Page 75 of The Paris Trip

But to her relief it was only Bernadette. ‘Oh, so it’s true,’ she said on seeing Maeve’s rucksack open on the bed, disappointment in her tone. ‘You’re packing.’

‘I thought it was best that I leave. I’ve heard from the embassy that I can go back to England anytime I choose. And I feel that I’ve caused an argument between Leo and his father, quite without meaning to. So it’s best if I go now.’ Maeve bit her lip. ‘Bernadette, would it be possible for me to take a few of your clothes with me? The ones you were so kind as to lend me? I’ll send them straight back once I’m home, I promise.’

‘Of course, take whatever you like. You don’t need to return any of them though. I have plenty of clothes.’ Bernadette paused, her bright eyes searching Maeve’s face with puzzlement. ‘I’m surprised though. I thought you and Leo… I mean, I thought there was something between you.’

Maeve swallowed, her stomach pitching. She felt suddenly vulnerable. ‘I do like your brother,’ she admitted. ‘I like him a lot, in fact. But he already has a close relationship with Liselle, doesn’t he? Besides, it’s obvious his father doesn’t approve of me. He was quite rude in the studio.’ Her voice shook and she had to stop and clear her throat.

Why did someone being horrid to her like that make her tremble? It was ridiculous. She needed to harden up. She had faced the insult he’d thrown at her without reaction at the time, but now she felt herself processing it more deeply, her sense of self-worth genuinely wounded. Was that really how she came across? As someone who was only hanging around so that she could go to bed with Leo? That idea left a bad taste in her mouth.

‘My… stepfather… is a nasty man,’ Bernadette told her passionately. ‘I hate even calling him that. He’s more like my abuser. Please, forget him. He doesn’t matter. But Leo… My brother deserves better than Liselle. He deserves someone like you. So please don’t go. I’ve never seen him so happy as he’s been this past week. And I think you two suit each other well.’

Hot-cheeked, Maeve began folding some of Bernadette’s clothes very unevenly into her rucksack. ‘Oh, I don’t know about that.’

But that was a lie. She did know. And she secretly agreed. There was something between her and Leo, and it was both strong and surprising. She hadn’t expected to come to Paris and meet someone who could potentially change her life. And yet here she was, and now they were going to be parted almost as soon as they’d found each other. It seemed so unfair.

Still, Leo hadn’t said anything to indicate that he felt the same. She was just guessing at his feelings, beyond his clear desire to keep painting her. And she certainly wasn’t going to make a fool of herself by declaring how she felt. Especially not given the uncomfortable argument she’d just witnessed.

‘I left Leo downstairs with his father,’ Bernadette told her, ‘discussing the future of the business. I think they may be coming to some agreement that will allow Leo to keep running things here in Paris, but spend more time painting too. And forSébastien not to live here. Though I can’t believe he’ll be happy to leave.’

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

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

‘I’m not sure but I imagine he’ll be tempted. He loves Paris. And the château. He’s put so much into the business too, he won’t want to walk away now.’ Bernadette studied her curiously. ‘And how do you feel about Leo?’

Maeve didn’t know how to respond. ‘What does it matter what I think or feel? None of this is anything to do with me.

‘Is that so?’ Bernadette hugged her impulsively, and Maeve held her breath, astonished. ‘You can’t pretend, you know. I’ve seen how you look at my brother. And maybe you can help him.’

‘Sorry?’

‘Leo needs a clean break from Château Rémy. Somewhere he can clear his head. Madame Rémy suggested that he could accompany Sophie and Marie back to Bordeaux. The three of them will be taking the train down tomorrow, I believe.’ She hesitated. ‘Maybe you could go with them?’

Maeve felt like the breath had been knocked out of her. Go to Bordeaux? With Leo and his nieces? ‘But I have to go home,’ she said blankly.

‘Are you sure? Even if it means never seeing Leo again?’

‘I can’t just stay in France indefinitely.’

‘No, but the British Embassy… Did they insist you had to leave immediately?’

‘No, they gave me a temporary passport, until the new one arrives, and said I could stay a little longer if I wanted, after all the upset of being mugged. But I think they meant, stay in Paris. Not go gallivanting about the French countryside with Leo Rémy.’ Maeve put her hands to her cheeks and shook her head. ‘Oh, I’m so confused. I… I don’t know what to think anymore.’

‘Then maybe we should talk about it,’ came a deep voice from the doorway.

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

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

Bernadette gave an embarrassed chuckle and hurried away. ‘Take all the clothes you want, Maeve. I’ll see you later,’ was all she said, discreetly closing the door behind her.

Leo stood unmoving, arms folded across his broad chest, his gaze on her face. There was a strange light about him.

‘You heard, I take it?’ he asked.

‘Only that you’ve come to some kind of arrangement with your father.’ She hovered by the bed, awkwardly folding and refolding one of Bernadette’s dresses, not really aware of what she was doing. She only needed one alternative warmer outfit for her trip back to England, yet she seemed to be packing summer dresses instead. Was her subconscious trying to tell her something? ‘I’m glad. I hated the idea that you’d argued with your father over me.’

‘I’m still taking a break,’ he said shortly. ‘Though you already know that.’ He hesitated. ‘I couldn’t help overhearing what you said to my sister. I hope you’ll change your mind. I’d love you to come with me.’

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