Black Diamonds by Eliza Redgold Page B

stamina than Bob.”
    After Jackie paid for the earrings they walked back to the car they’d left parked in one of the side streets of Perigueux. The capital of the Dordogne region was a lovely town, with stone buildings with red tiled roofs in similar colours to Xavier’s chateau. She’d been charmed by ornate iron street lamps that leaned like nodding bluebells over the streets and bridges. The town boasted amazing architecture, including an unusual cathedral with towers shaped like pepper pots, and a river with stone banks leading down to it.
    They’d ended up there after an amazing morning spent in the truffle markets in the towns and villages near the Antoine estate, along with some of the other guests from the dinner the night before. Then Eve had dragged her off for a shopping spree, as she gleefully called it.
    “We’re going to have a girls’ lunch too,” she’d told her husband firmly. “We’ll be back at the chateau this afternoon.” Eve spoke excellent French, and had taken Jackie to a number of fabulous shops and boutiques she would never have found on her own.
    Jackie peeped sideways at her new friend, strolling along carrying shopping bags stuffed to the brim. She knew it wasn’t right to quiz Eve about Xavier’s past. But before she could stop herself she blurted out, “Did you know Xavier’s wife?”
    Eve nodded. “Why sure. Bob’s known Xavier for years. He was at their wedding; it was held at the chateau.”
    “Oh,” Jackie gulped. “Was she very beautiful?” Once again she couldn’t help asking.
    “Yes, she was—well, she is. She has one of those slick bobs cut sharp at the chin,” Eve indicated her jaw with her hand, “and she’s small and slim. She’s one of the most chic women I know. I always feel like a country bumpkin when I’m near Camille, and I’m from New York!”
    Jackie glanced at Eve’s highly polished black boots and black and white jacket trimmed with fur. Heaven only knew how Jackie would feel near Camille if stylish Eve felt like a bumpkin. She glanced down at her brown Drizabone. It kept out the wind and cold, but it couldn’t be described as glamorous.
    “Do you keep in touch with her?”
    “Not really. Bill’s always been friends with Xavier, as well as a business acquaintance. So we see more of Xavier, of course. I guess you know about their divorce, don’t you?”
    “Yes.” She sure did. Thinking about Xavier with another woman had been gnawing away at her all day. Why was it affecting her so much?
    Eve stopped walking and turned to face her. “There’s something going on between you and Xavier isn’t there?”
    Jackie started to shake her head, but looking into Eve’s honest, friendly eyes she couldn’t lie. She sighed. “There might be. I mean, yes.”
    “I thought so. I’m pleased to see it. Xavier has been alone for too long.” She paused for a moment. “Jackie, can I speak frankly? Xavier’s one of the best men I know. I know he can seem cold, and arrogant. Maybe it’s because he’s French, I don’t know. But he’s an amazing businessman, so he’s got a right to be arrogant, I guess. From what I know of him, he wouldn’t have given up on his marriage easily. I don’t know all the details of why he and Camille got divorced, but I’d bet my bottom dollar it wasn’t his doing. He just isn’t that kind of man.”
    Jackie nodded. “That’s what he told me.”
    “Then believe him.” Eve’s expression turned candid. “You have to trust Xavier, Jackie. You have to trust your feelings.”
    “My feelings are so confused I don’t know what to make of them. Xavier infuriates me one moment and the next …”
    “And the next you’re wild about him,” Eve grinned. “It’s been a while since Bob and I were on that particular roller coaster ride but I do remember what it was like.”
    Her stomach flipped over. “I’ve never liked roller coasters.”
    Eve popped an arm through Jackie’s as they started walking again.