“No, and we are not going to change our minds. Back to you. You are falling for this guy.”
“Macee, what?” Francesca laughed. She had only known him for a few months. This was ridiculous.
“No man has ever unravelled you the way he has,” Macee said. Francesca looked at her. “Yes. You are so uptight. It is as if you are scared of letting go and having fun. I bet if you just let go, you would really see Lord Jacques for the man he is and you will love him. Or admit that you do,” Macee said. Francesca frowned. She could not be in love with him. It was too soon.
“It hasn't even been six months, how could I?”
“There is no time line for love, sis.”
“When did you get so mature?” Francesca asked, as she linked her arm with her sister's.
“Tell me about it,” Macee replied. She could not even believe the words coming out of her mouth.
“Why do you like him so much?”
“He is incredibly attractive and has such a good heart. He is wise and trustworthy.”
“Trustworthy?”
“He could not be the future king's advisor if he were not.”
“That is true.”
“Let's go eat. I cannot question you on an empty stomach,” Macee said. She still had so much to learn from her sister. Francesca knew that the jokes were going to come out as soon as she was full. She buckled up and braced herself for them, as they headed back to Macee’s quarters to eat.
* * *
Prince Louis, Jean Pierre and Lord Jacques were having lunch together. Jean Pierre had not seen Lord Jacques since the Global Girls charity event and he was curious as to how the dinner date went with Francesca. He had first-hand experience with the LeBlanc sisters and he knew that they were not easy to deal with. Lord Jacques admitted that he had not found it easy with Francesca as he shared that he had taken her on one of his yachts.
“But it was for charity, so it is alright,” Jean Pierre said. Prince Louis looked at him and raised his eyebrows.
“There is something more going on here.” Prince Louis said to Jean Pierre.
“What makes you say that?” Lord Jacques asked.
“You spent 70,000 Euros for a date with her and then took her on one of your boats, which you never do. That feels a little personal to me,” Prince Louis replied.
“The bidding did get quite ferocious. You were not giving up,” Jean Pierre added. Lord Jacques smiled and sipped his drink.
“She is worth that and more,” he replied. The prince looked at him.
“So you fancy my sister-in-law?” Prince Louis asked as Lord Jacques nodded.
“I do,” he replied.
“Well that was fast,” Jean Pierre said.
“There is just something about her.”
“Yes, she is a good woman,” the Prince added.
“If you can handle the three of them together, then you are ready to be with her,” Jean Pierre said as Prince Louis laughed and agreed.
“I think they like me,” Lord Jacques said.
“They probably do but they protect each other fiercely,” Prince Louis said. He remembered when Francesca found out that Bridgette was behind the rumour leak and the revealing of Liane’s pregnancy; she was ready to have her head on a pike.
“It is settled then, you all will come to my house for dinner,” Jean Pierre said.
“That will be interesting.”
“Oh, it will.”
***
Lord Jacques was sure that everything was going to work out well. The sisters were nice to him previously, why would it be any different now? His confidence quickly wore off when he arrived at Liane and Jean Pierre's home. He was sitting across from the LeBlanc sisters at the dinner table. They all stared at him for a moment, as if they were analysing him. Jean Pierre and the prince stayed out of it, as they watched the women.
“How is Simone?” Lord Jacques asked Liane.
“She is fine. What are your intentions regarding my sister?” Liane asked. Lord Jacques coughed in surprise. The subject had gone there rather quickly.
“I really like and respect Francesca. My motives and intentions are pure when it comes to her.”
Macee and Liane were both touched by the fact that he respected her but they were not going to give in so easily. “You have known her for only a few months. You cannot really say that you know her,” Macee pointed out.
“Her favourite colour is purple. She is a bad liar. She has a beauty spot underneath her chin,” Lord Jacques said. Francesca frowned. When had he seen her beauty spot? He had not even mentioned it. “She is terrible at telling jokes,” he added. Macee and Liane wanted to laugh, but they managed to contain themselves. It was so true that she was terrible at humour.