The Beautiful Ones - Silvia Moreno-Garcia Page 0,99

thought of leaning forward and capturing that hand between his own. But like her, he did not know what he wanted, and he was afraid because he always knew what he desired, it was all atrociously simple, until now it wasn’t.

“I have a busy day ahead of me,” Hector said, lifting himself from his seat. “But it is always good to see you. Please, if you leave the city, let me know.”

“I … Yes, I will let you know,” Nina said.

It was still raining, but he stuffed his hands in his pockets and rushed off, mindless of the weather. She was leaving! And, why not? Why would she stay? Perhaps he might have asked … but he had already said he would miss her, and he did not believe there was anything else left to say.

CHAPTER 15

Luc Lémy stood rather dramatically with his back to her, an arm draped against the mantelpiece, as if posing for a painting. Valérie scrutinized the young man with a raised eyebrow and a dash of contempt.

“No, I have been hard at work. Three potential investors lined up for the project, and Gaétan seems to like me,” Luc protested. “I think Nina finds me attractive.”

“Then, what is the problem?”

“When I am with her, sometimes I feel as though she is not fully there. I don’t think I’ve managed to capture her soul,” he said, turning around and sounding so earnest, it almost made Valérie want to laugh.

“My dear Mr. Lémy, souls are flimsy. I wouldn’t think you’d be the kind of man who bothers about capturing that specific item.”

Luc did not seem amused by her comment. Valérie shook her head.

“Why is she reticent?” Valérie asked, pausing to rearrange the lush roses in a porcelain vase on the table next to her.

“She won’t say it in so many words, but it’s that damn Hector Auvray,” Luc affirmed. “Why in heavens should she be fixated on him?”

“First loves tend to dig deep into one’s heart,” Valérie said, unable to suppress a rawness in her voice, which made Luc give her an odd look. Valérie composed herself quickly, rising from her chair with a rustle of silk, standing cool and firm. “There’s a remedy to every malady, Mr. Lémy, and I think I have the tonic that may cure this patient.”

“Will you speak to her? Attempt to sway her to my side? She says she wants time to think about me, but I fear she’ll turn me away.”

“You can trust me,” she replied.

“I shall be forever grateful,” he said.

Perhaps the elusiveness of Luc’s prey had burnished Antonina, making her appear more glorious than she was. Or perhaps it was nothing but the novelty of a conquest, but whatever it was, Valérie was aware Luc’s vehemence only increased by the day. Some of that must reach the girl’s heart, surely, rendering her pliable.

Valérie was not one to leave things to chance. It could well be that Antonina might be driven into Luc’s arms with a modicum of time. However, the matter of Hector Auvray remained troubling. If he was there, distracting her, Antonina might not do as they wanted.

Since her chat with Agnes Haduier, Valérie had been paying a man to keep watch on Nina. He had mostly reported about her meetings with Luc Lémy, but there had also been occasions when she had been in Hector’s company: a visit to the theater, a tearoom. Each one of those encounters could have been disastrous.

Valérie knew enough was enough. The Grand Season was not slowing down, and they needed to secure an alliance before the arrival of the summer. Wait too long, and Antonina might drift toward another suitor. Spring was the time to settle this matter.

Hector Auvray must be dealt with, now.

The matter decided, there was nothing else to do than to head to the Royal. Valérie took care to wear a white hat with a veil in case she should be recognized. She did not want anyone to know she’d gone there.

Once she arrived, she was quickly ushered into Hector’s dressing room. She noted the profusion of objects in there. Props, books, and the large desk dominating the space. Behind it sat Hector. She closed the door and he rose as she walked in. His smile turned into a frown.

“You expected someone else, I suppose,” she said as she took off her hat. This, along with the veil, would shield her. They were not of the same height, but casual observers would assume it was Antonina Beaulieu, not