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.He knew she would want dinner, and dancing at a club.There was always later, after the club, and Darcy with a few drinks in her was a whole other phenomenon.The memory of that day six months ago had come flooding back when he received a phone call from Madame Delphine Masson’s personal assistant, requesting a meeting.Stephen was glad he wasn’t still working on the trading floor, because his conversations with clients, juggling of portfolios, and doing a half-assed job manning his own monitors were all a blur.He was also fortunate he hadn’t worked on any discretionary accounts.Stephen could handle his more savvy clients' speculations and hedges with his eyes closed, but the phone call had robbed him of his focus.It was rare he left work early, but curiosity about Madame Delphine Masson’s request to meet had overtaken him, and he’d called it a day after putting in only nine hours, a record low for him.It was just as well; he had worked himself into a frenzy trying to figure out why he was summoned.Stephen would go just to see what she wanted, and how she had acquired his name.He didn't have to get involved in her "matter of a grave personal nature," as her employee had indicated earlier while making the appointment with him.What could it hurt?~vPAv~It was busy as Stephen entered Ria, The Elysian Hotel's Michelin two-star restaurant, but Madame Masson would have stood out in any crowd.Her regal confidence outshone the elegant simplicity of her attire.Stephen would guess she was dressed in the best that Masson Enterprises’ designers had to offer.She sat on a chaise in the vestibule, flanked by two suits—presumably bodyguards, judging by the intelligence-grade earpieces they wore.It would have been foolhardy for a woman of her net worth to be in a foreign city left unguarded.She appeared comfortable and undisturbed by the obvious interest of the other patrons who looked on, wondering who this woman was.Recognition sparked in her eyes, as well as another emotion that Stephen couldn’t identify.Then, her stare became direct and blatant, her assessment bordering on rude.She was still a beautiful woman despite her advanced age.She stood with a warm smile as Stephen approached, grasped both his hands and squeezed them."Étienne, I am so glad you could join me," she said in perfect, albeit accented, English.She pronounced his name exactly as if she might have spoken to her own son.Stephen didn’t correct her.She’d lost her son in a tragic accident.The least he could do was allow her that one indulgence.While doing his case study, he'd found that Étienne was the French version of Stephen, which meant “crowned.” He and the Madame’s Étienne shared a similarity in their names, but that was where the comparisons ended.Masson might have been crowned prince of a business empire, but Stephen had just begun to embrace his potential as a businessman."Your invitation evoked equal parts honor and curiosity, I must admit," Stephen said with his own earnest, yet nervous, smile.Who wouldn't want to meet the mother of one of the most accomplished and admired businessmen in the world?“Please forgive me, I have a hard time with the name Stephen,” she said.“It’s quite all right,” he assured her.The hostess approached, rescuing Stephen from the awkward greeting."I see your dinner guest has arrived, Madame Masson.Your dining room is ready.Right this way."Stephen stood aside and allowed Madame Masson to go before him as they followed the hostess through the restaurant to a private dining room.The hostess seated them at a table for twelve, but it appeared they would be the only two dining.The bodyguards remained outside the door.Stephen noticed Madame Masson staring again, but this time her eyes glistened with what looked to be unshed tears.He wanted to ask if she were okay, but she spoke before he could form the words."I'm sure you must be thinking that this meeting has come from out of—what is that baseball term you Americans use?""Left field?" Stephen supplied."Exactly." her voice was husky with emotion.”I cannot believe that I allowed my husband to deprive me of this joy."Madame Masson spoke in ambiguities but seemed harmless enough, so he would humor her in whatever purpose she had in mind.He'd get a fabulous meal from the type of restaurant he only patronized when he tried to impress a woman.Perhaps sensing his unease, Madame Masson offered her assurance."I promise, Étienne, I may be advanced in my years, but I am in possession of all my faculties.We will come to the business of this meeting soon, but first, let us get to know one another, have a meal together and I will tell you why I have sought you out.""I know it's after the fact, but my condolences on the passing of your son.He was brilliant, and the direction in which he moved the business was a true inspiration to me."Her eyes misted, and she dabbed them with her napkin."I wish my François would have had the opportunity to hear you say that."Stephen felt like a cad for reminding her of her grief, but he wondered if they were speaking of the same man.“François?”“Our family referred to my Étienne by his middle name,” she explained."My apologies, Madame.I know his death must still be difficult for you.By today's standards, he was still a young man."“Oui.A mother lives with the possibility that her child might precede her in death, but prays all the while that it will not be the case.I am thankful for the fifty-four wonderful years he was with me.” She cleared her throat delicately and took a sip of water [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]