Page 45 of All the Gossip from Paris (Royal Fashion #2)

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Liam was able to find an English translation of the interview which Francois had given to French Vogue.

Most of the article covered the challenges the Royal atelier team had faced in dealing with their head designer’s recent accident.

But it was a small paragraph toward the bottom of the interview which caught his attention.

Francois’ daughter Sophie who also works in the family business has long been linked with Parisian man-about-town Patrice Simon. “My wife and I are expecting them to make an announcement this summer,” said the proud father.

Memories of another time when he’d been blindsided by betrayal had Liam’s breath catching in his throat.

Her parents are expecting Sophie to marry Patrice.

Had she known about this interview? Known that it was being published today? Was that why she didn’t want to talk to him last night? She couldn’t find it in herself to lie directly to his face?

Nausea churned in his gut. He’d been a fool once before. Brooke had blindsided him with her cheating. Had fate decided he needed to be handed another bitter lesson? And maybe this time he might actually learn something from it.

He scrambled for his cell, and rushed to dial Ryan’s number. His brother answered after a couple of rings. “Hey Liam. You wouldn’t believe how much baby clothes cost. Ninety euros for a jumper suit.”

It took all his strength not to howl down the phone that he didn’t give a damn about the price of designer baby wear. “Did either of you happen to read Francois’ interview in French Vogue?” he asked as calmly as he could.

“No. No. I just mentioned it to you because I thought you might find it interesting. Why?”

He couldn’t repeat the words that sat on the webpage in front of him. His brain refused to engage. “When you get a chance could you please read it. Then call me back. No hurry.”

Liam hung up the phone. All he could do was hope against hope that this was a dreadful misunderstanding. Sophie had to know what this would do to him.

Didn’t she?

Clicking out of the website, Liam closed his laptop. Thank heavens he’d finished the work he had to do this morning. For a moment he sat and pondered his next move.

He could pack and flee. He could seek out Francois and demand an answer. But the obvious thing to do was to find Sophie. Hear the truth from her lips.

He’d barely survived a crushing heartbreak before. He should count his blessings that at least he wasn’t engaged to Sophie. If she didn’t want him, he would be spared the humiliation of cancelling a wedding and trying to get multiple cash deposits back.

Rising from his chair, Liam grabbed his coat. At this hour of the morning, he knew where Sophie would likely be—taking Rollo for a walk along the river.

Leaving the chateau by the back stairs, he avoided meeting up with other members of the Royal family. He hurried through the garden and down the path. Even if he met Sophie as she made her way back home and only managed a few minutes alone with her, it was better than nothing.

I have to know the truth.

At the bottom of the rise which sloped down to the river, Liam took a sharp right. He broke into a jog. The ice and snow covering the ground stopped him from turning it into a full run.

He hurried through the gate. Past the first cluster of trees. Liam frightened a white swan which peeped loudly in protest at his sudden appearance. Darting around the frightened bird, he pressed on. His breath was coming hard, his chest heaving.

Rounding the bend of the river, Liam skidded to a halt. Coming toward him were Sophie and Patrice. They were walking side by side. The very picture of contented coupledom. Rollo trotted happily behind them.

The painful memory of watching his former fiancée walk away with another man suddenly filled his vision. Was this happening all over again?

He wondered what else had been said between her and Francois at the hotel last night. Had they talked about the Vogue interview? And in exchange for Sophie having a bigger role in the atelier, had she agreed to go back to Patrice?

She didn’t want to talk to me last night. Didn’t want me in her bed.

Hope seeped out from the unhealed crack in his heart. Sophie had made her choice.

And Liam had never stood a chance.

He didn’t wait for them to reach where he stood. Liam turned on his heel and marched back to the house.