Surprise held them still for a few hallowed moments.
“I’ve never been here at such a time,” he said, eyes glinting.
“I’ve never witnessed such a miracle.”
“A miracle,oui. Do you wantenfantsof your own?”
“Ask me another day,” she half jested.
He darted an amused glance at her. “Not for the faint of heart,ma chère?”
She warmed to the endearment. “Today reminded me that even beautiful things can be hard.”
“Much of life is like that.” He went to the cask to refill his pewter cup and handed it to her.
“Thank you.” Parched, she drank it quickly. “Refreshing. Sweet yet a bit tart.”
He took the cup back and set it on the bank as the settlement’s bell sounded. “Should we tarry here or have supper?”
“Do you want to see your sister?”
“I’ll see her—and my namesake—in time.”
Time. She’d seen Bleu so little of late. What would a few more minutes matter? Turning away discreetly, she bent to remove her shoes and stockings.
The river rippled a deep blue-grey. She waded up to her ankles, her petticoats held aloft. He started upriver, barefoot, then turned back and held out his hand to her, an invitation in his eyes.
“Follow me?” he asked.
“Anywhere,” she answered with a half-smile, clasping his callused hand.
He led her to a cove where willow trees clustered, their long graceful branches trailing in the shallows. A dove cooed, a bittersweet sound she’d always loved. When she looked uphill from here she had a clear view of his house.
“Anywhere?” He faced her, their fingers still entwined. “Even to France?”
His gaze was intent, not teasing, and she felt a little start. He was speaking of faraway France when what she wanted was for him to kiss her. He was so near her bare feet fit between his. If he would only take her in his arms…
“Alors dis moi,” she finally said.So, tell me.
He reached out and brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “To the Loire Valley and Charles Vérany,comte de Sancerre.”
“My grandfather?” Her words held fear and fascination. “Why?”
“Why not?” he replied gently.
She was the first to look away lest he read the answer in her eyes.
I have no desire to go to France when I simply want to stay right here with you.
“I’ve considered it for some time.” He spoke slowly as if he was not wanting to overwhelm her. “We could sail from York Town. The passage takes four to eight weeks depending on conditions. We would stay as little or as long as you like. Long enough to meet your grandfather and see where your mother came from.The Loire Valley is said to be very beautiful. Very different from here.”
She looked back at him. “You’ve given this much thought.”
“Nothing is as important as family. It took me losing mine, save Sylvie, to realize that fact.”
“But what if thecomte de Sancerredoesn’t want to be met?”
“A risk we have to take.” He smiled, turning her heart over again. “But who could refuse you?”
