Lavender in Bloom by Lily Velez

Author:Lily Velez [Velez, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, 1056
ISBN: 9780692699300
Amazon: 0692699309
Barnesnoble: 0692699309
Goodreads: 30124998
Publisher: House of Capet Publishing
Published: 2016-07-21T00:00:00+00:00

24

During the initial hours of the journey, Camilla barely paused to catch a breath in between all her talking. It amazed Noah how some people simply couldn’t stand silence, beating talk into a froth. What was it about silence that unnerved them so? Did it perhaps say more than any words could?

Whatever the case, Camilla rambled on interminably about any number of things: how she’d have to commission a wedding dress to be made for her—did Jeremie have connections in Paris?; the number of flowers they’d require for décor—did France produce enough to sate her appetite?; her role once she was Madame Perreault, both as a wife and as the daughter-in-law to Jeremie’s mother and father.

“Will they like me, Jeremie?”

“Of course they will,” he assured her. “What’s not to like?

It wasn’t long before an unexpected sight began to materialize in the distance.

“What’s that?” Jeremie wondered, positioning a hand to his brow to block out the sun.

Far ahead, there stood a great stone building with flourishing rows of lavender striping the fields before it. Up and down the violet aisles, people danced and sang and laughed, the women donning flowers and streamers in their hair. Other celebrants lounged on blankets and picnicked or watched on as costumed players presented vignettes on a small, makeshift stage. There was music and food, pony rides for the children, and games for all ages.

“It’s a lavender festival!” Camilla exclaimed. “It must be one of the last of the season. We must stop and see.”

It was a boisterous affair with activity every which way. Noah opted to remain at a water trough with the horses and wagon while Jeremie and Camilla ventured into the crush of people to further explore the merrymaking.

“You’re sure you don’t wish to accompany us?” Jeremie asked.

It was the first thing he’d spoken to Noah all day, and Noah realized it was also the first thing he’d said to him in weeks. He was so taken aback by it, by this blatant recognition, that he didn’t answer immediately, couldn’t. He faltered, righting his thoughts. Then, once he’d gathered his bearings, he managed a headshake. No, he would remain here.

As the horses slaked their thirst, he turned to absorbing the festival. The stone building had turned out to be a monastery: Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. Upon discovering its name, Jeremie had fallen awestruck.

“Nostradamus wrote of this very place on several occasions,” he’d said, his voice nearly a whisper.

Along the monastery’s walls, vendors had staged tables to exhibit their many wares. The only requirement? All commodities had to have included lavender in their assembly. And so there were candles, incense, soaps, nosegays—all made with lavender. Lavender made an appearance in edible forms as well: in teas, honey, biscuits, chocolates, ice cream and sorbet, apéritifs, and more. Everywhere a person turned, he was overcome with the fresh, summery scent of lavender, a smell like crushed berries. It perfumed every breeze and was at once calming and rejuvenating, which is probably how Noah, who’d earlier pressed the horses on

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