“Father should have made her the head of the domaine. She’s as capable of managing it as I am. When Angélique and the baby died, she didn’t think I’d get married again. With no child to come after me, it would mean their son, Maurice, would be the next one in line. Seeing me married again, she’s afraid we’ll have a baby and that will be the end of any hope she has. Paul’s promotion still won’t bring her what she’d hoped for.”
“But she’s your sister.”
“And we love each other. We’ve shared good times too, but you have to understand that my father’s decision to name me has hurt her and my aunts who are equally capable of running the estate. He sees running the grape business as men’s work.”
Raoul turned a solemn face to her. “This is nothing against you personally, Abby. My mother would have stayed to welcome you if my father hadn’t forced Jean-Marc to wheel him out. She’s never had the courage to stand up to him when something important mattered to her.”
“We’re all too human at times. What did Gilles say to you? Did he hurt you?”
“No. He said I was a damn lucky man.”
After a dark sound escaped his lips, he helped her from the car. To her surprise he carried her over the threshold. Once inside, they clung to each other.
“Darling? Please don’t suffer for my sake. We’re home in our happy refuge. This is our Saint des Saints. Nothing can touch us here. We have each other. What else do we need? Are you listening to me? You’re my everything, Raoul. I ache to love you. Let me show you what you mean to me.”
“Abby—” He kissed her mouth. She tasted the salt from his tears. “This was no way to start out our marriage.”
“Your grandmother said she’d pray for us.”
A sad chuckle escaped. “That sounds like Mamie.”
“Guess what? You and I promised to love and cherish each other through the good and the bad. Since we’ve gotten the bad out of the way really fast, how about you help me out of this dress toot sweet?” It was the word for fast in French.
The reaction she’d hoped for came out of Raoul who let out a deep belly laugh. “I think you meant tout de suite.”
“Yes. I love the sound of it.”
“I love you, ma femme. I love every particle of you.” He carried her into the bedroom and put her down gently before unfastening the button at the back of her neck. “Get ready to be loved,” he warned her.
“I was ready when you brought me to the cottage for the first time, remember?” She undid his tie. “If you want to know a secret, I’ve been waiting for the dénouement since the moment you got out of that old black car how many eons ago?”
He grinned and flung his suit jacket on the chair. “Something tells me my new bride has been studying her French.”
“It’s a beautiful language.” She started unbuttoning his shirt. “Almost as beautiful as you.”
“You think a man is beautiful?”
“Not until I met you.”
Raoul helped her off with her dress and put the divine white lace concoction on top of his jacket. His eyes burned like black fire as he drew her onto the bed and a husband’s desire took over, making her thankful she’d been born a woman.
* * *
Three days and nights of nonstop loving had made a new man out of Raoul. They’d wanted for nothing. Before the wedding, he’d had the cottage stocked with everything they’d need so nothing could disturb them. Their world was so perfect he refused to let anything or one intrude on their happiness.
Abby was not only his wife, she was his generous lover who poured out her heart and soul to him while they worshipped each other with their bodies. Hers was glorious. He loved her with a passion that scared him whenever he thought of losing her.
Monday morning he awakened early with a desire so intense for her, he rolled her closer while she was still asleep and started kissing her. Her lovely legs twined with his. She made little sounds until her eyes opened. Her seductive smile set him on fire.
She rubbed his jaw, which needed a shave. “I thought I wore you out in the middle of the night. What are you doing awake again?”
“As if you didn’t know, mon amour.”
Her voice caught. “Do you think all newlyweds feel the way we do?”
“Only if they’re in love the way we are, which is rare. I’ve been lying here trying not to think how I would ever handle losing you.”
“Raoul—” She leaned over him with a little frown. “What a thing to be thinking!”
“I can’t help it. Don’t you know you’re my heart?”
“If I got started on how much I love you, I’d never stop.” She kissed him with a hunger that sent a thrill though him. Two hours later they surfaced long enough for her to escape his arms and get out of bed.
He reached out to trap her hand. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked in a gravelly voice. “I didn’t give you permission.”
“To shower and fix your breakfast.”
“I’d rather you stayed right here. I want to discuss something with you.”
“Well, in that case.” Abby crawled back in next to him. “Is it serious?”
He kissed her hungrily. “I want to take you on a honeymoon.”
“Raoul—that’s what I felt we were on when you brought me to Burgundy.”
He smoothed the hair from her brow. “I mean a real one.”
“Do you have a spot in mind? I read some statistics that showed most French people preferred to vacation in France.”
“It’s true a lot of them like to camp. But I’d love to spend time on a beach with you.”
“Then let’s do it when you can get away. I know this isn’t the best time.”
“How do you know that?”
“I heard you tell Paul you were taking him to Paris sometime this week.”
“So I did.”
“How
