“That’s exactly what it is! I don’t dare tell Luciano until I can see him in person and explain what’s happened.”

“How are you going to arrange that? With your marriage imminent, you won’t have a moment to yourself.”

“This is where you come in, Lee. I’ve got a plan. I’ve already arranged for Madame Simoness to give you the time off…”

Naturally. Sophie’s parents donated a fortune to the prestigious boarding school in Nyon on Lake Geneva. They were wonderful people who treated Lee like family. Lee was eaten up by guilt because they had no idea how many times she’d helped Sophie and Luciano get together.

“You want me to go to Zermatt with you,” she said in a wooden voice. It was a statement, not a question.

“Yes. We’ll take the train to Visp, where I’ll meet Luciano. You’ll go to Zermatt from there on the train and make my excuses to Raoul in person.”

Lee tried to swallow, but her mouth had gone dry. “I’d do just about anything for you, Sophie. But to lie to his face-”

“It won’t be a lie. I’m already feeling ill. Please, just listen. To avoid the press, he’s sending one of his friends named Philippe Didier to pick me up in front of the station and drive me to his chalet. The man will be holding a sign that says ‘Miami’ so people will think he’s waiting for an American tourist.”

“But his friend will see right away I’m not you!” Lee’s panic was bordering on hysteria.

“When you inform him you’re there in my place to speak to the Prince, he won’t question it. After you reach the chalet, you’ll tell Raoul I became nauseous on the train and took the next one back to Geneva.”

“That’s it?”

“No. There’s one more thing I need you to do for me. It’s the last thing I’ll ever ask of you, I promise.”