Chapter 67
The restaurant Kate had picked was small and cozy, tucked away on a quiet street in London. It was the kind of place that felt like a secret—dim lighting, soft music, and an intimate atmosphere that made it perfect for a proper catch-up. Margaux arrived first, choosing a table near the window. She ordered a glass of wine and sipped it slowly, watching the flicker of city lights outside.
Kate walked in not long after, her coat draped over one arm, her scarf tossed carelessly around her neck. She spotted Margaux instantly and made her way over, a warm smile lighting up her face.
"Hey, you," Kate said, leaning in to kiss Margaux’s cheek before sitting down. "How’s my favorite psychiatrist?”
Margaux laughed softly. “She’s hanging on by a thread, thanks for asking.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. If anyone can handle the chaos that is life, it’s you. But that thread comment tells me there’s a story. Spill.”
Margaux leaned back, running a hand through her hair. “Where do I even start?”
Kate raised an eyebrow, motioning for her to continue.
“Okay,” Margaux began, taking a deep breath. “So, I saw my mother the other day, had a girl's day with her.”
Kate groaned, already anticipating where this was going. “Adelaine? Oh, this is going to be good.”
“Good isn’t the word I’d use,” Margaux muttered, swirling the wine in her glass. “We went shopping for a dress for the charity ball-"
Kate cut her off with a sudden, "actually-."
Margaux looked back at her friend with curiosity.
"I'm not sure, actually. Forget I said anything," Kate quickly said. "Please continue."
Margaux smiled, "so, we went shopping and, as you can imagine, it was… horrific. Every dress I tried on was either too much or not enough for her.”
Kate winced. “Let me guess, there were also some bold comments about your figure?”
“Of course,” Margaux said bitterly. “She kept going on about how I should thin up and how I’m looking too… ‘athletic.’ Apparently, having some definition is a crime in her eyes.”
“That woman,” Kate said, shaking her head. “I'd pay money to have your body. Most women would and you know it. She’s just projecting all her insecurities onto you.”
Margaux gave her a small smile. “Thanks, Kate. But it didn’t stop there. After we finally found a dress—this beautiful Clio Peppiatt gown, by the way—she
insisted on grabbing coffee.”
Kate leaned in, clearly intrigued. “And?”
“And while we were sitting there,both William and Pierre walked by.”
Kate’s eyes widened. “William? As in William de la Roche? Tell me everything.”
Margaux sighed, taking another sip of her wine. “He was polite, charming, and everything my mother would want in a future son-in-law, from the famously rich father to the way his eyes close when he smiles. The moment he introduced himself, she lit up like a Christmas tree. She even said she knew his father—called him a ‘great man.’ She didn't shower him in more compliments because she physically couldn't.”
Kate burst out laughing. “Oh, Margaux. That’s gold. I can already picture Adelaine mentally arranging the wedding.”
“Don’t even joke about that,” Margaux said, though a small smile tugged at her lips. “It was mortifying. And, of course, William picked up on how uncomfortable I was and decided to make the conversation a little longer than necessary. Just to watch me squirm.”
Kate grinned. “Classic William. So, did he say anything incriminating in front of your mother?”
“No, thank God,” Margaux replied. “But the moment he left, she couldn’t stop talking about how ‘lovely’ he was. I swear, if she brings him up one more time, I might lose it.”
Kate chuckled but then gave Margaux a thoughtful look. “Okay, so your mom adored William. What about Pierre?”
Margaux groaned, rubbing her temples. “Oh, Pierre showed up later, just as we were leaving. He was his usual sweet self—hugged me, kissed my cheek, introduced himself to my mother. But…”
Kate’s face turned serious. “But?”
“But she hated him,” Margaux said, her voice laced with frustration. “She didn’t say it outright, but it was obvious. The way she looked at him, her tone, everything. She thought he was too… provincial.”
Kate let out a low whistle. “Wow. That’s harsh, even for her. But are you surprised?”
“No,” Margaux admitted. “It’s exactly what I expected. He’s everything she doesn’t want for me. Too kind, too real, too French.”
Kate laughed softly at the last part. “You know, Margaux, I’ve been thinking… Do you think part of the reason you can’t quite figure out how you feel about Pierre is because you know your mother—and the rest of the Hawthornes—wouldn’t approve?”
Margaux blinked, caught off guard by the question. “What are you saying? That I don’t like Pierre because of them?”
“No, not exactly,” Kate said carefully. “I’m saying maybe their disapproval plays into it. Like, you’re so used to fighting against what they want that it’s clouding how you actually feel.”
Margaux frowned, staring into her wine. “I don’t know, Kate. Maybe you’re right. Or maybe I just don’t want to deal with the drama of them judging every aspect of my life.”
“Fair enough,” Kate said. “But you deserve to be happy, Margaux. Whether that’s with Pierre or someone else—or no one at all—it’s your decision. Not theirs.”
Margaux smiled, feeling a little lighter. “Thanks, Kate. I needed to hear that.”
They ordered their food and continued to talk about their issues, both Margaux's and Kate's. As they were finishing up their desserts, the door to the restaurant opened, and Margaux spotted two familiar figures walking in. Raph and William.
“Well, well, look who it is,” Kate said, grinning as the two men approached their table.
Raph leaned down to kiss Kate on the cheek. “You ladies ready to go see the rest?”
Margaux raised an eyebrow, looking between them. “The rest?”
Kate smiled. “Oh, we’re meeting the others at the bar down the street. You're joining, right?”
"Oh, um, yeah, sure," Margaux replied a bit flabbergasted.
William stepped forward, his hands in the pockets of his navy coat. He looked effortlessly put together, as usual. “Surprised to see me?” he asked Margaux with a smirk.
She crossed her arms. “Oh, you’re coming too?”
William laughed, his deep voice drawing the attention of a few nearby diners. “You have something against me or something?”
Margaux rolled her eyes, suppressing a smile. “Let’s just say I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Well, now you’ve got me,” William said, his smirk growing. “Try not to sound too disappointed.”
Kate and Raph exchanged amused glances as William turned to Margaux. “Come on, let’s not keep everyone waiting.”
Margaux sighed, grabbing her coat. “Fine. Let’s go.”
As they left the restaurant, Margaux couldn’t help but glance at William, wondering why his presence always seemed to stir something inside her.