Love'sHarvest

DeepintheheartofFrancesmajesticwinecountry,thesundrenchedhilsandlush

vineyardsoftheJetonfamilyestateseemliketheperfectsettingforapassionate

affairedeCoeur.Butthelifeofworkaholicwinemaster,NicoleJeton,isanythingbut

romantic.Fromoneharvesttothenext,sherunstheworld-renownedwinery,cares

forherinvalidfather,andbailsherno-goodbrotheroutoftroubleneverstopping

longenoughtoconsiderherownneedsanddesires.UntilshemeetsthelovelyCamille

Cartier

ChapterOneThewinerybuzzedwithactivityasthefirstgroupoftouristsarrived.Nicolewasgladthat

Antoinehadofferedtotakethem;hisEnglishwasgettingbetterwitheachbusthat

stoppedintheparkinglot.Shewatchedhimgatherthetouristsincloserlikeashepherd

tendinganewflock.Hegavethemeachacolorfulbrochureandmadethemlaugheasilyas

theybeganaskinghimquestions.Nicolelefthim,confidentthathewouldbeboth

entertainingandinformative,andmadeherwaydowntheshorthallwaytothenursery.She

wouldfinallyhavealittletimetoherself.

NicoleJetonenjoyedeverythingaboutbeingawine-masterfromdecidingwhena

particularvintagewasreadytobesoldtoinspectingandcleaningtheequipmenttheyused

fortheharvest.Verylittlewentonthatshewasn'tinvolvedin.Sheworkedwitheach

employeeindividuallyseveraltimesduringtheday.Nojobwastoosmall;shehaddonethem

allatonetimeoranother.Thenursery,however,wouldalwaysholdaspecialplaceinher

heart,andjustbeingamongthesmallplantsintheirmostdelicatestagessoothedher

completely.

Herloveforthevineyardhadstartedherewhenshewasachild.EveryAprilshehad

helpedherfatherwiththeyounggraftsthatwouldsomedayreplaceoldordamagedvines

inthevineyard.NicolerememberedhowPapahadcaredforthesprigsandhoweagershe

hadbeentohelpwheneverheneededsomething.Shesmiledasshegentlytoucheda

tendernewleaffromanalreadyestablishedshoot.Thishadalsobeenherfather's

favoritepartofthewinery.

Nicolereachedfortheoldwatercanandwasmomentarilyamazedathowmuchlighterit

hadgottenovertheyears.Everymorningasshetendedtothenewplantsshethoughtof

herfather.Hispatiencewithhereagernesshadbeenablessing,somethingshewould

alwaysremember.

"Morewater,Papa?Don'ttheyneedmorewater?"shewouldaskhim.

EvennowNicolecouldrememberhisdeeplaughterashenoddedhisgrayinghead."Justa

little,Ithink,"hewouldsaybeforehelpingherwiththewateringcan.Nicolealwaysfeltveryclosetohimhereinthenursery.Hehadtaughtherwell.

Atcollegeshehadbeenachemistrymajor,hervastknowledgeofwinemakingapparent

evenasateenager.InschoolNicoletookclasseswithfuturephysicists,chemistsand

doctors,whoalllaughedwhenshetoldthemshewouldbeawinemastersomeday."Noone

goestocollegeforthat,"theyhadsaid."Youhavesuchabrightfutureinmedicine!Whysettleforsomenialaprofession?"Nicolewasthefirstpersoninherfamilytoevergotocollege.Chemistryandphysicsshehadlearnedthere,butwine-makingshehadlearned

fromherfather.

Thepeopleatthewinerypreparedfortheharvestallyearlong.AsalittlegirlNicolehad

beeneverywherebeggingtohelp.Attheblessingofthevineyardseachfall,aritualthat

theyhopedensuredaprofitablecrop,NicolerememberedholdingPapa'sbigroughhandas

diepriestinhishabitflungholywaterandrecitedaprayerinheavilyaccentedFrench.It

hadalwaysbeenherfavoritepartoftheharvest.Fromtheretheactivitywasnonstop.

Afterthecropwasfinallyin,PapawouldgetacrateforNicoleandherbrother,Lalo,to

standonsotheycouldhelpcrushthegrapesinalargewoodenvat.Theyeachhadtheir

ownwoodenpaddlesandwerealwayssocarefulastheystirred.Laloboredeasilyandwas

offplayingelsewherebeforelong,butNicolestayedandtendedtothegrapes,feelingas

thougheachandeveryonebelongedonlytoher.

Shetaggedalongbehindherfather,monthaftermonth,yearafteryear,learningmore

thananyonethoughtpossibleforsomeonesoyoung.ItwasassumedthatLalowould

eventuallycarryonthefamilytraditionofwinemaking,buthehaddiscoveredhispassion

foryoungmenandhadmoreimportantthingstodo.Themomentwinemakingbecamework,

Lalohadlostallinterestinit.Hehadnointentionofeverhavingtogotoworkifatall

possible.

Nicolerememberedhowcoldandquietthewintershadseemedatthewinerywhenshewas

achild.Januarybroughtwithitatimeforrelaxationforthem,withthegroundfrozenand

thevinesdormant.NicolespenttimewithPapainthelabthen,sittingonastoolnextto

his,watchingasheheldtesttubesuptothelight.Thishadundoubtedlysparkedherfirst

interestinchemistry.

Nicolesetthewatercandownandtookoffhergloves.Shestretcheddiekinksoutofher

backandglancedaroundthenursery.Everythingwasalwaysinitsplace.Shelikedthat.A

JetonVineyardscalendarhungonarustynailnearthedoor.Nicolescanneditandsmiled.

Sheorderednewcalendarseveryyearwiththesamepictureofthechateauatthetop.It

wasjustoneofmanytraditionsshehadchosentocontinue.Shelikedconsistency,liked

knowingwhatwasexpectedofhereverymorningwhenshewokeup.Thelifeofa

winemasterseldomchanged,withcertainthingsdoneatcertaintimes.Nicolestudiedthe

calendarfurtherandscanneddiemonthswithinterest.

InFebruarytheypruned.Itwascoldandbitter,notanyone'sfavoritemonthatthe

winery.Asachild,Nicolehadn'tbeenpermittedtoobservethepruningprocessuntilshe

wasmucholder,eventhoughshebeggedtogotothevineyardswithherfathereveryday

fromthetimeshewasfive.Theweatherwastooharshforonesoyoung,andNicolehad

neverbeenapatientchild.Nowshethoughtbackonthosetimesfondlywhilesheand

Antoinewereoutthereinthevineyardswithdieothers.Nicolesupervisedandshivered

rightalongwitheveryoneelse.Attimesitcouldbemiserablework,butshelovedit.They

alllovedit.

MarchandAprilweremuchmorereasonablemonths,withmorepruningbeforethevines

wokeupandtheshootsbegantorun.Thenurserybecameactivethen,withnewgrafts

beinglaidindampsawdustorsandandkeptatcontrolledtemperatures.Nicoletendedto

eachgraftcarefully,lovingly,asifeverysprigwerealinktothefuture.

InMaytherewasalwaysthethreatoffrost.ShecouldrememberPapagoingtothe

vineyardseverymorning,checkingandrecordinganythingsignificant.EvennowNicolerode

outtothevineyardsbrightandearlyonmorningsinMay,sometimesthinkingofhimasshe

scribbledinhernotebook.Asateenagershehadlearnedtheimportanceoflogging

everythingconcerningthecropandtheharvest.Allpesticidesandweedkilers,theiruses

andeffects,wererecordedandusedforfuturereference.Unusualweatherwasrecorded:

droughts,floods,out-of-seasoncoldsnaps.Everything.Shehadwatchedherfatherdothis

dayafterdayandeventuallywasallowedtohelphimwithit.Thepaperworkattimeswas

overwhelming.

June,however,wasalwaysthetrickymonth.Itusuallybroughtcalm,warmweatherwhen

thevinesbegantoflower.Theabsenceofsevererainandwindwascriticalatthispoint.

Nicolealwayswatchedtheweatherascloselyasshewatchedthevines.Luckwasjustas

importantafactorasskillinthisbusiness.

"Toomuchrain,"sherememberedherfathersayingonemorninginmid-Junethesummer

beforeshewentawaytocollege.Theirhorsesfollowedalongbehindthemastheylooked

downatthevineyardsfromtheridge.

"RaininJuneisgood,Nicole.Butnotsomuch.Ithastostopsoon."Andstopitdid.Theweatherhadgiventhemseveralscaresovertheyears,butneveranythingtheycouldn't

recoverfrom.

Julywasamoreleisurelytimeforthem,thenurserybeingthemainconcernwhilethe

grapesinthevineyardsflourished.NicolehadstayedclosetothelabwheneverPapawas

thereandshewasnotinschool.Hewouldpourasmallsampleofwineinaglassandholdit

uptothelight.Seeinghimtaketheglasscarefullyinhisbighandsalwaysmadehersmile

asheswirled,sniffed,andthensippedtheglass'scontents.Hewouldpursehislips

playfullyandmakealittlesmackingnoisethatalwaysmadeherlaugh.

"Tastethis,Nicole.Seehowsweet?"

Nicolewouldtaketheglassfromhimandswirlandsmellitsremainingcontentsbefore

tastinganyofit."Yes,Papa."

"Comingalongnicely.Muchdifferentfromlasttime?"hewouldaskashejotteddown

notes.

"Muchdifferent,"sheagreed."Lessacid."

Hewouldsmilethen,havingverylittleideawhatsortofchemicalchangestookplaceduring

thefermentationprocess.Heonlyknewwhenthetimewasright.

Nicolewasnowthewinemaster,andspenthourstastingandtestingthevariousvintages.

Herfatherhadbeenseriouslyillforseveralyearsnow,andseemedtobegettingeven

worsetheselastfewmonths.Nicole'scredibilityashissuccessor,however,hadnever

beenquestioned.Thewineindustryhadacceptedherimmediately.Nicole'sflairfor

businessandhervastknowledgeofwinewasevidentineverythingshedid.Shehadearned

therespectofthosewhoknewofsuchthings.Underhermanagement,thewinery'sprofits

werehigherthantheyhadeverbeensincehergrandfather'sdeathfiftyyearsago.

Severalgoodcropsandshrewdnegotiationswithbuyershelpedthefinancialsecurityof

theJetonfamily.

NicoleheardAntoine'sbaritonevoicecarryfromthevatroomovertothenursery.She

knewhowfortunateshewastohavehim.Goodcellarmastersdidnotcomealongeasily.She

andAntoineenjoyedridingdowntothevineyardstogether,seeingthegrapesalongthe

landscapeamidseveralflashesofpinkandgreen.Theyworkedcloselytogetherduringthe

yearandpreparedfortheharvesteveryday.Theharvestwaseverything;theexcitement

alwayskeptspiritshigh.Thewinerywouldbehummingwithactivityasbaskets,crushers,

hods,vats,pipes,desktalkersandpresseswerecleanedandinspected.Nicolehadtokeep

anevenclosereyeontheweatherduringthistime.Becausetoomuchraincouldruinthe

crop,therewasanever-presentdesireamongmostofthestafftoharvestearly.Antoine

andNicolealwayscheckedthevineyardstogetherdailywhentheywerecloseto

harvesting.

"They'reready,"Antoinehadsaidtheyearbefore.Helookedattheskynervouslyandthenbackatthegrapes."Isayweharvesttomorrow.I'lltalktothepriest."

"Let'swait.Itwon'train."

Antoinethrewhishandsupintheair,exasperated.Yearafteryearshewaswillingtotake

achance,whilethewaitingmadeAntoinesonervousthathecouldn'tsleepatnight.The

longertheyheldoffontheharvest,thebetterandsweeterthegrapeswouldbe.Antoine,

beingthepessimistthathewas,hadnightmaresofhailstormsorweeksofrainthatwould

eitherdestroythecropormaketheharvestimpossible.ButNicolewasthewinemaster,

andthedecisionwhentoharvestwashersandhersalone.Sofarshehadalwaysbeen

right.

Shecheckedthetemperatureinthenurseryandmadeafewadjustmentsbeforegoing

upstairstoherofficetofinishsomepaperwork.Thesaleofaparticularvintagewaswithin

daysofclosing,andshewantedeverythingreadywhenthetimecame.Awhilelatershe

heardthechatteringoftouristsfromtheparkinglotastheyboardedtheirbus.Nicole

glancedatherwatch.Shewantedtospendsometimewithherfatherbeforelunch.

ChapterTwoCamilleraceddownthehall,herlongskirtswooshingasshewent.Shereachedtheelevator

onlysecondsbeforeitsdoorsclosedbehindher.Rearrangingthefoldersinherarmsand

settingherbriefcasedown,shecheckedherwatch.Lateagain.Youhavetostartleaving

theapartmentearlier,sheremindedherself.Everymorningshewasupinplentyoftime,

butthingsjustneverseemedtogoasplanned.

Themomenttheelevatordoordingedopenagain,Camillerushedout.Sheburstintoher

officeandglancedattheclockonthewall,hopingthatpossiblyherwatchhadbeenwrong.

Astackoftelephonemessageswashandedtoheronthewayby.

"Yourcousinhascalledthreetimesalready,"Adelsaid."Andtheeditorwantstoseeyou."

Camillewentintoherofficeanddroppedthefoldersandthemessagesonheralready

cluttereddesk.Theeditor,shethought.Notgood.Sheselectedseveralfoldersfromthe

stackandhandedthemovertohersecretary."Anyideawhathewants?"

Adelshookherhead.

"Sendtheseback,"Camilesaid,indicatingthefolders."CallandtellhimI'monmyway."

Shehurriedoutofherofficeandbackdownthecrowdedhallway,oblivioustotheovert

glancesmeantonlyforher.Withherheadheldhighandshoulder-lengthdarkhairbouncing

witheachstep,shebracedherselfforalectureonpunctuality.Thebosscouldbea

stickleraboutsuchthings.Hehadn'tasmuchasevenspokentoherinthreemonths.

"Goodmorning,"Camillesaidpleasantlytotheeditor'sassistant."He'sexpectingme."

Thewomanlookedupandsmiled."Goodmorning,MademoiselleCartier.Yes,he'sbeen

waitingforyou.Goonin."

Notgood,Camillethoughtagainasshesmoothedherskirtandsteppedintohissimplebut

tastefullydecoratedoffice.

"Ah,Camille,"hesaidbrightly,androsefromhischair."Comein."

"Goodmorning.Youwantedtoseeme?"Shewassurprisedatthecalminhervoice.Thiswasnotoneofherfavoritepeople.Hemotionedforhertositdown.

"Ijustwantedtocongratulateyouonthewayyou'veturnedyourdepartmentaround,"hesaid.Eventhoughhewasseveralinchesshorterthanshe,thechairbehindhisdeskgave

onetheimpressionthathewasmuchtaller.Camilleoftenwonderedifhisfeettouchedthe

floorwhenhesatdown."Inthesixmonthssinceyoutransferred,"hecontinued,"you'vemanagedtoclearoutmostofthebacklog,andI'veheardnothingbutgoodreportsinyour

dealingswiththeothersections."

Camillewasnearlyspeechlessasshestaredathim.Compliments?Hewasgivingher

compliments?Shehadn'texpectedthis.

Backinherownofficeshewasonceagainbombardedwithtelephonemessages."Your

cousincalledagain,"Adelinformedherasshewavedthemessageintheair.

CamillepulledtheslipofpaperfromthestackanddialedMarguerite'snumber,wondering

whatnationalemergencyhadarisensincetheyhadlastspokenthenightbefore.

"Marguerite,Camillesaid,gettingcomfortablebehindherdesk,"fourmessagesbeforeeight-thirty?Areyouallright?Issomeoneill?"

"Camille,"Marguerite oozed, "you were so evasive when we spoke last. Are you or are you notcomingtoourpartytonight?"

Camilletookadeepbreath,sighingheavily.Shethoughtshehadmadeherpositionquite

clearalready.ShehatedMarguerite'sparties.Theywerenothingmorethanelaborate,

boringbusinessmeetingsforMarguerite'shusbandandhismaleclients.Inadditionto

that,Margueritewasforevertryingtofixherupwiththemosteligibleoftheeligibles,

eventhoughCamilehadmadeitveryclearthatshewasalesbianandhadnointerestinany

ofit.Marguerite,however,nevergaveuptrying,andCamilesometimeswonderedif

perhapssheherselfwastoblameforthiscontinuedpersistence.Maybeshehadsomehow

failedtomakeherpositionabsolutelyclear.

"Ihaveworktodothisevening,"Camillesaidlamely.

"Work,work.Youworktoohard.Playisgoodtoo."

Camillelaughed."Yougivemenothingtoplaywith,Marguerite.Yourpartiesareboring."

"Boring?"

"Boring.Stringquartets.Tinycrustlesssandwiches.Men.Boring,Marguerite.Positively

boring."

"TheentertainmentandthefoodIcandosomethingabout,dearest,"Margueritesaid

dryly,"butourguestsarealwaysthesame.Theyaskforyouwhenyou'renothere.Each

saysithurtshisbusinesswhenyoudon'tshowup.Pleasecome.Forme.Please."Margueritepausedforamoment."Ajazzensemble?Crepes?"

"Women?" Camille added in the same tone of voice her cousin had used. She chuckled and thensighedagain."Whattime?"

Aftershehungup,shewasabsolutelyamazedatMarguerite'sabilitytogetherway.I'm

muchtooavailable,Camillethoughtwithasmile.Itneveronceoccurredtohertolietoher

cousin,feigningplansthatshereallydidn'thave.Eventuallysomethinginterestingwas

boundtohappenatoneofthosequaintgatherings,sheremindedherself.

BylatethatafternoonCamillehadherdeskseeminglyunclutteredandabriefcasefullof

manuscriptseagerlyawaitingherattention.Duringthedrivehomeshemulledoverwhat

shewouldweartoMarguerite'spartyanddecidedagainstcatchinganapbeforegetting

ready.Afewcleverlyplacedyawnsafteranhourortwowouldworkinherfavorasfaras

leavingearlywasconcerned.

Sheputthefinishingtouchesonhermakeupandeyedherselfcriticallyinthemirror.She

thoughtshehadspottedafewwrinklesaroundhereyesearlier.Camillelookedmore

closelyandtossedherwavy,shoulder-lengthdarkhair.Atthirty-fiveshedidn'tfeelas

thoughshedeservedwrinklesyet.It'stheseawfulhoursIkeep,shethoughtwearily.

ShearrivedatMarguerite'sshortlyaftereight.Oneglanceacrosstheenormousroom

filledwithsuitedmentoldherthiswasnodifferentthananyoftheothereventsshehad

attendedhere.

Margueritespiedherandcameglidingover,wastingnotimebeforelaunchingintoa

conversationwiththreebaldingeligibles.Camille,havingbeenproperlytrainedinthesocial

gracesofParisianhighsociety,automaticallysmiledattherighttimeandlaughedoncueat

whateverwassaid.Onemaninparticularkeptrubbinghiselbowagainstherarmeachtime

someonelaughed.Margueritehadintroducedhimassomeoneinelectronics.Camillewas

awarethathekeptstandingatanoddangletoher,andshefinallyrealizedheknewshe

wastallenoughtoseehisbaldspoteasily.Theothertwomenweremucholder,butage

didn'tlessentheattentiontheyfocusedonher.Oneofthemhadmademillionsinthe

importbusiness,whiletheotherwasinvolvedinthemusicindustry.Iftheconversation

draggedevenforamoment,Margueritewasrighttheretoreviveit.

Astringquartetintheotherroomwasvirtuallyignoredbyeveryone.Peoplecontinuedto

pourintothealreadycrowdedroom.Camillemanagedtosnatchaglassofchampagneasthe

traywhizzedpasther,andshewonderedbrieflyiftherewasanythingtoeat.Shewas

starving.Asthemenslippedintoaconversationonworldeconomics,Camillesippedher

champagneandwenttosearchforanhorsd'oeuvreortwo.

Margueritefinallylocatedheratthebuffettable."Hereyouare.Ishouldhaveknown

whereI'dfindyou."

"Nocrepes?Nojazz?"Camillesaidasshetookatinybiteofatriangular-shapedsandwich.

"Youpromisedtodobetter,Marguerite.Yougotmehereunderfalsepretensesagain."

"Ididn'thavetimetophonethecaterer,andallthejazzensemblesinParisarebooked

solidfortwomonths."

Camillesippedherchampagneandleanedclosertohercousintowhisper,"I'mleaving,andIwon'tbebackuntilyouhavebettermusicandrealfood."

Marguerite'sboisterouslaughtercaughteveryone'sattention."Don'tberidiculous."Sheloweredhervoiceconspiratoriallyandwhisperedinreturn,"Promisingthatyou'llbehereistheonlyreasonsomeoftheseoldfoolscometothesethings.You'rewonderfulwindow

dressing,mydear.Icouldmakeafortunejustsellingyourtelephonenumber."

"Flatterydoesn'tworkwithme,Marguerite.Youknowthat.Windowdressingisnoreason

formetogiveupaperfectlydulleveningathome.Therearewomenwhodothisfora

living,youknow.Getoneofthemnexttime."

Camillesetheremptyglassdownonasmalltableandlookedtowardthedoortoseehow

difficultitwouldbetogetthere.

"NowIsupposeyou'llbetryingtoconvincemethatyouhavesomethingbettertodowith

yourtime,"Margueritesaid.

"I'dratherbeintractionthanspendanotherminuteherewithyourdrooling,overdressed

salesmen.Traction,

Marguerite.Brokenlegsandeverything."

"Younevergoanywhereordoanything,"Margueritesaid,ignoringher."Allyoudoiswork.

AtleastI'mgettingyououtandawayfromthat."

Camillelethercousinhelpherwithhercoat."Thismakesworkseemsosimpleandalluring."

"Theoneinshippinghasaskedaboutyouseveraltimes,"Margueritewhispered."Ineverknowwhattotellhim."

Camillesmiledandsqueezedhercousin'shand."TellhimIpreferwomen,andthenaskhim

ifhehasasisterwhomightbeinterested.Tellhimwhateveryoulike.Idon'treallycare

whatyoutelhim."

Margueriteeyedhermenacinglyforamomentandthenshookherhead."I'msureIcan

thinkofsomethingtotellhim."

ChapterThreeNicoletookthetrayfromthemaidandsetitcarefullynearherfather'sbed.Hewas

awake,butlistless.Ithadbeenweekssincehehadbeenabletositupalone.Hisdark

browneyesflickeredwithrecognitionwheneverhesawher,butstillhecouldn'tspeak.

Nicolefedhimslowlyandtoldhimthenewsfromthewinery.Thedoctorssaidthathehad

becomefeebleanddidn'tunderstandanything,butNicolerefusedtobelieveitandtalked

tohimasmuchnowassheeverhad.

"Wouldyoulikeashave,Papa?IcanhaveAntoinehelpme.

EatingwhatlittleNicolehadbeenabletofeedhimhadthoroughlyexhaustedhim.He

dozedbrieflyandthenfellintoadeepsleep.Nicolecoveredhimagainstthesuddenchillin

theroom.IthadbeenseveraldayssinceNicolehadfeltEva'spresencethere.The

apparitionofherlong-deadancestorbroughtlittlemorethanmildacknowledgmentfrom

thehouseholdanymore.Eva'spresenceinthechateauwasacceptedbyeveryone

connectedwiththeJetonfamily.Theservantscarriedontheirdutiesaseasilywithas

withoutEva'sbeingthere.Occasionallytheapparitionwasevenwelcomed.

"He'lbefine,Eva,"Nicolesaidreassuringly.Shefussedwiththecoversonthebed."He'llbefine."

Shelefthiminthecareofhisnurseandwenttothelibraryonthefirstfloorofthe

chateau.Claudette,thedownstairsmaid,broughtthestackofmailandNicole'safternoon

tea.

"Weshouldbothbeherefordinner,"Nicolesaidabsentmindedly.

"Yes,Mademoiselle."

Nicoleseparatedtwoenvelopesfromthestack.SheopenedMarguerite'sletterfirst.It

hadbeenseveralmonthssinceshehadheardfromher.Theenvelopecontainedan

invitationtodinnerthenexttimeNicolewasintown.BusinesssentNicoletoParisseveral

timesayear,butMargueriteandherhusbandwerejustasbusyasNicolewas.Thethree

ofthemhadmanagedonlyabriefvisitthelasttimeNicolehadgonetoParis.Andnowwith

herfatherstillsoill,itwouldbenexttoimpossibleforNicoletostayawayfromthe

wineryforanylengthoftime.

ShetappedthecornerofMarguerite'sinvitationagainsthercheekthoughtfully.Theyhad

beenfriendsincollegeandhadkeptintouchovertheyears.Shefiledthedinneroffer

awayinthebackofhermindasshescannedtherestofthemail.Anoticefromabuyer

withanevenlargerbidforthewinery'ssix-year-oldvintageatlastmadehersmile.

Camillehadmanagedtomakeittoworkontimeseveraldaysinarow.Shenoticedhowher

secretaryseemedtogrowevenmoreamazedeachmorningthatthephenomenaoccurred.

Camille'scousin,Marguerite,hadafewcommentsaswell.

"You'renever thereearly,dear,"MargueritesaidwhenAdelputher throughthefirst time."I'mnotsureI'mreadytotalktoyouyet."

"Ifit'saboutoneofyour..."

"Oh,yes,"Margueritesaid."Iremembernow.Tomorrow.Ihaveasurpriseforyou."

"Noparty,"Camilesaidfirmly."I'mnotinterested."

"Ofcourseit'saparty.Entertainingishowwemakemoney,dear.Youwon'thavetostay

long.Justmakeanappearance.Inandout.Theusual."

Camillecouldhearhercousin'sbraceletsjinglingontheotherendofthetelephone.

"I've booked the entertainment you suggested," Marguerite continued. "And we're having crepes,Swedishmeatballs,and

somesortofquicheextravaganza.Realfood,asyourequested."

"Im sure I have plans already,"Camille said dryly.Cheesy pastries and awoodwind quartetwerehardlyreasonenoughtogiveupaperfectlydrearyThursdayevening.Shedid,

however,stillowehercousinafavorortwoforhelpingherlandaninterviewwithoneof

Marguerite'shusband'sclients,butitwastimetocalliteven.Gettingherselfinthis

positionwithMargueriteinthefirstplacehadnotbeenawisemoveonCamille'spart,but

atthetimeithadseemedlikeagoodidea.

"Thishastobethelastoneforawhile.Ihavealife,Marguerite.Asuneventfulasyoumaythinkitis,Ienjoyitjustthesame."

"Thankyou.Thankyou.Thursdayatseven."

Camillearrivedatherusualeight-fifteenishtimeandmingledwiththecrowdandsampled

afewofthenewtreatsMargueritehadarranged.MostofthefacesCamillehadseen

before.SomewereasregularasMargueriteherself.

"I can't say that themusic is any better,"Marguerite commented. "I've never quite understood thepurposeofjazz.Ican'thumtoit.Ican'tdancetoit.Whybother?"

Themenwhowereclusteredaroundthemlaugheddelightedly.Emptychampagneglasses

wereexchangedforfullonesthattheblack-suitedwaiteroffered.Thelittlebaldingman

whohadbeenpreviouslyinfatuatedwithCamille'selbowwastherebesideheragain.She

haddodgedhimquiteeffectivelymostoftheevening.

"Ihaveasurpriseforyoulater,"Margueritewhisperedtoher.Justthenseveralheadsturnedtowardthedoor,andthemenaroundthemseemedtoholdtheirbreathasthey

watchedawomanslowlymoveintotheroom.Sheworeadarkbluedressandhadauburn

hairthatreachedpasthershoulders.Sheremovedhercoatandglancedaround

uncertainly.Themusicstoppedforamomentasthebandmovedintoanothersong.Camille

eyedherappreciativelyalongwiththemen,buthopedshewasn'tquiteasobvious.

"Whoisthatexquisitewoman?"someonebesidethemmurmured.

Camilleleanedclosertohercousinandwhispered,"Ihopethat'smysurprise."

"Nicole!"Marguerite squealed. "You were able to get away after all!" The two women embracedbrieflywhileMargueritescoopedupaglassofchampagnefromapassingtray

andplaceditinNicole'shand."Ihadgivenyouup.It'ssolate!"

"Iwasdelayed,unfortunately. I'msorry."Thevoicewas likevelvet in itssoftness.Camillerealizedshewasstaringalongwitheveryoneelse,butcouldn'tquitestopherself.Makeher

speakagain,shesecretlycommanded.

"Youworktoohard.Playisgood,too,"Margueritesaidwithalightlaugh.

Camillechuckled,havingthoughtthatlinehadonlybeenreservedforher.

"Letme introduce you,"Marguerite saidwith obvious pride as she led thewoman farther into theroom."Everyone,thisisNicoleJeton."

EachmantookNicole'shandinturnandsmileddreamily.Hadtailsandtonguesbeen

capableofwagging,theycertainlywouldhave.

"Andthisismydearestfriend,CamilleCartier,"Margueritesaidfinally.

Nicolesmiledandnodded.Camillenoticedshehadthatlookapersongetsafterhaving

beenintroducedtoseveralpeopleatthesametime.Politeconfusionregisteredvaguely.

Theireyesmet,andCamillefoundherselfsmilingeasilyasNicole'sgazecasuallytookher

in.

"NicoleownstheJetonVineyards.She'sthewinemaster,"Margueriteinformedeveryoneproudly.

OneofthemenworkedhiswaynexttoNicoleandexpertlysteeredtheconversationto

wine,tryingtodominateherattention.Nicolewaspoliteandinformative,butCamille

noticedaslighttoneofindifferenceinheranswerstohispersistentquestions.Shealso

noticedhowNicolewavedherglassofchampagneunderhernosewithouttakingadrink.

Sheheldtheglasscarefullybutnevertasteditscontents.

Eventhoughflashingsmileswerestillreservedforthenewarrival,themen'sconversation

soondriftedbacktobusinessmatters.Camillewasrelievednottobethecenteroftheir

attentionanylonger.

"Camille,isit?"Nicoleaskedpolitelyafterawhile.

"Yes."Camillewassurprisedthatsherememberedhername.Shefoundherselfatalossforwordsforamoment,butNicole'sobviousuneasinessspurredherontomake

conversation."Iabsolutelyhateparties,"Camilesaid.

"SodoI,"Nicolereplied."I'veneverhadanytimeforsocialgatherings.HaveyouknownMargueritelong?"CamillenoticedhowNicole'sglancekeptstealingacrosstheroomtothedoor.

"Actually,we'recousins,"Camillesaidwithalaugh,"butsheneverseemstorememberthat."

Watchingtheyoungwomanbeforeher,Camillefelttheminglingsofexcitement.Shewas

drawntoherinawaythatdemandedherattention.Thisissomuchnicerthanhavingone's

elbowrubbed,shethought."HowlonghaveyouknownMarguerite?"Camilleasked.

Nicoledeftlyplacedheruntouchedglassofchampagnebackonapassingtrayofdrinks.

"Wewereincollegetogether."NicolesmiledshylyatCamille'sastonishedlook."Alongwithparties,"sheexplained,"Ialsohatebadchampagne."

Hercommentseemedtopiqueaninterestinthesubjectfromthegentlementherewith

them.Inquiriesbeganpouringinonwhatinparticularmadeacertaintypeofchampagne

goodorbad.Nicoleexplainedthatshehadbeenspeakingofapreferenceinsteadofan

actualscientificfact.Camillewasamusedatherabilitytodiscouragetheirattention

withoutoffendingthem.

Nicolesmiledshylyatheragainandtheninadvertentlybecamedrawnintoanother

conversationwiththesmallgroup.

"Areoneoftheseyours?"NicolewhisperedtoCamilleafewminuteslaterasshenoddedtowardthegentlemennexttothem.

"Oneofwhat?"

Nicolewavedherhandinthedirectionofthethreemenwhowereonceagainengrossedin

theworldofbusiness.Camillelaughed.

"Goodness,no,"shesaid."I'mherealone."Camiletookasipofherchampagne.Thealcoholonanemptystomachhadcausedherheadtobegintoswimalittle.Shesuddenlyleaned

closertoNicoleandasked,"Wouldyoujoinmeontheveranda?It'smuchtoonoisyin

here."

"Yes,"Nicolesaid,herblueeyessparkling.

Marguerite,however,caughtthembeforetheygotveryfar.ShetookNicole'sarmandled

heraroundandintroducedhertoseveralotherpeople.Camillecontinuedwatchingherand

likedthewayNicoletossedherheadbackeversoslightlywhenshelaughed.Themoment

Margueritewascalledawayonaprobleminthekitchen,Nicolepurposelysetouttofind

Camilleagain.Shescannedthecrowdandthensmiledthemomentshesawher.

"Wewereonourwaytotheveranda,"Nicolesaid.

Camillepushedthedoorsopenandimmediatelyappreciatedthequiet.Itwaschillyout,but

muchnicerthanwheretheyhadcomefrom.

"Howlongwillyoubehere?"Camilleasked.

Nicoleglancedatherwatch."Ihavetocatchatraininalittlewhile."Sheofferedanothershysmile."Ialwaystakethetrain.Ihatedrivinginthecity."

Camille leaned against the railing that led out into the courtyard. "You hate parties, you hate badchampagne,andyouhatedrivinginthecity."Camilesetherglassdownonthe

railing."Isthereanythingthatpleasesyou?"

Thoseincredibleblueeyesweresuddenlycuriousandplayful.Camilleknewimmediately

thatsheandNicolehadseveralthingsincommon,butshewasn'tquitesurehowtopursue

thematteranyfurtheratthemoment.Therewasalwaysthechancethatshemightbe

wrong.

"I'msorry,"Nicolesaid."WasIcomplaining?"

"No.Notatall."Hereyesarethecolorofasummersky,Camilethought.She'sbeautiful.

Pushingthatthoughtawayquickly,shesaid,"Ican'trememberMargueriteevermentioning

youbefore.WherearetheJetonVineyardslocated?"

"InBurgundy.JustoutsideofDijon.Overanhour'sdrivesouth."

"Iknownothingaboutwine,"Camilleconfessed."Ireadsomewherethatwhitegoeswithfish.Orisitred?"Camilledismissedthequestionwithawaveofherhand."AllIreallyknowisthatIlikemostofit."

Nicole threwherheadbackand laughed."You'repriceless,"shesaid.Theireyesmetagainbriefly."Areyoumarried?"

"No.Areyou?"

"No.Youmustcomeforavisit.I'lteachyouallaboutwineandwinemaking."

"I'dlikethat."Camille'sheartpoundedatthethoughtofbeingwithheragain."Doyouseemycousinoften?"Camilleasked,amazedathowcalmhervoicesounded.

"It'shardformetogetawayfrommywork.I'monlyhereinthecitynowbecauseof

business,butMargueriteandIdokeepintouch."

"Andhowoftendoyougetaway?"

NicoleraisedherheadandlookedatCamillecuriously."Seldom.Maybeonceeverythree

months."

"MayItakeyoutothetrainstationwhenyou'rereadytoleave?"

"That'sverykindofyou,butwon'tMargueritemissyou?"

"Notatall."Camilleseemedtobestrugglingforsomethingelsetosay.Shesuddenlyrealizedthatshewas staringatherbutcouldn't stop.Shehadnodesire to stop. "Youhave thebluesteyes,"Camilleheardherselfsaying.

Nicolesmiledshylyandleanedagainsttherailingbesideher.

ChapterFourThefollowingdayasCamilledressedforworksheheldapictureinhermindofNicole

steppingonthetrain.Asthetimehaddrawnnearerforhertoleave,theyhadbothgrown

moresilent.Camillecouldn'tbelievethatshehadletNicoleleavewithoutgettingatleasta

telephonenumber.

"She'sgone,"shemumbled,puttingonhershoesandsnappingherselfbacktothepresent,

"andifyoudon'thurry,you'lbelateagain."

Atworkthingswerenobetter.Herconcentrationwassporadicandkeptwanderingbackto

Nicole.Atteno'clockCamillecouldstanditnolonger;shecalledhercousin.

"DidIwakeyou?"

"Don'tbesilly,"Margueritesaidcoolly."Whendidthetwoofyouslipoutlastnight?"

"Oh, that."Camil e drummedher fingers on a stackof folders onher desk. "Weneeded some air.WhenitwastimeforNicoletomeethertrain,youwerenowheretobefound."

She trudged on bravely, sensing her cousin was in no mood for excuses or small talk. "I waswondering,Marguerite,ifyouhadanaddressoratelephonenumberforyourfriend

Nicole."Camilleheardacluckingsoundcomingfromtheotherendofthetelephone.

"Strangeyoushouldask.IreceivedacallfromNicolenotanhourago.Shewantedto

apologizeforleavingthepartysoabruptlywithoutsomuchasagood-bye."Marguerite

soundedmorethansimplyirritated."Duringthecourseofourconversationshejust

happenedtoaskforyourtelephonenumber."

Camille's heart skipped a beat. "We had a nice talk last night," she said calmly, even though herbreathinghadquickened.

"Nicoleisawarmandwonderfulperson,"Margueritesaid.CamillecouldheartherustlingofpagesinthebackgroundandmomentslaterMargueritegaveherNicole'saddressand

telephonenumber."Shehasaperfectlycharmingrenovatedchateauwithawineryright

nexttoit.Yousimplymustseeit,dear."

"She'sinvitedme,"Camillesaidcasually.

"Nicole's very dedicated to the family business,"Marguerite said. "Evenmore so since her fatherbecameill.Sheworkstoohardandseldomgetsaway.Goifyoucan,Camille.She's

verydeartome."

Camillebusiedherselfatwork,butthedaypassedslowly.Thateveningshetookherwork

home,settleddownabit,andhadalightsupper.Shefinallyfellasleepinherchairand

didn'twakeupuntillate.Noonehadcalled.

SeveraldayspassedandCamillecontinuedworkingonhercouragetocallNicolefirst.

Duringthedayshekeptbusyattheoffice,whileintheeveningsshereadmanuscriptsand

waitedforthetelephonetoring.FinallyonWednesdayeveningshegotaroundtogoing

throughhermailandfoundanenvelopewithunfamiliarhandwritingonit.Sheheldthe

lettercarefullybyitsedgesandinspecteditthoroughly.Insidewasaninvitationfrom

Nicoletocometothechateauforapersonaltourofthewinery.Thenotestatedthat

someonecouldmeetheratthetrainstationorthatanyoneinthevillagewouldbeableto

giveherdirectionsshouldshechoosetodrive.Thenotealsostatedthataccommodations

atthechateauwerequitecomfortableshouldshewishtostayafewdays.Itwasshort,to

thepoint,andhadbeenpostedonMonday.

Camillefeltecstaticjusttouchingtheenvelope.Itssweetsmellgaveherthecourageto

pickupthetelephoneandcallher.TheymadearrangementsforCamilletodriveouton

Fridayevening.

Theremainderoftheweekpassedbyslowly.Camillehadtoforceherselfnottocallagain

justtohearthatwonderfulvoice.OnFridayafternoonshehadeverythinginhercarand

wasreadytogo.Thelonghoursshehadspentworkingduringthepreviouseveningshad

paidoffconsiderablyandallowedhersomefreetimenowforherself.

Thevilagewasoveranhour'sdrivefromParis,withsceneryandgreenerythatCamillehad

nevertakenthetimetoenjoy.Uponreachingthevilage,shestoppedatacafetoaskfor

directions.Camillesketchedasmallmaponapieceofpaper,carefultowritedown

everythingthecafeownersaid.Darknesshadsetin,andshewasworriedaboutgetting

lost.

Itwaseight-thirtybeforeshefoundherwaytothechateauandknockedonthehuge

woodendoor.Shewasgreetedbyayoungwomanandledthroughahallwayintoabeautiful

library.

"MademoiselleCartierhasarrived,"themaidannounced.

CamillesteppedintothelibraryandfoundNicolebehindherdesk.Afirewasburning

brightlyintheenormousmarblefireplacebesideher.WithslightenvyCamilleeyedthe

darkwalnutbookcasesliningeverywallandfilledwithrichlyboundbooks.SeveralPersian

rugsscatteredabouttheroomaddedsplashesofbrilliantcolortotheotherwiseserious

decor.

"Thankyou,Claudette,"Nicolesaidtothemaid.Shestoodup,smiledwarmly,andwenttothedoortoensurethatitwasclosedproperly."Howwasyourtrip?"

"Relaxing,"Camillesaid."Ilikethecountry.Burgundyisbeautifulthistimeofyear."

"Burgundyisalwaysbeautiful.Makeyourselfcomfortable.I'mpleasedthatyoucould

come."

"Marguerite has told me many wonderful things about this place. It's charming," Camille saidsincerelyasshesettledintothedeepred,velvetsofaandtookintheexquisite

antiquefurnishings.Shehadanalmostirresistibleurgetokickhershoesoffandsinkher

toesintothethickcarpet.

"Wouldyoulikesomewine?Teaperhaps?Haveyoueaten?"

"Winewouldbenice,"Camillesaid,andleanedbackandsmiled."Jetonwine?"sheaskedasshetooktheglassNicolehandedher.

"Agoodvintage,too."Nicolesatonthesofaalso.

"Youaren'thavingany?"Camillesippedthewineandfounditnodifferentfromanyothershehadtasted.Thisdisappointedheralittle.

"Awinemasterrarelydrinksforpleasure."Nicolesmiled."ButImightjoinyouforaglasslater."

"Whatdoesawinemasterdoforpleasure?"Camilleaskedasthosewonderfulblueeyes

scannedheronceagainwithinterest.

"Ienjoyriding,"Nicolesaidafteramoment."ThestablesarewhereIlovetospendmostofmytime.Doyouride?"

"Yes,"Camillesaid."It'sbeenyears,though."

"Wecouldgotomorrowifyoulike."

Camilleexpressedaninterestinseeingmoreofthechateau,andNicolewasdelightedto

showher.Theyleftthelibraryandambleddownthecorridor,Nicoleexplainingthe

chateau'shistoryandvarioustechniquesusedinitslatestrenovation.Astheycameback

towardthefoyer,thefrontdooropenedandamaninhismid-thirtiescamein.

"Antoine,"Nicolecalled,"thisisCamileCartier.ThefriendItoldyouaboutfromParis."

Antoinecrossedtheroominafewstrides.Camilleeyedhimcarefully.Hewastalland

handsome,withdarkwavyhairthatslightlyhungoverhisears.Shenotedhisseriousbrown

eyesandapleasantsmileasheshookherhand.

"Ourguest,"hesaid."Ihopeyouenjoyyourstay."HeturnedtoNicoleandsaid,

"Everythingissecure.I'lseeyoubothtomorrow.Nicemeetingyou.Goodnight."Hetookthestairstwoatatimeandwasgone.

Camillewassurprisedtoseehim,havingbeenledtobelievethatNicolelivedalone,butshe

couldn'trememberwhereshehadgottenthatidea.Nicolehadsaidshewasnotmarried

andhadn'tmentionedlivingwithanyone.Adeepsenseofdisappointmentwashedoverher

asshetriedtorecalltheirconversationontheverandatheotherevening.Camilewas

readytoadmitthepossibilitythatshehadindeedmadeamistakeinherassumption.

"Morewine?"Nicoleaskedassheopenedthehugedoortoyetanotherroom.Theywent

insideandCamillewasastonishedatitsuniqueness.Allthefurniturewasdoneinaroyal

blue,andafirewasalreadyburningintheintricatelycarvedblack-marblefireplace."I'lljoinyouthistime."Nicolebroughttheirglassesbacktothesofa.

"Thisisjustfabulous,"Camillesaidasshestaredaboutthebeautifulroom."Margueritetoldmewhat

toexpect,butshehardlydiditjustice."

"Thankyou,"Nicolesaidquietly.Camillenoticedhowsheagainrantheglassofwineunderhernoseseveraltimesbeforetakingasip.

Camillecontinuedtoabsorbtheeleganceoftheroom,slowlystudyingthefurnitureand

bluevelvetdrapes.Hergazelingeredonaportraitthathungoverthefireplace.Itborea

strongresemblancetoNicole,butthesubjectofthepaintingwastentofifteenyears

older.CamilleguessedittobeNicole'smotherpossibly.

"Theportraitlooksremarkablylikeyou."

Nicolelookedupatthepaintingandsmiledfondly."Ihaditrestoredlastyear.That'sEvaJeton,mygrandfather'ssister.Shemetwithatragicdeath."Nicolestaredatthefire,

againsniffingthewineinherglass."Shewasmurderedbyherbrother.I'vealwaysfelt

veryclosetoher."

CamilletriednottoshowheralarmatNicole'scasualnessatsuchanunfortunateending.

"She'sbeautiful,"Camillesaid."Theresemblanceisuncanny."

Nicoleseemednottonoticetheindirectcompliment.Gazingattheportrait,Nicole

continued."Thecircumstancesofherdeathnearlytorethefamilyapart.Shewastrulya

fascinatingwoman."

"Allfamiliesneedsomeonefascinating,"Camillesaid."MyfamilyhasMarguerite."Shelaughedandthenadded,"Ihaveanunclewhowenttojailfordrivingapolicecarintoa

fountain.Andhewasn'tapoliceman.Whenthefamilygetstogetherwemakehimsitina

roombyhimself.Nooneclaimstoknowwhoheis."ThesoundofNicole'slaughterwaslikemusicintheair.

"Youhaveanunusualwayofexpressingyourself."

Nicolelookedatheropenlywithoutshowinganytraceofembarrassment.

Camilleconcentratedonherwine,nolongerabletomeetthoseblueeyesthatlefther

feelingsoflusteredanduncertain.ShewasstillbotheredbythethoughtofAntoine

possiblywaitingforNicoleupstairs.HowdidIgetmyselfintothis?shewondered.There

weresomanyquestionsshewantedtoask,andsomanythingsshewantedtosay.

"Why do you do that?" Camille asked suddenly, seeing Nicole sniff the wine again. "Am I notsupposedtodrinkthis?"

Nicole smiledandexplained, "It's justahabit.Thesmellofwineprepares thepalate forwhat is tocome.Thesmellisusuallybetterthanthetaste.Tryit."

Camillesniffedwhatwasleftinherglassandthensippedthewine."Tastesthesameto

me."

"Youhaveanuntrainednose,"Nicolesaid."You'llgrowaccustomedtoit.I'llteachyou."

"Tellmeaboutwinemaking."Thatshouldkeepthelovelyvoicegoingforawhile,Camillethought,andshewasright.Theytalkedonintotheweehoursofthemorning,mostlyabout

wine.NicolefinallyinsistedthatCamilleexplainherjobatthemagazine.

"Thelifeofajunioreditorisrelativelyboring."Herheadwasbeginningtobuzzfromthewine,andshenotedthatNicolewasstillworkingonherfirstglass.

"Youmustbetired,"Nicolesaidsuddenly."Ihavealongdayplannedforustomorrow.Letmeshowyouwhereyourroomis."CamillefollowedherupthestairsslowlywhileNicole

answeredquestionsaboutthechateauandvariousfurniturepieces.

Thesecond-floorhallwaywascoveredinthick,rust-coloredcarpet.Threeelaborate

chandeliersbathedthehallwayinsensuouslight,makingitdifficultforCamilletokeepher

gazefromdriftingtoNicole'slong,supplebody.TheypassedtwodoorsbeforeNicole

stopped.

"Thisroomisyours,"shesaid."Myroomistheoneontheend."Sheopenedthedoorandwentin,switchingonalamp."Sleepaslateasyoulike.Claudettewillknowwheretofindmeinthemorning."

Nicolemovedacrosstheroomandflippedonthelighttothesmallbathroomontheleft.

Camillesuddenlyfeltuneasywiththeirunintentionalcloseness.Withdetermination,she

forcedherselftoconcentrateonhersuitcaseontheendofthehugefour-posterbed.

"Thisislovely,"Camillesaid."Thankyou."

Theireyesmetbriefly.Nicolelookedawayfirstandsaid,"I'mattheendofthehallifyouneedme.I'llseeyouinthemorning."

Camilledressedforbed,tooexcitedtosleep.Shesettledcomfortablyinthedarkthinking

ofnothingbutNicole:thosewonderfulblueeyesandthathairwithitsunusualmahogany

patches that cascaded past her shoulders. "And she lives with aman," she said as she tried to getcomfortable.

Camilleeventuallydriftedofftosleepasthemoonlightfilteredinthroughthewindow.The

temperatureintheroomdroppedsharply,causinghertoburrowdeeperintothewarmthof

thecovers.Suddenlyshesensedthatshewasnotalone,andthatsomeonewasnearthe

bed.

Camilletriedtowakeup,butwascaughtintheheavycloudofsleep.Withgreateffortshe

pulledhereyesopenandcaughtaglimpseofblueslowlymovingnearthedoor.Itlooked

likeawoman,buttheapparitionfadedinandoutrapidlybeforequietlyvanishing

altogether.Camillestoppedfightinganddriftedbacktosleep,convinceditwasalladream

broughtonbyheroverindulgenceofwine.Whoeverorwhateverithadbeenwasnotthere

toharmher.Shetuggedontheblanketandagainwasfastasleep.

ChapterFiveCamillesleptpeacefullyuntilarayofsunshinecreptthroughasmallgapinthedrapes.She

lookedatherwatchonthetablebesidethebedandwassurprisedtoseeitwasalittle

afternine.Sheshoweredquickly,dressedandhurrieddownstairs,meetingClaudette

comingoutofthekitchenarea.

"Breakfast,Mademoisele?"

"Coffee,please.Emergencycoffee,infact."Camilefollowedherintothesmallerofthetwodiningrooms.

Claudettepulledoutachairforherandreturnedshortlywithaserviceofcoffee.

"Mademoiselle Jeton will be here soon," she said as she poured. Camille was left alone with hercoffeeandnoticedtherewasanothercuponthetray.AfewminuteslaterAntoine

cameinwearingshinedshoesandbrowncoveralls.

"Goodmorning,"hesaidbrightly."Nicolesentmeovertogetyou.She'sstuckonthetelephonewithabuyerandcouldn'tgetaway."Heseatedhimselfacrossfromherand

pouredcoffeeintotheothercup.Camillesmiled,tryingnottoshowherdisappointmentat

havingtosharebreakfastwithhiminsteadofNicole.Claudettereturnedwithan

assortmentofslicedfruitandcheeses.

"MademoiselleJetonwouldliketohavethepicniclunchreadybyeleven-thirty,"hesaid.

Claudettenoddedandleft."Howdidyousleep?"heaskedCamille.

"Verywell,thankyou.Ican'tbelievehowlateitisalready.I'musuallyupmuchearlier."

"Nicole isveryeager to showyou thewinery. Iusuallyconduct the tours,but she insistsondoingyours."Hesmiled.CamilleagainfeltanaggingdisappointmentathisbeingthereinNicole'splace.Hisconfidencewasonlymakingthingsworse.

"You'refromthecity,"hesaidstirringhiscoffee."IlivedinParisforyearsandlovedit."

"Ilikeit,too."

"Iunderstandyouworkforamagazine."

ShewassurprisedandonceagainnotaltogetherpleasedthatheandNicolehadalready

spentenoughtimetogetherthismorningtodiscussherandhercareer."I'majunior

editor.Veryboring."

"Nonsense,"hesaidwithalaugh."Whatcouldbemoreboringthanwaitingforgrapestogrow?"

CamillefoundherselflikinghimdespitehispossibleinvolvementwithNicole.Theyfinished

theircoffee,andAntoineescortedhertothewinery.

Camillewasimmediatelyimpressedbyitscleanlinessandorganization.ShespottedNicole

inthecornerwearingawhitelabcoat,alightblueturtlenecksweater,andapairofdark

blueslacks.Shewasgoingoverchartswiththreemenwhowerelisteningassheexplained

somethingtothem.SeeingCamilleshewavedandfinishedwiththegroupquickly.

"Thankyou,Antoine,"Nicolesaidashe took thecharts fromher."Didyousleepwell?"sheaskedCamile.

"Yes,verywell."Camilleglancedaroundcuriously."Sothisiswhereitallbegins?"

"This is it,"Nicoleanswered."I'll showyouhoweverythingworks.We'll startat thebeginning,soyou'llhavesomeideaofwhatI'mtalkingabout."Camillefollowedherdownahallwaynearthebackofthewinery."Pretendwe'vejustharvestedthegrapes,"Nicolesaid.

Shewentontoexplainwhereandhowthegrapesweredeliveredbeforetheywerewashed

andhowthecleangrapeswerepressedandthejuicesaved.Anhourlatertheyhadalready

coveredthenurserywheresprigsweretendedandhadtouredtheroomwherethevats

werekept.

"Thevatroom?"Camillesaid."Itsoundslikeacapedcrusadershouldlivethere."

Awhilelatertheywereundergroundinthecellarwherethecaskswerestackedand

stored.Thelightingwasdiminthecellarandthetemperaturethereverycool.Camillewas

remindedofherdreamthenightbefore,thesplashofbluenearthedoor,andthecoolness

thathadsosuddenlycomeoverher.

"Oncethewineisready,"Nicolesaid,"wesellitandshipitoutinthese."Sherubbedawoodencaskfondly."It'sbottled,corkedandlabeledsomewhereelse.TheJetonname

neverappearsonthelabel."Nicolesmiled."ThoseinterestedintheJetonVineyardskeeptrackofwhowesellto."

Camillewas fascinatedwith thebottlingpractices. "I've never heardof such a thing.The label hasnothingtodowithwherethewinecomesfrom?"

"Usuallynot."

"Itsoundsalmostdeceitful!"

Nicolelaughed."Wegetgoodprices.Thewineindustryknowsthequalityofourproduct.

Buyerscometous."NicoleputherhandonCamille'sshoulderassheledherthroughthe

rowsofstackedbarrels.Camillewasveryconsciousoftheirclosenessastheystoppedat

thebaseofthestairsleadinguptotheotherfloors.

"Howdoyouknowwhenthewineisreadytosell?"Camilleasked.

Nicoleremovedherhand."Wetasteitperiodically,"shesaid.Thedimlightreflectedinherpaleblueeyes,andCamillefeltherselfbeingdrawnevencloser."Awinemasterknows

whenthetimeisright,"Nicolesaidquietly.

CamillefeltpuredesireatthatmomentandknewinstinctivelythatNicolewasfeelingthe

samething.Itwouldbesoeasytokissher,Camilethought.Soeasy.Butnotknowing

exactlywhereAntoinefitintothiswoman'slifemadeCamillemorecautiousthanusual.

Shewasn'treadytoriskmakingafoolofherselfyet.

Camillehadallowedtoomuchtimetopass,andthemomentwasgone.Nicolelookedaway

fromher."I'lshowyouthelabnext,"shesaidassheslowlystartedupthestairs."Nowthatyouknowall aboutwinemaking," she teased, "it's time toeducateyouonhow todrink it.Fewpeople realizehowmuchbetterittasteswhencertainstepsarefollowed."

OnthefirstfloorCamillesawAntoinewithatourofaboutthirtypeople,severalwith

camerasaroundtheirnecksandbrochuresintheirhands.Hisdeepvoicecarriedwell.

Camillerealizedhowfortunateshewastohavehadamuchmorepersonaltour.They

climbedanotherflightofstairstothenextfloorwhereseveralofficesandalarge

laboratorywerelocated.

"Inhere,"Nicolesaidassheopenedadoorandturnedonthelight,"iswherewedosoilsamplesandpHtesting.Thefermentationprocesshastobemonitoredfrequently."

Camillesawseveraltesttubeswithaninchorsoofdirtandotherswithwinesamplesof

variouscolors.Nicoleclosedthedoor;theyproceededonacrossthehalltoanotheroffice.

Camillewasstillsurprisedathowcleanandorderlyeverythingwas.Fromtheoutsidethe

winerylookedlikenomorethanalargeoldbarn,butinsideitwasnew,spotless,andvery

wellorganized.

"Howmanyemployeesdoyouhave?"

"TherearetenofusincludingmyselfandAntoine.Weallworktogetherverywell."Nicoleswitchedthelightoninherofficeandclosedthedoor."We'remorelikeafamilythana

business."

Camillesawtwowineglassesaboutone-thirdfullofredwinesettingonthedesk.The

officewassmallandcontainedseveralbookcasesfiledwithvolumesoflabelednotebooks.

"As in any other business,winemaking hasmountains of paperwork,"Nicole said, seeingCamillelookingatthenotebooks."Eachharvesthasitsownhistoryrecorded.Daily

temperaturesandrainfallarelogged.Evenafterthewineissold,wekeeptherecordsof

howitprogressed."Nicolewenttothedeskandpickedupthetwowineglasses."Readyforyourfirstlesson?"

Camillesmiledandtooktheglassfromher,consciousoftheirfingertipstouchingbriefly.

Nicoleleanedagainstherdeskandgingerlyheldtheglass.

"Nevergulp,"Nicolesaidwithasmile."Swirlandsmell."Thewineinherglassbegantosloshalittleasshemovedherhandslightly.Camille followedher instructions."Smell thewineslowly,"Nicoleinstructed."Swirlitandsmelafewtimesbeforetakinganyinyourmouth.Onceit'sinyourmouth,leaveitthereafewsecondssoyourpalateissatisfied.Try

it.Seehowittastes."

Thesheersensualityoftheentireprocesswasdelightful.Camilleswirledandsniffedthe

wine,andtookageneroussipintohermouth.Sheswisheditaroundandwaspleasantly

surprisedathowreceptivehertastebudshadbeen.Itwasbyfarthebestmouthfulof

wineshehadevertasted.

Camillenodded."Itwaswellworththetrouble."

Theyfinishedtheirwineandleftforthestableswheretwohorsesweresaddledandready

whentheyarrived.Claudettewastherewithalunchpackedforthem.

"We'llbebytheriverandbackbydark,"Nicoletoldthemaidassheclimbedintothesaddle."HaveAntoinetakeanycallsthatcan'twait."TurningtoCamilleshesaid,"We'lridebythevineyardonourwaytotheriver."Thehorsestrottedoffsidebyside.

Camilledidn'trealizehowmuchshehadmissedriding.Astheydrewclosertothevineyard,

shebecamelostinthebeautyofthelandscapeasacresandacresofvinesintheiruniform

rowscameintoview.

"Thisismarvelous!"

"It'soneofmyfavoriteplaces,"Nicolesaid."WhenmybrotherandIwereyoungerwe'drideuphereandsitforhours.Theriverisn'tfar,"shesaid,urgingthehorseintoatrot.

Camillefollowedandenjoyedthesightinfrontofher:thevineyard,thehorseandthe

womanwhowasquicklystealingherheart.

Theyhadriddenaboutfifteenminutesbeforehearingtheriver.Treeslinedandshaded

thebankwheretheywalkedtheirhorses.Nicolespreadablanketandbusiedherselfwith

thelunch,whileCamillefoundacorkscrewandopenedthebottleofwine.Twocarefully

wrappedglasseswereunpackedandfilled.Camilewasmindfultoswirlandsmellbefore

tastingthewine;sheflushedunderNicole'sapprovingeyes.

Camille tossed back her shoulder-length hair and nibbled a piece of cheese. "Who exactly isAntoine?"sheaskedafteramoment.Thequestionhadbeennaggingathersincelastnight,andsherefusedtowonderabouttheansweranylonger.

Nicolestretchedseductivelyontheblanketandswirledthewineinherglass."Antoineisafriendofmybrother's.Theylivedtogetherforseveralyearsbeforemybrotherwent

away."

Livedtogether,Camillemused.Thatcouldmeananyofseveralthings,oritcouldmean

absolutelynothingatall.ShesensedNicolewatchingherclosely,asifwaitingfor

something,butCamillehadalreadybeenasboldasshefeltcomfortablebeing.

"Antoineisaverygoodfriend,"Nicolesaid.

"Whereisyourbrother?"

"Weneverknow.Heshowsupabouteverytwoyearsorso.It'sbeenaboutthatlongsince

wesawhimlast.Weexpecthimatalmostanytimenow."Nicolefinishedherwineand

pouredmoreintotheirglasses."Heworkedatthewineryaftermyfatherbecameil,but

Lalotiredofitquickly.WhyareyousocuriousaboutAntoine?Youseemedsurprisedtosee

himlastnightwhenhecamein."

"Margueritetoldmeyoulivedalone,"Camillesaidmatter-of-factly.

"Margueriteknowsverylittleaboutme,actually."Onceagaintheireyesmet."LaloandAntoinewerelovers,"Nicolesaideasily.Hervoicewassoftandflowing,addingmore

meaningtoherwords."Doesthatshockyou?"

"Fewthingsshockme,"Camillesaidhonestly.ShebreathedasighofreliefandrealizedthatAntoinewassuddenlyamuchmorelikableperson.Camilecontinuedswirlingherwine,

stallingwhileshecollectedherthoughts.

"Nothingshocksyou?"Nicoleaskedasshesetherglassdownandmovedthecheeseandpastriesoutoftheway."Ibroughtyouheretoseduceyou.Doesthatshockyou?"

CamillefeltathousandbutterfliesbursttolifeinthepitofherstomachasNicole'swords

began to sink in. "Nothing shocks me," she answered hoarsely. The wine in her glass stoppedswirling;shesetitdowncarefully.

Camillelaybackontheblanket,herbodyofferingitsowninvitation.Withslowdeliberation

NicolemovedtowardherandstraddledCamille'swaist.Sheleanedovertokissher,and

theirlipsmethesitantlyatfirst,andthenhungrily.Nicole'sinquisitivetonguereadily

convincedCamillethatthiswasmoreseriousthanshecouldeverhaveimagined.Thewine

glassestippedoverontothethicklushgrass,butneitherofthemnoticed.

WithCamilleonherbackholdingNicole'ssoft,

determinedfaceinherhands,theirkissescontinuedoninadeep,completemergingof

passion.

"Mydear,beautifulfriend,"Nicolemurmuredasherfingersbegantoslowlyunbutton

Camille'sblouse.

Camillesurrenderedtoaburningdesire.Thesheerpleasureofhavingthosetalentedhands

onherskin,andthedexteritywithwhichNicolefreedthembothoftheirclothing

heightenedtheirenjoyment.

Camille'sblousewastossedsomewherebehindthemandvariousotherarticlesofclothing

followedsoonafter.SheknewthelookinNicole'seyesasshegazeddownather.There

wasthatplayfulsmileandasenseofwonderinherexpression.CamilletuggedonNicole's

sweaterandpulleditoverherhead.Theybothhelpedwiththescrambletoremovethe

restofeachother'sclothing.Withanticipationandlonging,Nicoleleanedoveroncemore

andlettheirbarebreaststouch.

"You'rebeautiful,"Nicolewhispered.ShereachedforCamile'shairandthentrailedadelicatefingerdownacrosshercheek.Nicolebroughthermouthdowntoanamplebreast,

lettingthetipofhertonguecirclethefirm,swollennipple.

"Wineisn'ttheonlythingyou'vemastered,"CamillesaidasshepulledNicoleevencloser.

Shedrankinthesweetscentofherthick,auburnhairandfelttotallyconsumedinthe

passionbetweenthem.

Itwasduskbeforetheyreturnedtothestables.

ChapterSixAfterahotbathandfreshclothes,CamillemetAntoineandNicolefordinnerinthe

formaldiningroom.Asshecamein,Antoinestoodandpulledherchairoutforher.Hehad

changedfromhiscoverallsintotanslacksandapaleyellowopen-collarshirt.Nicole

remainedattheheadofthetablewithCamilleandAntoineatthecornersoneithersideof

her.

"Didyouenjoyyourridethisafternoon?"heaskedpleasantly.

"Yes,verymuch,"Camillemanagedtosay,knowingwithoutadoubtthatshewasblushing.

ShepurposelyavoidedlookinginNicole'sdirection.

"Nicoletellsmeyouwenttotheriver.It'slovelythere."

"Yes,very."Camillefinallyglancedoveratherandfeltawaveofdesireengulfheralloveragainastheysmiledatoneanother.

Claudettecameinbringingtheirfeast,pouringwineandrefilingbowls.Camillewas

famished.

"Onlythreetoursscheduledfortomorrow,"hesaidtoNicole."I'lcheckthecropinthemorning."

"Youworksevendaysaweek?"Camileaskedthemboth.

"Onlyduringthetouristseason,"Nicolesaid,"andduringtheharvest."

Antoinegroanedplayfully."Theharvestistwenty-fourhoursaday,sevendaysaweek!"

Claudetteenteredawhilelaterwithcoffeeforthem."Yourcalcamethrough,Monsieur,"

shesaid.

Antoinefoldedhisnapkinandstoodup."Excuseme.I'llonlybeamoment."

Claudettecollectedemptyplatesandservedthemdessertbeforeleaving.

AsNicolesippedhercoffee,hereyesmetCamille's."Wouldyoustayinmyroomwithme

tonight?Iwantyouverymuch."

Camillewasspeechlessforamoment.Sheclosedhereyesandtookadeepbreathasthe

tumblinginherstomachcarriedon.Wasitpossibletobefallinginlovealready?she

wondered.

"Thatwouldbewonderful,"shesaidquietly,"butrightnowwemusttalkofotherthingsifIhavetowaitanylengthoftimebeforebeingwithyouagain."

Nicolelaughed."Wecantalkaboutanythingyoulike."

Camilleattemptedtopullherselftogether.Graspingforsomethingneutraltotalkabout,

sheaskedhowoldthechateauwas.

"Itwasbuiltoverthreehundredyearsago.It'sbeencompletelyrestoredfivetimes."

"It'scharming,"Camillesaid,stillinaweasshetookinthechandelieroverthehugetable.

"MygreatgrandfatherheldthetitleofMarquiswhenhewasveryyoung.Hemovedhis

familyhereandwasgivenavastamountoflandalongwiththechateau.It'sbeeninmy

familyeversince."Nicoleloweredhervoicealittleasshesaid,"ThereareonlythreeJetonsleft.Warhasnotbeenkindtous."Shepushedhercoffeeasideandpouredmore

wineintotheirglasses."Isthereanyoneinyourlifeatthemoment?"

"No,"Camillesaidquickly,gladthatshecouldgivethatanswer."Youpromisedwewouldtalkaboutsomethingelse."

Claudettecameintoseeiftheyneededanything.

"MademoiselleCartierandIareretiringfortheevening.Wewishnottobedisturbedfor

anyreason,"NicolesaidwithouttakinghereyesfromCamille.

"Yes,Mademoiselle."

Theyleftthediningroomandstartedupthestairs.CamillecouldhearAntoine'smuffled

voiceonthetelephoneinanotherroom.Nicoletookherhandandhelditastheirshoes

sankintothethickcarpet.OnceinsideNicole'sroomtheyfelintoeachother'sarmsand

kissedhungrily.

"This is all I've been able to think about,"Camillewhispered as she helpedNicole out of anothersweater.Camillekissedherthroatandgrewweakatthedelicatescentofher

perfume.

"You'vehadmanywomen,"Nicolesaid.ShetookCamile'shandandledheracrosstheroomtothebed."I'mverypossessive."

Camillekissedhershoulderandslowlyworkedherwaydowntoabreast,lickingandsucking

gentlyasNicole'sfingerstoyedwithherthickbrownhair.Ithadbeenmonthssince

Camillehadenduredsuchbliss.ShekissedthesoftnessofNicole'sstomachandeventually

reveledinthetasteofher.Shegentlyprobedwithhertongue,rememberinghavingwanted

todothisthefirstnighttheyhadmet.

"Oh,yes,"Nicolemurmuredassheclutchedthecornerofherpillowwithonehand,whileburyingtheotherinCamile'shair."Yes..."Hervoicetrailedoffandherbreathingquickened.

Camilleheardthemoansandfelttheinsistent,almostdesperatethrashingmovementsof

Nicole'sbodyasshecame.Camillewasstillforseveralminutesafterward,savoringthe

feelofNicole'swarm,wetskinagainsthers.

"Comehere,"Nicolesaidinasmallvoice."Ineedtoholdyou."ShepulledCamilledeeperintoherarmsandheldherthereforamoment."Wecouldhavebeenherelikethis

yesterday.Whydidwewait?"SherolledCamilleoveronherbackandsettledcomfortably

ontopofher.Camiletiltedherheadback,offeringherthroateasily,deliberately.Ittook

hoursbeforetheurgencywentaway.

Camillestirredandfeltarmstightenaroundher.Sheslowlyopenedhereyestothelight

seepingintotheroomandNicole'slipsbrushingtheedgeofherhair."Howlonghaveyou

beenawake?"

"Notlong,"Nicolewhispered.ShegentlyranthetipofherfingerdownCamille'scheek.

"Gobacktosleep."

"Sleep?"Camille kissed her slowly andmoved her hand down the length ofNicole's body. "I cansleepinParis."

Theymadelovequickly,passionately,withanintense,surprisingthoroughness.Asthey

settledintoamoreleisurelyformoflovemaking,Camillehadanewunderstandingof

herselfandwhatshewanted.Thelongertheyweretogether,theharderitwasgoingtobe

forhertoleave.

Therewasalightknockonthedoor.Camillejumpedandpulledthecoversnuglyuparound

hernudebody.

"That'sourbreakfast,"Nicolesaid."Claudette'sverypunctual."

Camillewatchedherputonarobeandanswerthedoor.Nicolereturnedwithatrayand

camebacktothebed.

"Areyourservantsaccustomedtoyouhavingstrangewomeninyourroom?"Camilleasked.

"Notatall,"Nicolesaidwithalaugh."You'rethefirstactually."

Thetinyseedlingsofjealousywerealreadymakingthemselvesknown."Thefirstforthis

room?"

Nicole'sheartylaughtermadeherfeelalittlebetter."Foranyroom.Howoftendoyou

thinkIdothissortofthing?"

Camilleshrugged."Fourorfivetimesaweek."

Nicolechasedheraroundthebedwithacreampuff.Theyfedeachothermorselsof

cheese,bitesofsweetrollsandslicesoffruit.Itwasn'tlongbeforeCamillehadNicole's

robeoffagainandtossedonthefloor.

"Whatmustyourservantsbethinking?"

CamillemurmuredasshenuzzledintothesoftcrookofNicole'sneck."I'mneververy

quietwhenImakelove."

"Myservants,"Nicolesaidwithsomedifficultyasaresultofalltheattention,"areprobablyintotalagreementabouthowluckyIamatthisverymoment."

"Youthinkso?"

"I'mpositive.Claudetteandthecookarelovers.Theysharequartersinanotherpartof

thechateauandtheyknowexactlywhatwe'redoingnomatterhowmuchnoiseyoumake.

Nowcomehereandletmedothattoyouthistime."

AwhilelaterCamillesettledonceagainintoherarms."Ineedtobegettingback,"shesaidreluctantly.

"Sosoon?"Nicoleglancedattheclockontheothersideoftheroom."Wherehasthetimegone?"

Camillekissedherplayfullyonthetipofthenose."We'veuseditwisely."

Theytookwhatwassupposedtohavebeenaquickshowertogether,buttwentyminutes

latertheywerestillneckingshamelesslyunderthespray.

Astheydressed,Camilletriednottothinkabouttheupcomingweekandbeingawayfrom

her.Eventhoughtheirtimetogetherhadbeendelightful,shewasstilunwillingtoassume

thatanopeninvitationtoreturnwouldbeextended.

CamillespiedapictureofahandsomeyoungmanonNicole'sdresser.Thesametwingeof

jealousythatAntoinehadarousedinherafewdaysbeforehadreturned."Whoisthis?"

sheaskedasshepickedupthepicture.

"Lalo.Mybrother,"Nicolesaid.

"He'sanicelookingman."

Nicoletookherbythehandandledhertothedoor."Ihavesomethinginterestingtoshowyou,"shesaid,"butfirstthere'ssomeoneI'dlikeforyoutomeetbeforeyougo."

TheyenteredtheroomnexttotheoneCamillehadstayedinherfirstnightthere.It

smelledwonderfullyofroses.Camillesawthebeautifulflowersonasmalltableinthe

corner.Thenursesittingnearthewindowsmiledandgotuptoleave.

"Papa,"Nicolesaidquietly,"I'vebroughtafriendtoseeyou."

Thefrail,witheredmanopenedhiseyesbutdidnotspeak.Nicolesatontheedgeofhis

bedandtookCamille'shandandpulledhercloser.CamilelistenedasNicoletoldhimof

touristsvisitingthewinery,theirridetotheriver,anddinnerwithAntoine.Therewasno

acknowledgmentinhiseyesthatheunderstoodanythingshewassaying,butNicole'stone

ofvoiceandtheimportanceshegavetoseeminglytrivialthingstouchedCamilledeeply.

Nicolebrushedhissteelgrayhairawayfromhisforeheadwithherfingertips."Restnow,

Papa.I'lbebacktositwithyoulater."

InthehallwayNicoletookCamille'shandagainandheldittightlyforamoment.She

seemedtobecomposingherself."He'shadtwostrokes.I'mtheonlyonewhothinkshecan

hearme."

Camillesqueezedherhand."Heprobablycan."

Nicoleledherdownthehallpastthestaircasetoahugedoorthatrevealedanotherwing

ofthechateau."Weneverusethissectionanylongerunlesswe'reexpectingseveral

guests."Nicolefoundalightswitchthatlitupalonghallwayidenticaltotheonetheyhadjuststeppedoutof.Thecarpetwasthesamerustcolor,andchandeliersranthecenterof

thehighceiling.

"Justhowbigisthisplace?"Camilleaskedinamazement.Thehallwayseemedtogoonforever.

Nicoletookherhandoncemoreandhelditreassuringly."Thereareroomshereinthe

chateauthatIhaven'tbeeninsinceIwasachild.Idon'thavethetimetoreallyenjoymy

homeanymore."

Theymoveddownthehallwaytogether,Camilleeyeingthemarvelousantiquefurnishings

thatlinedthewalls.Theystoppedinfrontofalargeportraithangingacrossfromseveral

closeddoors.ItappearedtobeaportraitofLalo,Nicole'sbrother.Thesubjecthadlight

brownhairandbrowneyes,buteventhoughthehairstylewasmuchdifferentfromthe

photographCamillehadseenearlier,thefeaturesanddeterminationwerethesame.

"This,"Nicolesaidasshestudiedthepaintingclosely,"isPhilippeJeton,mygrandfather."

Camille'shandgrippedherstightlyastheystoodgazingattheportrait."HewasEva

Jeton'sbrother.Hestrangledheronenight.Shediedinthisroombehindus."

"EvaJeton,"Camillewhispered.Wherehadsheheardthatnamebefore?

"Theportraitinthedrawingroom,"Nicolesaid,asifreadinghermind.

"Theportraitthatlookssomuchlikeyou?"Camillemanagedtosay.Shefeltchillsraceupanddownherarms.

"Thisisapaintingofyourgrandfather,"Camilesaidslowlyasshenoddedtowardtheportraitonthewall,"andtheonedownstairsisaportraitofhissister?"

Nicolechuckledatheramazementbutcontinuedholdingherhand.

"Thisisfascinating,"Camilemurmured.

TheystrolledbackdownthehallwaywithCamilleoccasionallyglancingbackoverher

shouldertogetonelastlookatthepainting.Theystoppedatthedoor,andNicoleleaned

overtokissher.Secondslaterthetemperatureseemedtodropalmostfifteendegreesas

theyembraced.

"Goodness,"Camillewhispered,andsankfurtherintoNicole'sarmsseekingherwarmth.

"Whyisitsocoldinhere?"

Nicolesmiledandcontinuedtoholdher."Iwishyoudidn'thavetogo."

"Ineedtobeatworkearlyinthemorning."Camillekissedheragain,knowinghowmuchshewouldmissnotbeingabletoseeherforawhile."Yourfamilysoundsfascinating.Iwanttoknowallthereistoknowaboutyou."

Nicole laughed. "You say that now," she teased. "Have you forgotten that my grandfather was amurderer?"

"Noneofuscanchooseourfamily,"Camillereasoned."That'swhyminehadtokeepMarguerite."

TheyleftthewingandcollectedCamille'sluggagebefore

goingdownstairs."Ihavesomethingyoumightfindinteresting,"Nicolesaid.CamillefollowedhertothelibrarywhereNicoleselectedathinbookwithabrownleathercover.

"ThisisEvaJeton'sdiary.It'sveryinterestingreading.Itmaytelyoumuchmoreaboutusthanyoucaretoknow."

Camillecaresseditfondlyandsmiledather,wantingtorememberexactlywhatNicole

lookedlikeatthatverymoment.She'sbeautiful,Camillemused.Icoulddrowninthose

blue eyes. "I'll start it the moment I get back." Anything that would help her get to know thismarvelouswomanbettercertainlydeservedherfullattention,shedecided.

"Iwishyoucouldstaylonger,"Nicolesaid.TheywalkedtoCamille'scararminarm.

"Thiswaywecangetsomesleep."

"Sleepisthefarthestthingfrommymindrightnow."Nicoleopenedthecardoorforher.

"Callmewhenyougethome."

ChapterSevenCamillebeganreadingthediarythateveningaftershereturnedtoParis.Shebecameso

absorbedinthelifeofEvaJetonthatshecouldn'tputitdownuntilfinishingtheverylast

word.Eva'sfinalentryhadbeenrecordedthenightshedied.Camillewassoenthralled

withthestorythatsherereadtheentirethingagainatworkthenextday.

Itwasfascinating.CamillefeltasthoughshehadgottentoknowPhilippeJeton,the

murderingolderbrother,throughEva'swords.Camillekeptvisualizinghisportraitasshe

read.Histhin,youngfaceandslightlywildhair.Therewassomethingruthlessinhiseyes,

somethingdangerous.Yetitwasalmostoverlookedbecauseoftheboyishnessofhis

handsomeface.Itwasadisturbingtale.

Camillesetthebookdown,hermindracing.Thestorysaddenedherasshethumbed

throughthepagesoncemore.Hereyesfellonkeyphrases,phrasesthatremindedherof

thingsNicolehadsaidduringtheirbrieftimetogether.TherewasabondbetweenEvaand

Nicole.AslittleasCamilleknewabouteitherofthem,shewascertainofthat.

Camillereachedforthetelephoneandcaledhercousin.Margueritehadapparentlyknown

theJetonfamilyatonetime.

"Marguerite,"shesaid,hopingtosoundcalmerthanshefelt.

"Camille,dear?Yousoundsostrange.HowwasyourtriptoBurgundy?"

"Wonderful, thankyou. Ineedsome information."Camillebeganbyaskinghercousin ifsheknewanythingaboutNicole'sbrother.

"IonlymetLaloonce,"Margueritesaid."Irememberhimbeingaverycharmingman.Ineverreallybotheredtoaskwhereheendedup.Iunderstandhenolongerlivesthereat

thechateau.Hewasanalcoholic.Canyouimagine,Camille,dear?Awinemasterwitha

drinkingproblem?Thewinerybeganlosingmoneywhilehewasincharge.Nicolehasmadeit

asuccessonceagain."

"WhatdoyouknowofNicole'sparents?"

"HermotherdiedwhenNicolewasquiteyoung,andherfatherbecameseriouslyillwhile

shewasawayatcollege.LaloandNicolehadtotakeoverthewinery.Itwassaidthat

Nicolehadabetterfeelforthewinebusinessthanherbrotherdid.Winemastersare

usuallyoldmen,Camile.BelievemewhenItellyouthatsheisagiftedyoungwoman."

"Yes,Iknow,"Camillesaidthoughtfully.HowwellIknow.

"Lalohasdrunkandgambledawayafortunealready.FromwhatIunderstand,hereturns

tothechateauperiodicallytolinehispockets.Nicoledoesn'tliketotalkaboutherselfor

herfamilymuch.WhateverIknow,I'vehadtopryoutofher."

"Thechateauisfabulous,"Camillesaid.

"Oh,yes.It'sbeautiful.Ihaven'tbeenthereinawhile,butIremember."Margueritebabbledonafewmoreminutesbeforetheyhungup.

Laterthatevening,thoughtsofbothEvaandNicoleJetonseemedtomergetogetherin

Camille'smind.SherememberedtheportraitofEvathatshehadseenoverthefireplace

thatfirstnightofherarrival.TheportraitthatlookedsoremarkablylikeNicole.Howvery

unusual,Camilethought.Thenexttimeshewasthere,ifthereindeedwasanexttime,she

wantedtostudyEva'sportraitmoreclosely.

Camilleplacedacaltothechateau,butthemaidinformedherthatNicolewasworking

late.Shepromisedtogiveheramessage.Nicolefinallycalledbackafewhourslater.

"Ifoundmyselfswirlingandsniffingaglassofwaterthismorning,"Camillesaid.Nicole'slaughterwasmusicatitsloveliest."Howareyou?"

"Lonely,"Nicolesaidwithalightlaugh."DidyoureadEva'sdiary?"

"Threetimesalready."

"Howdoesitfeeltoknowthatyou'vemadelovetoawomandescendedfromamurderer?"

"Ihaven'tmadelovetohernearlyasmuchasIintendto."

Therewassilenceforamoment,thenNicolesaid,"WhenwillIseeyouagain?"Hervoicewaslowandserious.

"Whenwouldyouliketoseemeagain?"

"Nowifitwerepossible."

"Notpossible."

"ThencanyoucomeFriday?Likebefore?"

"Yes," Camille said. She was finally able to relax a little now that it was evident that Nicole wasinterestedinheralso."I'llcallyoutomorrow."

Nicolewashavinghermorningcoffee,preparingherselfforabusydayinspectingthe

vineyards.Hercrispridingoutfitandshinedbootswouldbecoveredwithmudwithinthe

hour.ShesippedhercoffeeandthoughtofCamile.

Shewantedtobewithheragainandthoughtaboutitconstantly,butasthedayscreptby

itseemedmoreandmoreoutofthequestion.Thechateauwashardlythepeacefulplaceit

hadbeentheweekbefore.Evawasrestlessagain.Noonewasgettingmuchsleep.Intimacy

wouldbehardtocomebywithaghostintheirmidst.KeepingCamileawaynowwasboth

necessaryandatthesametimeoneofthehardestthingsNicolehadeverhadtodo.She

wouldhavetocallherthiseveningandcancelfortheweekend.

Antoinecamein,dressedinhiscoveralls,snatchinguphisnapkinashesatdown."AmItheonlyoneshe'skeepingawake?"hesnapped."Alnightlongshewasinandoutofmyroom!

Isn'ttheresomethingyoucandoabouther,Nicole?"

"She'supsetandanxious."

"Talktoher!Something,"hebarked.

Nicoleignoredhisranting.She,too,hadseenEvaseveraltimesduringthenightbuthad

beenabletosleepsomeanyway.Antoinewasmuchmorenervousaboutit,stilunableto

adjustcompletelytothestrangehappeningsaroundthechateau.

"It'sbecauseofLalo,"hesaidashepouredhisowncoffeeandsplasheditalloverthesaucer."Shealwaysdoesthisbeforehecomesback."

Nicole set her cup down. "We haven't heard from him. It might be something else." She pushedthoughtsofherfatherandhisweakeningstateoutofhermind.Evacouldbeupset

overanumberofthings.

Antoinelookedathersharply,hisfacesternonlysecondsbeforerelaxing."Howmuchdo

youthinkLalowillwantthistime?"

"Idon'tknow.Hetooknearlyeverythinglasttime."

"Youlooktired.Camille'svisitwilldoyougood."

"I'mgoingtocalherandtelhernottocome.Idon'twantherherewhileEva'slikethis."

Nicolereachedoverandtouchedhishand."Evahasusallonedge.I'msurethiswillpassverysoon."

"Ihopeyou'reright.I'mexhausted."

Eva'santicsincreased,andneitherNicolenorAntoinegotanysleep.Theapparition

continuedtowalktheupstairshallsatnight,goingfromNicole'sroomandback.The

temperaturefluctuatedsomuchthatbothwereamazedtheyhadn'tcaughtpneumonia.

Eva'spresencealonewasannoyingenough,somethingNicolewasnotafraidof,butwhen

themoaningbegan,Antoinedecidedhehadhadenough.HeandNicolemetinthehallway,

bothdressedintheirrobes,neitherhavingsleptmorethantenminutesinthelastthree

hours.

"Whatisshedoing?"Antoinewhinedashetiedhissash."She'snevermadenoisebefore.

Thatmoaning!It'spathetic.Can'tyoudosomethingwithher?Talktoher?"Therewasan

edgeoffearinhisvoice.Nicole,obviouslytheemotionallystrongerofthetwo,felt

obligatedtotakecontrolofthesituation."Tryandgetsomesleepinthelibrary,"shesaid.

"I'llseewhatIcandouphere."

Antoinereturnedtohisroomandgothisblanketandpillowandgladlyescapeddownstairs.

Nicolewentbacktoherownroomandsatontheedgeofthebed,waitingforEvato

appear.Withasighshebowedherhead.HowcouldsheeverthinkofbringingCamilleinto

somethinglikethis?

Camilleworkedvigorouslythroughtheweek,rearrangingherscheduleandputtinginextra

hours.Theworkshefailedtofinishattheofficewenthomewithher.Ithelpedtokeep

hermindfreeofNicoleandthebrieftimetheyhadspenttogether.Thosethoughts

Camillesavedforthefewquietmomentsshehadjustbeforedriftingofftosleepinthe

weehoursofthemorning.

NicolecalledherWednesdayeveningandinformedherthatsomethinghadcomeup.They

wouldn'tbeabletospendtheweekendtogether.Nicolehadseemedquietanddistant.

Camille'sdisappointmenthadpreventedherfromaskingthequestionsthatshefelt

compelledtoask.ThenextmorningAntoinecalledtotellherthatNicole'sfatherhaddied

duringthenight.

"Isupposeit'sablessing,"hesaid.

"Howisshe?"

"Better.She'sputtingallhereffortsintolocatingLalorightnow."

AsCamille'smindracedwithwhatsheshoulddonext,Antoinesaid,"Nicolehasrequested

thattherebenovisitorsoutsideofthefamily.Thiswasherfather'swishbeforehe

becamesoill.Nicoleaskedmetotellyoutopleasebepatient.Whenthingsaremore

settledhere,shewillbeintouchwithyou."

Intouch?Camillethought.Itsoundedsoimpersonal.

"Sheneedsthistime,Camille.Thingsarebadhererightnow."

"I'lldowhatevershewants,Antoine,butyoumustpromisetocallmeifeitherofyouneedanything."

"Yes,ofcourse."

EverymorningClaudettehadflowersreadyforNicoleassoonasshecamedownstairs.

Nicoletookthemtothefamilycemeterybehindthechateauandplacedafewonher

father'sfreshgraveandthensomeonhermother's.Fromthereshewasabletostartthe

day.

Hertearsstillcameoccasionally,butherangerseemedtobewithherconstantlynow.

WhenNicolehadfinallylocatedherbrotherinMoroccototelhimtheirfatherwasdead,

LalohadchosenthentoelaborateonhisupcomingplanstovisittheUnitedStates.Hehad

nointentionofreturningforthefuneralandstatedflatlythathehadconsideredhis

fatherdeadformanyyearsalready.ThechateauwasquietwhenNicolereturnedfromthe

cemetery.Shewenttothelibrarytotendtothemailthathadbeenpilinguponherdesk.

Sheneededherworknowmorethansheeverhadinherentirelife.

DuringthesecondweekCamillewasanxiousaboutnothavingheardfromNicoleorAntoine,

butbythethirdweekitwasallshecoulddotokeepherselfawayfromthetelephone.

Finallyshecouldstanditnolongerandcalledthechateauoneeveningandwastoldby

ClaudettethatMademoiseleJetonwasworkinglate.Camilleleftamessage,butNicole

didn'treturnhercall.

ThenextmorningCamilletelephonedthechateaufrom

work,andthemaidconfidedthatNicoleseemedverydistressed.Shehadbeenunableto

eat,wasworkinglatehoursandrefusingtotakeanypersonalcalls.

"She'snearcollapse,"Claudettewhisperedinasecretive,concernedvoice.

"Whydoesn'tAntoinehelpher?"Camilledemanded.

"Hestaysgonewhenhe'snotworking."

"PleasetellNicolethatIcalled,"shesaidquietly.Camilleputthefinishingtouchesonaplanofherown.ShetelephonedMargueriteforamuchneededfavorandspentthe

remainderoftheeveningpackingandplanning.

EarlyFridayafternoonCamilleleftParisforBurgundy.Thedrivetothechateauwasfilled

withuncertainty.Shehadnoideawhattoexpectwhenshearrived,butshesensedthat

Nicolewouldnotbehappytoseeher.

Therainsenttouristspouringfromthebusandracingfortheopendoorofthewinery.

Camilleparkedhercarandhurriedinamongthem.Theyweremostlyyoungschoolgirls

shakingtherainfromtheirhairlikefriskypuppiesriddingthemselvesofbathwater.

CamillesteppedawayfromthechatteringtouristsandfeelingcertainthatNicolewouldbe

there,brieflyscannedthewineryforher.Momentslatershesawherlookingstiffand

formidableinherwhitelabcoat,grayblouse,andblackcottonslacks.Herauburnhair

bouncedonhershouldersasshepassedaclipboardtooneoftheworkers.Camille

rememberedthefeelofthatlovelyhairinherfingersanditssweetcleanscentasshe

heldher.Therewasatumblinginherstomach,butshewasn'tsureifitwasasaresultof

seeingNicoleagainorbeingnervousaboutshowingupuninvited.

CamillewatchedAntoinecomedownthestairsandtakeNicolebythearm.Theyseemedto

behavingwords;Nicolewasvigorouslyshakingherhead.Theystoppedtalkingastheyboth

sawCamileatthesametime.Antoinesmiledbroadlyandmotionedforhertojointhem.

Nicoleonlystared,herfacecarefullyconcealinganyemotion.

Camillemadeherwaythroughthenoisytouristsandfeltabsolutelycertainforthefirst

timethatdaythatherplanwastherightone.UpcloseNicolelookeddrawnandtired.

"Whatapleasantsurprise,"AntoinesaidasheputhishandonCamille'sback."Youmusthavegottenanearlystart."

"Yes, I did," Camille said over the buzz of the tourists. "I've come to take Nicole away for theweekend."

Antoine'shandmovedtohershoulderandsqueezedgently."Ithinkthat'sawonderful

idea."

"I'mnotachild,"Nicolesaidfinally."StoptalkingaboutmeasifI'mnothere."

"Thenyou'llgo?"hesaid,surprised.Camillehadalsoexpectedtohaveafightonherhands.

Inanswertohisquestion,Nicoleonlythrewherhandsupintheairandgrumbledin

exasperation.Shetookherlabcoatoffandshoveditathimandmarchedabruptlyoutof

thewineryandintotherain.

CamillehurriedlygaveAntoineapieceofpaper."Thisiswherewecanbereachedifyou

needus.I'lhaveherbackSundayevening."Antoinetookthenoteandstuckitinhis

pocket.Hegavealittlesaluteandsmiledather.

BythetimeCamillearrivedatthechateau,Nicolewaspacinginthefoyer.Theywereboth

soakedandfreezing.Shestoppedabruptlyandcrossedherarms.

"IsaidIwouldcalyou,Camille.Whatareyoudoinghere?"

"Let'snotargueaboutthis,"Camilesaid."I'vemadearrangementstotakeyouawayforafewdays."

"Ican'tjustleave!Ihaveabusinesstorun."

"Antoine'sverycapable.Don'tyouagree?"

Claudettecamedownthestairswithasuitcaseandsetitnearthedoor.

"Thankyou,"Nicolesaidquietly."MademoiselleCartierinformsmethatI'llbebackinafewdays."Shesnatchedupthesuitcaseandstormedoutthedoorandintotherain.

ThrowingherluggageinthebackseatofCamille'scar,sheslammedthedoor.

Camillefoundthisnever-before-seendisplayofJetontemperalittleamusingbut

refrainedfromcomment.Inaddition,shepromisedherselfthatshewouldn'tmention

anythingaboutNicole'sfatherunlessNicoleherselfbroughtthesubjectup.Whenshe's

readytotalk,Camillereasoned,she'ltalk.

Thefirstfifteenminutesoftheirjourneywerespentintotalsilence.Camilledrove

steadily,andbeforelongNicolewasasleepwithherheadrestingbackontheseat.Camille

droveonthroughtherain,feelingrelaxedastherhythmofthewiperskepttimewiththe

softmusicfromtheradio.Nicolewokeupanhourlaterwhentheystoppedforgas,butshe

didn'tsayanythinguntiltheywerebackontheroadagain.Camillecouldseethatshewas

stillterriblytired.

"Whyareyousoangry?"Camillefinallyaskedher.

Nicolelookedoutthewindowattherain."Insurmountablereasons,"shesaidinthatsoft,determinedvoicethatCamillelovedtohear.Thensheadded,"Ihaterain."

AsifNicole'sdislikeforitwerealltheskyhadbeen

waitingfor,itfinallystoppedraining.TheyreachedMarguerite'svillaawhilelaterandset

aboutexploringthepremisesandopeningwindowstoairoutthesmallestate.

Margueritepromisedtheywouldhavecompleteprivacy.

"It's lovelyhere,"Nicolesaidas they leanedover thesmallbridgeandwatcheda few leavesbeingcarriedawayinthestream.

"Howlongareyougoingtopunishyourselfforbeingherewithme?"Camilleasked.

Nicoledroppedapebbleintothewaterandwaiteduntiltheripplessubsidedbefore

answering."Allowingtimeformyselfhasneverbeeneasyforme.It'sespeciallyhardnow."

"Whynow?"

"Idon'tknowexactly."

"Justrelax,"Camillesaidastheybegantostrollalongthewornpathbacktothevilla.

NicolereachedforCamille'shandandthenheldittightly,thefirsttimetheyhadtouched

allday."You,"Camillesaidslowly,"shouldbeyouroneandonlyconcernrightnow.Antoinecantakecareofthingswhileyou'regone.Howaboutlettingsomeonetakecareofyoufor

achange?Atleastforafewdays."

"It'ssoeasytobewithyou,"Nicolesaid."I'msorryI'vebeendifficult.GuiltissomethingI'veneverhandledwell."

"Whyshouldyoufeelguiltyaboutanything?"

Nicolesmiled.SheopenedthedoortothevillaandcontinuedholdingCamile'shand.

Camillesawaninstantchangecomeoverherastheyclosedthedoor."Noonehasever

offeredtotakecareofmebefore.Evenforafewdays."

"Ifindthathardtobelieve,"CamillesaidasNicolepulledherintoherarms.Theyheldeachotherforalongtime.CamilleburiedherfaceinthesideofNicole'sneckwhereher

lipskissedthesoftnessofflesh.Withinmomentstheyhadvariousarticlesofclothingin

severalstagesofdisarray.Theybrokeawayfromeachotherlongenoughtofinda

bedroomclosebyandfinishedundressingquickly.Camillebroughthermouthdownto

Nicole'sbreastandheardthesubdued,cooingmurmurs.Theirbodiesmovedtogetherin

thevelvetysoftnessofawomanlovinganotherwoman.Wordscouldwait.Camilleknewall

sheneededtoknowfornow.

Nicole,soeasilybroughttothebrinkofrapturousdelight,soongavewaytoCamile's

desiretopleaseher.Camile'slipsandknowledgeablefingertipswereeverywhere,

caressingandtouchingherwithsuchinsightandunderstandingthatitseemedasthough

onlymomentspassedbeforeorgasmsnatchedherfromrealityandtossedherintooblivion.

ShecalledoutCamile'snameandreachedforher.Nicole'sbreathingwaslaboredbut

satisfied,andherdrunkenexpressionhadsuchtrustandtranquilityinitthatCamille

wantednothingmorethantostayinherarmsforever.

Afterseveralminutesofnecessarysleepforbothofthem,CamilewokeuptoNicole'slips

onhercheek.

"It'snotalwayslikethisforme,"Nicolewhispered.ShehadsuchemotioninhervoicethatCamillewasn'tsureifshewouldcryornot."Ifeelsodifferentwithyou.Sodifferent."

ShekissedCamilleslowly,lettingthesoftnessoftheirlipsarousethembothalloveragain.

Camillesquirmeddelightedlyunderher,holdingNicole'sfaceinherhandsandlovingthose

blueeyesthatseemedtocometolifesoeasily.

Nicole'smouthcoveredanipple;shetookhertimeandmadelovetoherslowly.Camille

gaspedasNicole'shandmoveddownhertonedbody,caressingherhipandtheinsideof

herthigh.AsNicole'sfingerstouchedthewetness,wonderfulsoundsofencouragement

camefromCamile'sthroatinasymphonyofurgencyandlust.

"Yes...there...,"Camillewhisperedhuskily,hervoiceintensewithdesire.SheheldontoNicole'ssmall,bareshouldersandkissedthemerratically,wantingmoreofherasthe

secondstickedaway.HerhandswereinNicole'slong,thickhair,lovingitssoftnessand

freshorangeblossomfragrance.CamilleheldherbreathandranherfingersalongNicole's

back,pullingherevencloser.Waveafterwaveofpleasurewashedoverherandlingered

forthelongesttime.

Afterward,Nicoleheldherandtheydriftedtosleep,entwinedineachother'sarms.

Camillesnuggledandnuzzledintothesoftcurveofherneckandshoulder,feelingsafeand

wanted.Theydidn'tstirforhours.

ChapterEightTheyspentmostofthefollowingmorninginbed;neitherwereaccustomedtothisluxury.

Camillefixedalatebreakfast,andtheylaughedaboutthesilliestthingsandtouched

often.Camillefeltasthoughshehadknownthiswomanallherlife.Beingwithherwasso

easy.ItfeltrightinawayCamillehadneverexperiencedbefore.Inwhatfewother

relationshipsshehadbeeninvolvedin,oneofwhichhadlastedthreeyears,therehadn't

beenthiscloseness,thisfirmconnectionafteronlyafewweeks.Camillewasbeginningto

wonderifshehadeverreallybeeninlovebefore.

Theydressedandwentforawalkinthewoods,arminarmdownapathtoasmall,clear

pondnotfarfromthevilla.Theytookofftheirshoesandwadedinthecoldwater,

playfullysplashingeachother.CamilleshowedlittlemercywhenNicolesquealedforherto

stop.

Theirlaughtermergedwithcoughingandsputteringwhilewaterdrippedfromtheirsoaked

clothes.TheywadedbacktothebankwhereCamillecaughtherinherarmsandkissedher

lightlyonthelips.

"Irememberaverypleasantinterludeonariverbanknotlongago,"Nicolesaid.NimblefingersdealtwithseveralbuttonsonCamille'sblouse,andfoundaswollennipplethere

waiting.CamilleputherhandsonNicole'swaistandpulledhercloser.Nicole'stongue

offeredsensationsthatrekindledpassionveryquickly.

"Goodness,"Camillemurmured.Shemovedherhandsalongherlover'sbodytoherthick,damphairwhileNicolecontinuedunbuttoningtheblouseandburyingherfaceinCamille's

breasts.Kissesbecamedeepandlingering,theirmouthsreceptivetowhatevertheother

hadtooffer.

Soontheywerelyingdownamongnature'scushionofgrassandleaves,neitherofthem

caringaboutanythingbuttheother.Theyweregettingaccustomedtoeachother'sbodies,

wheregivingpleasurebecameasurgentasreceivingit.

CamilleloweredherselfontoNicole'sbodyandkissedher.Nicoleacceptedhertongue

eagerly,avidly.Camille'shandswereeverywhere,touchingherwithsuchloveand

perceptionthattheybothknewhowwonderfulitwouldbe.Eachtimetheymadelovewas

evenbetterthanthelast.

"Youmakemefeelsodifferent,"Nicolesaidafterward.

"AsifnothingelsemattersaslongasIhaveyou."

"Isthatabadthing?"

"Bad?"Nicolesaid."No,notatall.Justdifferent."

Camilleraisedherselfup,armsoutstretchedoneithersideofNicole'sbody."I'minlovewithyou,"Camillesaid.

Nicolewasquiet,butputherarmsaroundherneckandhuggedher.Camiletookthesilence

tomeanthatNicole,inreturn,wasnotinlovewithher.Sheacceptedthateasilyenough,

rationalizingthatitwasmuchtoosoon.Theyhadonlyknowneachotherafewweeks.

Theyputthemselvestogetheragaininsilenceandcontinuedtowalkinthewoodsuntil

theirclothesdried.Holdinghandsandstealingkisseskeptthemgigglyandplayfulasthey

spottedrabbitsandgatheredfirewoodfortheevening.Backatthevilla,Nicoledrewthem

abathwhileCamillepreparedameal.Theyatebycandlelight,bothclothedinrobesand

slippers,theleavesandtwigspreviouslytangledintheirhairnowgone.

"I'msorrywehavenowine,"Camilesaid."IwascertainI'dbuysomethingthoroughlyappalling."

Nicole'slightlaughterfilledtheroom.Herhairwasdryingslowlywithreddishlocksfalling

acrossherforehead."I'lberesponsibleforourwineinthefuture."

Camillesmiled,takingnoticeofthetermourwineinadditiontoareferencetothefuture.

Asdarknessfelandtheyfinishedeating,CamilleclearedawaythedisheswhileNicole

startedafireinthefireplace.Thedayhadpassedquicklywithoutsomuchasawordabout

thewineryorNicole'sfather.Nicoleseemedtobetemporarilysetfreefromeverything

shehadleftbehind.Camilleimaginedherselftobeoneofthefewpeopleevertoseethis

sideofherandlookedonfondlyasshewatchedNicolecarefullybuildthefire.

Nicole'ssoft,delicatefeatureswerenowindirectcontrasttoherusualimageasa

winemaster.Thatlabcoatreeksofauthority,CamillethoughtassherememberedNicole

standingonthestairsatthewinery.Authorityissomethingshe'slearnedtoadjustto.It

doesn'tcometohernaturally.

WhenCamillereturnedshefoundthefireblazingandNicolespreadinganarrayof

blanketsandpillowsinfrontofthehearth.Camilefeltsuchjoyandcontentment.She

movedupbehindher,andtheywatchedthefireinsilenceforalongtime.Nicoleturned

andkissedher,andonceagaintheymadelove.

"Ican'tseemtogetenoughofyou,"Nicoleadmitted.Theirrobeswereopenandtheirbodiesbathedinthelightfromthefire."Youreyesarethecolorofmaple.They'reso

trusting.Soknowing."

CamillereveledintheattentionasNicoleleanedoverher,

kissingherthroateasilywhileherhairbrushedacrossCamille'sbreast.

"You'vehadmanywomen,"Nicolesaid.

Camillechuckled."It'snottrue."

"Howmany?"

"Notmany.Ihadaloverforthreeyears."

"Ihateher."TherewaslaughterinNicole'seyesasshegaveherahug."I'mverypossessive,"Nicolesaidagain.ShemovedherhanddownCamille'sstomachandoverthe

softmoundthatawaitedattentionsoeagerly.

"Ibelieveyou,"Camillewhisperedinshort,raspybreaths."You'vepleasedafewwomenyourself."

NicolekissedherandgentlyrubbedherfingersintoCamille'swetness."Youmakemefeel

beautiful,"Nicolewhispered."Thewayyoulookatme."Shemoveddownslowlyandreplacedherfingerswithhermouth.Camille'shandswereinNicole'ssoft,thickhairas

sheunconsciouslyshowedherwheresheneededherthemost.

Asthemomentcamecloser,Nicoleacknowledgedthehandsinherhair,wantingher,

guidinghertothepointofnoreturn.

"Wonderful,"Camilewhisperedhuskily.Shespreadherlegsevenfartherapartand

thrashedaroundlikethewildnymphsheimaginedherselftobe.Themomentarrivedand

sentthe

explosiontoeveryfiberofherbeing.Camillewas