Page 14 of Only You

Paris

‘I must express my gratitude to Madame Roulet. Her words have done your beauty an injustice.’ Lamont Laurent kissed the back of her hand and smiled. ‘Though, I will say your aura enhances it splendidly.’

These were the first words her betrothed had spoken to her. It made her ill.

Still, she smiled politely. The proper thing to do would be to blush or appear smitten but she didn’t need to go that far out of her way to please him; she was already promised to him.

‘Your words are kind.’ Her face felt it was on the verge of breaking, her smile too wide to be natural. ‘You reflect the beauty of your homeland as well. France is exquisite.’

Lamont lit up, and he looked around at the few people who had surely overheard the exchange, including his mother, Madame Genevieve Laurent.

She had been watching Sabine carefully since she had arrived.

Sabine tried not to seem bothered by the scrutiny, but it was starting to wear on her.

It was becoming too much, but it was a party, and she was finally meeting her future husband. She had to stay.

‘I’m glad you find it appealing,’ Lamont said. ‘Truthfully, I was concerned that the chill would be troublesome for you.’

‘Then, you should know that my people are known for their resilience,’ she told him, careful to keep any bitterness or insinuation from her words. Still, she noticed his mother narrow her eyes.

That’s not good .

‘Though, I could use some fresh air,’ she added.

‘Then, I shall provide it.’ Lamont held out his arm. Sabine took it and let him lead her to a quiet path outside. She pretended to straighten her dress to cover how her eyes darted to Damien, who nodded once. She held back a breath of relief. The trio were quiet as they walked.

‘I hope you’ve enjoyed your time in Paris so far.’

‘How could I not?’ she said, forcing her voice to stay neutral. ‘The journey was more taxing than expected but Paris has a lot to offer.’

‘How so?’

‘I’m not used to such long journeys. I hadn’t taken many until recently.’ ‘Travelling suits you.’

Sabine shrugged. ‘I guess we’ll find out over time.’ ‘Perhaps we should go to Nice for our honeymoon.’ Genuinely curious, Sabine asked, ‘And what’s there?’

‘Oh, you would enjoy it. They have beautiful beaches, a chance for you to relax all day. I wouldn’t dare subject you to sports like tennis. I can be a bit competitive.’ He laughed. ‘Otherwise, doesn’t that sound like the perfect holiday?’

It was practically bait, the way he put it.

She wondered what type of woman he saw her as.

Sabine could argue or tell him she liked being outdoors rather than being tended to all day, which wouldn’t help her.

She needed to get married. It would be better to concede now, keep the illusion until the fateful day.

So, she smiled politely. ‘Of course.’

Lamont seemed satisfied with her response, and Sabine fought not to scowl at him. It wasn’t ladylike.

‘I have a feeling we will have a great marriage,’ he said as they continued to walk.

Sabine chuckled at the irony but kept her response light-hearted. ‘It will be quite the treat. However, I do not believe your mother is too fond of me.’

‘Don’t worry about that.’ Lamont placed his hands on her arms, rubbing them. ‘Only I have to be fond of you.’ He leaned closer, and Sabine tensed before stepping back. She cleared her throat and turned away.

‘We should return before people think we’re being indecent,’ she excused quickly. He sighed in frustration behind her, and she frowned. The nerve of him.

‘I suppose you are right,’ he agreed reluctantly.

She turned to him, and he was holding out his arm again. She didn’t want to touch him, but took her place by his side, swallowing her discomfort.

Later that night, Sabine’s new maids chattered around her as they prepared her for bed, but she tuned them out.

Had she been too harsh in her judgement of Lamont?

He didn’t know she studied history or knew how to fight, how gardens were her favourite place in the world because it reminded her of home.

He had been eager to meet her, so she could understand his frustration at her lack of reception.

Yet, she couldn’t shake her dislike of him.

‘Mademoiselle Kouassi.’

Sabine closed her eyes to clear her mind before turning to Damien. His face was the usual aloof mask of a guard, but she could spot the protective glint in his eyes.

‘I have a message for you from your father, remember?’

‘Yes, I do,’ Sabine said quickly. ‘Sandra, you are dismissed.’

‘But the Laurents might find it inappropriate if they find out I left you two alone,’ Sandra warned, suspicious eyes landing on the soldier, but one pointed look from Sabine made her avert her gaze. She ushered the other maids out even as she continued to glare at Damien on her way out.

Sabine shook her head when the door closed. ‘I should send her back.’

‘She only wants to look out for you,’ Damien told her.

Sabine looked at him in surprise. ‘And here I thought you were sworn enemies,’ she commented. It was no secret to her that Sandra wasn’t fond of how often they broke conventions of their stations, whether asking for moments of privacy like this or Damien sneaking Sabine treats during parties.

‘Oh no, she despises me,’ he said, and Sabine cracked the first genuine smile that night. ‘But I know she would never betray you. She never says negative things about you.’

‘That’s… fascinating,’ Sabine stated, voice flat. Damien rubbed her arms, and she looked up at him, yearning for his touch. She had craved it all night. He indulged her with a sweet, lingering kiss, savouring the tender moment. Too soon, he was already stopping.

‘I can’t stay much longer,’ he whispered.

Sabine fisted her hand in the collar of his uniform but nodded. Laying her head on his chest, she indulged in the few moments they had left. ‘I thank God that you’re here.’

Damien kissed the top of her head. ‘As do I.’

A week later, she was sitting in the drawing room with Lamont, his mother and the Roulets.

The conversation was polite as they discussed upcoming events and light business.

Sabine only chimed in with the occasional word or two, spending more energy trying to look interested.

With her father gone, it was an easier act than she thought it would be.

Without him, she could get away with being less than spectacular.

From the pointed way Genevieve ignored Sabine, that seemed to be the preference no matter how much Madame Roulet tried to include her in the conversation.

Sabine took a delicate sip of her tea as Damien entered the room.

She made sure her eyes didn’t linger as he delivered a note to the general, murmuring a message in his ear.

Luckily, she had another chance to look at him when the general stood up.

Damien’s lip quirked up the smallest bit when he met her gaze. She took another sip to hide her smile.

‘I’m afraid I have other matters to attend to,’ General Roulet announced. ‘Madame Laurent, please send my regards to your husband. We must catch up one of these days.’

‘Wait, dear, we have to discuss the wedding date,’ Madame Roulet exclaimed before the general could leave. Sabine’s eyes widened and her eyes immediately landed on Damien. His brows furrowed for a moment before he smoothed his expression.

‘Ah yes,’ General Roulet said. ‘Well, Sabine has been in France for a year but such an affair would take time to prepare, especially with her father overseas.’

‘So, perhaps, next summer would be a good time?’ Madame Roulet suggested, looking at Sabine. ‘I understand C?te d’Ivoire is much warmer than France, there’s not much we can do about the temperature but surely, we can be more accommodating to you and your family then.’

Sabine opened her mouth to agree, more than comfortable with the year-long delay, when Genevieve spoke.

‘Absolutely not. We’ll have it in autumn.’

Sabine’s jaw dropped and she was glad she wasn’t the only one. Madame Roulet seemed just as taken aback.

‘Madame Laurent, surely you can’t be serious,’ Madame Roulet said, her previously jovial tone sounding strained. ‘We wouldn’t want the wedding to seem rushed. We all know how easily a reputation can be ruined over an indecent rumour.’

‘What would be so indecent?’ Genevieve said. ‘Kwame has been a friend of our family’s for years. We may know the agreement is fairly recent but surely that doesn’t need to be public information. Seven months is more than enough time for the arrangement to be deemed decent, is it not?’

‘Still, it may not be wise to take the chance.’

‘Well, unfortunately, we and Kwame have business that cannot be delayed. So, improper or not, this marriage must be taken care of sooner than later.’

‘I’m inclined to agree with my mother,’ Lamont said. ‘Besides, the timing will be perfect. We’ll be visiting Marseille this winter. It would be a great way to spend our first Christmas together.’

Genevieve peered at Sabine and set down her teacup. ‘Don’t be sad, my dear. October is a splendid time to get married.’

‘I’m… merely shocked,’ Sabien said. ‘I didn’t expect our union so soon, but it sounds wonderful. I shall lean on Madame Roulet for arrangements, yes?’

‘Oh, yes! We shall have it here. It will delightful,’ Madame Roulet exclaimed, her excitement leaving no room for argument. Genevieve pursed her lips but said nothing. Lamont looked relieved before smiling at Sabine. She smiled back, her face hurting from the strain.

‘Fantastic. I’ll let Kwame know.’ The general tipped his head towards the room before he and Damien walked out, the soldier not looking back.

Sabine blinked a couple of times, reminding herself to breathe as Genevieve and Madame Roulet discussed wedding details.

She saw movement out the corner of her eye of Lamont, gesturing that they go outside. She forced herself to stand.