“I’m sure,” Sophie said. “Nice to meet you, Judy.”

“Have a nice day,” the younger woman said, turning back to her computer.

“Why are there so few women here?” Sophie asked as Gregoire led her down the stairs. She would rather walk than take that tiny elevator; perhaps she would authorize a new, modern one, she thought. Quaintness was nice, but not when it came to lifts.

“They don’t apply,” he said. “Behind the glamour of the showrooms and the fashion shows, the actual business is rather dull. All euros and statistics. Ladies have much better things to do with their time, as I’m sure you know very well, Madame. Sophie,” he corrected himself. “Excuse my old-fashioned manners. It is just the force of habit.”

They reached the ground floor, where the receptionist looked at them nervously, but Sophie smiled, trying to put her at her ease. Gregoire opened the door for her; his car was ready, and he opened the back door so she could slide inside.

“Do you have any objections to La Couronne?”

She recognized the name; that was the new, extremely expensive restaurant that had recently been awarded a coveted third Michelin star for its classic French cooking. A Normandy menu, lots of cream and apples. Sophie found her mouth was watering.

“None.”

“Then we shall go there.” He leaned forward and gave the instructions to the driver. “I am so looking forward to this. It will be wonderful to have some interesting company.” Lazard looked at her, his blue, slightly slanted eyes dancing. “I remembered that you were beautiful, of course, but not that you were also intelligent.”

Sophie blushed scarlet. It had been a long time since anybody had paid her a personal compliment, and never about her mind. She looked at Lazard gratefully.

“Thank you,” she said, remembering Pierre’s instructions. A lady always receives a compliment gracefully, she doesn’t protest it.

“I will try to make this whole thing as painless for you as possible,” Gregoire said. And smiled.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“Good morning, sir.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Percy.”

Hugh strode into his office and put his briefcase down on his desk, snapping it open and removing a few documents.

“Get me Louis Maitre on the phone, will you.”