Breakfast at the château was nothing short of a feast. Darcie wasn’t sure she’d ever seen so much food on a single table in all her life. There was fresh fruit, yoghurts, Breton butter cake, pastries of so many varieties it looked as if the local patisserie had opened up a shop at the château.
‘I’m stuffed,’ said Darcie, after politely declining another slice of the Breton cake. ‘Cake for breakfast is rather decadent.’
Matt smiled at her. ‘It’s very French,’ he said. He dropped his napkin onto his empty plate. ‘So, have you had any more thoughts about Padgett’s email?’
Darcie had sent him a copy of it last night before she went to sleep.
‘I just don’t trust him,’ she said. ‘There’s something off about him that I can’t put my finger on.’
‘I agree,’ said Matt. ‘I did a bit of digging on him last night. Seems Padgett is heavily involved with the right-wing political party and, as I mentioned before, has aspirations of going into politics himself.’
‘Leaving the House of Chanel?’
‘I guess so. Maybe that’s why he wanted to purchase the sketchbook for himself– because he’s leaving his employment,’ suggested Matt.
‘Wonder what’s so important about the sketchbook rather than the dress, which he seems less bothered about,’ mused Darcie.
‘Maybe Odile will be able to shed some light on it.’
‘I hope so.’ She sighed and looked out of the window across the gardens, where hydrangea bushes lined the gravel path. Something like that would look nice in the courtyard of the shop back home.
The thought of home was something of a reality check. It would mean she’d have to say goodbye to Matt and probably wouldn’t see him again. The realisation they only had limited time together made her feel sadder than she expected.
‘What are you thinking?’ Matt gave her hand a gentle shake.
‘I was just thinking how little time we had together before I have to go home.’ She looked down at their hands. ‘I’ll miss you.’
‘Hey, that’s not for another, what, ten days? We should make the most of our time, rather than let it get us down.’
‘Yes, you’re right. I know. Ignore me.’ She smiled broadly, in an attempt to lighten the mood. ‘So, today’s the day,’ she said, taking her hand away and pouring a cup of tea, one she didn’t really want but it kept her busy.
‘Yep. Today is the day. I checked out the address and directions last night when I went to bed,’ said Matt.
‘You didn’t sleep well?’
‘Not really. You?’
She shook her head. ‘Not great.’
Matt held her gaze for a long moment. ‘It was a big bed for one person.’
Darcie took a steadying breath. ‘That’s what I thought too.’
‘Shame we have to go back tonight.’
‘Yes, it is really.’
‘I guess we could stay until tomorrow,’ said Matt, leaning his elbows on the table and stretching his hand out.
‘Two rooms would be expensive.’
‘We could cut costs in half.’
Darcie looked at his hand and back up at Matt. Was she really going to do this? Of course, she was. She didn’t want to regret this trip and she felt she’d regret not making the most of her time with Matt. She didn’t want to think too far into the future. She had enjoyed being in France, where she felt free and away from all responsibility. There would be plenty of time for commitments and grown-up real life when she was back home.
‘I think that would be a great idea,’ she said reaching across the table and once more holding his hand. She was sure she could feel sparks of energy zinging back and forth between them.
‘No pressure,’ said Matt, rising in his seat to lean across the table towards her. ‘We go at your speed. At your say-so.’
