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expect?”
    “I knew she’d resist. But she didn’t hear me out. She didn’t listen.” He turned back to Xavier.
    “Open your eyes. You’ll never command Catherine like one of your soldiers. She makes her own decisions. Let her decide for herself.”
    “And listen to everyone criticize the family? How can I allow the defamation of the Saint-Laurent name? Father entrusted me with upholding it.”
    “No, Michel, society gave you that responsibility. Father taught you to obey when it served the right purposes and to disregard tradition when necessary. Perhaps this is a time—”
    “You think this only concerns making decisions for her and what the outside world thinks? What about her safety? What about her security? She rants about maintaining the family wealth and homestead. Yet if something happened to both of us, the only males in this family, what do you think the government would do to her? Do you think they’d look the other way and allow a woman to control such a vast economic empire? Men control the world, and Catherine needs to remember that.” He stood, hands on his hips, as if daring Xavier to argue with him.
    Xavier remained calm. He had heard this argument a million times and cared nothing for others’ expectations regarding his sister. Catherine loved her life and managed her affairs splendidly. “Regardless of how you worry about her, it won’t help to defy her. I know you want the best for her, but you drive her away.”
    “It’s more complicated this time.”
    “How so?” Xavier prodded.
    Michel stopped and looked at him again. “The other individual involved. This will hurt him terribly.”
    “Who is it?”
    “Jérémie Metcalfe.”
    Xavier gasped. “How could you put such an old family friend in such a position? He’s like a brother to us, and you do this to him? I had no idea he had feelings for Catherine.”
    “Nor does she.”
    Xavier rubbed his temples. “How did this come about?”
    “He passed through a port where I was stationed a month ago. We had dinner, and naturally we asked about our respective families. I told him how I worried about Catherine. Before I said much, he blurted out a confession that he loved her and wanted to marry her. I was ecstatic. I thought she would love him as well. I thought this would truly make her happy. Lord knows she’ll never see it my way, but I did it for her. He asked permission to marry her and I granted it. So, we planned to meet here in Paris today to tell her.” Michel sighed, forlorn. “I thought she guessed. Jérémie told me he visits often.” He looked at Xavier then, intent. “I must swear you to secrecy. I promised Jérémie not to tell a soul until she responded. He didn’t want to face public humiliation if she rejected him.”
    “But she did no such thing,” Xavier corrected. “She rejected you.”
    “I know, but Jérémie won’t see it that way. Give me time. He’ll be here soon. I asked him to follow shortly behind me. Swear to me, Xavier. Hurry.”
    “You invited him here? Michel, what were you thinking?”
    “Dammit, there’s no time for this. Swear to me.”
    Xavier stared at him, torn between his siblings. But it was too late now to think further about the matter. “Of course,” he answered as a servant announced Jérémie. With his heart pounding, Xavier greeted their old friend. He wanted to go to Catherine and tell her the truth, but his damned controlling brother had forbade it, and Xavier could never betray an oath.
    “Jérémie,” Michel greeted him. “Come in. We need to talk.”
    Xavier nodded politely at him, noting that Jérémie was indeed a handsome fellow with his soft white skin, height, and green eyes. He greeted Xavier politely as he followed Michel out of the room.
    Footsteps in the hall startled Xavier and kept him from following. He turned to see his sister, always beautiful in her flowing dresses and blonde hair even when scowling, as she stormed down the hall.
    “Is he still