‘Please, call me Darcie.’
Auclair smiled. ‘Darcie, I would like to formally apologise on behalf of the House of Chanel for what has happened,’ he said, taking a seat at the table. ‘We have had concerns about Padgett’s rather robust manner in the past, so while I am alarmed to hear how he has conducted himself, I am not entirely surprised.’
‘What will happen to him now?’ asked Darcie.
‘Of course, the matter concerning the break-in and intimidation, possession of stolen Jewish belongings et cetera, is a police matter. We at the House of Chanel will have to go through our own process for dismissal and that is an internal matter, as I’m sure you will appreciate.’
‘Of course,’ said Darcie. ‘We understand that. We’re just glad he’s going to be held to account for what he’s done.’
‘The House of Chanel is very sorry to hear what’s happened,’ said Auclair. ‘We’d like to make an offer, without prejudice, as a gesture of goodwill.’
Darcie listened in amazement at Auclair’s offer. It was beyond anything she had imagined.
He was talking about fashion scholarships and charitable donations to war veterans’ societies and all in honour of Nathalie Leroux. ‘Once all the finer details have been arranged, we will, of course, let you know,’ said Auclair.
‘That’s amazing,’ said Darcie. ‘I’m so happy. It feels the right thing to do to honour Nathalie’s memory and her part in the war effort and the ultimate sacrifice she paid.’
‘Indeed,’ said Auclair. There was a small silence and the Frenchman cleared his throat. ‘Alors, now the rather delicate matter of the dress and sketchbook.’
Darcie looked at Matt. They had discussed at length what she wanted to do with Nathalie’s prized possessions. There was one thing she had been in agreement with Padgett about– she didn’t want them locked away in a cupboard and forgotten about again.
‘What did you have in mind?’ asked Matt, taking the lead, knowing this was the hardest part for Darcie.
‘As you bought them, you are the legal owner of the items,’ said Auclair. ‘It may be that you want to sell the items. They will be worth a lot of money, especially once they have been authenticated.’
Darcie looked up. ‘It’s not about the money,’ she said.
Auclair eyed her for a moment. ‘If you want to keep them, again as the legal owner, that is your prerogative.’
‘I might be the legal owner,’ said Darcie. ‘But I don’t feel I’m the rightful owner. I’ve asked Odile Grandis if she would like them back, as she is the closest surviving relative of Nathalie, but she was adamant I was to keep them. Having said that, I don’t know what I should do with them now. I want people to know Nathalie’s story.’
‘What did you have in mind?’ asked Auclair.
‘My mother works for a fashion publication,’ said Matt. ‘We thought about writing an article about them.’
‘I can see how that would work,’ said Auclair. He put his hands together and rested them on the table. ‘What would you say to loaning the dress and the sketchbook to the House of Chanel?’
‘Loaning?’ Darcie wasn’t sure what Auclair was proposing.
‘Yes. We borrow them. At all times you remain the legal owner but the House of Chanel will be guardian. There is a UK exhibition in London next year and we would be honoured to display the dress, the sketchbook, and Nathalie Leroux’s story.’
Darcie thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head. ‘Oh, my goodness. That’s amazing,’ she gasped. ‘Really?’
Auclair smiled warmly. ‘Oui, really.’
Tears of absolute joy filled Darcie’s eyes. ‘Thank you, so much,’ she said, before starting to cry.
Matt put an arm around her. ‘Happy tears, right?’
Darcie nodded. ‘The happiest tears possible.’
Chapter 43
Darcie
After her adventures in Paris, Darcie had returned to England and had only told Lena, Chloe, and Hannah the details of what had happened and the outcome of her meeting with Padgett. She had, of course, told them about meeting Matt, but she had managed to avoid telling them about just how involved she’d become with him.
It had been difficult to say goodbye to him at the airport three weeks ago, but she hadn’t wanted to come across as needy or having any expectations of their relationship. If she could call it a relationship– knowing someone for two weeks, wasn’t exactly a relationship, more like a fling.
