Dauphine and I ate with the crew again since Mr. Pascale had not yet returned, and later, I found myself restlessly trying and failing to sleep. My internal clock was still locked into American time. The boat rocked more heavily anchored in the bay than it had in port, and while the motion should lull me, all it did was make me constantly aware I was enclosed deep inside a vessel with no fresh air and surrounded by dark water. I debated getting up to go to outside, but then I heard the sounds of Xavier coming down the stairs and getting ready for bed. So he was home. Something inside me relaxed now that he was back.

Chapter Sixteen

I peered into the galley, expecting to find at least Chef in there too, but it was only Andrea. I didn’t think I’d missed breakfast this time as there were plates and food still on the table. She had her back to me as she fiddled with the coffee machine. “Morning,” she greeted as she looked over her shoulder. “Would you like a coffee?”

“Yes, please. Desperately. But just one, thank you. This jet lag might keep me awake again tonight, so I don't think adding too much caffeine into the mix is a good idea. I’m still six hours behind.”

“Let's sit and chat before everyone comes in,” she said and indicated the banquette seating. “The jet lag will take a few days, I’m sure.”

I slid onto the banquette with some fruit and a croissant. “What time do you all usually eat?”

Andrea sat down opposite me, setting two frothy cups of cappuccino in front of us. She glanced at her phone. “Around now, but they’re all trying to figure out the Wi-Fi. It’s glitching.” Her blonde hair was scraped back like she normally wore it, in a low bun behind her head. She wore minimal make-up, and her skin glowed healthy and smooth. “You probably gathered from lunch yesterday, but Monsieur Pascale … he likes to, uh—”

“Rescue people?"

She trilled tension-filled laughter. “I guess you could say that. I don’t even think he realizes it.” She waved her hands in the air dismissively. “It's probably best to bring you up to speed. And I didn’t want to talk about it in front of everyone. They know of course, but not Dauphine …” She cleared her throat. “You see,” she said. “I was, uh, in an abusive marriage.”

My eyes widened. “God, I’m so sorry,” I said.

She waved her hand again. “Not looking for sympathy. It’s been long enough I can say it for what it was without all the shame I dragged myself out of there with. But it's important you know about it because I have no doubt my husband would come looking if he knew where I was.”

“I don't know what to say. God. I’m so sorry you went through that.”