“But I do love you. You must know that.”

“Deep inside I think I do know.” She knew it when she recalled the moments they had shared, the landmarks in a lifetime, which tell the tale. Those were the reasons why she still loved him.

He sighed. “But you need a great deal more. Don’t you, my dear?” She nodded, feeling at once young and brave. “You need my time as well as my affection. You need… enfin, you need what I don’t have to give.”

“That’s not true. You could have the time. We could do some of the things we used to. We could!” She sounded like a plaintive child and hated herself for it. She sounded like the child who had hounded her father to take her along. And she hated needing anyone that much. She had sworn long ago that she never would again. “I’m sorry. I understand.” Her eyes lowered and she withdrew.

“Do you understand?” He was watching her very closely.

“Of course.”

“Ah, ma Diane…” His eyes were troubled as he took her in his arms. She didn’t notice; her own were too filled with tears. He had said it at last. “Ma Diane…”

2

“You have enough money in the bank for the entire time I’ll be gone. But if you need more, call Dominique at the office, and she’ll transfer it. I told Sullivan I want him to look in on you at least twice a week. And…”

Deanna looked at her husband in surprise. “You told Jim to look in on me? Why?” Jim Sullivan was Marc-Edouard’s American partner, and one of the few Americans he truly liked.