Chapter 10

“I will say this for your countryside,” he said. “It does keep everything fresh.”

“What did you say to that boy?”

“And give away my secrets?” He clicked his tongue. “You know me better than that.”

“I suppose I should have known better than to think you’d play fair.”

Alain stepped back. “How have I been unfair? The boy already knew who you were. All I had to do was make dinner sound good enough so that I could get the two of you in a room together. I hardly think that’s cheating.”

“You invited him to an intimate dinner in our home, with the promise of your best dish, and, I’m sure, my finest wine. You’ve stacked the deck against me.”

“Ourhome?” Some of the teasing had gone from Alain’s eyes, replaced by a hint of the seriousness that had colored his words the night before. “Well, if you’re going to characterize it like that, I’ll tell him something’s come up and I’ll make dinner for just us. Because nothing would please me more than to have you all to myself, chéri.”