‘I don’t remember—’
‘These things happen. Think about little Stéphanie’s parents.’
Alexandra nodded. She was not expected to wring her hands over her misfortune. The stiff upper lip was not just an English concept, she realised.
‘And now I have seen you for myself I can see it was not just your fortune that attracted Antoine to you.’
‘Godmother, please!’
‘He didn’t know about my fortune when we met,’ Alexandra pointed out.
A perfect eyebrow ascended a little. ‘He may say that, but he could have found out, had he done a little research.’
Antoine was obviously becoming increasingly embarrassed by his elderly relation. ‘Godmother! You know perfectly well that I didn’t do any research.’
The eyebrow was raised again and she turned back to Alexandra. ‘Can you tell me why you aren’t wearing an engagement ring? I have several family pieces that would be suitable—’
‘I have Alexandra’s ring here,’ said Antoine, patting his pocket. ‘It has been cleaned and made to fit.’
But it fitted perfectly when he bought it, Alexandra thought, hoping it still would.
‘I hope it is appropriate,’ said the Countess.
Alexandra could only hope that she had failing eyesight and wouldn’t instantly see it was a cheap if very pretty ring.
Antoine took a ring box out of his pocket and took Alexandra’s hand. Deftly he opened the box. Inside was not the one Alexandra had chosen, it was the first ring, the one she had pulled back from.
He took it out of the box and slid it on to her finger. ‘There,’ he said. ‘A perfect fit.’
She gasped. On her finger was the large, cushion cut diamond surrounded by gold with blue enamel. It was absolutely beautiful.
‘Show me, please.’
Alexandra crossed the room so that her ring could be inspected. ‘Not bad. Not quite what a future countess should have on her hand, but not bad.’
Alexandra took her hand back and returned to her seat. She kissed Antoine’s cheek. ‘It’s wonderful! Thank you so much! How did you know—’
‘That this was the ring you really wanted? I saw you look at it, check the price and go for a cheaper option. I bought both rings so I could get the size right for your proper ring.’
‘I don’t understand,’ said the Countess, ‘why did you have to buy two rings? Surely the jeweller would measure your finger?’
Alexandra looked to Antoine to answer this one.
‘We bought it from a market stall, Godmother.’
‘It’s always been a romantic dream for me,’ Alexandra explained, to support him. ‘To buy an engagement ring from an antiques market.’
The Countess obviously thought she was mad. ‘English girls! They are very different.’ Another thought struck her. ‘Antoine, I understand your fiancée is – unusual – in many ways, but I trust you and she won’t be living under the same roof when you return to Provence? It would be very wrong.’
Alexandra took a breath. If it had been all right for them to share a home when she was just the nanny, what was different now? But a second later she realised it was different in every way.
‘We don’t plan a long engagement,’ said Antoine.
‘And I have an older English friend who lives in the town. I am sure I can stay with her until we are married,’ said Alexandra. She couldn’t remember if Jack and Penelope were going on a honeymoon or not, but she was sure she could arrange something.
‘Good! I am reassured,’ said the Countess. ‘Shall we go through for lunch?’
Chapter Thirty-six
