“This brings me to my second theory.”

It came to me suddenly. “Back then, the fathers would have sensed it and watched who the other heirs were with.”

“Exactly.”

“Are you suggesting…do you think Robert knew?”

“A little over a year ago, Robert came out here to talk to his father. He was panicked. I wasn’t privy to the conversation, but from what I gathered, it had to do with Levi finding the right mate.”

“But how could Robert have figured out it was me?”

“I need to ask a question, and I want an honest answer.”

“Okay.” She was telling me way more than I expected. I’d tell her anything she needed to know.

“When did you first sleep with your high school boyfriend?”

“On our six month anniversary. We were only together a year… It was fall of my senior year.”

“Right when Robert came here…”

“But how could…”

“He has spies. They must have known.”

“But something about all of this is bothering me. How do we know Toby is an heir? He just said his mother’s maiden name. Levi didn’t recognize his name. Wouldn’t Levi have known who Toby was?”

“Not if the Blackwells were trying to hide his identity…usually the line passes through a son—”

“But if there was no son…and Robert figured it out.”

“He must have. What made you first come down to New Orleans?” She gripped the arm of her chair.

“My dad bought the hotel, and I came down to work for him.”

“Do you know why he bought it? Did he usually buy urban real estate?”

“He owns a lot of hotels…but most of them are more the resort style.” Then it hit me. “Did Robert have something to do with him buying it?”

“I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised. He needed you to meet Levi before things went too far with Toby. He must have been afraid Toby was ready to take it to the next step.”

“The next step? That’s what Toby meant…”

“What? What he meant?”

I let out a deep breath. “Why are you helping me with this?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Not really. Doesn’t this go against helping your son?”

“On the contrary, it’s the only way we can fix things. We have to figure out a way to make your mating with Levi permanent—to make it impossible for you to choose another.”

“Toby was at the New Year’s party.”

“Does Levi know?” Her eyes were locked on mine.

“Toby said he’d hurt Jess if I told…”

“That’s the friend of yours who the Blackwell’s have?”

“Yes. It’s all my fault.” I hung my head.

“No, it’s not. This isn’t the time to feel sorry for yourself. What happened when he saw you?”

“He told me how much he wanted me. I asked him when he’d planned to tell me about what he was.” I looked down at my hand and touched my ring. “He said he would have done it on our wedding night when I accepted his ring.”

“Toby knew. Damn it. Robert messed it all up by not telling Levi—by not trusting his own son.”

“If Levi knew I had to agree, he would have made sure I knew what I was doing. He would have moved slower—been careful.” Robert really did cause this whole mess. “So how do we fix it? They’re not going to leave my friends or me alone until this is over, are they?”

“I don’t know. I think you’re the only one who can figure it out.”

“Why?”

“Because the mistake was not giving you the choice. This is all about you.”

“So what now?”

“We drink more brandy.”

I let out a surprised noise. “But what about Jess?”

“Did Toby give you any idea of when you’d see him again?”

“No.”

“This goes against every grain in my body as a Laurent—but I only see one option.”

“What is it?”

“Call him. Tell him what he wants to hear. Maybe he knows more than we do. You attract more bees with honey, so to speak.”

My jaw dropped. “Are you suggesting I flirt with him to get him to open up to me about it?”

“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.”

“But—”

“That’s just my advice. I don’t like it, but I don’t have any other brilliant ideas.”

A thought suddenly occurred to me. “Why did you ask about where my grandmother’s family was from?”

“Everything about enchantresses I can find seems to lead back to Russia…for whatever that’s worth.”

“Oh. That’s strange.” Then something else occurred to me. “This might be a silly question, but what are we going to tell everyone about my appointment with the seamstress?”

“What are your measurements?”

“Wait, are you going to order clothes for me?”

“Sure, it’s easy enough.”

“You’re definitely not what I expected.”

“You’re exactly what I expected.” She finished off her glass and set it down next to her.

“Is that good or bad?”

“Good. You’re as perfect for Levi as I thought.”

“So was that all an act? Being mean?”

“Of course. If I acted like I approved, they never would have agreed to let us spend today together. Levi was convinced all I needed was time with you to realize how amazing you are.”

“He said that?”

“Don’t act surprised, you know as well as I do how in love with you he is.”

“As in love as I am…” I hoped it was true, and he did really love me. With everything else, I couldn’t handle a broken heart.

***

“Finally.” Levi met us at the door of the limo. His father was right next to him. He helped me out, and I needed it. By the third glass, I decided the brandy didn’t taste so bad. Georgina said getting drunk was essential. That way they couldn’t grill us with questions.

“Hey, Levi!” I put my arms around his neck.

“Hi, Allie. Are you drunk?”

“Very.”

He glanced over my head. “How much brandy did you give her?”

“The same amount I had.” Somehow Georgina didn’t seem drunk.