She continued reading, the next line coming out naturally from her lips.
Alone. All by ourselves.
He had underlined the word Alone twice. The ink was dark and thick.
He signed his name at the bottom. Just one word.
Your Husband to be,
Carcel.
Ines stood there, holding the card with both hands. Her heart did a strange, double beat.
Southern France?
Gladys peered over Ines's shoulder, reading the card unabashedly. She let out a low whistle.
"Southern France?" Gladys asked, looking impressed. "Is that where you are going for the honeymoon? That is quite… exotic. Most couples just go to Bath."
Ines nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on the ink.
"The Anderson family," she explained, her voice quiet, almost dreamlike, "has a villa in southern France. It is… it is by the sea. I once mentioned… just once… wanting to visit someday."
