by Jan Moran
“Are you sure you can stand us all?” Lou was saying, laughing, as the children were happily quarrelling.
“I can still change my mind,” Abigail replied. “You should all be on your best behavior until the wedding!”
Liliana bounded over to Danielle with her latest fashion sketches clutched in her hands. “What do you think of these, Mama?”
Danielle studied then for a moment. “I think they’re excellent,” Danielle declared. She took Liliana’s hand and walked with her to join their group. Liliana was very mature for her age, and had truly become her daughter in the years since her parents’ deaths. Liliana had a distinct artistic flair for drawing and painting. Jasmin was a spunky ball of fire, always in motion. Danielle had enrolled her in ballet school, where the young girl quickly excelled with her natural rhythm. Both girls were fluent in French and English. They were helping the triplets learn English, and in the process, they were learning Russian.
Danielle was terribly proud of her girls. She knelt to hug them, and glanced over their shoulder at her mother. Seeing my family happy and healthy is all that matters, she thought, embracing the girls. “I love you both so much,” she said. “Are you having fun today?”
“Yes, we are,” they cried in unison.
Danielle sat on a teak wood chaise lounge between Marie and Abigail. She glanced approvingly at her mother. Marie’s silver blond hair was wound in a perfectly coifed chignon, and she was stylishly bundled in a cashmere coat. Jasmin and Liliana perched on the foot of Danielle’s chaise lounge, while Abigail looked happy cuddled next to Lou, hot toddy in hand.
A waiter carrying a tray of steaming drinks approached them. All five children clamored for their cocoa. “Who ordered the hot buttered rum?”
Lou raised his hand. “Right here, sport.” He grinned at Danielle and Marie. “I have to keep this young woman inebriated until after the wedding. Afraid she’s thinking of backing out. Can’t imagine why.” He laughed and made a funny face at Abigail. “Another rum toddy, my pet?”
Abigail and Danielle dissolved into gales of laughter as warm mugs were passed around. The children were given cocoa topped with mounds of fresh cream.
“I can’t possibly back out now,” Abigail replied, still laughing. “Through no effort on your part, I might add, unless you’re in league with Mummy and Daddy. They cabled saying they’ve invited practically all of London.”
“Then I’m the one who’d better be on good behavior,” Lou said with mock horror. “All of London, you say?”
“That’s right, we have a party every night for almost a week. There’s one before the wedding, then on Christmas and Boxing Day, and another with our relatives from Wales. I think everyone is eager for an excuse to celebrate...something, anything. The war went on far too long. It’s time to live again.”
“Hear, hear.” Lou turned serious and raised his mug. “To the brave men and women who fought in the war.”
They all raised their cups, and a man passing by tipped his hat in respect.
“And to Jon,” Abigail said. “To my dear brother, who finally made it safely home.”
“To Jon,” Danielle murmured.
“How long it has been,” Abigail mused. “Since 1940. Good Lord, how everything has changed since then.”
They all fell silent.
Marie cleared her throat and held her cup high. “And to those who’ve gone on before us, may they watch after us,” she said solemnly, then added with a lilting laugh, “and may we never cease to amuse them.”
“Hear, hear,” they chorused, and clinked their mugs in remembrance, murmuring the names of their loved ones: Cameron, Max, Jean-Claude, Hélène, Edouard, Sofia, Nicky, and other friends.
Marie continued. “I look forward to meeting your brother, Abigail. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Jon. I understand he has a new baby, too. The first grandchild.”
“That’s right,” Abigail said. “But not for long. Jon and I have always been rivals. Soon I’ll be able to boast two more children than he has, and they’re older, too.”
Marie inclined her head. “I hadn’t thought of it that way. Well, I do look forward to meeting Jon and his wife,” she added, glancing at Danielle.
“Jon has been so busy rebuilding our shipping fleet since he returned.” Abigail sipped her drink. “Everyone is involved in the family business, everyone except me, that is.”
Lou raised a brow. “She’s not kidding. The triplets and I are taking sailing lessons as soon as we return to Los Angeles.”
Abigail poked him. “It’ll be such fun. It’s Daddy’s gift to them, along with a boat, of course.”
“Imagine, we’ll have our own crew,” Lou added. “At least their Uncle Jon will be on hand to teach them.”
Danielle felt her heart skip a beat and she coughed, spilling her hot buttered rum. “In Los Angeles?”
Abigail handed her a napkin. “Didn’t I tell you? Jon’s moving to Los Angeles. He’ll be in charge of our Long Beach shipping operations.” Abigail giggled. The rum had clearly gone to her head. “Wonder what Victoria thinks of that?”
Lou gave her a squeeze. “I’m sure you’ll make his wife welcome, Abigail.”
“I hardly need to try,” Abigail declared. “Victoria makes herself welcome where ever she goes. Especially with the men,” she added under her breath.
“Meow, my bride!” Lou tickled her, and Abigail shrieked with uncontrollable peals of laughter. “I can’t believe you said that, Abigail. Say you’re sorry!”
Abigail gasped for breath, laughing. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry!” She held her fingers crossed behind her back.
“No more hot toddies for my young bride,” Lou admonished, feigning shock. “Or all the family secrets will be out, and I might change my mind.”
Danielle saw Marie glance at her again, but her mother said nothing. Danielle sipped her drink, thinking. Los Angeles is a big city, and it’s really none of my business anyway....
Just then, the triplets raced toward them, their red curls bouncing, all speaking at once, with their nanny bustling breathlessly behind them. “Puppet show, puppet show!”
Lou laughed and held up his hand. “One at a time, please. Alexandra, where is this show?”
She told him the show was starting on the main deck in a few minutes. Liliana and Jasmin wanted to go, too.
“I’ll go with them,” Danielle volunteered, anxious to avoid the topic of Jon and Victoria.
* * *
“Jasmin, behave yourself,” Danielle said. Her daughter sat pouting in the middle of the stateroom floor, arms folded, a stubborn expression on her face.
Danielle heaved a sigh in exasperation. The ship had eased into port, and Nora had gone to check on a missing trunk.
Jasmin had thrown a tantrum, refusing to dress. Soon it would be time to disembark. And Danielle hadn’t even had time to change from her dressing gown. “I’m counting to ten. One, two....”
Liliana sat waiting on the bed for her turn, chin in her hand, patiently watching the exchange between her mother and Jasmin.
“Nine.” Danielle put her hands on her hips. “Ten.”
“I still want to wear my red dress,” Jasmin said, snatching a hunter green bow from her blond curls.
“No, that’s a special dress for the Christmas Eve wedding,” Danielle said. “Today you must wear your green wool suit.”
Liliana added, “You don’t want to look out of place.”
“Yes, I do,” Jasmin insisted. “I want to stand out from the crowd. That’s what Miss Smithers says.”
Liliana grinned. “The drama teacher.”
“Yes, I know, as if she needed any more dramatic tendencies,” Danielle said. “All right, Jasmin, you can wear your red dress today, and your suit for the wedding. Of course, the other girls will have their pretty dresses on then, but that’s all right. You’ll stand out from the crowd, won’t you?”
Jasmin looked thoughtful. “I’ve changed my mind,” she announced. �
�I’ll wear the suit today and save my red dress for Christmas Eve.”
Liliana shrugged. See what I mean? she mouthed silently.
“What a nice choice, Jasmin,” Danielle said. “Liliana, we really must rely on Jasmin’s excellent judgment more often.”
Liliana suppressed a giggle and flopped onto the bed.
Marie opened the door. “Bonjour.” She looked resplendent in a cranberry wool suit and hat, with rubies at her ears. Liliana popped up and flung her arms around her grandmother.
Marie raised her finely arched brows. “Ma chérie, you’re not ready.”
Danielle shook her head wearily. “Jasmin has been exploring her wardrobe options this morning.”
“Well, so many clothes, so few occasions,” Marie said lightly. “We’ll have many special occasions in London. Ah, this is marvelous, Danielle, I’m so glad we came. Why don’t I take the girls up on deck? You need a few minutes alone to dress. We’ll meet you there.” Marie finished dressing the girls, who quickly complied for their beloved grandmother, then she scooped up their coats and guided them from the stateroom.
Realizing the time, Danielle threw off her dressing gown and pulled on a pair of black wool trousers, along with a black silk turtleneck sweater and jacket. She applied her favorite perfume, Chimère, the one she’d created in Grasse while she was pregnant with Jasmin. She drew the crystal stopper behind her ears, down her throat, on the back of her neck and inside her wrists. With a deft hand, she secured her long auburn hair in a chic updo, anchoring it with two tortoise shell combs. After adding discreet emerald earrings, a delicate emerald and platinum tasseled necklace, and a black and emerald-colored silk scarf, she was ready.
She stepped into her pumps and draped her sable coat over her shoulders. Turning, she checked her image in the mirror. She thought of the words that a newspaper writer had once used to describe her: Modern, accomplished, elegant.
She leaned into the mirror to touch the faint lines around her eyes. And twice-widowed at thirty-one years old. She angled her head and saw a few grey hairs at her temple. She felt decades older. Gazing at her reflection, she heard excited cries through the open porthole as people waiting on the dock spied their friends and families. I wonder if Jon is here....
“Stop it!” she said aloud, purging the thought. She snatched her gloves and purse, then closed the door to her stateroom behind her.
She made her way to the deck. The day was clear and brisk with a bitter edge that held the prospect of a wintry cold evening. Passengers stood at the railing, waving merrily to the crowd below. Hundreds of people were on the dock calling to others on the ship. Colorful streamers sailed through the air, and a band played in the background.
Danielle stepped toward the railing, then caught her breath. There, in the front of the crowd where she couldn’t ignore him, stood Jon. Apart from him stood a woman, blond and willowy. And she’s dressed in Mainbocher’s latest suit, Danielle noted, recognizing the American designer’s work.
Victoria.
She saw Jon squint against the sunshine. His sun-bleached chestnut hair framed his rugged face. He stood erect, with an officer’s posture, and his broad chest filled out his suit. She remembered the day they’d spent together at her home, arranging flowers, drinking champagne, and laying together in the cabaña, the fire flickering, illuminating his profile as she stroked his chest. She felt her skin warm in remembrance and shuddered. I must not think about him, she told herself firmly, and backed away from the railing to find her family.
Jon gazed up at the ship, shielding his eyes, searching. Where was she?
“I’m cold,” Victoria whined. “Can’t they hurry up?” She sniveled. “Do you see your sister?”
“Not yet.” Jon regarded his wife with disdain. “Just relax, and remember your promise.”
“I don’t know why I agreed to this.”
“It’s for our families, not for us. I will not allow gossip to ruin Abigail’s wedding.”
Victoria sniffed and flicked a speck from her collar. “I’ll be glad when this wedding is over.”
“I’m sure you will be.”
Her face brightened. “And then you’ll sign the papers?”
He sighed. “My solicitor will have them for you the next business day.”
She smiled victoriously at him.
He’d resolved not to let Victoria spoil the day, but she was trying his patience.
Jon returned his attention to the ship. He was pleased for his sister and couldn’t wait to meet her fiancé and children. Naturally, he wanted to spend time with Abigail and Lou, although they’d have plenty of time to visit when he moved to Los Angeles in January. But first, he had something terribly important to settle.
“I’m freezing.” Victoria was pouting now, her huge aquamarine eyes filled with accusation.
Why she was pouting, he didn’t know. No doubt, her mood had something to do with the surreptitious phone call to her lover he’d overheard her make in the library before they left. He shrugged. It was over. He’d stopped caring, stopped trying to pacify and entertain her.
And the only woman I want is somewhere on that ship.
He bit his lip and frowned. He hated to think of it...that awful day in Los Angeles at Danielle’s apartment...but if Danielle hadn’t married Cameron, he certainly would not have married Victoria.
Jon scanned the ship for the one ray of sunshine, the one touchstone he had held to all these years. The one who still holds my heart.
He thought of the day...that incredibly perfect day...that he ran into her in Beverly Hills in the flower shop. He had relived the afternoon they’d spent together so often that her every word, her every movement, and her incredible scent, was seared into his memory.
He pushed his hand impatiently through his hair. Where the devil is she?
And would she still feel the same for him?
Marie stood with the girls at the railing near Abigail and Lou, who were happily waving to Abigail’s friends and relatives.
Abigail squealed with delight. “Look, there’s Jon.”
“And that exquisite creature must be the famous Victoria,” Lou said, chiding her. “Be nice, now. Remember your manners.”
Abigail wrinkled her nose at him. She turned back to the crowd, blowing kisses to her family. She waved at Jon, then turned around, following his gaze.
Jon saw Danielle stride behind them, her long legs carrying her across the deck in purposeful strides. Most every other woman on the ship wore a skirt, but she wore slacks, and he noticed they made her appear taller. He caught his breath. She’s so beautiful.
His throat tightened, and he cursed himself. Tentatively, he lifted his hand and tried to catch her eye, waving slowly. Has she seen me yet? He screamed her name in his mind, Danielle!
The crowd on deck parted as Danielle passed. She stopped near his sister and a woman with two little girls.
He realized that the younger girl must be Jasmin, his goddaughter, and the other one must be Liliana. He recognized the girls from the photographs he’d seen in Danielle’s home. How he wished he could rush to her and hold her, but all he could do was watch and wait.
“Here you are,” Danielle said, giving Liliana a hug.
“Is Mama better now?” Jasmin asked, hanging back. “I’m sorry.”
“All is forgiven,” Danielle replied, hugging her young daughter.
Abigail whirled around, her face flushed with excitement. “Danielle, look who’s here.”
Danielle stiffened, bracing herself. This is the moment I’ve dreaded.
“My entire family and the Leibowitzes, too. See, right there,” Abigail added, pointing and waving. “And there, right in front, see? Jon and Victoria.”
Danielle suppressed a tiny cough. She saw Marie arch an eyebrow at her, but thankfully, her mother said nothing.
Abigail was exuberant. “Wave to them, Danielle!”
Danielle lifted her hand, nodding to the Leibowitzes, her dear old friends. Just brea
the, don’t faint. She kept her eyes carefully averted from Jon, then turned back to her girls, and knelt to adjust their jackets and hair ribbons.
Once the ship had properly docked, they disembarked. Abigail and Lou and the redheaded triplets were swept into a sea of open arms.
Danielle greeted the Leibowitzes with warmth, recalling their kindness to her and Max. She introduced Marie and the girls, and soon Libby and Marie were chatting like old friends.
“You must join me for tea tomorrow,” Libby was saying to Marie, her face wreathed with a broad smile.
Danielle was startled to feel a hand on her shoulder. Without turning, she felt the hand press and squeeze her shoulder. She took a sharp breath, inhaling deeply, detecting leathery notes, rich patchouli with a touch of rose...time seemed suspended and she felt the world rush toward her.
“Hello beautiful.”
Danielle paused, took another breath and turned her head. She found herself staring into Jon’s s liquid brown eyes. Mon Dieu, I was so wrong...I have never stopped loving this man. Words caught in her throat as she strived to compose herself. “Hello Jon.”
They stood in silence for an awkward moment. Their families were talking and exclaiming over the children, and Victoria seemed to have disappeared into the crowd. Danielle felt his hand linger against her cheek as he lifted it from her shoulder, and she closed her eyes, remembering his touch.
“I’m glad you came,” he said, his voice husky.
“I came for Abigail,” Danielle said quickly, pushing her memories aside. She felt flushed, and gestured to her family. “Along with my mother, and my girls. You remember Jasmin? See how she’s grown? Why, the last time you saw her–” Danielle stopped, aware that she was on the verge of babbling.
Jon’s eyes roamed over her face, her figure. “It’s awfully good to see you. You look marvelous, Danielle.”
