“She didn’t need it,” Rene said. “She needed you. She would have built a life with you.”

“I can’t go back.” Cricket put her hand in Louis’s. “I wouldn’t go back, son. I wouldn’t for all the world because you are my pride and my joy. But it’s time for me to move forward. I thought about this all night, and I believe you’re worried for nothing. You think I spent my whole marriage pining for another man. I didn’t, but that’s not the point. You’re worried that your marriage to Sylvie started the way mine did to your father. Sylvie is not me. She’s not going to be dreaming of some man she loved but couldn’t have.”

Sylvie turned to her husband, taking in that straight jaw and soulful eyes. He was the one she’d pined for, compared every other man to. “I only ever loved you.”

Rene brought her hand up to his lips. “And you’ve always been the only woman for me.” He turned back to his mother and Louis, seemingly more confident than he’d been before. “All right. You don’t need my support, but you have it. And I’ll call off the private detectives. We will need to figure out where you want to live, because I pretty much gave away our house last night.”

“Don’t you worry about that,” his mother said with a wave of her hand. “If we get kicked out of Darois House, we’ll build another. I actually think Louis and I will be traveling a bit. We’re talking about taking that year-long cruise I always wanted to do. It would be good for us to get out and see the world, make us feel young again. Would you have a problem with us staying at the New Orleans house while we figure it all out?”

“Mom, it’s your house.” Rene relaxed back but didn’t let her hand go.

Cricket looked up at Louis, who nodded her way. “No, it’s yours. Louis and I talked last night and we think you should have a trust fund. You have worked all these years and you should have your own money. You will also have control of the charity fund the family has run since your great-grandfather set it up. Of course, you’re my sole heir. My will is not going to change even if Louis and I get married.”

“You’re my heir, too,” Louis admitted. “Though don’t get excited. It’s not much, but I’ve saved over the years. I’m not listening to stock tips anymore, though.”