Free Black Diamonds by Eliza Redgold Page B

her. Instead she experienced a very feminine pleasure, deep within, at his very male appraisal.
    “You liked the food?”
    Her stomach did one of the flips he alone seemed able to cause. Only Xavier Antoine could make such a simple question sound so intimate. “How can you ask?” she managed to reply.
    He smiled, sending another ripple through her. “You recognised your own truffle oil in the entree, I hope.”
    So it had been Paradise truffle oil. “I didn’t realise you’d bought any … oh, it must have been Mia. Of course. She must have sold you some.”
    “Your friend Mia has been most helpful to me in many ways.” He glanced down at her plate. “And how did you find your beef?”
    “It was perfect.”
    “The truffles?”
    “Sublime. You must know that.”
    “But I care for your good opinion.”
    A further lurch in her stomach had nothing to do with the dinner she’d just eaten.
    “Then you have my approval,” she said softly.
    The glow she’d noticed earlier in his eyes flared again. “That pleases me.”
    She hesitated for a moment. Would he be insulted if she told him about her father’s favourite dish? “It reminds me of a beef, truffle and Guinness pie my pa used to make.”
    Xavier roared with laughter. “Guinness? The Irish ale? With la truffe ?”
    Glad he wasn’t stuffy about it, Jackie laughed too. People could be a bit precious about truffles. “Well, my pa was Irish. He liked Guinness with everything. You’d be surprised; it’s delicious.”
    “I hope to taste it one day.” He paused and leant even closer to her, saying in a low voice that only she could hear, “It’s good to see you smiling, Jacaranda.”
    Touching her hand before rising to his feet, he said, “Coffee and dessert are going to be served in the drawing room. Will you come with me? I’d like to introduce you to a few more people.” He grinned. “I’ll stick to English.”
    “Thank you. I’d like that.”
    He pulled out her chair. His fingers on her lower back radiated like Australian sunshine through her whole body.
    She had just turned to accompany him when he was diverted by a frantic looking waiter.
    “ Excusez-moi .” With an apologetic shrug Xavier moved away.
    Jackie fell in next to Bob Armitage, Eve and a French woman following close behind.
    “Well?” Bob asked. “Wasn’t that the best meal you’ve ever had?”
    “I think it might have been.”
    Her neck prickled as she heard her name mentioned behind her.
    “… Australienne ?” she picked out from what the French woman was saying to Eve.
    Luckily Eve replied in English. “Yes, she’s Australian. I’m not sure of the status of their relationship.”
    “Ahh,” the French woman responded in the same language. “And there is, of course, Camille.”
    “Mmm, yes,” Eve replied. “Camille.”
    “ Oui .” The other woman returned to French. Jackie strained to hear her as Bob started speaking again. There were only a couple of words she could make out for sure. “ Epouse .”
    Jackie knew what that meant.
    His wife.

Chapter 5
    Truffle Toast
    Using a small knife, trim away the dark outer crust of the truffle; reserve the trimmings. Finely shave the truffle with a mandoline or slicer and set aside. Chop the truffle trimmings until fine and mix into the softened butter; season with salt and pepper. Spread a thin layer of the truffle butter onto each of the bread slices then place the leftover butter into the fridge to cool slightly. Spread the truffle shavings over four of the bread slices, then top each with another buttered slice and press down firmly. You will now have four truffle ‘toasts’.
    http://www.bonnestruffes.com.au
    Jackie tore off her dress.
    The last couple of hours had been unbearable. She’d made conversation in the drawing room while the sweet dessert wine turned sour in her mouth; the tarte aux fruit tasting like ashes.
    More than once Xavier tried to catch her eye but she’d resolutely ignored him. At the