Page 40 of Savage Games

More important, my plans were progressing rapidly. I would have my little bird back in her cage before the end of the month.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I stroked her cheek. “Wake up, sleepyhead.”

Her emerald eyes fluttered open. Stretching out her arm, she asked, “What time is it?”

Checking my watch, I answered, “Almost three in the afternoon.”

Startled, she sat up. “I slept that late?”

“Well, you had a rather intense evening.”

I loved the way her cheeks flushed a hot pink whenever I reminded her of her punishments.

Tapping her on the nose, I teased, “If you are a good girl, and get out of bed now, I just might have a surprise for you.”

As she started to leave the bed, she bit her lip and turned worried eyes on me. “I have nothing to wear.”

I winked. “Do you honestly think I would let my baby girl come to Paris and not get her a new wardrobe for the trip?”

Her smile at the news faltered. “Richard, I’m sorry I didn’t come to you about the dead bird. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

Pulling her close, I kissed her on her mouth, then the tip of her nose, then her forehead. “If you doubted, even for a moment, how strongly I feel about you… about us… then that is my fault. I just need to go to greater lengths to prove to you how much you mean to me, and that starts today. Get your lazy bones out of bed!”

Elizabeth giggled as I gave her curls a playful tug.

No matter how harsh I could be with her, the truth was I preferred her laughter to her cries.

After bundling her up in one of my silk robes, I insisted on carrying her down to the lower level where her surprise was getting set up in the ballroom.

“I can walk, you know,” she teased as she wrapped her hands around my neck.

“Nonsense. The marble floors are way too cold for your cute little toes.”

Putting her down on a settee that had been placed in the center of the polished wood floor for the occasion, I signaled to the butler we were ready. In short order, a small army of staff swept in. Placing a small, linen-draped table in front of us, they then filled it with platters of fresh fruit, pastries, shaved ham, and eggs.

Elizabeth rubbed her hands with glee as I poured her a cup of tea.

“I love this surprise!”

I scoffed, “You must have a very low opinion of my surprises if you think a simple breakfast is it.”

Turning to the butler, I instructed, “You may let them in.”

One by one, a parade of models walked under the low-hanging crystal chandeliers and passed the floor-to-ceiling mirrors, to stop in front of us.

“Richard!” exclaimed Elizabeth as she jumped up, then sat on her legs so she could prop up on the sofa a little higher as she threw her arms around my shoulders and kissed my cheek. “Is this what I think it is?”

“If you think it’s a private showing of the Yves Saint Laurent spring line, then the answer is yes,” I answered nonchalantly as I buttered a piece of toast. Although inside, I was more than pleased.

Truth was, until Elizabeth, I hadn’t really given much thought to fashion. I had professional stylists who chose the proper suits for me. Of course, I was photographed at the occasional fashion show, but that was more about business and politics than fashion. Yet, whatever my baby girl cared about, I would care about.

I know it pleased her when I showed an interest in what she wore or the latest designs from a particular designer, and what pleased her, pleased me.

“Good afternoon, Your Grace. I am Jean and I have the pleasure of presenting the spring collection to you today.” He had a high-pitched nasally voice with a rather unsettling way of emphasizing the first beat of every word. The small man was dressed in unrelenting black as he motioned toward the models.

“First, we have Marie. She is wearing a cut-out bustier bodysuit in a pleated lamé velvet with an over-the-knee boot in leopard print suede. Next we have Christine who is wearing a tuxedo jacket in gabardine with sequins with this year’s signature look, a pleated Bermuda short in shiny lambskin.”

Elizabeth hugged me again as I peeled a clementine for us both. Giving her another wink, I handed her a small slice.

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