Three Weeks in Paris (31 page)

Anya nodded. “I’m glad you feel like being conciliatory. That’s the way to go, and once you’ve talked it through, I’m going to take you all out to lunch.”

“Oh, that’ll be nice!” Alexa exclaimed. “But you should let
us
take
you
. To somewhere chic and expensive. We can all afford it now.”

Laughing, Anya said, “There’s something else I want to mention. I would like Nicky to invite Tom to my party. Would he come, do you think?”

“I’m sure he would.” Alexa flashed her a wide smile.

“That’s what I thought. I’ll tell Nicky to send him an invitation. I’m also going to tell Kay to invite her husband, and naturally Maria will be accompanying Nicky. But I don’t know what to do about Jessica. I’ve no idea if she’s in Paris alone or with someone. In any case, I think she ought to have an escort.”

“You still haven’t seen her yet?”

“No, darling girl, I haven’t. I asked her several times to come and have a drink, or lunch, but she’s hiding behind her work. I say
hiding
because I think she’s staying away on purpose.”

“But why?”

Anya made a moue with her mouth, and then explained. “Jessica identifies me with the past, in particular the last few months she was here in Paris, when Lucien went missing. I think deep down she’s a little afraid to see me because of the memories it will evoke. Memories of Lucien, the pain she suffered, her anxiety and fear … those sort of things. Remember, Jessica hasn’t seen me since you all graduated. It’s been
seven years
. And she links that time to him.”

“I know. But I’m sure she’ll open up today, and we can find out if she’s here alone or not. I’ll do everything I can to make her feel at ease, and Kay too.”

“And Maria. Don’t forget Maria, Alexa. She was awfully nervous yesterday. Afraid of you, I do believe.”

“I suppose I was a bit fierce,” Alexa admitted, looking shamefaced. “I’ll be nice, I promise.”

“Now, what is the idea you said you had? An idea for what exactly?”

“Finding the truth. Remember what you would tell us … 
the truth sets you free
, you used to say.” Alexa took a deep breath and shifted her body in the chair. “I think Jessica and I, along with Tom, should go down to the Loire, seek out this Jean fellow, and confront him.”

“You could be on dangerous ground here, Alexa,” Anya warned. “As I’m sure Tom has told you.”

“Yes, he has. But I wasn’t suggesting a real confrontation during which we ask him if he was once using another name and working as an actor in Paris. I just want him to
see
us, Jessica in particular. If he is shocked, we’ll know immediately his alias was Lucien.”

When Anya was silent, Alexa stared at her and asked, “Well, what do you think?”

Anya ruminated for a few seconds, then posed her own question. “What does Tom think?”

“He’s cautious.”

“So am I.”

“Why, Anya?”

“Alexa darling, you can’t go rushing around the countryside accusing people of leading a double life.”

“I didn’t say we’d be doing that … I said we’d go over to his house on a pretext, just to see him, let him see us. Get his reaction or nonreaction.”

“I think I’d like to hear what Tom has to say.”

————

A MOMENT LATER
Anya was standing up, walking across to the door, a huge smile illuminating her face.

“Hello, Jessica,” she exclaimed. “It’s wonderful to see you.”

“And you, Anya, after so long.”

The two women embraced and then Anya stepped back and stared at Jessica, an appraising look in her light blue eyes.

What a lovely woman Jessica had become, elegant in her well-tailored black pantsuit and white silk shirt, her long, pale blond hair falling around her tan face. She was still the all-American girl, tall, long-legged, slender, and as pretty as she was seven years ago. But there was a sadness in her eyes, a wistfulness in her smile, and Anya was sure she knew the reason why.
Lucien Girard
.

Anya also knew she had been right all along about Jessica’s reluctance to come and see her. In Jessica’s mind she was part of the past, part of another life, one Jessica had buried so deep within her psyche, she did not want to resurrect it. Could not, perhaps. At the same time, Anya was certain Jessica had not really moved on, that deep within her soul she still yearned for Lucien. She was thirty-one and still not married. Anya had immediately noticed there were no rings on her fingers. It seemed to her that Jessica needed closure. Maybe Alexa was right about going to the Loire to discover the truth. Might it not set Jessica free?

“Come in, come in, don’t let’s stand here in the doorway!” Anya exclaimed, taking Jessica’s arm, leading her into the room. “Here’s Alexa. And the others should be here any moment.”

Alexa had risen and she stepped forward, her hand outstretched. “Hello, Jessica, it’s been a long time,” she said, striving for genuine cordiality.

Jessica inclined her head, rather curtly, Alexa thought, and took her hand, shook it. “Hello, Alexa.”

Alexa recoiled slightly; there was such coldness in Jessica’s voice, and her demeanor was equally as icy. Fasten your seat belt, kid, she told herself. We’re in for a rocky ride.

Anya had noticed Jessica’s extreme coldness and she instantly filled with dismay and just a little trepidation. She had been foolish to think everything would go smoothly; there was obviously enormous animosity between the women. She had been somewhat aware of that at lunch yesterday when Maria and Alexa had flown at each other so fiercely, both of them sounding bitter, angry, and ready to continue the estrangement.

Anya said, “Jessica, do sit down,” and taking her own advice, she lowered herself onto the sofa.

Jessica did as she asked, glanced around, and then said in a softer tone, “I’d forgotten how lovely the library is, Anya. It’s just charming, the way you’ve redecorated it.”

“And I must tell you how proud I am of
you
, Jessica, and your work. The houses and apartments you’ve designed are simply superb. I’ve loved seeing them in the magazines over the years. Congratulations, my dear.”

“Thanks, Anya. And everything I know I learned at your school.”

“The school can’t teach anyone taste and style, you know, and you have an inbred sense of style, enormous taste, Jessica. I always told you that.”

“Yes, you did, and you helped to make my dreams come true professionally. You and the other teachers were just extraordinary. I’m so lucky, I had the best training in the world, and what’s stood me in great stead is my knowledge of history; English, French, and European furniture through the centuries; antique fabrics; and classical architecture. You taught me so much, Anya.”

“Thank you again for those kind words.” Anya settled back against the cushions and asked, “Are you by any chance in Paris alone, Jessica?”

“I’m alone, yes.”

“I see. The reason I ask is that I thought you may wish to bring someone with you to my party, be escorted by a
friend that evening. And if that
is
the case, I will have Nicky send him an invitation.”

Jessica blinked, and her brows furrowed together, then she nodded in a positive manner, her face softening. “I think I
would
like to bring a friend, have an escort that night. One of my clients happens to be in Paris. His name is Mark Sylvester, and he’s a movie producer from Hollywood. But he’s working on a picture, shooting here and in London. He told me the other day that he’ll be back and forth between the two cities for the next month or so. I’m sure Mark would love to come.”

“I’m delighted. May I ask where he’s staying, my dear?”

“The Plaza Athénée, and I’ll tell him to expect the invitation. Thanks so much for being so considerate, Anya.”

Suddenly, Maria was gliding into the room looking stunning, beautifully put together in an ankle-length black skirt and a matching jacket, long and sleekly tailored. It slimmed her down even more, and underneath the jacket she wore a low-cut black silk blouse. Her long neck was enhanced by a gold necklace composed of ancient medallions, and she wore matching earrings. Her black pumps had very high heels, and she actually looked willowy this morning, Anya thought.

But when Maria spotted Jessica seated on a chair near the fireplace, she came to a sudden halt, looked hesitant. Maria appeared uncertain whether to enter the room or not.

Anya, detecting this at once, pushed herself to her feet and hurried to her, embraced her. “You’re looking wonderful,” she said, wanting to imbue confidence in her. “Here’s Jessica and Alexa, and we’re just waiting for Kay.”

The words had hardly left Anya’s mouth when Kay came walking in from the front portico, exclaiming, “Oh, dear, Anya, am I late? So sorry.”

Swinging around, Anya smiled at Kay and shook her
head. “No, you’re not late at all. But now that you are here, my dear, I would like to get down to business.” Escorting Maria and Kay into the room, Anya continued. “The business being solving your problems with each other.”

————

ANYA THREW ALEXA
a pointed look as she returned to her seat on the sofa.

Understanding exactly what was expected of her, Alexa rose, walked over to the fireplace, and stood in front of it. She glanced at Maria and Kay, whom she had not yet greeted, and said, “Hi, Maria, hi, Kay.”

Both women acknowledged her, although neither sounded very friendly.

Alexa said, “Anya asked me to speak to you about our falling out with each other seven years ago, just before our graduation. Her birthday party’s on June the second, and, understandably, she doesn’t want any bad feelings between us on that very special occasion. She thinks we should sort out our differences. In order to do that, I think we must all speak about our feelings, get things off our chests, so to speak.”

“I want the air cleared,” Anya murmured, and settled back against the cushions, hoping they would be friends by the time she took them to lunch.

Alexa unbuttoned the jacket of her black pantsuit, pushed her hands into her pockets, and went on. “Yesterday Maria and I did begin to sort out our differences, so I’m going to let Maria explain how she and I fell out. Then perhaps Jessica could respond.”

Maria was totally taken aback, and she appeared to be startled as she sat up straighter in the chair and looked around at everyone. After a moment, she cleared her
throat, and said haltingly, “Alexa blamed
me
yesterday. She said I told Jessica lies about her. But that’s not correct—”

“Yes, it is!” Alexa cut in peremptorily, and then took a step back. “I’m sorry for interrupting, Maria. Please continue.”

Looking at Jessica, Maria said, “I didn’t tell you any lies. Truly I did not. I told you what I believed to be the truth … that Alexa had been flirting with Riccardo Martinelli, my boyfriend at the time, and that she was trying to steal him from me.”

Alexa had to bite off another exclamation, this time of denial. She was infuriated with Maria once again. She forced herself to remain calm, clenching her hands in her trouser pockets.

Jessica was nodding. “Yes, I remember that. You explained that you were worried Riccardo was going to become involved with Alexa. Because of
her
behavior. That you thought she was after him. You cried a lot. And, yes, I
did
believe you.” Jessica glanced at Alexa. “And I did take Maria’s side, there’s no question about that.”

“But it wasn’t true!” Alexa protested. “And don’t you think you owed me the benefit of the doubt, plus a chance to defend myself? You condemned me without a trial, so to speak.”

Jessica bit her lip. “I guess that’s true.” She narrowed her eyes, and a thoughtful expression crossed her face. “But I did see you flirting with Riccardo at the party Angelique’s mother gave. You were draped all over him when you were dancing, clinging to him, pressing into him. That’s what cinched it for me.”

Alexa felt bright color flame in her face, and she cried, “I
was
dancing with him, and quite intimately, I suppose. I admit that. But we were
only
dancing. And
I
wasn’t flirting
with him.
He
was flirting with me. He had a tendency to do that, as you well know, Jessica. And
you
also know it, Maria.” Alexa gave Kay a very direct look and added, “I saw Riccardo Martinelli flirting with
you
, Kay, the Sunday night we all went to the Deux Magots for coffee. After your birthday dinner.”

Kay sighed. “Yes, that’s perfectly correct, Alexa.” Kay turned to Maria. “He did flirt with me. And with everyone, if you want the absolute truth. Riccardo couldn’t help himself. He was after all of us. I wasn’t interested in him, though, and in all honesty I don’t think Alexa was either. I have to take her side in that.”

“Listen to me, Maria,” Alexa cried. “You were getting fat, and you knew it and you were a very troubled young woman. Not at all happy with yourself or your relationship with Riccardo. So you dreamed up this idea of me trying to steal him, when all along
he
was at fault, not I. You just couldn’t help yourself, I suppose. But you behaved very badly. You took it out on me, and that was not fair play.”

“I didn’t—”

“Yes, you did! You went running off to Jessica, because you were jealous of our friendship, and you turned her against me, broke up
our
friendship.”

Maria was stunned and she gaped at Alexa. But she said nothing.

Alexa went on. “
Why
? Why didn’t you come to me? Have it out with me, for heaven’s sake. You were really sneaky, and you genuinely hurt me. I was heartbroken about losing Jessica’s friendship.”

Maria seemed about to burst into tears, and did not respond. She threw Jessica a helpless look, said in a plaintive voice, “I know I accused Alexa, Jess, but I did
believe
she was trying to steal Riccardo from me, and I was so in love with him. Now I realize accusing her was an error,
and I apologized to Alexa yesterday. I said I was sorry, and I do say that to you too.”

“Maria
was
jealous of our friendship,” Alexa announced to Jessica, staring hard at her.