Lynette managed a small, shy smile, but shook her head. “No, merci, dear Olympe. I think…I think I will return to my room for a quick rest.”
“Please, mademoiselle.” Antoine raised his arm, holding it perfectly horizontal, his elbow thrust toward Lynette. “It would be my greatest pleasure to escort you.”
Lynette, giving the shallowest of curtseys, took his arm with one hand while accepting her forgotten, fallen parasol from Henri with the other. As the strong man led the weak woman away, stepping around other groups of revelers perched on similar blankets, Lynette turned back and threw a small kiss toward Olympe and Jeanne.
“We will see you later, ma chère,” Olympe called cheerfully with a wave.
Jeanne put two fingers to her pursed lips and raised them to her retreating friend, unable t
