The Baby Dilemma. Rebecca Winters

a black day that was,” he confessed.

      “As I understand it, Philippe talked you into luring the princess to your chalet in Zermatt with the hope she’d call off your wedding when she found out the two of you had nothing in common.”

      Raoul nodded before smiling at his wife. “Then you showed up in her place.” He kissed her again.

      Kellie cleared her throat. “I—I was thinking we might try his strategy in reverse?”

      The prince was quick on the uptake. He turned his head and looked at Kellie with a shrewd regard. “So Philippe shows up at the chalet before the climb and finds you in residence.”

      “Yes. For one thing, it might be better for us to meet on neutral ground where we’re away from his work or any associations to do with us. The apartment has too many memories that could tear both of us apart.

      “For another, I left my keys on the dresser before I left Neuchàtel. I’d have to ask the concierge to let me in the apartment. He’d probably warn Philippe firs—”

      “There’s no probably about it. The penthouse has become a fortress,” Raoul was swift to respond. It gave Kellie a deeper glimpse into Philippe’s tortured psyche. She shivered at the uphill battle ahead of her.

      “Beyond surprising my husband at your chalet, I don’t have any other ideas yet.”

      “As far as I’m concerned, you’re as inspired as Philippe was,” Raoul murmured.

      She bit her lip. “I’m not at all certain it will work, but since he was already planning a climb, he won’t be suspecting any subterfuge. If the only thing I accomplish is to prevent him from going up on the mountain in his condition, I’ll be thankful.”

      “We all will, believe me,” Raoul said in an emotion-filled voice.

      “There’s only one problem. Philippe’s going to realize you made this possible for me. I couldn’t bear it if he turned on you. You’re his dearest friend.”

      Raoul eyed her with a glint of what looked like admiration. “Let me worry about that.”

      “When is your banking conference over?”

      “Today’s the final day. My suggestion is that you and Lee get some sleep while I’m in attendance. I should be through around four-thirty. We’ll fly to Zermatt in the helicopter and spend the night. I’ll give the staff a few days off.

      “Tomorrow morning I’ll have Philippe flown in. After I bring him to the chalet, I’ll conveniently disappear and the rest of us will wait things out at Roger’s condo.”

      Tomorrow Kellie would see Philippe.

      Her heart thudded so hard with excitement and anxiety all rolled into one, she feared something was wrong with it.

      Lee moved forward to touch her arm in concern. “Are you all right?”

      She let out a shaky breath. “There’s a strong possibility he won’t let me into his life again. I’m petrified our marriage could really be over.”

      When neither of them refuted that statement, her fear escalated.

      Weary both physically and emotionally, she rested her head against the back of the seat. Her eyelids felt heavy. Before they closed, the last thing she saw was Raoul’s grave countenance.

      Like a revelation it came to her he knew things about Philippe he hadn’t told his wife or Kellie. She didn’t know what exactly, but a frisson of terror attacked her body worse than before.