Tucking the cigarette into the side of her mouth, she sat down on the edge of the bed and flipped through the pages.
Vous ne savez pas qui vous êtes.
Savez . . . from savoir . . .
. . . to know . . .
Exhaling, Grace closed the book. She collapsed backwards into the soft pillows and closed her eyes.
You don’t know who you are.
At breakfast the next morning, Grace was drinking her coffee alone when Monsieur Tissot suddenly appeared in the dining room. He scanned the faces. She waved to him and he came over.
‘You are avoiding me, Madame Munroe,’ he announced, pulling out the chair opposite her. ‘May I?’
She gave a little nod.
‘And you have changed your hair.’ He sat down. ‘Is this part of your plan to elude me?’
‘And good morning to you.’ She signalled to the waiter to bring another cup. ‘Yes, I think of you constantly and every single thing I do is born out of a desire to thwart you. Coffee?’
‘Yes, please. I’ve been leaving messages for you which the concierge assures me he’s delivered.’
‘It’s reassuring, isn’t it? To know they take their obligations so seriously.’ The waiter brought another cup and she poured him some coffee. ‘Cream?’
‘No, thank you.’
She passed it to him.
‘They’re not the only ones who take their jobs seriously, madame. One can’t be too careful with heiresses roaming about the streets of Paris.’
‘You read too many cheap novels, Monsieur Tissot. Your sense of the dramatic is overdeveloped.’
‘Except in this novel the heroine is difficult to track down.’
‘The truth is,’ she explained, ‘a friend of mine has joined me from London, quite unexpectedly. I’ve been caught up with her the past few days.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it. However, I’m here with news. I’ve had an offer on the apartment.’
She frowned. ‘But how? Have you been advertising it already?’
‘No. The offer comes from an unexpected source. Madame Jacques Hiver.’
‘Jacques Hiver’s widow?’
He nodded. ‘Her lawyers contacted me two days ago. She would like to purchase the property before it goes on the market publicly. And she’s willing to pay twice its estimated value in order to complete the transaction quickly.’
‘Twice its value! But why? Doesn’t it strike you as in particularly poor taste to want to purchase the apartment your husband’s mistress lived in?’
‘I’m not sure what her interests are. However, she would like to meet you.’
‘Meet me?’ Grace put her cup down. ‘Oh, I don’t think so!’
He leaned back. ‘What do you think is going to happen?’
‘I don’t know . . . what if she rails at me for her husband’s affair?’
He looked at her quizzically. ‘And why would she do that? What have you got to do with it? Her offer seems entirely above board. However, it’s up to you. I felt it was important that you be aware of these developments and have time to consider them. It is, after all, a great deal of money.’
‘Of course. I’m grateful, Monsieur Tissot, that you took the time to inform me. And I apologize for not keeping in touch.’
He smiled, taking another sip of coffee. ‘So, what else have you been doing besides avoiding my calls? Did you make any enquiries? Or find anything else out about Madame d’Orsey?’
‘Well, as a matter of fact, I have been to see the old woman who lives above the perfume shop again. She’s a perfumer herself. And she knew Eva d’Orsey quite well.’
Monsieur Tissot’s face turned serious. ‘You shouldn’t go there by yourself. She seems quite mad.’
‘I’ve only spoken to her once.’
‘Well, I should come with you next time, if there’s going to be a next time. I don’t like the idea of you going there on your own.’
‘I can’t take you everywhere I go,’ she laughed.
‘And why not?’
‘People will talk.’
‘You’re in Paris. People began talking when you got off the plane.’
‘I didn’t wish to waste your time – you’re a busy man.’
‘Who’s wasting whose time?’ Mallory had come down to breakfast and was standing between them, looking from one to the other.
Immediately, Monsieur Tissot was on his feet, offering his hand to Mallory. ‘Edouard Tissot, madame. At your service.’
‘And how very lovely to meet you, Monsieur Tissot.’ She smiled her most charming smile.
‘This is my dear friend, Mrs Hayes,’ Grace introduced them. ‘Monsieur Tissot is my lawyer here in Paris, acting on behalf of Eva d’Orsey’s interests,’ she explained.