Page 29 of Brix

“Mr. and Mrs. St. Valary, I’m very happy to tell you that you have a daughter. A beautiful, intelligent, much-loved daughter. Your results are a match.”

“Oh,” whispered Mary Elizabeth, gripping her husband’s hand. “You’re home.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

After looking through dozens of photo albums and relearning her family history, the entire team was excited to be served dinner in the magnificent dining hall. It hadn’t been used in years, and the only remaining servant at the chateau was scrambling to get things ready.

“Let us help,” smiled Elena. “You can’t do this by yourself.”

“Madam, this is my job,” said the man.

“I know, and you’re doing an amazing job. But we were unexpected, and we’d like to help.”

They chipped in on setting the table, making the food, and bringing up the wine. It was a celebration, and everyone was thrilled that Daphne had at least a few answers to help her understand where she’d come from. The St. Valary family had spent generations in this part of France. Having made their money in shipping and agriculture, primarily vineyards, they’d been a respected and admired family in France.

“Mr. and Mrs. St. Valary,” said Brix.

“Please,” smiled Francois. “I believe you can call us Mama and Papa, or Mary Elizabeth and Francois. Whatever is comfortable for you.”

“Thank you, Francois,” grinned Brix. “Did either of you ever meet Lord or Lady Bishop during your travels?”

“Not that I recall,” said Mary Elizabeth, shaking her head. She turned to her husband, who had a thoughtful expression.

“I believe I met Lord Bishop once during a business meeting in England. My wife and Dauphine were with me at the time. He was settling a case for an English oil drilling company, and I was representing the French vineyard interests to protect our lands.”

“You were on opposing sides?” asked Tiger.

“No. No,” he said, shaking his head. “We were on the same side. There was a celebratory dinner afterwards. We were all very young. I remember him telling me that he and his wife were trying to adopt a child.”

“Did you meet Lady Bishop?” asked Major.

“Not that I recall. I feel as though she had an illness or something and stayed behind. Strange, though, that we didn’t meet.”

“Why do you say that?” asked Sebastian.

“Because we were all staying in the same hotel. Their manor house was being redecorated, and Lord Bishop said the wallpaper paste made his wife ill, so they were staying in London for a few weeks. We were involved in many outdoor events and activities that week, so I would have thought she’d want to enjoy the fresh air, but I never saw her.”

“Were there other members of the Lightkeepers group with you?” asked Walker.

“Why yes,” he nodded thoughtfully. “I hadn’t remembered that, but yes. In fact, there were about twenty members present. We all had mutual interests, and there was to be a meeting before our upcoming voyage.”

“We need to find out more information about Lady Bishop before she met your father,” said Brix.

“I need to call my father,” said Daphne. “I mean, my adoptive father.” Francois smiled at his daughter, realizing how perfectly she’d turned out. She was a carbon copy of his beloved wife, and her mannerisms were identical to his own.

“It’s alright, Dauphine,” smiled Francois. “You were raised believing he was your father. Adopted or not, he did a fine job with you. It’s alright to have two fathers.” Daphne smiled at her biological father and dialed Lord Bishop’s number.

“Daphne! I’ve been waiting to hear from you. Did you find them? Are they your parents?” he asked, filled with excitement for his daughter. She loved him even more for being so supportive in this moment.

“I found them, Father. And yes, they are my biological parents.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” he sniffed. “Just wonderful, darling. I look forward to meeting them soon and sharing all of your childhood photos with them. There’s so much to fill them in on.”

“Father, it doesn’t change our relationship. I know you had nothing to do with this,” she said.

“But I didn’t question her. I should have. I should have done many things, and I did not. I’m ashamed of myself for that.”

“Please don’t be. I know you meant nothing hurtful by it. Father? I need to know about Mother’s past. Where did she come from? Who were her parents?”

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