Christmas at the Chalet
Page 23
“You said you’d invest in the firm if we got engaged?” Felicity asked, horrified.
“Something like that,” Delilah agreed. “I’m sure Adam will propose soon. I suggested he use my mother’s ring; I have to get the stones tightened.”
“He didn’t say anything about getting engaged,” Felicity answered. “He just said he wanted to be together.”
“He’d hardly tell you when he was going to propose; that would spoil the surprise.” Delilah laughed. “He’s just like his father; all he needed was a little prompting. We’re all so happy. John is excited about Adam opening a branch in Los Angeles; he loves visiting the coast.”
“I have to go,” Felicity said urgently. “The fashion show is about to start.”
“Of course, I just wanted to wish you luck,” Delilah replied. “After all, you’re practically my daughter-in-law.”
Felicity pressed End and leaned against the wall. Had Adam really come to St. Moritz because his parents were going to invest in his company? All he talked about was his firm, and he was so anxious to get ahead. Maybe his father had made an offer that was too good to refuse. She felt slightly dizzy, and hoped she wasn’t going to be sick.
There was a rustling sound, and Felicity realized the fashion show was starting. She couldn’t think about Adam now. Magazine editors and members of the jet set were waiting to see the debut of Felicity Grant’s winter collection. She smoothed her skirt and hurried to the catwalk. Raj had put so much effort into the show, and she couldn’t disappoint him.
* * *
Felicity stood in the back of the catwalk and glowed with excitement. The dresses had been warmly received, and the energy of the audience was intoxicating. Women wearing fur jackets scribbled down notes, and fashion editors tapped at their phones. Every time a model appeared everyone oohed and ahhed. Her designs really were gorgeous. The hand-embroidered tulle ball gown complemented Katie’s creamy complexion, and Emily looked perfect in the pewter-colored dress with a silver muff.
The grand finale was about to start. Felicity held her breath. Nell appeared from behind the curtain, and she had never looked more beautiful. The tiara glittered against her dark hair, and diamond teardrop earrings sparkled in her ears. She wore a ruby pendant borrowed from Harry Winston. She glided down the runway on her father’s arm, and everyone gasped.
Nell and her father made such a handsome couple. Todd looked every bit the movie star in black tie and tails, and Nell resembled a young Elizabeth Taylor. Todd delivered Nell to Eliot, and Felicity heard a strangled sound from the front row.
Nell’s mother stood up, and her cheeks were the color of chalk. For a moment, Felicity thought Patty might faint, and wondered what she had done. But then Patty sat down, and Felicity noticed happy tears in her eyes. Patty took out a handkerchief and turned her attention to Nell and Eliot.
“Friends and family,” the minister began. “Nothing gives me more pleasure than meeting a couple who are deeply in love. When I saw Nell and Eliot’s eyes meet a moment ago, I knew that God had brought together two young people who will never part. Call it a minister’s intuition, or just the knowledge from many years on the job, but I’ll bet anyone a thousand Swiss francs that Nell and Eliot will go on to celebrate their fiftieth anniversary.” The minister smiled. “No one will take me up on my bet? I guess I’ll have to continue with the ceremony.”
Everyone laughed, and Felicity wondered whether Raj had written the minister’s speech. Eliot recited his vows, and Nell had tears streaming down her cheeks. Felicity had never witnessed anything so moving. When the minister pronounced them man and wife, the kiss lasted so long, there was nervous tittering in the audience. Suddenly the Grand Hall seemed too hot, and Felicity turned and ran until she reached the balcony.
The glass doors closed behind her, and Felicity rested against the railing. She gulped in the freezing air, and all she could think about were Adam’s mother’s comments.
Did she want to marry someone who had to be coerced into proposing? And how could Adam have suggested taking a break if he really loved her? The point of marriage wasn’t finding the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with; it was being with the person you couldn’t live without.
She remembered when she’d modeled the ivory sheath on her first night in St. Moritz, when she was certain she would wear it to her wedding. But how would she feel when she walked down the aisle and wasn’t sure why Adam was waiting at the altar?
The doors opened and Adam strode toward her. He carried two champagne flutes and there was a look of concern on his face.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked. “Everyone is waiting to congratulate you, and you disappeared.”
“I needed some air,” Felicity said, and suddenly wondered if she was just overwrought. She should get a good night’s sleep; everything would be better tomorrow.
“It was an incredible success.” He handed her a champagne flute. “The finale was spectacular. I’ve never seen two people so happy.”
Felicity remembered the way Eliot had gazed at Nell when she recited her vows, and her eyes filled with tears. She wanted Adam to look at her exactly the same way: as if he’d found the greatest treasure, and never wanted to lose it.
“Are you all right?” Adam asked anxiously. “You’re shaking, and your lips are blue.”
“Your mother called to wish me luck. Then she said the strangest thing,” Felicity answered. “She said your father offered to invest in your company if we got engaged.”
“She told you that? It wasn’t like that exactly,” Adam said nervously. “We were just making dinner conversation.”
“Dinner conversation that included tightening your grandmother’s engagement ring and your father’s eagerness to set up an office in Los Angeles! When you said you wanted to be together forever, I thought it was because you loved me. Not because it would help the firm become bicoastal.”
“You’re being ridiculous!” Adam replied. “I’d never marry you to get investment money. I worked so hard getting Doug to sign while you were running around with some Swiss doctor. Then I spent twenty hours on an airplane to come see you, and I got a greeting as frigid as a snowball. We finally had one great night together, and now we’re arguing again.”
The fireworks lit up the mountain, and Felicity inhaled the cold air. She looked at Adam, and suddenly everything was as clear as the icicles hanging from the pine trees.
“You’re right.” She nodded. “It’s not going to work.”
“What are you talking about?” he said, taken aback.
“I don’t want to be disappointed that you didn’t give me an engagement ring, and I don’t want to wonder if you’re going to suggest taking another break,” she offered. “I want to be with someone who thinks about me when he wakes up in the morning, and can’t sleep without me beside him.”
“Felicity, we’re both overwrought.” He touched her arm. “Let’s go to bed and talk about it in the morning.”
“I don’t think so.” She shook her head firmly. “I’m sorry, Adam, but this is goodbye.”
“You can’t be serious,” he tried again. “We love each other. We know everything about each other, and we want the same things.”
“That’s what I thought when you said we should take a break, but it’s not enough,” she answered. “Wanting the same things isn’t the same as being in love. Love is a feeling so strong, an avalanche couldn’t shake it. I’m sorry, Adam; we both tried. It’s better that we stop now, so we both have a chance at something new.”
Adam stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked up at the mountain.
“Fine. But if this is about that Swiss doctor, you could have told me and saved me the trip,” he said angrily. “I’m going back to my hotel. I’ll see you in New York.”
Adam strode inside and Felicity gazed across the snow-covered valley. The lights twinkled in the village, and the forests were thick with fir trees. Her heart beat faster, but at the same time she fe
lt a stillness, like when she stood at the top of the mountain and looked out over the magic carpet.
More fireworks lit up the sky, and Felicity noticed four stars shaped like a diamond. It was the same group of stars she’d seen on her first night in St. Moritz, when she wished for a miracle. The whole week came back to her: Gabriel rescuing her when she twisted her ankle, seeing Adam in the lobby of Badrutt’s Palace, kissing Gabriel on the dance floor at the King’s Club. She pictured the roses Adam sent, and making love in her hotel suite, and the odd feeling that something was missing.
A thought came to her and she hurried inside. The lobby was filled with guests milling around the runway, and Felicity tried to squeeze toward the elevator.
“There you are,” Raj said as he stopped her. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Have you read the reviews? We’re a smashing success.” He took out his phone and read out loud:
“The debut of Felicity Grant’s winter bridal collection took place on the famous catwalk of Badrutt’s Palace, and was the best event of the season. Designers like Valentino and Carolina Herrera should take notes on Felicity’s choice of models, fresh new faces who carried off the dresses with incredible polish; the gowns themselves left the crowd breathless. Felicity has a way of combining elegant fabrics and fanciful details to create a collection that is intelligent and whimsical at the same time. Her classic sheath was cleverly matched with a cathedral-length train, and her ball gown with an ermine-trimmed cape was so enticing, orders came in before the model completed her turn on the runway. The icing on the fashion show was the grand finale. The gown was a sumptuous organza creation with diamond snowflake buttons. In a burst of inspiration rivaling anything seen at Vera Wang, model Nell Mason married her fiancé, TV newscaster Eliot Hayes, in front of the astounded gathering.
“Three cheers to Felicity and her business partner, Raj Patel, for creating such a fantastic event. Our spies on the ground were happy to spot Felicity’s boyfriend, sports manager Adam Burton, sitting proudly in the front row. We’re thrilled that Felicity and Adam have resolved their romantic issues, and we can’t wait to see what our favorite New York wedding dress designer has planned for her summer collection.”
“That’s wonderful, I’m thrilled. I’m afraid Adam left.” She leaned against the paneling. “We broke up, and he’s going back to New York.”
“I don’t believe it!” Raj exclaimed. “No one flies across the globe to break up with his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve. The last time I saw Adam he was clapping and sipping champagne at the fashion show.”
“I broke up with him,” Felicity said, correcting him.
“Does this have something to do with that Swiss doctor?” Raj demanded. “I knew you’ve been acting differently.”
“No, it’s about love.” She shook her head. “Adam and I might have the same goals, but I’ve learned that that’s different from loving each other.”
“Are you sure?” Raj looked at her intently.
“Very sure.” Felicity smiled. “It will be good for business. Think about how much more time I’ll spend in the workroom. The summer collection will be finished by March.”
Raj studied her dark hair and wide eyes. She was wearing the simple black dress they had chosen together so it wouldn’t overshadow the models.
“No one works harder than you. I’m lucky to have you as a partner,” he said soberly. “And you’re right. You deserve to be with someone who knows that when he met you, he hit the jackpot.”
“I’d kiss you, but someone might post it online and make something of it.” Felicity laughed. “Do you mind if I go upstairs? I’m exhausted, and I’d like to relax.”
“Go, you’ve earned it.” Raj waved his hand. “The press are so infatuated with Nell and Eliot that they can’t stop taking photos of the happy couple. And Katie is a hit; I heard whispers that she could be the new face of Ralph Lauren.”
“Thank you for everything.” Felicity stepped into the elevator. “It’s been the most magical week, even if it didn’t turn out like I hoped.”
The lights in the living room of her suite were on low, and the maids had closed the drapes. There was a tray of profiteroles with a card from the concierge wishing her a happy New Year.
She noticed a scarf on the side table and realized it was Gabriel’s. He’d left it days ago and she’d never returned it. Fireworks exploded over the lake, and Felicity remembered it was New Year’s Eve. The email with the designs for Bergdorf Goodman’s bridal salon had been sent to Camilla and the winter fashion show was a success. Tomorrow she was going back to New York.
She felt like she was leaving something important in St. Moritz, but she was too exhausted to figure out what it was. There was a pot of hot cocoa on the coffee table, and she poured a cup. She’d worry about it tomorrow; now, all she wanted was to have a warm drink and go to bed.
Seventeen
The Day After the Fashion Show
12:00 p.m.
Felicity
IT WAS NEW YEAR’S DAY, and the village was completely quiet. Felicity stood on the balcony of her suite and gazed at the snow-capped mountains. The air was fresh and cold, and it was one of the prettiest places she had ever seen.
An email from Camilla Barnes had popped up an hour ago. At first she was afraid to open it; it would be better to bask in the praise of the fashion show and check it when she got back to New York. But she couldn’t help herself, and clicked on the subject. The whole email was just two lines, and Felicity was certain it was a polite rejection. She had to read it three times before she believed what it said. Camilla had written:
ABSOLUTELY DIVINE AND COMPLETELY ORIGINAL!
Bergdorf Goodman’s Bridal Salon would be honored to include Felicity Grant in their Spring Bridal Event. Be in touch with details soon.
Best,
Camilla
Felicity had immediately texted Raj that she had to see him, but he’d texted back and said he was saying goodbye to Greta. It was the most wonderful news, so why didn’t she feel happier? It was probably the letdown after the fashion show, coupled with the end of her relationship with Adam.
She sipped a white coffee and pictured all the things she would miss about St. Moritz: the ski slopes with their deep powder and wide vistas, the mountain huts where you could eat sausages and warm your face in the sun, and the boutiques filled with soft sweaters and bright ski gear.
Last night she hadn’t been able to sleep, and when she finally drifted off, she had the strangest dream. She dreamed she was a princess in a castle, and there was a man on a white horse galloping toward the drawbridge. She woke suddenly and tried to return to the dream. But no matter how many sheep she counted or how much warm milk she sipped, she couldn’t go back to sleep.
Adam had texted a curt goodbye from the airport, and she wondered if she’d made a mistake. But she studied the squirrels darting through the forest and felt lighter. You couldn’t make someone love you, or it didn’t mean anything at all.
New York would be lonely without their Sunday brunches of eggs benedict, and nights curled up with Chinese takeout and movies on Netflix. There would be no one to ask if a three-quarter veil worked with a tea-length dress, or if a rose-tinted bodice should be embroidered with pearls.
There was a knock at the door, and she wondered who it could be. Their flight didn’t leave until this evening, and Raj had given everyone the day off.
“Nell!” Felicity said when she opened the door. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be soaking in the bathtub in the honeymoon suite and enjoying the complimentary breakfast of scrambled eggs and fresh scones.”
“The honeymoon suite is fantastic, and Eliot almost ate everything on the tray before I woke up.” She smiled and entered the living room. “But I was worried about you. Raj said you went up to your suite after the fashion show.”
“I broke up with Adam,” Felicity said. “He’s on his way back to New York.”
“You did what?” Nell gasped.
“Are you sure?” Nell asked. “Adam flew all the way to St. Moritz to see you.”
“I’m completely sure.” Felicity nodded. “I’m tired of hoping Adam will feel the same way about our future as I do. I want someone who can’t live without me.”
“You’ll find that guy,” Nell said firmly. “You are one of the warmest and loveliest people I know.”
“I have too much to do to think about love anyway,” Felicity assured her. “I just got some exciting news, and I have to work on the summer collection.”
“You should have come to the Dracula Club,” Nell said. “Everyone was gushing about Felicity Grant Bridal. I don’t know how to thank you and Raj—it was the wedding of my dreams.” She looked at Felicity. “My parents are taking Eliot and me to a late lunch at the Panorama Restaurant. It’s at the top of the Piste Naire, and all the dishes are homemade. I came to ask you to join us—my parents would love to spend time with you.”
“I’d love to come. I didn’t know your parents are together—tell me everything!” Felicity exclaimed. She had been so caught up with her own problems, she’d forgotten to ask what had happened after the show.
“Not together, exactly, but they are talking to each other,” Nell laughed. “They didn’t seem happy after the fashion show, and I was worried they’d never speak to me. But then Eliot and I told them we were so grateful they were at our wedding, it meant the world to us. They ran into each other at the Dracula Club and I saw them dancing at midnight. This morning, my mother texted and asked if we’d meet them for lunch.”
“Do you think they’ll get back together?” Felicity asked.
“I’ll be happy if they sit at the table without threatening each other with the bread knife.” Nell twisted her wedding band. “But who knows, there could be another Christmas miracle. I better go—Eliot and I are going to take a horse and carriage ride before lunch. I’m going to miss St. Moritz; there really is something magical about the Alps.”