course, but not Dauphine …” She cleared her throat. “You see,” she said. “I was, uh, in an abusive marriage.”
My eyes widened. “God, I’m so sorry,” I said.
She waved her hand again. “Not looking for sympathy. It’s been long enough I can say it for what it was without all the shame I dragged myself out of there with. But it's important you know about it because I have no doubt my husband would come looking if he knew where I was.”
“I don't know what to say. God. I’m so sorry you went through that.”
"There's nothing to say,” Andrea said. "The thing is, I ask myself why hiding out with an employer who's a paparazzi magnet like Xavier Pascale ever seemed to be a good idea. But then I ask myself what else could I do? He's been an amazing person to work for, and all of us who work for him would do anything for him. And so far I’ve stayed under the radar.”
I twisted my fingers together, fidgeting as her words chilled me. “Is there a chance your ex-husband could find you? Like, do you think he’s actively looking for you?”
“I don't see how he is after all this time. If I do go for a drink or dinner with the crew, they know we don't take pictures, and we keep a low profile.” She blew out a breath. “Unfortunately, he's not my ex-husband. I've been too nervous to file for divorce in case he could use that as a way to track me down.”
“My God, Andrea. I'm so sorry.” Jesus. I couldn’t imagine living with that kind of fear.
“Yeah. Well, I'm just telling you this because you need to keep a low profile too. Everyone on this boat is a target in their own way. Either themselves, as in my case, or as a way to get to Mister P or Dauphine.”
I pressed the side edge of my thumb nail against the highly varnished wood tabletop. “If you’re worried about me betraying your confidence, or attracting attention, please know I’d never willingly do that.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“Anyway” she said finally, “we all have something to lose. So, I hope you understand how seriously you have to take your job here.”
I nodded. “I do. Did I give you a different impression?”
“No, I don’t think so. But then again people have misled me before.” Her lips flattened.
“I do take my job seriously.”
“So far, we’ve been nothing but impressed with you.”
I was thankful to hear it, even though I didn’t think I’d done anything special beyond what a normal person would do.
The door to the galley smacked open behind me, and Dauphine flew in. She leaned over and planted a big smack of a kiss on each of my cheeks, then did the same with Andrea, and grabbed a plate, and then sat down.
“Wow,” I said. “Somebody’s in a good mood this morning.”
“Oui!” Dauphine clapped then reached for the butter. “Can you guess why?”
I shared a look with Andrea.
Dauphine pointed her knife. “You must not tell her, Andrea!”
Andrea made a zipper movement across her lips.
“I don’t know where to even start,” I said, amused.
“It is something to do with …” Dauphine paused, frowning, then said the word, “Shopping,” to Andrea.
“It is the same word in English. Shopping,” Andrea offered.
“Ah! Oui. Shopping.”
I raised my eyebrows. “We’re … going … shopping?”
“Not just shopping … we are going to the market! Papa said we can go today to the market in Antibes. It is not as good as the one in St. Tropez, mais … that is okay. You will love it! It is my favorite thing!” She was practically bouncing in her seat.
Confused at Dauphine’s excitement, I looked at Andrea for help. “A market has her this excited?”
“Well, the markets in France are a pretty big deal in the summer. Antibes is one of the best. Well, the covered market is there all summer, but they have a street market too where they close down the streets and vendors come from all over to set up their stuff.”
“Like a farmer’s market?”
“Sort of. But better. They sell everything. Even amazing antiques. The one in St. Tropez is famous but pricey. But after you’ve done this stretch of coast a few years, you realize that a lot of the same vendors travel to each place. You can buy linen dresses from Italy, amazing cheeses, unique jewelry, leather bags, cover-ups, flowers … you know what? I can’t do it justice. You’ll understand when you get there.”