As Philippe’s suggestion took hold, the first ray of hope filled Raoul’s being with such powerful intensity he leaped to his feet in reaction, almost dumping them both in the calm blue water.

“Mademoiselle?”

While the six girls who boarded during the summer were impatiently waiting for her to finish passing out the afternoon mail, Lee Gresham looked over her shoulder at the maid. “Yes, Bianca?”

“The Princess Sophie de Ramblet is on the phone for you. It’s urgent. Madame Simoness said you could take the call in her private office.”

“I’ll be right there.”

Afraid she knew the reason why her best friend insisted she come to the phone, Lee told the girls they could go out on the grounds to relax, then hurried from the foyer of Pensionnat Beau Lac to the headmistress’s bureau.

Darting across the Aubusson rug, she reached for the receiver. Out of breath she asked softly, “Sophie?”

“Thank heaven you answered.” Her friend sounded beside herself.

“Your parents didn’t find out about Luciano, did they?”

“No- This is much worse.”

“What’s wrong? Are you alone? Can you talk?”

“Yes, but only for a minute,” she said in hushed tones. “Mother just left my room. She told me Daddy’s upset because I’m not married yet. Apparently he phoned Henri Mertier last night and the matter has been settled. My wedding to Raoul has been brought forward to two months from now!”

“What?” Lee was aghast. “Have you told Luciano?”

“No. Mother was still in here with me when Raoul phoned from Neuchatel. H-he asked me to join him at his chalet in Zermatt on Thursday so we could get better acquainted over the weekend.”

“Better acquainted-” Lee blurted. “Don’t you mean introduced?” Her cheeks went hot. “I’m sorry, Sophie, but this whole thing is so archaic, I can’t understand it.”

“Do you honestly think I feel any differently?”

Lee bit her lip. “No, of course not. When we boarded together here at Beau Lac years ago, it’s ridiculous to think how much I envied you for being a princess. Your betrothal to Raoul sounded like something right out of Sleeping Beauty. I just never dreamed the fairy tale would end up a nightmare.”