Thierry pushed up from the sofa and grabbed my sweater, which he handed to me with a definite look of apology in his still-dark gaze. I turned away and slid the sweater on as quickly as I could.
"Veronique," he said evenly. "I didn't expect you."
"No, I imagine not."
"You have come all the way from Paris to see me?" he asked.
"Yes, and I'm sure you know why."
"I would imagine it has something to do with the papers I sent you."
"That's right. An annulment?" She shook her head and smiled. "Really, Thierry. I expect much better from you after all of these years."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
She smiled in my direction. "Sarah, so lovely to see you again, my dear."
"You, too," I said, and it sounded more like a squeak.
Dammit. Why did I feel so wrong? Their marriage was over. I had nothing to feel guilty about. I mean, it's not exactly like our relationship was a secret. Everybody knew Thierry and I were together. Veronique herself condoned the whole thing—encouraged it even.
She was fine with it!
Still, I was currently so embarrassed I wanted to crawl under the sofa.
She returned her attention to Thierry. "I thought we had an understanding. Our lives could be led separately. You can take part in your… dalliances…"
I frowned at that. Dalliances?
"But to take things to the next level by seeking an annulment of our marriage?" She shook her head. "Honestly. I don't feel that such a step is necessary."
"With all due respect, Veronique," Thierry said, "I feel differently."
She nodded. "I see. And was this your decision or something you were talked into?"
"I am rarely talked into anything."
"This is very true. But you are a man. Your head can be turned by that which is new and shiny. History suggests that all men will wander, but they eventually will return to where they belong. I am simply suggesting that you look at this situation from my point of view."
"And what point of view is that, Veronique?"
"How would you feel if some young man came into my life and I decided to leave everything to be with him exclusively? If it were I who requested this annulment?"
Thierry stared at her for a moment and his lips curled to the side. "I would be fine with it."
She frowned. "Perhaps that was a bad example."
Thierry turned to me. "I think it would be best if you allow Veronique and me to discuss this matter alone."
That sounded like the best news I'd heard all day. Well, other than the fact that my nightwalker days were history. Leaving the room and letting Thierry and his wife hash out the annulment issue ran a very close second.
"No," Veronique said. "This concerns Sarah as well. After all, had you not met her, this wouldn't be an issue at all, would it?"
"No, you're right," Thierry said. "It wouldn't be an issue, because if I hadn't met Sarah I would be dead right now."
"Ah yes, she did interrupt your little plan to end your long life, didn't she?"
"That she did."
She seemed to be avoiding a laugh. "And this has given you such a new outlook on life that you wish to end our arrangement to, what? Marry her instead?"
He glanced at me and then back to her. "My plans are currently not up for discussion."
She sighed. "Such double talk. Truly, Thierry, had you not begun life as a mere peasant, I'm quite sure you would have become a lawyer."
His face showed a bit of strain. "Are you refusing to sign the papers?"
She waited so long to answer that I wondered for a moment if she'd even heard the question. "I haven't yet decided. I thought I would return to Toronto to find out your true feelings on the matter. I believe I understand all too well now."
"You should sign them," he said.
"Perhaps. Perhaps not." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then she smiled again, a seemingly effortless expression. "I will be staying at the the Windsor Arms. If you need me, please don't hesitate to let me know. I may stay for a couple of weeks, now that
I'm here. Good night."
She turned and left the office. Thierry made a move to follow her, but I grabbed his arm to find that it was tensely corded muscle.
"It's okay," I said. "Let her go."
"She is the second most frustrating woman I've ever known," he said.
I frowned. "Who's the first?"
He met my gaze and a small smile showed through his tense expression. "You are."
"Frustrating, huh?"
"Extremely." He took my face between his hands and kissed me lightly. "I must speak with her."
"No, let me," I said.
"You?"
"Believe it or not, she likes me. At least, she used to. If I can talk to her face to face and explain everything, maybe she'll listen."
"You are more than welcome to try."