“Like I said, it was a compelling reason to get involved. And to stick it to Beaumonts.”
Their doors opened. Nina got out. Monica was slightly slower to follow.
She was flanked by two of the large male bodyguards who talked to Nina in fast and clipped Thai. She led the way up to the main entrance, the bright sun shining intense rays of heat upon the top of Monica’s uncovered head.
She had forgotten to wear a hat. As she ascended the steps and entered the cool, dark foyer of the Beaumonts’ Thai home, she worried that Abigail hadn’t a hat to wear the whole time she was here. What if her fair head burned before Monica could protect her?
“I’d like to see your credentials, please.”
That came from a French-accented female voice, probably owned by the middle-aged woman descending the stairs in a dress that simultaneously highlighted her figure and downplayed every curve and tan line that she had carefully carved over the past sixty years of her life. Monica recognized her instantly.
Lily Beaumont.
She had only met her a handful of times over the past decade when Henry came into Monica’s life. Most of the Beaumonts had come to the wedding, after all, and Lily was one of many who sent a card and a small gift when Abigail was born. If only Monica had known she would one day pay for the white Christening dress Lily had seen fit to send from France.Chantilly lace.That was why it had stood out in Monica’s memory.
Lily stopped on the landing when she happened to make eye contact with Monica. That ice-cold gaze was enough to frost over the entire house. Electric ceiling fans and opened windows were unnecessary in Mercy’s Grove.
“Monica.” Lily didn’t miss a beat as she opened her arms in greeting. She did not, however, descend the final set of stairs. “How lovely to see you. We were not expecting you.”
“No, I daresay not.”
“Who are your friends, my dear? Locals?”
Nina tensed beside Monica but said nothing.
“It was a sudden decision to drop by, Lady Beaumont,” Monica explained. She kept her eyes peeled and ears open for any sign of her daughter. “I didn’t know my way around, so I decided to hire a competent tour company to ensure my safe arrival.”
“You should have called ahead. I would have sent one of my people to the airport to meet you.”
Monica sucked in a deep breath for strength. “I would like to see my daughter. I know Abigail is here.”
“I don’t quite know what you are saying.” Lily briefly glanced at Nina stealing away toward the front door. “Abigail? Why would your daughter be out here?”
“I know that my mother-in-law Isabella brought her here. She was at your family’s home in Nice only a few days ago. I’ll have you know that she brought my daughter here without my orHenry’s permission. She is missing quite a bit of school, and you know girls that age are practicing their penmanship.”
Lily crossed her arms. “Your daughter is not here, Monica. I don’t know who told you such a tale, but you were led astray. I amsosorry that you traveled here for nothing, but do know that we will be happy to find you accommodations in the city. There is a lovely resort near the airport that you might find comfortable…”
Nina returned to Monica’s side. “She and the grandmother are in the guest house out back,” she whispered. “I’ve got my men blocking any egress so they can’t escape.”
“What is she telling you?”
Monica did not tear her gaze away from the woman standing as if she were the queen of this palace.I’m sure she thinks she is.Except this wasn’t France. Lily could not regale her guests with tales of Louise and Louis and a world that no longer existed.The very people overthrown during a bloody, relentless revolution.Surely, a woman like Lily Beaumont knew that could happen again any day.
Such as here. Now.I may be one woman…
But Monica was mightier than anyone ever took her for.
“Spare me your lies, Lily.” Monica stepped past the men surrounding her. A quick perusal of the foyer suggested that many of the maids and other staff people coming and going were focused on what happened with the lady of the house. “Isabella kidnapped my daughter and absconded with her to France. As soon as Henry gets there, we’ve deduced that you’ve brought her here.”
She snorted. “I heard that Henry was in Nice. Sorry to break your fantasies, my dear, but I’ve been here for the past month. I like to winter in Phuket, you see. The weather is more agreeable this time of year, and…”
“Where is Abigail?”
Lily Beaumont was not a woman accustomed to being interrupted. “If you do not leave right now, Mrs. Warren, I am afraid that I will have to call the local law enforcement and have you escorted back to your hotel. I do not take kindly to such allegations in my own home…regardlessof the residence!”
“She’s in the guest house, isn’t she?”
“Is that what that lady has told you? She looks familiar. Have we met before, girl?”
