The Beautiful Ones - Silvia Moreno-Garcia Page 0,83

whether to smile or not.

What kind of fool am I? she wondered. Because she could feel it there, in her chest, that flutter of affection, the thrill racing down her spine. She disliked it somewhat, how easily it came, and yet she lingered at his side for one more moment.

CHAPTER 8

Hector woke up rather early and he dedicated himself to his reading before finally heading to the bathroom for a hot shower and a shave. He always dressed well, knowing the kind of outfit that befitted a gentleman—he was studious, had learned to copy others—therefore, he should not have lingered before the mirror as he did, contemplating his reflection.

When it came to breakfast, he had no appetite and could hardly make himself drink his coffee.

It was because he had not slept well, he thought. He had not returned from the party at an untimely hour, but he’d had a fitful sleep.

It was too warm in the city. It felt more like summer than spring, and even if he left the window open, it did not help. There was no breeze to cool his bed.

That explained it, then, the restlessness, he told himself.

He boarded a carriage two streets from his home and arrived at the aquarium at the appointed time.

He saw Nina standing by the entrance and was relieved.

He had wondered if she might desert him. He offered her his arm and she took it.

The aquarium’s ceilings were high, of cast iron and glass, allowing the light to flood the interior of the building. The floor was decorated with bright mosaics featuring mermaids and sea lions. There were many tanks filled with water and sea life, bright fish beckoning at every corner. Several tanks were shrouded with velvet curtains, and an attendant would pull them apart, giving people a chance to peruse the sea creatures, creating a sense of drama. Nina stood before each one of the tanks, whispering to him about the animals they were looking at.

Sometimes she’d stop, her back too straight, as if she’d remembered an important detail, and the smile that was blooming on her lips died. But it was not as painful as he’d imagined it, even if, for an instant, it might feel like his palm was sliding upon a piece of broken glass. Because she would also look eager and forget whatever worries plagued her, and her voice would rise and dip as they watched the animals.

When they were done observing the fish, they went to a seat by the fountain that guarded the entrance of the building, a stone mermaid spilling water from a conch. Nina had done most of the talking during their visit, but now, outside the aquarium, she grew quiet.

Even when he was young, he had not been terribly eloquent with women, and now the endeavor was doubly difficult, but Hector decided there was no point in sitting there in silence.

“May I ask you what may seem an indelicate question?”

“What is it?” she replied.

“Is Luc Lémy courting you?”

The idea had been buzzing through his head all morning long. When he’d caught sight of her at the party, they had been together and he’d thought that was the case, but then she said he had not escorted her.

“He flirts with me but he has said nothing of the sort yet. He might. It’s difficult to know.”

“He’s not a bad man,” Hector said.

“An underwhelming endorsement,” she said.

He wanted to be fair in his assessment. He thought Luc Lémy volatile, movable, and perhaps lacking in imagination, but he had his positive qualities. When he wanted to, he could be a pleasant chap. To pretend otherwise would have been a lie.

“May I ask you a question that may seem indelicate this time?” she told him.

“You may.”

“You and Valérie—”

“I have no interest in discussing Valérie,” he said, cutting her off.

She grew serious, a frown upon her brow. “If there is a chance that we might be friends again, then we must be honest with each other. If you do not wish to tell me the truth, then I might as well leave now,” she said, sitting firm and straight.

“What truth do you want?”

“You love her still?” Her tone was neutral; she might have been asking about the weather or the time a shop opened.

“No,” he said with a similar coolness.

“She said you came back for her.”

“I did everything for her.”

“And yet she has vanished from your heart this effortlessly?” Nina asked. A flicker of emotion flashed in her eyes before she angled her head and