She turned to Isaak. “Oh,thank you!I thought I wouldn’t see it again, not that it wouldn’t have been for a good reason. But I’m really glad to have it back.”
“I was going to hit up Maxence for your forwarding address if you weren’t here.”
She smiled up at Isaak and put all her apologies into that smile. “Thank you.”
Isaak’s smile back was fond, like they might be able to start a real friendship this time. “My pleasure.”
On the way back to the palace a little while later, Dree stopped Maxence in the middle of the cobblestoned courtyard. Their entourage halted around them. The eight-pack of mercenaries faced outward, scanning the crowd that was beginning to notice them, while Arthur and Casimir withdrew slightly.
They must have seen the look on her face.
The statue of Max’s ancestor François Grimaldi, disguised as a monk but known as François the Malicious, threw a long dark shadow across the cobblestones.
She asked Maxence, “What was going on back there with Mairearad?”
“It’s nothing.” He looked off to his side, across the harbor below the headlands of the palace.
Dree said to him, “It was something to her. Were you guys having a relationship? Or a fling? Look, I don’t care what happened in the past or even a few months ago. As long as it doesn’t continue, it’snoneof my business. I just don’t want to put my foot in my mouth again.”
Maxence shook his head but didn’t look at her. “We don’t have a relationship other than a professional one because she works for my charitable foundation. And I wouldn’t have a sexual relationship with somebody who works for me in any capacity. It’s unethical. And if that’s what you’re asking, I’ve never had sex with her. I’ve neverkissedher.”
“Did you lead her on or something? Because she was obviously distraught.”
Maxence shook his head. “I maintain a professional distance with the people who work with me. I don’t view my foundations as a private hunting ground like some men do.”
“Then why was she acting like that?” Dree asked him.
He looked down at his shoes and the cobblestones underneath. “I’ll have a quick phone conversation with her to make sure everything’s okay. You shouldn’t take it personally. She’s not mad at you. She’s probably unsure of how to proceed in a situation like this.”
“In a situation likewhat?”
“I shouldn’t discuss it. I’m her employer, or at least the foundation I own and fund is her employer, which is essentially the same thing. I’m not sure how much it would be ethical for me to divulge. But I’ll make sure she’s okay, and I’ll make sure she’s okay with you. I don’t know if going to lunch will be something she’ll want to do, but I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
Dree shook her head. “I don’t like that you’re keeping secrets from me.”
“As her employer,there are some things I shouldn’t tell people about her if she doesn’t want me to.”
Dree chewed on her lip as they walked into the castle.
Mairearad had knownall threeof the guys, and Casimir and Arthur had seemed casual and relaxed when they talked with her and vice-versa. Arthur hadn’t stiffened until Dree had walked over, and Casimir hadn’t at all.
Maybe Mairearad had been their tattoo artist.
Dree filed that information away.
Chapter Fifteen
Confronting Arthur
Dree
Finally.
Finally, they were on the plane to go to New Mexico so Dree and Maxence could do thisright.
Dree was a modern girl with modern inclinations, but she also did not want to hear for the rest of her life about how her husband didn’t do things in proper order from her daddy.
And her mother.
