Hepburn's Necklace
Page 36
“Coincidence or kismet?” Ruby laughed. “Life is full of magic—if we only take time to see it.”
Later that evening, after dinner and dancing had stretched beyond midnight, Ruby and Niccolò stood by the railing gazing over the lake. He wrapped his arms around her, just as he had so many years ago.
“Are you as happy as I am, mio tesoro?” Niccolò’s rich, melodic voice was a soothing balm to her soul.
“Blissful.” Ruby brushed her lips against his with a feathery touch that sent thrills of joy through her. While Ariana and Alessandro had a romantic suite reserved at Vera’s lovely hotel tonight, Ruby and Niccolò would sleep at Villa Fiori. Ruby wanted to wake with Niccolò in her arms in their new home.
Niccolò returned her kiss, lingering on her lips. “Ready for our second honeymoon?”
As Niccolò’s face glowed with anticipation, Ruby smiled. She had suggested that they tour the lake region. “Though I’ve treasured our first honeymoon, it’s time to make new memories.” She smoothed her hand over his crisp white dress shirt, feeling the warmth of his heart beating strong beneath it. “Yet, when I’m with you, those young lovers of long ago are still with us.”
Niccolò covered her hand with his. “Inside, I’m a young man forever besotted with you. In my eyes, you will always be that enchanting young woman—who is even more beautiful today.”
Ruby had asked Niccolò to show her the areas of Lago di Como that he loved. They planned to take his yacht around the lake in a leisurely fashion for a couple of weeks. Along the way, they would visit the quaint comunes from the southern branches of Como and Lecco to the lake’s northern tip. They would call in to see friends and family, dine at his favorite restaurants, and explore historic villas.
“When we return, I’ll move more of my belongings to Villa Fiori,” Niccolò said. “And you may put as much as you want at the farmhouse.”
“I’d like that,” Ruby said. They’d decided to divide their time between their residences. Niccolò needed to be close enough to tend the vines, but they both loved the restaurants and social life in Bellagio. The coldest months they would spend in the sunshine of Palm Springs. It would be a perfect life for them, one they’d worked hard to achieve.
Humming softly, Niccolò swayed with the music. “I’ve been thinking about the farmhouse and theatre. It seems a shame for it to go to waste when we’re not there. What do you think about using it for an artist-in-residence program for writers, actors, and directors to develop and stage new projects? Everyone would be excited to meet you, mio tesoro.”
Ruby smiled up at him. “Oh, darling, what a marvelous idea. We have so much experience to share.” She imagined the fun they would have throwing their energy into new productions.
Upbeat music swept across the party, and Ruby glanced behind them as their family and friends filled the dance area, laughing and twirling to a popular tune. Seeing happiness on their faces was a gift beyond measure.
“Look at this miracle,” she said, as deep joy bloomed within her. “It still amazes me that my path led back to you—and a second chance at life. If only I had come here sooner.”
“Let’s not think of what might have been, but what can be.” Niccolò’s eyes sparkled in the moonlight. “I’ve also been thinking about a new play. There’s a part that’s perfect for you—if you’d like to consider it.”
“Always for you, amore mio,” Ruby said happily. “Always and forever.”
The End
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading Hepburn’s Necklace, and I hope you enjoyed the story of Ruby and Niccolò. You might also enjoy more of my 1950s historical sagas, such as The Chocolatier, which is set on the sunny coast of Amalfi, Italy. Or The Winemakers, which follows a winemaking family and will whisk you from Napa Valley vineyards to rolling Tuscan hillsides. And for a riveting WWII saga, look for The Perfumer: Scent of Triumph, a heartrending story of a French perfumer who seeks to reunite her family.
If you enjoy contemporary women’s fiction, I invite you to the coast of Southern California to meet art teacher Ivy Bay and her sister Shelly as they renovate a historic beach house in Seabreeze Inn, the first in my Summer Beach series.
Keep up with my new releases at JanMoran.com. Please join my Reader’s Club there to receive news about special deals and other books. And as always, I wish you happy reading.
Afterword
In Hepburn’s Necklace, I sought to bring to life the summer of 1952 and the filming of Roman Holiday in Rome. Research on people involved in the filmmaking unearthed numerous written accounts and televised interviews, which provided many details incorporated into the story. It has been my privilege to imagine Ruby and Niccolò meeting and working on Roman Holiday.
As to scenes that included the film’s stars—Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, and Eddie Arnold, along with director William Wyler and costume designer Edith Head—the actions and conversations in these passages are fictional. The story is meant to celebrate collective efforts on a film loved by fans around the world.
On a personal note, I have long admired Audrey Hepburn for her grace, kindness, and strength of character. It is my pleasure to offer a heartfelt homage to a lovely woman who shall be long remembered by her devoted family, friends, and admirers.
To my readers, thank you for joining me on this fictional journey, and I hope you enjoyed it as I did.
Discussion Questions
1. Hepburn’s Necklace examines the theme of family secrets. Are you aware of any secrets in your family? If revealed, how did the new information affect family dynamics and relationships?
2. Although Ruby could afford far more expensive jewelry, she cherished the vintage necklace. Do you have any pieces of jewelry or other mementos that have significance to you?
3. Before the invention of email and mobile phones, the lack of instant communication often impeded relationships. In Hepburn’s Necklace, Ruby treasured written communication and carefully composed a critical letter to her daughter Mari. Have you kept any old letters or cards? Do you write letters or send cards to friends and family? Why or why not?
4. While the deception of the birth certificate was to Ruby’s initial benefit, do you think Ruby’s sister Patricia was justified in concealing this information from Mari and Ariana in later years? Why or why not?
5. If Mari had been interested in researching her ancestors, a DNA test might have revealed that Patricia was indirectly related. Have you ever taken a DNA test to determine ancestral lineage, or would you have trepidation? What would you do if results were not as expected?
6. Throughout history, pregnancy was often a cause for employment termination, but in Hollywood, it could potentially decimate a career, as Ruby experienced. Yet decades later, Ariana still encountered disparaging attitudes in the workplace regarding pregnancy. Despite protective employment laws in many countries, have you ever experienced or witnessed similar situations? What did you or would you do?
7. Ruby employed her acting skills and strong work ethic as defense mechanisms to overcome painful episodes and forge on with life. Yet she clung to cherished memories, reliving them as comfort. Ultimately, do you think her approach was beneficial or detrimental? In what way?
8. Hepburn’s Necklace included many historical and industry details the author researched. Did you learn anything new about silk manufacturing, locales, Hollywood practices, or other interesting points?
9. Regarding the settings in the novel, what were your impressions about the chosen locations? Have you ever visited Rome, Lake Como, Hollywood, or Texas?
10. The inciting incident in Hepburn’s Necklace is when Ruby and Niccolò meet at the Roman Holiday on-location filming. Have you seen the movie? If so, what are your favorite scenes?
Acknowledgments
Bringing a novel to readers requires a dedicated behind-the-scenes team. My greatest appreciation goes to Kerstin Schaub, my extraordinarily talented editor at Goldmann Verlag, who not only guided Hepburn’s Nec
klace but also The Chocolatier (Die Chocolatière) to publication. Special thanks to my literary agent Bastian Schlück in Germany, and heartfelt gratitude to my German translator, Stefanie Retterbush.
As always, heaps of gratitude to my family, Eric and Ginna Moran and young Zoë. To my friend Pamela Tinsley, who provided a beautiful, quiet writing refuge with a lovely pool and an expansive view. Staying in her home helped me complete Hepburn’s Necklace during the chaotic months of the 2020 pandemic and quarantine.
And to my readers, with whom I love to share stories of challenges, hope, resilience, and triumph. Thank you for welcoming my characters into your heart. Readers and writers—how lucky we are to share our love of reading, especially during difficult times. I am grateful for such work and diversions, and I look forward to sharing many more stories with you.
* * *
Jan Moran
Los Angeles, California
www.JanMoran.com
About the Author
Jan Moran is a USA Today bestselling author of stylish, uplifting, and emotionally rich contemporary and 20th-century historical women’s fiction.
A few of her favorite things include a fine cup of coffee, dark chocolate, fresh flowers, laughter, and music that touches her soul. An avid traveler, Jan draws inspiration from locales steeped in history. She lives near the beach in southern California and is originally from Austin, Texas.
Most of her books are available as audiobooks, and her historical fiction is widely translated into German, Italian, Polish, Dutch, Turkish, Russian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Portuguese, and Lithuanian, among other languages.
If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a brief review online for your fellow readers where you purchased this book, or on Goodreads.
To read Jan’s other historical and contemporary novels, visit www.JanMoran.com.