Lake Como

by Anita Hughes

  “You think I should take the job?” Hallie wavered.

  “Of course you should take it!” Constance replied. “Vanessa’s friends will be begging you to design their houses. You’ll have your pick of projects.”

  “It is a golden opportunity,” Hallie murmured. “I guess I’ll say yes.”

  “Darling, I’m thrilled.” Constance beamed. “You can stay here if you like.”

  “I should get my own place,” she said, smiling. “But maybe I can stay with you until I get settled.”

  “Let me know when you arrive,” Constance said. “I’ll send Louisa to pick you up at the airport.”

  Hallie hung up and hugged the phone to her chest. Her mind flashed on Angus, his reddish-brown hair and almond-shaped hazel eyes. She pictured his long legs and thick fisherman’s sweaters. Angus must have submitted the photos to Architectural Digest.

  Hallie started punching numbers, then put the phone down. She wanted to thank him, but it was better that they didn’t talk to each other. She would send him a loaf of Boudin sourdough bread and a box of Ghirardelli chocolates from San Francisco.

  * * *

  Hallie arrived at the Hotel Metropole and saw Pliny getting into his Fiat. He wore black wool pants and a cashmere sweater and his sunglasses were perched on his forehead. He waved to an upstairs window and maneuvered the car down the steep driveway.

  “Why was Pliny here?” Hallie asked Francesca. Hallie stepped into the hotel room, admiring a bouquet of roses in a ceramic vase.

  Francesca sat at an antique desk, dressed in cigarette pants and a white silk shirt. She wore leather loafers and had a colored scarf wrapped around her head.

  “We had to discuss details of Portia’s divorce.” Francesca pointed to the stack of papers on the desk. “Portia will be back this afternoon.”

  “I hope she’s not still angry at me,” Hallie replied. “I said some terrible things.”

  “Sisters quarrel and then they make up.” Francesca shrugged. “I’m anxious to meet Alfonso.”

  “I just got off the phone with Constance.” Hallie frowned. “You didn’t tell her you were coming to Como?”

  Francesca hesitated. “She’s been ill. I didn’t want to alarm her.”

  “You still haven’t told her Pliny is my father?”

  Francesca stood up and poured a cup of coffee from the silver pot standing on the sideboard.

  “Constance is quite frail.” She handed Hallie a cup of coffee. “I don’t think it would be good for her.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Hallie agreed. “I’m going back to San Francisco.”

  “You’re what?” Francesca’s eyes were wide.

  “Vanessa Getty called.” Hallie sat on a velvet chair. “She saw pictures of the Villa Luce in Architectural Digest. She thinks I have a wonderful eye; she begged me to design her villa in Napa.”

  “Vanessa Getty!” Francesca beamed. “That’s wonderful, I’m so proud of you.”

  “I’ll miss Lake Como.” Hallie sipped her coffee. “But it’s a great opportunity.”

  “I’m sure Constance is thrilled.” Francesca nodded. “She’s missed you dreadfully.”

  “We can fly home together,” Hallie suggested.

  “I’m actually going to stay.” Francesca turned to the window so Hallie couldn’t see her face.

  “Stay?” Hallie repeated.

  “I’ve got nothing to do in San Francisco till next wedding season,” Francesca continued. “I can help Marcus and Angelica get ready for the baby.”

  “Where are you going to stay?” Hallie demanded, suddenly flustered. She had never imagined her mother would stay in Lake Como.

  “Pliny asked me to stay at the villa.” Francesca glanced nervously at Hallie. “We’ve been having dinner together.”

  “Pliny asked you to stay!” Hallie jumped up, her eyes blazing. “You haven’t seen each other in thirty years.”

  “It’s crazy, but I’m still in love with him,” Francesca admitted. “It’s like when we met in Gstaad, I can’t think of anything else. I’m consumed by him. Only now, I’m too old to have children.”

  “I don’t believe this,” Hallie mumbled. For some reason, she was furious. She thought of all the years Francesca and Pliny had been apart. She remembered how Francesca had deprived her of her father.

  “I didn’t come here expecting anything to happen,” Francesca explained. “But it did, and Pliny feels the same. We have both matured, we are finally right for each other.”

  Hallie glanced at Francesca’s chic clothes, her new French nails and pale pink lipstick. She saw the spidery lines around her eyes and the papery skin on her neck.

  “I’m happy for you,” Hallie said finally.

  “I feel like a teenager with her first crush.” Francesca sighed. “I can’t believe Pliny still loves me. Will you be all right in San Francisco by yourself?”

  “I’ll be fine. Constance will keep me company.”

  “Let’s buy some presents for Constance.” Francesca stuffed her wallet into her Prada bag. “And we need to get you a leather jacket and boots.”

  Hallie followed Francesca into the hallway, admiring her mother’s slim, elegant frame. She felt her anger dissolve and be replaced by a warmth in her chest.

  “What did Sophia say about you moving into the villa?” Hallie said suddenly.

  Francesca pressed the elevator button and smiled at Hallie. “Pliny didn’t ask her.”

  * * *

  Portia poked her head in the door as Hallie bought her plane ticket. Hallie closed her computer and jumped up to hug her sister.

  “Your hair!” Hallie exclaimed.

  “Do you like it?” Portia ran her hands through her new short hair. It framed her face in thick black waves and made her eyes look like saucers.

  “I love it.” Hallie stepped back. “You look like Halle Berry.”

  “We stopped in Milan on business, and I waited for hours for Alfonso in a café.” Portia perched herself on Hallie’s bed. “I kept staring at the salon across the street. It was one of those impossibly chic salons where everyone looks androgynous. Suddenly, I put my coffee cup down and marched across the road. I told the stylist to do whatever he wanted.”

  “It’s perfect.” Hallie admired the way Portia’s hair hugged her neck, making her look vulnerable and sexy at the same time.

  “Alfonso loves it.” Portia looked at Hallie. “I’m sorry for bringing Angus here.”

  “I apologize for the terrible things I said. I didn’t mean them.”

  “I deserved it.” Portia shrugged. “I’ve seen Francesca; she told me what happened with Angus.”

  “I feel terrible for Angus.” Hallie sat on the bed. “But I couldn’t love someone who lies. I want to hear about Venice. Did you sit at Harry’s Bar and drink dry martinis?”

  “It was so romantic.” Portia smiled. She wore slim black pants and a red cashmere sweater. “We fed the pigeons in the Piazza San Marco, we ate in the dining room of the Gritti. On the last night, Alfonso took me to dinner at Terrazza Danieli. He ordered caviar and lobster and then he got down on one knee and gave me this.” Portia stuck out her finger and displayed a huge, glittering diamond.

  “Oh!” Hallie gasped. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “It’s not very subtle.” Portia laughed. “But Alfonso likes to make big gestures. After dinner we went back to our room and the whole carpet was covered in rose petals.”

  “I’m so happy for you.” Hallie hugged her. “I’ll have to come back for the wedding.”

  “Francesca told me you’re going back to San Francisco,” Portia said stiffly, sitting cross-legged on the bed.

  “You’ll be so busy with wedding plans and Alfonso, you won’t miss me,” Hallie replied, flinching at the thought of being without Portia.

  “I’ll be miserable without you,” Portia insisted. “Is this what you want?”

  “You mean am I running away from Angus?” Hallie shook her head. “It’s an amazing
opportunity. The Gettys are the closest thing San Francisco has to royalty.”

  “I thought you loved Lake Como,” Portia retorted.

  “I do, and I promise I’ll be the best maid of honor. I’ll come back a month before the wedding.”

  “There’s actually not going to be a wedding,” Portia said slowly. “As soon as my divorce is final, we’re going to elope.”

  “A Tesoro can’t elope.” Hallie frowned. “Sophia will be furious.”

  “It would be worse if a Tesoro was a pregnant bride.” Portia glanced at Hallie with large, liquid eyes.

  “You’re pregnant?”

  “I was throwing up the whole time we were in Venice.” Portia sighed. “The doctor confirmed it.”

  “I thought Alfonso didn’t want children.”

  “It was an accident,” Portia said. “But Alfonso is thrilled, he’s already stocking up on cigars. He was looking online for baby carriers and researching which airlines permit newborns. We’re going to have a very well-traveled baby.”

  “What about you?” Hallie faltered. “Are you nervous?”

  “It’s the craziest thing. From the minute I discovered I was pregnant, I’ve been obsessed with babies. I spent hours picking out blankets and booties; I want to hug mothers in the playground. I feel like I’ve joined a secret society.” Portia’s eyes sparkled. “When I go to bed all I think about is names: Allesandra, Gia, Petra.”

  Hallie grinned. “It could be a boy.”

  “Then it will be Pliny Alfonso,” Portia said firmly. “I’m going to spend the next eighteen years proving that I am the best mother. I have never felt this kind of love, I could spend all day with my hands on my belly.”

  “The maternal instinct is a powerful thing.” Hallie smiled.

  “I may feel differently after sleepless nights, childhood tantrums.” Portia hesitated. “But Alfonso will be there to help. He will be a wonderful father, I won’t be doing it alone.”

  “I’m going to be an aunt.” Hallie grinned.

  “I’ll be home changing diapers while you become a famous designer.” Portia rubbed her stomach. “You’ll meet an international businessman and design his homes in Singapore and Sydney.”

  “I’ll leave romance to you and Francesca.” Hallie laughed.

  “Francesca told me about her and Pliny.” Portia rolled her eyes.

  “They’re like Romeo and Juilet. They’re going to give Sophia a heart attack.”

  “Sophia might start letting people lead their own lives,” Portia said grimly.

  “Pliny and Francesca will be so thrilled to have another grandchild. And Marcus’s baby will have a cousin.”

  “I asked God to help me forgive Francesca.” Portia’s eyes clouded over and she hugged her chest. “If I ever feel like running away, can I call you?”

  “Night or day.” Hallie put her arms around Portia’s thin shoulders. “But you’ll do great. You’re a natural mother.”

  “I hope it’s a girl,” Portia said darkly. “I’ve spent thirty years trying to figure men out.”

  chapter twenty-four

  Hallie’s suitcases were lined up next to her bed. She had left Francesca’s diaries and Paul Johns Unplugged on the bedside table. She needed room for the Gucci pumps, Armani dress, and fur-lined suede boots her mother had dropped off in the morning.

  “No one wears fur-lined boots in San Francisco,” Hallie protested when Francesca showed up, laden with boxes.

  “I want you to look gorgeous,” Francesca said, piling the bed with cashmere sweaters and thick leather belts.

  “You don’t have to feel guilty that you’re not coming back.” Hallie stroked a Pucci blouse. “I’m happy for you and Pliny.”

  “I thought Sophia was going to come after me with a kitchen knife. We agreed to have separate bedrooms.” Francesca grinned. “With connecting doors.”

  “Maybe you and Portia can have a double wedding,” Hallie joked. Portia had sworn her to secrecy about the baby and the elopement.

  “Marriage is for young people.” Francesca folded a Valentino silk blouse. “Promise me you won’t devote yourself completely to your career. You don’t want to miss out on having a family.”

  “I have a huge family.” Hallie grinned. “I’ll meet someone eventually. Maybe it’ll be love at first sight; we’ll have a whirlwind romance and get married in a week.”

  “I was very young when I met Pliny,” Francesca said, smiling. “But look at everything I got; I wouldn’t change a thing.”

  Francesca left to move her things out of the Hotel Metropole, and Hallie spent the day packing. Her flight left Milan at ten at night and arrived in San Francisco in the morning. Constance was still confined to her bed and was sending Louisa to meet her at the airport.

  “I’d pick you up myself, but Dr. Michaels has spies everywhere.” Constance sighed when Hallie called to confirm her flight.

  “I could take a taxi,” Hallie said, imagining her grandmother in dark glasses and a trench coat.

  “I’m happy to get Louisa out of the house,” Constance replied. “I can have a nip of brandy and a few macadamia nuts.”

  * * *

  There was a knock on the door and Pliny entered, holding a small box wrapped in silver tissue paper.

  “You don’t have to drive me to the airport,” Hallie said. “I’m happy to take the train.”

  “I don’t want to miss a minute I can spend with you.” Pliny handed her the box. “This is for you.”

  Hallie carefully undid the tissue paper. She opened the box and took out a gold locket. She snapped it open and saw a picture of Pliny with his arm around Hallie.

  “I don’t expect you to wear it all the time,” Pliny said shyly.

  “It’s gorgeous.” Hallie fastened the clasp around her neck. She put her arms around Pliny and kissed him on the cheek.

  “Ti amo,” he said. “My beautiful daughter.”

  Hallie slipped on her new leather jacket. She followed Pliny downstairs, taking in the marble floors, the frescoed ceilings, the glittering chandeliers.

  “I’m going to run down to the dock.” Hallie turned to Pliny. “I want to take a last look at the lake.”

  Hallie stood on the boat dock, remembering the first time she saw Sophia in her black silk dress. She saw Portia, fragile as a bird, and the Villa Tesoro rising grandly above the lake.

  Her mind flashed on fishing with Angus, being caught in the rain at the outdoor markets. She remembered their first kiss in the middle of the lake, Angus’s strong arms encircling her.

  Hallie felt something nuzzle her legs. She turned and found Milo burying his nose in her shoes.

  “I’m sorry.” Angus approached her. He wore brown corduroys and a thick green sweater. He was freshly shaven and his hair lay in waves across his forehead. “He’s not well trained, he couldn’t wait to see you.”

  “What are you doing here?” Hallie asked, turning back to the lake.

  “Alfonso told me you were leaving for San Francisco.” Angus stood beside her.

  “Vanessa Getty saw photos of Villa Luce in Architectural Digest,” Hallie said slowly. “You submitted them, didn’t you?”

  Angus nodded. “I wanted other people to see your work. You deserve the recognition.”

  “Remember when you thought I was paparazzi and threatened to toss me into the lake?” Hallie grinned, stroking Milo’s fur.

  “You made me realize it’s wrong to hide from the world.” Angus’s eyes were bright. “When I fell in love with you, I wanted to shout it from the balcony.”

  “Angus, stop.” Hallie moved away. “I appreciate what you did, but I’m leaving.”

  “Just listen.” Angus touched her shoulder. “I understand that I’m not responsible for what happened to Harry, or if I am, I’m not going to make it better by hiding in Lenno. You made me want to be a better person, a real person with a name and a purpose.”

  “I’m happy for you.” Hallie walked toward the villa. “I have to go, I�
��ll miss my flight.”

  “I’m going to open a venture capital firm in San Francisco,” Angus called. “I’m going to help other people realize their dreams. I’m going to use part of the profits to start a foundation for the partners of suicide victims.”

  Hallie turned around and looked at Angus. His eyes gleamed and his whole body trembled.

  “I was wrong to lie to you, I’ll never do it again. I love you, Hallie. We can take it slow, but I need you beside me.”

  “I don’t think I…” Hallie started, but Angus pulled her close. He reached down and gathered her mouth under his. He kissed her deeply, running his hands through her hair.

  “I’ve been like an overgrown puppy, hiding under the rug and licking my wounds,” Angus pleaded. “I want to start fresh; I want to make the world a better place.”

  Hallie gazed at Angus and it was as if a lock in her heart clicked open. She knew, like Francesca and Pliny, like Portia and Alfonso, that they belonged together. She didn’t care if they were married or living together; she wanted to spend her life with him.

  Hallie hesitated. “I’m leaving for San Francisco tonight.”

  “So am I.” Angus produced a bright red plane ticket from his pocket. “American Airlines Rome to San Francisco.”

  “What will you do with Milo?” Hallie murmured, tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “Alfonso said they’d take care of Milo.” Angus put his mouth on hers. “He said they need the practice.”

  Hallie and Angus approached the house together. Portia, Alfonso, Francesca, Marcus, and Angelica were lined up in the driveway like a scene from Downton Abbey. Sophia stood on the top step, wearing an emerald satin dress and gold slippers.

  “You didn’t all have to be here.” Hallie laughed, her fingers entwined with Angus’s. “Angus has decided to return to San Francisco. We’re going to travel together.”

  “I’m going to miss you.” Portia hugged Hallie tightly.

  “You’re going to be very busy.” Hallie winked, squeezing her arm.

  “I have something for you.” Alfonso stood beside Portia. He wore wool pants and a cream silk shirt and carried a long flat box.

  “I don’t need any more silk scarves,” Hallie said, accepting his gift.