‘Florian, I’m married,’ she eventually murmured, knowing that at some point she had to come out and say it. It might as well be now, before things went any further between them.
‘I’m well aware that you’re married,’ he replied, his voice as low as hers had been. ‘As am I. And yet we’re both here alone, seeking out each other’s company. It seems that we’re in the same predicament.’
She swallowed. ‘You live separately from your wife?’
‘I do. We’ve lived apart for almost a decade, in different countries for that matter. And you? Where does your husband reside?’ His face gave nothing away. ‘Do you expect him to return?’
Delphine didn’t want to talk about her husband, she didn’t even want to think about him, not when her heart was racing as she stood in front of Florian. ‘We also live separately. He’s in London now, and no, I do not expect him to return. Not for me, anyway.’
Florian’s gaze was a question, the heat in his eyes telling her that he was still waiting for her answer. It seemed they had more in common that she’d realised, and a flutter of longing ignited deep inside her, a sense that perhaps what she was feeling was real.
‘Was that a yes to me sending a car, then?’ he asked.
She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, looking boldly at Florian, as if she wasn’t withering inside with nerves, as if she was used to behaving in such a way with a man who wasn’t her husband. ‘I shall arrange my own car,’ she said, speaking confidently in a way she never would have if she’d been addressing Giovanni.
The twinkle in Florian’s eye as he smiled back at her and gave her his address told her that he was very happy with her decision, and she only wished that he still had hold of her hand so she could feel the warmth of his skin against hers one last time.
‘Until tomorrow night, then,’ he said.
Her pulse raced as she smiled back at him. ‘Until tomorrow.’
‘It would be an understatement to say that I’m already looking forward to it.’
And as she turned to walk away, trying to resist her smile and failing, all she could think was that tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough. But she would have to be careful. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to see her with Florian, for a rumour to start, or for anyone in her household to guess that she was spending time with a man. If she was going to do this, she would be more than just discreet—it would be a secret that no one would ever discover.
Tomorrow. Delphine glanced over her shoulder before the restaurant disappeared from sight, and it sent a thrill of excitement through her when she saw that Florian was still watching her, that he hadn’t—it appeared—taken his eyes off her.
12
PRESENT DAY
Georgia looked out of the window of her hotel, admiring the view as the light began to fade. She’d checked into the Beau-Rivage for her stay, although she was starting to realise that four nights might not be long enough. The hotel was stunning, but Luca had told her that she absolutely must stay longer and check into the La Réserve Hotel and Spa for a few nights, as well. It wasn’t as if she had anything pressing to return to England for, and she did love the idea of indulging in massages and lazing about by a swimming pool for a few more days. Not to mention that Luca seemed very interested in showing her around. After their long lunch the day before, that had stretched well into the afternoon, she had no intention of declining if he wanted to see her again.
Her phone rang then and Georgia reached for it, knowing exactly who it would be.Sam. They’d texted since she’d arrived but not had the chance to speak, and she knew that Sam would be wanting to hear all about Luca. She’d already updated her on the sapphire, but she had a feeling it wasn’t the stone Sam wanted to hear about.
‘I was just thinking about you,’ Georgia said when she answered, seeing Sam on her screen. Her friend appeared to bedressed in a dark green woollen jumper, which was very unlike her. ‘What are you wearing?’
‘Please don’t ask. Apparently Harry’s family like to go grouse shooting together at the weekend.’
‘Well, it sounds like you’re really moving out of your comfort zone. I’m impressed.’
Sam groaned. ‘Please can we just talk about you?’ She leaned towards the screen and dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘I wish I’d come with you. It’s horrible here! I thought we’d be sipping gin and tonics in the sun, but instead they have me out marching around the countryside day and night!’
Georgia laughed at the pained expression on Sam’s face. ‘I’m sorry it’s not the weekend you expected.’
‘Tell me about your trip. What’s happening? Is Luca as divine as he is in his photo?’
Georgia smiled to herself. ‘He’s gorgeous, and his accent is divine. Even the way he says my name sends a shiver down my spine.’
‘When are you seeing him again?’
‘Monday morning. He’s coming to take me to a lawyer’s office, to see if a letter there is addressed to my great-grandmother.’
‘Ooh, the plot thickens,’ Sam said. ‘But didn’t he offer to take you out over the weekend? It’s not every day a girl travels to Switzerland.’
‘I imagine he already had other plans,’ she said, hoping she was fooling Sam with her nonchalance. ‘But honestly, the strangest thing is not having the sapphire with me. I’ve become used to having it in the little box with me, but Luca thought it was best to keep it in a safe, given the value.’
Sam leaned closer into the phone again, her face taking up the entire screen. ‘They’re calling me again. Save me, G.Pleasesave me!’
