Celine peered at her hands, stretching the sleeves over her fingers. He had a mind of telling her not to do that—he still needed to wear that same shirt, while she had an entire collection of extra dresses stashed in the attic.
“I was afraid you would leave again,” she said quietly. “I didn’t want to wake up alone so… I came up here instead.”
Bastien covered her fingers with his. “I promise you, Celine, right where I stand, that you won’t have to worry about that ever again. I am sorry I ever made you doubt me.”
“You are forgiven.” She gave him a sweet little peck on the tip of his nose, causing Bastien to wrinkle it in protest. He would rather her kiss him elsewhere. “I am giving you a clean slate now.”
Not a second chance, not anymore. He could start anew. He wasn’t going to fumble that up. This peace he felt right now—he wouldn’t give it up for anything. The defences he kept around his heart had come down completely last night and somehow, somepart of Celine had slipped between his ribs and if Bastien even tried to remove it, his heart would come apart like a child’s toy.
“So,” he asked softly, “what is the plan for today?”
“You atoned,” she said, wrapping her arm around him. “It is my turn now. Even though I have to break a heart instead of mend one.”
Bastien pressed a kiss on the crook of her elbow. “Do you want me to go with you?”
“No... I have to do this myself.”
He only nodded. For all the arguments and fights he picked with Jacques, Bastien still believed his brother deserved an explanation. He also knew how much this had been weighing on Celine.
“I can get the gowns to Maison Baudelaire for you,” he offered. “Finish what you have to do first. I will wait for you outside.”
“So willing to be useful.” Celine drew him closer, a playful glint entering her blue eyes. “Have I domesticated you already?”
“I did not tell you I love you so I could be teased relentlessly.”
“Too late,” she said in a singsong voice. “But I appreciate it, Bastien. Everything. Especially the fact that I finally have someone to share my dream with.”
Her dream.
Theirdream now.
The smile that broke across her face just then was lovelier and brighter than the dawn breaking across the sky. He had been a fool to have ever considered giving it up.
Bastien tossed a glance over his shoulder, at the sun peeking from behind the buildings, and returned to her. “It’s still quite early.” In a swift, sudden movement, he looped his arm underneath her legs and lifted her up. “I think we have time for you to show me how much you appreciate me.”
“Scoundrel,” Celine chided.
“Fine,I’llshow you how much I appreciateyou.”
She clicked her tongue, but did not protest this time. So Bastien carried her back into the attic again and that too small divan that could barely support one of them sprawled across it, dragging the door close with his foot.
Chapter 33
From the Start
The Jardin du Luxembourg was in full bloom when Celine arrived; vivid and kaleidoscopic, with orange and pink and purple buds opening to let the sun brush a warm finger against their petals. It was quite early for children and their nannies to swarm the park; most benches were empty, save for those under the shade where elderly couples had stopped to rest from their morning stroll.
She found their family car parked by the gate, with Charles leaning against the door, smoking. He was about to put the cigarette out once Celine approached, but she waved him off.
“Mademoiselle Celine? What are you doing here so early?”
“Don’t fret, Charles. I don’t need a ride. I just wanted to know if my mother was here already?”
Confused, the driver pointed at the small palace. “She just went inside, along with Francine.”
“And Jacques?”
“Monsieur Ménard was walking around the gardens earlier…”
