In the next breath he cupped her face in his hands. “You just gave me the answer I’ve been dying for. All my adult life I wondered when or if the right woman would come along. When I found you sitting on the train station bench, my heart almost failed me. Somehow I knew my search was over.”
“So did I. It was a feeling that grew stronger with every passing minute,” she murmured against his lips, hugging the life out of him. “I love you so terribly.”
“Je t’aime, mon amour.”
Raoul began kissing her with abandon. The freedom to love her had caused him to forget everything else. His hunger had taken over and he couldn’t get enough of her. He buried his face in her neck.
“Our wedding day can’t come fast enough, but I agree with your mother. I don’t want anyone to know we got married until after the fact. By the time my family comes to grips with it, they’ll be ready to see us married in the church. But I’m going to have a devil of a time pretending that nothing is going on when all I want to do is steal you away for weeks on end. Come on. We have work to do.”
“Where are we going?”
“To my office. I’ll have our breakfast brought in from the château kitchen. While we eat, we’ll start to make arrangements. The first thing we have to do is meet with Boris Rochefort, our attorney in Dijon who’s licensed to practice law both here and in the States. He’ll issue us affidavits of law and marital status. I’ll also need a copy of Angélique’s death certificate. Next we’ll go to Dr. Filbert’s office for our medical exams.”
“Ooh. I forgot about that. Can you trust these men not to tell anyone about us?”
“If they want to keep their jobs.” She laughed. “Before we leave, you need to send for a certified birth certificate.”
She leaned over to kiss him again. “I brought one with my passport, just in case of some emergency. Who would have thought I was going to need it to get married to the most marvelous man on earth?”
He gathered her in his arms. “You’ve made me so happy, I’m never going to let you out of my sight.”
“Promise? Oh, Raoul.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, but he was too hungry for her and knew this couldn’t go on if they were going to make the appointments he’d set up for them.
* * *
After they left her apartment and ate breakfast in his office, they drove to Dijon in the Maserati. Once they’d gone through the motions to receive the various certificates, Raoul took her to the city hall where he introduced Abby to Deputy Mayor Judge Tibault. His friend would marry them and waive the banns. Because of his packed schedule, the soonest their wedding could take place was nine o’clock on Thursday morning, three days away.
By evening they dined at the Coin Caché. He reached across the small round table for her hand. “I brought you here to eat their two specialties: eggs in red wine, and Paris-Brest.”
“What is that?”
“One of my favorite desserts. It was named for a bicycle race between those two cities.”
She smiled. “Now I understand.”
“It’s a wheel-shaped pastry, made with a praline-flavored filling.”
“Umm. That sounds delicious. When I cook for you, I’m afraid I won’t be making anything so exotic.”
“You like to cook?”
“I love it when I have the time. I’ll fix you some American dishes I know you’ll like.”
“Abby—” Emotion made his throat swell. Instead of talking, he kissed the palm of her hands before letting it go.
“I’m so excited to become your wife, Raoul. Everything that other wives have been doing since time immemorial, I’ll be able to do for you. For the next three days I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”
“Don’t plan on getting any after we’re married.”
She answered back with fire in those gorgeous green eyes. “I was going to tell you the same thing.”
“Chérie—I know you don’t want me spending money on you, but since your family isn’t here, will you at least let me buy you a dress to wear on Thursday?”
“Yes.” Her answer surprised and pleased him. “I’ve seen a few bridal shops while we’ve been going in and out of buildings. Will you have time tomorrow to drive me there?”
“What do you think. Speaking of driving, we need to talk about a car for you.”
“I left my old Honda at home in my parents’ garage.” Abby finished the last of her pastry. “When we get back to my apartment, I’ll call my folks when we can talk to dad. I’ll add that they can keep the car. They’ll want to talk to you.”
“I’m looking forward to telling them that they’ve raised the loveliest woman on both sides of the Atlantic.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I need to take you home where we can be alone. When are you going to tell your friends about us?”
She gave him an impish smile. “After the deed is done.”
Raoul burst into laughter, loving this woman beyond anything he thought possible. On the way home he clung to her hand. It was still hard to believe she’d agreed to spend the rest of her life with him. That’s what he told her parents when they called them later that night on her phone.
To Raoul’s surprise her father was friendly and made him laugh. “I’ve never been able to afford the Decorvet Pinot Noir. It’s too high-end for anyone I know. My daughter has come a long way,” he teased, emphasizing the long.
Raoul said, “I’ll send you a case.”
“If you’re trying to win my approval, that’s the way to do it. But seriously, our daughter has never sounded happier in her life.”
“You have our blessing.” This from her mother.
“Thank you. Later on, we’d like to have a church wedding where you and your family can come,” Raoul interjected. “It will be my
