He was on the front porch catching a breath of fresh air, away from the conference room filled with the smell of cigar smoke and men. Bella joined him, drawn by her curiosity seeking some information about the plans for their stay.
“David, isn’t it?” she asked.
“Yes.” He turned to her.
“I hope everything is as you need it. Claude sort of sprung this visit on me with no warning.”
“I’m sure that was part of his plan,” David replied.
“Yes, I’m sure it was,” she answered wary of his meaning.
“I’ll be seeing much more of you than you likely care to reveal, Mrs. Fauré. I trust you’ll make the experience worth my time.”
“Yes, I hope I will,” she ventured cautiously. She’d hoped for a different kind of conversation, something more friendly and warm. But he seemed to adopt as arrogant a mann
