Page 64 of The Billionaire's Temporary Governess (French Conquests 2)

But to their surprise, Madeline didn’t cry, didn’t break under the shock of her husband’s deception. She sat there with her big, strong sons on each side of her, holding her hands, and stared out into the garden. “When I married your father,” she said after a long, thoughtful pause, “times were different. He was older than I was, and already a powerful man, having inherited his title before he was thirty, like you William. It wasn’t a love match. He’d seen me at a charity affair, asked a few questions, and decided that very night that I would be suitable breeding stock for the next generation, a fitting conduit for his bloodline. It was as simple as that. He requested a meeting with my father, and between the two men, the deal was struck. My father received controlling interest in one of the family companies, and your father received me.”

She exhaled, her voice growing softer. “Do not for one moment think that I didn’t know what kind of man he was. He was unfaithful from the start, but I told myself, this is the way of men. Even with me he was cold, commanding, dismissive. But I did what society and my upbringing demanded of me. I embraced my duties as Countess, stopped teaching, and buried myself in charity work. And it was fine, believe me, because you, my darlings, came along, and my life found its purpose. I was mother to two wonderful, smart, inquisitive human beings. And I have watched you grow into men that any mother would be proud of.”

She squeezed both their hands. “I am sorry that the actions of my husband caused both of you so much pain. I wish there had been a way for me to fix it.”

“It’s okay, maman,” Alex said. “It’s past us now.”

She gave them a strong, determined smile. “What brings me the most happiness is that both of you have found love. You’ve made bold choices and overcome adversity to embrace the destiny of your hearts. These women you’ve chosen, I know you will treat them well, and they, in turn, will be your partners and lovers and raise you up wonderful sons and daughters.” The smile became a chuckle. “And of course, thanks to all of this, we have Willa. This is why I will never regret all that has happened. Thatpetite angeis the heart of our home.”

She drew both of them toward her in a hug. “So, as Evita says, don’t cry for me. I’ll be fine. Now, you two had better be heading out. Go back those precious women who are waiting for you.”

And yet, despite Madeline’s encouragement, William was still keenly aware of the pall of anxiety and uncertainty hanging over his home, as the situation with Willa was far from being resolved. Although he repeated the mantra every day that they would do everything in their power to protect her, the sadness still colored everything they did.

When Willa’s friend Petal returned the sleepover invitation for the next weekend, William got an idea. He began making calls to Naisha’s sister, Toni, and her parents, who’d returned to the States. He had long discussions with his mother, Alex and Jacyn, who gleefully agreed to back him up. And after he and Naisha had dropped Willa off at Petal’s house, he drove them straight to the helipad where a helicopter was waiting.

She gave him a surprised, curious look. “What is this, Lim? Has a visitor arrived?”

He threw her a cheeky grin. “That chopper is outbound, not inbound.”

She followed the heliport operator with a perplexed gaze as he walked towards them, smiling. By the time William had helped Naisha out of the car, the man was standing next to them. “We’re ready to leave at your command, monsieur.”

She couldn’t stand it anymore. “William Dubois! If you don’t tell me what’s going on right now, I swear—!”

He took her hand. “Can’t a man take his fiancée on a surprise trip and not get yelled at for it?”

She felt excitement begin to rise. Were they going day-tripping along the coast? On a fly-over of the Riviera? She’d always wanted to do that. And then she noticed that an assistant was opening the trunk of William’s car and offloading two bags. She was fit to burst with curiosity, so she leaned toward him as they walked into the heliport to be kitted-out for the flight with helmet and coveralls. “Babe, you know I love you, but if you don’t fess up right now, tomorrow’s headlines are going to read something like, ‘Pregnant Woman Goes Berserk, Knocks Fiancé Flat Out with Handbag’!”

He began to laugh. “Okay, since I’m not keen on being flattened with your purse, I’ll tell you. We’re headed to Paris for the night, my love. The greatest city on Earth, if you ask me.”

“Don’t let the good citizens of Aix here you say that,” she warned, “or you might trigger another French uprising.” But she was jumping up and down with excitement. Paris! What a delight!

When they settled in and the whirlybird rose into the sky, she peppered him with questions, but he remained inscrutable, enjoying her confusion. All he would tell her was that they would spend the day shopping and then go out on the town. Then he held her hand, drew her against his chest, and in a whisper, advised her not to fuss over the details.

The afternoon was a wonderful blur. As soon as they arrived at one of the family’s best hotels, they were whisked upstairs to the penthouse suite that was reserved for their exclusive use: a magnificent set of rooms with opulent furnishing and fixtures and a glassed-in balcony that looked out onto Montparnasse. William enjoyed the delight on her face as she walked from room to room, opening doors and exclaiming at every new discovery.

And although men are notoriously bad at shopping, it was William who led the charge, relentlessly asking questions of the shop clerks in some of the most exclusive baby stores in the city:Are these onesies hypo-allergenic? Flame-resistant? Choke-proof? Did babies seem to prefer stuffed bears, dogs or giraffes?Refusing to get as baby shopping crazed as Jacyn, Naisha laughingly hauled her fiancé out of the store.

Later, they dined in a cute little brasserie in the Sentier neighborhood. A surprising choice, Naisha pointed out. She’d been expecting a fancy, upscale restaurant.

“When you eat in Paris, you eat as the Parisians do,” he reminded her.

They feasted on a rich cassoulet, which William washed down with a good beer (and pronounced it excellent) while Naisha had to make do with mineral water, given her condition.

She glared at him the whole time, while he laughed and ordered a second stein. “It’s okay, my sweet. In six or seven months, you’ll be free to join me again in a good drink.”

She made a face. “I intend to breastfeed for the full two years, so nuh-uh.”

He tapped her water glass with his golden brew with a mocking smirk. “Thank you for your sacrifice.”

“Shut up, Lim.”

Back in their hotel, they locked the door and dimmed the lights, the better to see outside the suite as they stood at the balcony looking out over the city. “It truly is the most magnificent city in the world,” Naisha breathed.

“And you are truly the most magnificent woman in it,” he said softly, the love filling him so completely he was sure it spilled from his eyes.This is perfect,he thought.This woman is perfect for me.

He drew her inside and hit the button to close the drapes. He wanted to be alone with her: just him and her together in the universe. As he began to undress her, he appreciated each body part as it was revealed.

Her perfect breasts were already growing heavier, fuller in his hands, like ripening fruit. He dipped his head to kiss the tops of them, that perfect skin, those dark brown nipples that roughened to his touch.

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