by Anita Hughes
She gathered the tray and carried it into the hallway. There was a familiar man standing near the elevator wearing a wool coat. Felicity recognized Gabriel’s doctor’s bag.
“Gabriel!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“I saw a patient at the hotel and thought I’d check on you,” he said. “I was afraid you caught cold last night without your jacket.”
“I’m happy you’re here,” she said, glad that she had changed into slacks and a sweater. “I want to show you something.”
“You’re inviting me into your suite?” he asked, pretending to be alarmed. “What if someone sees us?”
She glanced up and down the hallway and grinned. “It’s all clear. Please come inside.”
Gabriel followed her into the living room, and she poured two cups of coffee. She turned around and saw him staring at the bouquet of roses.
“They’re lovely, aren’t they?” she reflected. “I couldn’t believe it when the bellboy knocked on the door. He made me read the card and waited for my answer.”
“What was your answer?” Gabriel accepted the coffee cup.
“I said yes, but that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” she began. “Adam said some things at the nightclub last night, and I got angry. But then he sent roses with a card apologizing and asking me to dinner.” She hesitated. “I accepted the invitation. Do you think that was the right thing to do?”
“What do you want to do?” Gabriel asked.
“He’s never truly apologized before. Maybe I’ve been wrong.” She pondered. “He wouldn’t have sent such gorgeous flowers unless he really loved me. I’ve been wishing for a Christmas miracle, and I think it’s actually happening.”
“No one would send flowers like that if they weren’t in love,” Gabriel said, nodding his head. “I’m sure you’re making the right decision.” He held out his coffee cup. “Do you have brandy to go with this?”
“Brandy in the morning?” Felicity asked in surprise.
“I’m coming down with a cold,” he explained. “It started last night when I ran out of the King’s Club to deliver your jacket. I forgot my coat, and when I went back, it was gone. I had to walk home in my suit.”
“About what happened last night,” Felicity said awkwardly. “I don’t know what came over me. You’ve been so good to me, and I don’t want to lose you as a friend.”
“Don’t even think about it,” Gabriel said, cutting her off. “I should go. I promised my father a slice of pear bread from Hanselmann’s.”
“He’s lucky to have you.” Felicity suddenly felt sentimental. The fashion show was in two days, and then she would fly back to New York. January would be filled with clients’ dress fittings, and the week in St. Moritz would become a pleasant memory.
“He’s my father.” Gabriel shrugged. “I couldn’t do anything else.”
“He’s still lucky. And so are the patients you traipse all over the village to see,” she continued. “And so am I. If you ever come to New York, you’ll have to look me up. I’ll take you to the top of the Empire State Building. The view is almost as spectacular as from the chairlift in Diavolezza.”
“It’s a deal.” Gabriel walked to the door. “I’ll look up and down the hall to make sure no one sees me leaving.”
Gabriel put his hand on the door handle, and Felicity wondered if she would see him again.
“You’re lucky you’re not sneezing,” she said suddenly.
“Sneezing?” He turned around.
“When I’m coming down with a cold, all I do is sneeze.”
* * *
Felicity stood at the entrance of Le Restaurant and was glad she’d worn her Gucci dress. The room was impossibly elegant, with crystal chandeliers and silk drapes and a floral carpet. A Christmas tree rose to the ceiling, and gilt mirrors rested against the walls.
“I’m glad I packed a jacket and tie.” Adam whistled. “They wouldn’t let me in wearing a sweater and slacks.”
“We can go somewhere else.” Felicity turned to Adam. “A café in the village, where they serve pizza or fondue.”
“I asked the concierge for the best restaurant in St. Moritz.” He placed his hand on the small of her back. “You look too beautiful to sit at a wooden table and share a pizza. My mother called this afternoon,” Adam said, after they had been seated and the waiter had brought them giant prawns in a whiskey and cream sauce. “She sends her love. She’s jealous we’re both in St. Moritz during Christmas week.”
“I’ll buy her one of those wonderful lotions they sell in the gift shop,” Felicity offered. “And I’ll get your father a chocolate torte or a bottle of Swiss cognac.”
“I didn’t come all the way to St. Moritz to watch the bobsled races or see the Cresta Run,” Adam said suddenly, putting down his soupspoon. “We need to talk, Felicity. We had that terrible fight on Christmas, and then I said some stupid things on FaceTime. There were those photos of you and that doctor online, and I didn’t know what to think.” His face grew serious. “But I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and I know we’re perfect for each other. I’m not ready to get engaged, but it’s not because I don’t want to be with you. It’s because when we do get married, I want to be able to give you all my attention.”
The wine glass sparkled in the candlelight, and Felicity remembered all the times she’d hoped Adam would propose: last August at her parents’ cabin on Lake Michigan, and after a friend’s wedding in Maine sitting in front of a roaring fire. But did she need a diamond ring to be happy? Hadn’t this week taught her that the important thing was that they loved each other?
“I accept your apology.” She nodded. “I love you and I want to be together.”
“I love you, too.” Adam reached forward and kissed her. “There’s no one I would rather be with.”
The waiter replaced their plates with chateaubriand in a béarnaise sauce. Felicity sipped her wine, and they talked about the fashion show and Adam’s prospective clients and New Year’s parties in New York.
There was sponge cake with chocolate cream for dessert, and the waiter brought out a bottle of port. Adam held her hand across the table and Felicity felt a surge of longing.
Afterward they lingered in the lobby and listened to the pianist. Felicity rested her head on Adam’s shoulder and let herself relax. She and Adam were together, and her Christmas prayers had been answered.
“Would you like to sleep in my suite?” she asked.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Adam grinned boyishly.
* * *
A fire crackled in the fireplace of her suite, and Felicity thought it looked so romantic. Crystal ornaments hung from the Christmas tree, and there was a vase of white lilies next to a tray of toffees wrapped in red cellophane.
“I’m glad Raj splurged on a suite after all.” Adam caressed her shoulders. “We can make love in the living room and the bedroom and in that massive marble bathtub.”
Felicity put down her purse and wondered why she felt a little flustered, like when she skied down a run too fast and couldn’t catch her breath. It must be the wine they’d had with dinner mixing with the port they’d drunk at dessert.
“Are you all right?” Adam asked. “You’re very quiet.”
“I’m perfect.” She nodded. “I’m going to change. I’ll meet you in the bedroom.”
When she came out of the walk-in closet, Adam was reclining against the headboard. His eyes were bright blue, and his chest was smooth. The unsettled feeling disappeared.
“Come here.” He held out his hand. “I’ve missed you.”
Felicity climbed on the bed and he kissed her hungrily on the mouth. His hands stroked the fabric of her robe, and a frisson of sexual desire ran through her. A small moan escaped her lips; she had forgotten how wonderful it was to be stroked and desired.
The robe fell open, and Adam caressed her breasts. She pressed his hand against her stomach and guided it between her legs. Their legs tangled in the sheets, and
she pulled him on top of her.
“I love you, Felicity,” he whispered, tracing her mouth with his thumb. “You’re all I want.”
“I love you too.” She nodded and opened her legs wider. He pushed into her, and she wrapped her arms around him. The waves started deep inside her, and she gripped his shoulders and urged him to go faster.
She came first, and her body trembled so deeply she never wanted it to stop. Adam rocked against the headboard and let out a groan and collapsed against her breasts.
Felicity padded to the living room and poured a glass of water. The last embers glowed in the fireplace, and the star on top of the Christmas tree sparkled like the emerald-cut diamond she’d seen in the window at Harry Winston’s.
There was a velvet box on the side table, and she opened it. Inside was the glass engagement ring a model would wear with the princess wedding gown. For a moment she slipped it on her finger and studied it under the light. Then she put it back and closed the box firmly.
They had just made love, and Adam was asleep in the king-sized bed. This was what she had been wishing for and she was so thankful. She took the glass of water into the bedroom and climbed under the sheets beside him.
Fifteen
One Day Before the Fashion Show
9:00 a.m.
Nell
IT WAS THE DAY BEFORE New Year’s Eve, and the village was swarming with people enjoying the end of their holiday. Women browsed in the shops, debating between sequined evening gowns and chic black dresses to wear to holiday parties, and families loaded up on Swiss chocolates to take home.
Nell was meeting her father for breakfast at Le Lapin Bleu, and she was already late. Tomorrow was the fashion show; this would be Nell’s last chance to figure out why her parents got divorced.
Her father glanced up from his newspaper, and Nell was reminded of how much she enjoyed his company. Even when her parents were being stubborn and childish, she knew they both loved her, and she was lucky to have them.
“Nell, I’m glad you came.” He waved to her. “I brought you a present.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said, eyeing the red box.
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing extravagant,” he chuckled. “Well, maybe a little extravagant. I was passing Valentino and saw a dress that would look stunning on you. I know you get hoards of free clothes, but I don’t have anyone to buy things for, and you can wear it to a New Year’s party.”
Nell unwrapped the paper and gasped. The dress was gold lamé with a scooped neckline and open back. There was a quilted evening bag and silver bracelet.
“I can’t accept this.” She slid the box across the table. “It must have cost a fortune.”
“Of course you can.” He pushed it toward her. “Send me photos. I’ll miss being with you when you’re back in New York, and it will give me something to look forward to.”
“Thank you.” She nodded. “It’s very thoughtful.”
“The strangest thing happened when I walked through the village this morning.” He folded his newspaper. “There was a woman inside Bogner who looked just like your mother.”
“My mother?” Nell froze.
“I only saw her through the window, but she had your mother’s cheekbones and ash-blond hair,” he said. “I went inside to find her, but she had disappeared.”
“I’m sure it was just a woman with the same coloring.” Nell tried to keep the panic out of her voice.
“I suppose you’re right,” her father agreed. “Your mother would never go inside Bogner; she hates everything to do with skiing. I’ll miss hitting the slopes, I feel ten years younger.” He added cream to his coffee. “Though I’ll be very busy. We just wrapped a film that we’re going to show at Sundance and the Aspen Film Festival. I’m very excited about it.”
“Mom and I were talking about Aspen.” Nell toyed with a packet of sugar. “I didn’t know I was named after The Little Nell.”
“When did she tell you that?” he asked in surprise.
Nell bit her lip. Why had she mentioned Aspen? It slipped out when she wasn’t thinking.
“I called and told her I was in St. Moritz,” she said hurriedly. “She said it was very similar to Aspen. The Little Nell was one of her favorite hotels.”
“Why on earth was she talking about The Little Nell?” Her father seemed strangely bothered. “We only went there once before you were born.”
Nell sipped her coffee and wondered if her father had had an affair with the woman who delivered the script. Maybe her mother hadn’t told her the whole story.
“I asked what it was like with you always traveling, and she recalled the time you and her father stayed at The Little Nell,” she said casually. “It was an interesting story. A woman came to her parents’ house to return your script, and she thought something was going on between you. She couldn’t believe that The Little Nell would send someone to Los Angeles to personally deliver the script.”
“I never saw that woman before in my life,” he said tightly. “Your mother wouldn’t believe me. I made her call the hotel so she knew I was telling the truth.”
“She told me that,” Nell concurred. There was something in her father’s tone that made her want to know more.
“She shouldn’t have told you any of it. She still blames me, and none of it was my fault. I was only trying to do the right thing, but your mother never forgave me.” Her father continued as if he hadn’t heard her. “That’s what’s impossible; she still thinks I was wrong. It all came to a head at her father’s funeral. There was a reception at the house afterward. I think you and Pete had just left.”
Beverly Hills
Five Years Ago
Todd
Todd examined the bottle of Hennessy and poured a shot of whiskey. It was a pity that Alistair wasn’t here; he appreciated a good whiskey more than anyone. It was one of the things Todd admired about Alistair. He worked hard for the good things in life—the hacienda in Beverly Hills, membership to the country club—and he wasn’t afraid to enjoy them.
Alistair’s death had been so sudden. They were drinking scotch in the den, and Alistair had dropped dead of a heart attack. Todd would miss him, and he was nervous about running the studio by himself. But if there was one positive thing about Alistair’s death, it was that Todd could work on saving his marriage.
Todd looked up from the bar and saw Patty standing at the buffet. At forty-three, she was still a beautiful woman. Her hair was the same honey blond, and her legs looked stunning in a black dress. They had grown apart over the last few years, and Todd was determined to change that. Alistair was gone and he would do whatever it took to keep her.
Patty was with a woman who looked vaguely familiar. Suddenly there was a pit in his stomach, and he froze. He ducked behind the bar and waited for the woman to leave.
“I’m so very sorry, this must be a terrible time,” the woman was saying to Patty. Her blond hair was cut in a bob and she wore a navy dress. “I didn’t go to the funeral, of course. I hope you don’t mind me stopping by to pay my respects.” She paused. “I debated coming, but in the end I thought it was the right thing to do. After all, it wasn’t just a holiday romance. We were together for years.”
“You were together for years?” Patty said. Todd noticed the look of shock and surprise on her face.
“He was so generous, and we really cared about each other.” The woman held a plate of canapés. “Then he wanted to marry me, and I felt terrible breaking it off. But I couldn’t go through with it; after all, he had a family. You never want to be wife number two: what if it happens all over again?”
“Patty, there you are.” Todd stepped out from behind the bar. “Mr. and Mrs. Harvey want to see you.”
“Do you remember Grace Cannon? You met in Aspen, and she delivered the script to you.” Patty’s voice was like ice. “She was just telling me about your relationship. Apparently you wanted to marry her. But she was too clever; she didn’t want the same thing to happen
to her.”
“Oh, goodness!” Grace flushed. “I’m sorry if you misunderstood, you have it all wrong.” She glanced from Patty to Todd. “I wasn’t talking about your husband, I was talking about your father.”
“My father?” Patty gasped.
Todd downed his whiskey and wished for some kind of distraction: a flood or an earthquake. Patty would cling to him for safety, and this whole ugly scene would be forgotten.
“This isn’t the time or the place to discuss it,” he said to Grace, and took Patty’s arm. “There are a dozen people waiting to pay their respects. We must go.”
“No one is going anywhere until you tell me what is going on,” Patty said firmly. Todd was reminded of how stubborn she could be.
“I’m sorry, I thought you knew.” Grace was puzzled. “Alistair said he told the family everything.”
“I’ve never heard of you except for the day you brought my husband his script.” Patty looked from Todd to Grace, and the realization came over her. “That’s not what you were doing here at all.”
“I really think you should leave,” Todd said pointedly to Grace. “It’s an emotional time for everyone.”
“Of course.” Grace turned to Patty and held out her hand. “It was nice seeing you. Alistair talked about you all the time; he was very proud of you.”
* * *
Todd sat on the sofa in the living room and nursed a glass of scotch. He could barely remember the rest of the reception. Finally the last cars pulled out of the driveway and he drove the few blocks home. Nell and Pete were seeing old friends, and the house was quiet except for Patty’s heels clicking on the parquet floor.
“That woman didn’t come to return your script. You made the whole thing up.” Patty turned to Todd. “She had a rendezvous with my father. Did you know they were having an affair?”