“Then will you marry me right away? We’ll say our vows at the deputy mayor’s office in Dijon. He was a judge and is a good friend of mine with the power to waive the banns requirement.” He leaned closer and pressed a kiss to her lips to stifle any other words. “A civil marriage is mandatory before we could be married in church.”
Abby couldn’t keep up with him. “Stop! You’re going too fast. I have to think about it before I can say yes.”
She felt his hard body shudder in response. “While you do that, you’re in too much danger from me here, so I’m going to take you back to the apartment.”
“But where will you be?”
“In my office doing a ton of work that has backed up. When I pick you up in the morning, I’ll expect an answer from you.”
Before she knew it, he’d driven her back to the petit château. After an intense kiss at the entrance to her apartment, he eased away. “Dors bien, ma belle.”
She watched him drive away in the night. Abby held on to the door handle, shaking because his words had taken hold inside her.
He wanted to marry her. He’d already talked about a date...
With her mind reeling, Abby went inside her apartment and curled up on the bed, throwing a duvet over her.
Raoul’s first marriage had been forced on him. It wasn’t because of a great love. He’d admitted how painful it had been. But the fact that he felt so undeserving of a woman’s love was much more painful to her.
Once again she could imagine what her friends would say. You can’t marry a man this soon. You’ve been swept away on a riptide.
But Abby was so desperately in love with him, she couldn’t imagine life without him. Yet she’d never felt so conflicted in her life.
Turning to the two people whose advice she treasured most in life, she phoned home. To her relief her mother answered. It had to be late afternoon.
“Abby, darling—I’m so glad you called. We haven’t heard from you since your vacation started.”
“I know. I’m sorry, but so much has happened, I hardly to know where to begin. Is Dad home yet?”
“No. He has a meeting and will be late.”
“Tell him I love him. Mom? I need to talk to you. Is this a good time?”
“What do you think.”
“Will you play King Solomon for a few minutes?”
There was a long pause. “That’s the most serious question you ever asked me.”
“That’s because it is.” In a shaky voice Abby said, “I’ve met the great love of my life. He has asked me to marry him right away. There’s no way to describe him.”
“Try.”
For the next half hour Abby poured out her soul to her. When she’d finished talking, she wiped her eyes and waited for her mother to say something. “Mom?”
“King Solomon would tell you to wait and give it time. But I’m your mother and I’m convinced you’re too in love to take anyone’s advice. You said you have to be married in a civil ceremony first. So why don’t you do it without telling anyone?
“I’m sure your father would tell you the same thing. While you go through the waiting period so you can be married in the church, you’ll know if you’ve made a mistake. Then you can tell the whole world, or not.”
Abby let out the breath she’d been holding. “Thank you, Mom. That’s what I was praying to hear. It won’t be a mistake! I’m sending you some pictures of him and the estate on my phone right now.”
Again, Abby waited to hear her mother’s response. Finally, she said, “He’s the most gorgeous man I ever laid eyes on.”
“Mom—”
“I may be your mother, but I’m not blind. Please don’t tell your father what I said.”
Abby chuckled. “It’ll be our secret. Have you scrolled to the picture of the château yet?”
“Oh, my heavens!”
“That’s what I said.”
“Your father’s not going to believe it.”
“I’m afraid Dad’s not going to approve of doing anything too soon.”
“You’re right. He won’t be happy.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t say anything to Steve or Nadine yet.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep this under wraps until we hear from you again. All we want is your happiness, darling.”
“I love you, Mom. More than you know. I promise to call soon.”
Abby got ready for bed, but she barely slept waiting for morning to come.
CHAPTER NINE
WHEN MORNING CAME, Raoul texted Abby that he was driving over to the apartment. By the time he arrived in front, his nerves were so shot he was trembling and felt ill. If she told him she couldn’t marry him...
Abby opened her door to him, wearing a creamy linen blouse with a wrap-around khaki skirt. He walked her inside and reached for her, kissing her so soundly they were both weaving by the time he allowed her to breathe. “Did you get any sleep?”
She avoided his eyes, terrifying him. “No. I talked to my mother last night. Dad wasn’t home. I told her everything.”
His insides froze. “Abby?”
“She said if it’s going to be a mistake, it would be better we have a civil ceremony first. Then no one will have to know.”
Raoul could hardly breathe. “Is that how you feel? That it will be a mistake?”
“Not if we set some parameters. How do you feel about a working wife?”
With that one question, his taut hard body relaxed. She lifted her green eyes to his, revealing a shine that almost blinded him.
“You realize I’ll have to find a teaching position somewhere around here, and I’ll have to go to school to learn French.”
“Abby—” he whispered her name again, and started to reach for her.
“And one more thing. I want a baby with you so badly I expect to get pregnant ASAP. If
