The Right Bride? by Sara Craven Page B

his ears, before slipping him a morsel of bread and jam, while Remy watched her with such tender amusement that she wanted to get up from herchair, and go round the table into his arms, to remain there for ever.
    But he was getting briskly to his feet. ‘I must go and shower. Get ready for work.’ As he passed his grandfather’s chair, he dropped a hand on the old man’s shoulder. ‘Be gentle with Alys, Grandpère. No Resistance-style interrogation, s’il te plaît.’
    When they were alone, Dr de Brizat cleared his throat. ‘Remy likes his joke, Mademoiselle Alys. But a beautiful girl at the breakfast table is a rarity in this house, so I am bound to be intrigued. How did you meet my grandson?’
    Allie carefully added butter and jam to her remaining fragment of roll. ‘I was on the beach below Les Sables. Remy warned me about the tide, but I stupidly took no notice, so he—came back for me.’
    ‘He behaved with great wisdom,’ said his grandfather. ‘You are planning a lengthy visit to Madame Colville?’
    She flushed. ‘I’m not altogether sure of my plans—at the moment.’
    She was bracing herself for more questions, when the rear door opened, and a voice called, ‘Remy? Tu es là? ’ Solange Geran walked into the kitchen. She presented a more muted appearance this morning, in denim jeans and a matching shirt, her hair pulled back from her face.
    She checked when she saw Allie, looking thunderstruck. ‘You?’ Her tone was less than friendly. ‘What are you doing here?’
    Georges de Brizat got politely to his feet. ‘ Bonjour, Solange. As you see, we have a guest for breakfast.’ He added mildly, ‘I hope you have no objection?’
    ‘Why, no. I mean—how could I?’ The girl gave a swift trill of laughter. ‘How absurd. It was just—a surprise to see Mademoiselle Colville again—so soon.’ She glanced around. ‘But where is Remy?’
    ‘Taking a shower,’ his grandfather returned. ‘May I pass on some message?’
    ‘No, thank you.’
    ‘You are quite sure? It must have been a matter of some urgency to bring you here at such an hour.’
    The pretty mouth was sulky. ‘It is my mother,’ she said. ‘The trouble with her knee. She complains that she hardly slept last night. I hoped that Remy would call at the farm on his way to Ignac.’
    ‘I regret that will not be possible, as he will be driving Mademoiselle Alys to Les Sables before going to work.’ He added tranquilly, ‘But if you bring your mother to the medical centre later in the morning, he can examine her there.’
    ‘Since my father’s death, my mother rarely leaves the house.’
    Monsieur de Brizat shrugged. ‘Then, instead, I will request my son to pay her a visit once he returns from the Richauds’.’ His tone was dry. ‘He used to attend madame, so he is well acquainted with the case.’
    In spite of her embarrassment, Allie had to stifle a giggle. Game, set and match to Dr Georges, she thought.
    Solange’s face was like a mask. She said stiffly, ‘That is—kind. I shall tell Maman to expect him.’
    ‘D’accord.’ He waited for a moment as she stood irresolute. ‘There was something else, perhaps?’
    ‘No, no.’ It was Solange’s turn to shrug. ‘At least—just a matter of some curtain fabric. But that can wait for another time. When Remy is not quite so—occupied.’ She looked at Allie, a faintly metallic note creeping into her voice. ‘ Au revoir, mademoiselle. I am sure we shall meet again—soon.’
    ‘I look forward to it,’ Allie responded, without an atom of sincerity.
    A thoughtful silence followed Solange’s departure.
    Allie drew a breath. ‘I seem to be in the middle of some kind of situation here. Please believe I—I didn’t know.’
    ‘You are sure there is anything to know?’ Dr de Brizat sighed a little. ‘Like all the Gerans, Solange is industrious, ambitious, and single-minded. She has a mother who is a trial, and she does not intend to spend her entire life cleaning