk out of her hand. Took her hands in his and turned her towards him. He looked down into her eyes, his gaze full.
‘I want you with me in Paris, Arielle,’ he said. ‘I’ve lived your life here with you at themas. Now come to Paris with me and live my life! You’ll enjoy it, I promise.’
Her expression became troubled.
‘I can’t afford your life, Lycos,’ she said.
He shook his head impatiently. ‘You don’t have to. It’s all on me, Arielle. Of course it is! You’ll be my…my guest, if you want to put it that way! You’ve already told me you’re my guest here at themas, since I own it, so what’s the difference about being my guest in Paris?’
His mouth pulled at the corner with the slightest twist and a glint in his eyes. ‘I’m a rich man, Arielle. I can afford to treat you. Treat you to anything you want. To anything I want to give you!’
His expression lightened. ‘I want to show you Paris, Arielle.’ His hands pressed hers. ‘And I want to show you to Paris! I can’t wait to do so.’
There was a huskiness in his voice, a tone of anticipation. He could see her expression wavering. He bent his head and kissed her softly. Slowly and seductively. He lifted his mouth from hers.
‘Say yes, Arielle,’ he said to her. His eyes were warm, his voice warmer.
Softly, he brushed her lips once more. Teasingly, temptingly. Willing her to yield to what he wanted of her.
‘Say yes,’ he said again.
Arielle leant against the windowsill and sighed with pleasure. Their room in the smart, boutique hotel overlooked the River Seine, flowing around the exclusive Île Saint-Louis in Paris. If she looked north, she could see the dramatic bulk of Notre-Dame and across the river she could see the fabled Left Bank. In the light of the setting sun, the river’s water was turning to liquid gold. A couple ofbateaux mouchesglided peacefully along.
‘Like it?’ asked Lycos, his voice warm.
She turned. ‘Oh, yes!’ She sighed with pleasure.
‘I’m glad. I’ve stayed here before and I like the Île Saint-Louis. It’s exclusive, but quiet. Out of the way, yet central enough for me.’
