Their New-Found Family

“I’m glad you’re back.”

“So am I, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to leave again for a few more days. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

A pained expression broke out on Alain’s face. “When do you have to go?”

“As soon as I can change clothes and pack a bag.”

“Did Guy say there’s an emergency at one of the hotels?”

“No. I’m flying to New Hampshire to meet Rachel Marsden.”

The bottle almost fell out of his nephew’s hand. “You are?”

“Yes. I phoned her a little while ago. She’s expecting me tonight.”

His nephew suddenly averted his eyes, the telltale sign of his guilt. “Did she tell you I called her?” Alain asked, working the toe of his sandal against the floor.

Tris drained his bottle and put it in the receptacle. Alain followed suit. “Not exactly. She thought I was phoning because you’d broken your promise to her.”

Alain’s head reared. His eyes looked suspiciously bright. “I wouldn’t have.”

He tousled his nephew’s hair. “I know that. What I don’t understand is why the directrice of the school didn’t tell me you’d phoned her wanting the same information?”

A resigned sigh escaped Alain’s lips. “Guy got it for me from the school receptionist.”

His nephew was not only determined, but resourceful. “So…now my assistant is in on this, too.”

“Yes, but he swore he would never say anything.”

“He kept his promise.” When Tris had phoned Guy for an update on business, his assistant had been mum on the subject of Alain.

“Are you mad at me?”

“No. I think I’m very lucky to have a nephew who would go to the lengths you did to help me remember my past.”

Alain’s relief was visible. “Ms. Marsden asked me to leave it alone.”

“Do you know why?”

“She said something kind of weird.”

“What was that?”

“I shouldn’t wake up a dog if it’s sleeping.” He cocked his head. “What did she mean?”

“Can’t you guess?”

His eyes squinted up at him. “Because it might make it mad for being bothered?”

“That’s one way of putting it.”

“But you’re not mad.”

If only Alain knew… So many destructive emotions were bombarding Tris, he couldn’t put a name to them.

“Let’s just say that now I’ve talked to her, I’m anxious to meet her and clear up some questions I’ve had.” He put a hand on Alain’s shoulder. “Come on. The grandparents will be wondering what’s keeping us.”

“Wait—”

“What is it?”

“You were right about one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You know how Rachel promised there’d never be anyone else for her but you?”

“I remember.”

“Well, she broke it just like you said she would.”

“You mean she’s married.”

“I guess she already told you. She has a daughter, too.” He kept on chatting. “Her name’s Natalie. She’s the one who answered the phone when I called.”

Tris felt the impact of his nephew’s words like the grenade that had exploded a little too near him during one of the mock raids.

Mon Dieu.

Ever since Alain had read him the note, he’d been plagued by a sense of unease where his relationship with Rachel Marsden had been concerned. Since speaking with Madame Soulis, he’d entertained certain suspicions.

After talking to Rachel, he was in no doubt.

He’d made her pregnant.

Why else had she been so desperate to keep things hushed up.

Was Natalie his flesh and blood?

Rachel could have had several children by now. If his child were alive, the eldest would be Tris’s son or daughter.

Then again, she might have given up their baby for adoption, or miscarried…or heaven forbid, ended her pregnancy. Whatever the answer, he could scarcely comprehend it.

“Uncle Tris? Are you all right?”

“Of course,” he lied. “I’m just anxious to leave for the States so I can meet Rachel Marsden and get filled in on my past.”

“I wish I could go with you.”