Bene definitely cultivated a short-term mind-set. But I, for one, wondered what the future held for him.
I’ve decided not to decide until the new year,he’d announced in typical Bene fashion.
That long?Marius had grumbled.
Mina elbowed him.
I mean,onlythat long?he’d corrected himself glumly.
It was all an act, though — Marius being grouchy, Bene unable to commit. We’d all grown into what felt more and more like a family — even Henrik, bizarrely — and it was hard to imagine the château without everyone there. Living together-but-apart in our own little apartment within the grander place was a perfect arrangement as far as I was concerned.
“Things will change when Dora arrives,” Gen mused as we walked along.
Her cousin — the third co-owner of the château, together with Gen and Mina — was due to arrive in about one month, just in time for Christmas.
I squeezed Gen’s hand. “Things changed when you arrived — for the better.”
“I just wonder how long Dora will stay. She’s been pretty noncommittal about it so far.”
I chuckled. “I thought I was coming for a few months, and now, I never want to leave. Maybe the same thing will happen to her.”
Gen laughed outright. “You mean, finding the perfect person and falling in love?”
I shrugged. “Why not?”
Gen snorted. “Her options are Henrik and Bene. I can’t see either happening.”
“Don’t forget Officer Dulaire.”
She snorted. “Clem is not her type.”
Surprisingly, I felt sorry for the guy. He’d lost Mina and passed up his chance with Gen. If I were him, I would regret that for the rest of my life.
I held her hand a little more tightly, grateful things had worked out as they had.
We walked in silence, gazing at the Louvre on the opposite bank.
“That’s where those thieves got in to steal the crown jewels,” I murmured, pointing to an upper balcony on the middle floor.
“Bastards,” she grumbled. Then she held up a finger. “Oh! I know what they could do to increase security at the Louvre.”
“Bring in vampires and warlocks to cast spells?” I guessed.
She nodded. “Can you imagine? Thieves would think twice.”
I shrugged. “They didn’t stop you.”
She made a face. “I only did it for my dad’s painting. Also, we got lucky.”
I snorted. “Not luck. You were brilliant.”
“Maybe just a little.” She grinned.
We walked on in silence. A short time later, she pointed to another architectural landmark.
“Oh — the Orangerie!”
I patted my pocket. “Got our tickets right here. Six p.m.”
