Page 91 of Under Her Protection

Leo eased her hand out, slow.

She drew the black silk back down over Vivienne's thigh.

She put her forehead against Vivienne's forehead for one count, three, and stepped back.

Vivienne smoothed the silk.

She smoothed her hair, which had not come out of its pin, and put both hands under her earrings to check them, and put one hand flat on her own sternum for half a second, and took it away.

"Mademoiselle Cole."

"Madame."

"How do I look?”

"Like a woman whose gala has just been a success."

"Mm."

"Madame."

"Yes."

"I am still angry."

"I know."

"I was right."

"I know."

"You are going to hear about this at the dinner table."

"I know."

"Good."

Leo picked her earpiece up off the steel chair and put it in her ear.

"Avery."

"Yes."

"We are coming up. Two minutes. Can you put the photographer from Le Figaro on her right elbow at the top of the stair so we have a picture before she walks back into the Salle des Fêtes."

"Copy."

Vivienne looked at her.

"Clever," she said.

"Thank you."

"Take me upstairs, Mademoiselle Cole."

"Yes, Madame."

They went upstairs.