But, lovely as Sophie was, he knew the fire wasn’t there for her on Raoul’s part. Though he’d had ample opportunity over the years, his son had never sought her company.

“I’m sorry the news is so distressing to you.”

Raoul ran trembling hands through his hair one more time. “I’ve got to be by myself for a while, Father. Excuse me.”

He slipped out the doors of the family château and climbed into the forest beyond the estate. He broke into a run as he left the gentler slopes and made his way through the pines clinging to the steeper hillsides overlooking the lake.

By the time he’d reached his destination, his breath was spent. He flung his body facedown into the bed of wild narcissus and gave way to his grief. Time had no meaning as pain continued to rack his body.

Much later, when he rose to his feet on unsteady legs, the stars had faded from their velvet backdrop.

As a pale yellow dawn filled the sky, he let himself back inside his apartment.

Gripping his cellphone with a hand still redolent of narcissus, he rang Philippe.

“Raoul-” he answered in a gravelly voice. “What time is it?”

“Five-thirty. Can you talk?”

“But of course,” his voice came back, much stronger than before. “You want me to come there?”

“No. Meet me at the pier. We’ll take a ride.”

“I’ll join you in ten minutes.”

A half-hour later Raoul cut the motor of the speedboat. They were far enough away from shore to ensure total privacy. Without preamble he told Philippe about the bombshell his father had just dropped on him.

“Mon Dieu- I thought it was several years away yet.” The two men faced each other. Philippe clamped a hand on Raoul’s shoulder. “You don’t have to go through with it.”