Chapter 14: What He Kept

Adrien's POV

I had rehearsed that moment for a year, and Bianca still managed to surprise me.

She did not shout.

She stood in the tearoom with the pearls open in her hands and let her eyes fill.

Every woman in the room leaned toward her.

It was well done.

In the first life, I had watched Élise do the very same thing, and I had admired it.

"Ask her what she did to me," Bianca said again, softer.

Élise did not move under my hand.

I felt her shoulder go still.

She was waiting for me to ask, and she would have answered.

"Bianca," I said. "Take your godfather to a table and order him something warm."

Her mouth opened.

"I will ask my fiancée whatever I wish to ask her," I said. "I will do it in private, where my grandfather is not trying to drink his tea."

A small laugh went through the room.

Bianca turned scarlet, and for once she had no line ready.

I helped Élise to her feet, bent to kiss my grandfather's cheek, and took her out through the lobby with my hand at her back.

Neither of us spoke in the lift.

I watched the numbers climb, and her reflection in the brass door watched me back.

She was waiting for the question, with her chin up.

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