All That Glitters

by Ruthe Ogilvie

  In less than two minutes he was connected with the overseas operator. It was ten in the morning in California, and the office was now open for business.

  A woman answered the phone. “Good morning,” he heard. “Allied Productions. May I help you?”

  “I’m calling from Paris, France,” Jeremy told her. “I flew in from New York last night, and I saw a movie on the plane. It was called ‘First Love.’ In one of the scenes it showed a Chateau in a town somewhere in France. It had stables and horses. Could you tell me what town and what Chateau that was?”

  “I’m sorry, Sir,” she said, “but I’m not supposed to give out that information without permission from the producer, and he’s out of town right now. He’ll be back in three weeks, and can give you that information.”

  Three weeks? Jeremy’s heart sank. “Are you sure he’ll be back by then?”

  “That’s what he said,” she replied. “Sometimes there are snags in filming and plans change, but he should be here by then.”

  Jeremy thought for a minute. “What’s his name? Is there any place I can contact him in the meantime? This is rather urgent.”

  “His name is Paul Rudman. He can be reached in Mont Richard, a town in France. He’s filming a movie there. I don’t have the phone number, but it’s not too far from Chaumont. I’m sorry, but that’s all the information I can give you.”

  Jeremy was disappointed. “Well—thank you very much. I’ll see how I make out here. If I don’t find him, I’ll call you again.”

  He hung up, grabbed his jacket, and left the hotel, ready to tour the streets of Paris. As he walked through the lobby, he found himself looking around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Cammie, not knowing she had retired for the night.

  The evening was balmy, and the streets were filled with people. He breathed deeply, feeling relaxed and at home. I must have been here before, he muttered. Why can’t I remember? It seemed as though he walked for hours, but it was only forty-five minutes later when he looked at his watch.

  He found himself on a path by the Seine, and decided to take a ride on one of the boats. This, too, seemed familiar, and he felt somewhere in the dark recesses of his mind that someone had taken him on this same ride in the past that he couldn’t recall.

  When he finally felt he had exhausted all efforts, he decided to go back to the hotel and get a good night’s sleep. Maybe tomorrow other memories will come back to me, he thought. If not, then I’ll rent a car and drive to Mont Richard. Paul Rudman will be there for three weeks, so I have a little time to stay in Paris and look around. I’ll take some side trips. Maybe I’ll recognize something on the outskirts.

  But his real reason for staying, though he didn’t admit it even to himself, was that somewhere in the back of his mind the hope that Cammie might still be here, and that he might see her again, made him reluctant to leave.

  CHAPTER VIII

  Jay stood by the window in his hotel room, thinking. Hildy was still asleep. He was well aware that if Zack couldn’t find any further information on Francois, no one could. It was beginning to look pretty hopeless, and he felt desperate.

  By the time he finished his shower, Hildy was awake. She sat up. “What time is it?” she asked him.

  How beautiful she is first thing in the morning, Jay marveled. “Time to get up,” he said as he picked up her robe and handed it to her. “The water’s nice and hot. You’ll be finished with your shower in time for breakfast.”

  As she disappeared into the bathroom, the phone rang.

  “I’ll get it,” Jay told her.

  It was Peter. “Jay, can you talk?”

  “Yes. Hildy is taking her shower. She’ll be a few minutes. What’s on your mind?”

  “I don’t know why, but I’m beginning to have doubts about Cammie’s involvement with Francois. Something feels terribly wrong.”

  “I know,” Jay agreed. He was silent for a moment, thinking. “Why don’t we meet in Zack’s room after breakfast?” he suggested. “I think you’ll be interested in what he has to say. It wouldn’t hurt to talk with him and see if we can’t come up with some ideas. The limo isn’t scheduled to leave for Versailles until after lunch. Don’t say anything to Jenny. Let her think we’re meeting to plan something special for the day. I’ll do the same with Hildy.”

  “Maybe we can suggest that they go shopping,” Peter said.

  “Fine! That’s an even better idea. Hildy saw some earrings yesterday that she wanted to buy, but we didn’t have time to stop.”

  Peter sounded relieved. “Good! I’ll suggest it at breakfast. See you in the lobby in ten minutes.”

  They were all dressed in casual attire when they met, ready to go into the restaurant. Francois was nowhere in sight. Halfway through the meal, Peter turned and spoke to Jenny. “Why don’t you gals do the shopping you didn’t get the chance to do yesterday? You know how we men are about shopping. You go, and we’ll have a gabfest.”

  Jenny looked suspiciously at Peter. “What are you up to?”

  Peter feigned innocence. “Nothing. We’ll wait for you back here. We should leave around two. Plan on being back around noon so we’ll have time for lunch before we leave for Versailles.”

  Jenny merely nodded as she rose from her chair. “Let’s go!” she said to Hildy and Cammie. “This should be fun! See you later,” she told the men.

  * * *

  When they were no longer within earshot, Hildy turned to Jenny. “What was that all about?”

  “I don’t know, but I learned long ago not to ask questions. When he’s ready to tell me he will.”

  “Maybe it’s about the musical Peter was thinking of doing with me,” Cammie suggested. “But I don’t see how I can do it now. I’m getting married in three weeks, and Francois wants me to quit my singing and be a full time Countess.”

  Hildy was stunned. “Cammie, you didn’t tell me this! Why does he want you to quit? You’ve worked so hard to get where you are. I would think he’d be proud of you and want you to continue.”

  Cammie averted her eyes. “I was afraid you’d react like this. That’s why I didn’t mention it before. I know I should have told you, but it never seemed to be the right time.”

  “Oh, Cammie, you can’t give up your singing!” Jenny exclaimed. “Why, that would be unthinkable! You’re so well established. You’re too young to retire. Peter will be so disappointed! You’d give all that up?”

  “Well, I don’t really want to,” Cammie sighed, “but Francois seems to think it’s best that I do.” She hesitated. “He—uh—he feels it’s beneath the dignity of a Countess to perform on the stage. They do things a little differently in Europe. Oh, I know,” she said as Hildy started to interrupt, “it seems a bit snooty, but that’s the way he wants it.”

  By this time they had found a cab to take them to the nearest shopping area. They rode in silence, wondering what other surprises were in store for them.

  * * *

  Back at the hotel, Jay, Peter, and Zack went up in the elevator together and walked down the corridor to Zack’s room. Zack opened the door and motioned for them to enter and sit down. He made sure that Francois hadn’t followed them before closing the door. “Would you like something to drink?” he asked.

  “Some coffee would be nice,” Peter said.

  Zack went over to the bar where there was some fresh brewed coffee that the maid had left. He poured some into three cups and brought them over to the coffee table in front of the sofa. He sat down, sipped his coffee, and stared off into space.

  Peter was getting impatient for an explanation. “Did you find out anything yesterday, Zack?”

  Zack took another sip of coffee before answering, giving himself time to decide how to explain. “Not as much as I would have liked,” he told Peter. “Francois’ father was married before. His first wife, Co
untess Vivienne Poitiers, was killed in a riding accident, and he married Francois’ mother, Countess Lilli Claude, a month later. Francois was five years old when they were married.”

  Peter was silent. After a moment he raised his eyebrows. “So he’s not Francois’ real father?” He sounded skeptical. “Or is he? Strange that he’d marry again so soon after losing his first wife. Were he and Lilli Claude having an affair?”

  “The same thought occurred to Jay and me,” Zack replied. “But I have a feeling it’s not that simple.”

  “Sounds like hanky-panky to me,” Peter said. “Somehow you expect royalty to be above that sort of thing.”

  Jay chuckled. “You see plenty of it in the papers.” He frowned. “I hope Francois isn’t a womanizer. If his father is one, he might copy him. Children are very impressionable.”

  “I plan to go back to the library tomorrow,” Zack said, “and see if I can’t dig up more information. I’m not quitting. I don’t feel that Francois can make Cammie happy, and I’m hoping to find something that will make her reconsider before she marries him. If I don’t, I’ll do more research when we get to Nuits. You never know where the necessary information will turn up. We have to try every avenue.”

  After more lengthy discussion, Peter looked at his watch. “It’s almost eleven-thirty. We’d better leave. The gals may already be back from their shopping, and hungry for lunch.”

  “Not a word to the others,” Zack cautioned them. “We need to find out more about this first.”

  * * *

  Hildy was waiting when Jay entered their room.

  “Jay—where have you been?” she greeted him.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” he teased. “Did you get the earrings you wanted?”

  “I sure did!” She grinned as she gestured toward her ears. “They’re beautiful. Thanks for thinking of it.” He’s up to something, she thought, but I’m not going to pry.

  Cammie’s news had disturbed her deeply. She hated to tell Jay, knowing it would upset him. She motioned for him to sit down. “Jay, there’s something you should know. Cammie told us—Jenny and me—that Francois insists that she give up her career. He feels it’s undignified for a Countess to be on the stage.”

  Jay was indignant. “Isn’t that a bit old hat? I thought that kind of thinking went out a long time ago.”

  “In our country maybe, but evidently not here in Europe.”

  “Cammie loves performing. How does she feel about it?”

  Hildy grimaced. “She’s putting up a good front. I know she’s not too happy about it, but it’s her choice. She seems determined to marry Francois and become a Countess.”

  Jay rose and began to pace. Then he turned and faced Hildy. “The glamour of being a Countess won’t last long,” he said. “It’ll soon wear thin, and she’ll miss being on the stage.” He sat down again, looking deeply troubled. “I’m getting stronger and stronger doubts about Francois. All I want is her happiness. I’m afraid she’ll have deep regrets when it’s too late to turn things around.”

  Hildy gestured helplessly. “What can we do?”

  “I think we’re doing all we can under the circumstances.” Jay looked at his watch. “We’d better get going,” he said. “The others are probably in the restaurant wondering where we are.” He grabbed his sweater, ready to leave, then turned back to Hildy. “Does Peter know about this? He’ll be disappointed. He was counting on her being in his next production.”

  “I’m sure Jenny has told him by now,” she replied as she headed for the door. “Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep the others waiting.”

  They left their room and walked down the corridor toward the elevator, disturbed and not very hungry. When they finished lunch, the limousine was waiting to take them to Versailles.

  CHAPTER IX

  It was a beautiful Parisian day—just right for a visit to the palace with its magnificent flower gardens and ponds. As the group entered the immense cobblestoned courtyard, the statue of Louis XIV, perched high on his horse, seemed to welcome them.

  As they entered the palace they were duly impressed with the ornate golds and marbles, and a ceiling rich in colorful scenes from bygone days! Nothing else could possibly translate the impression that Louis XIV wanted to give when he enlarged his father’s hunting lodge, which later became known as Versailles.

  The splendor of the park and the formal gardens designed by Le Notre; the breathtaking beauty of the Hall Of Mirrors; the brilliance of the grand apartments, whose furniture sparkled with its gold trim in Louis XIV style, and changed decor with the coming of spring or the return of winter; the priceless paintings; the park scattered with statues and fountains; and the sparkling water illuminated with rainbow colors in the sun as it cascaded over the rocks—all this truly was a jewel among Chateaus, taking them back to the fifteenth century with its pomp and ceremony!

  It made them reluctant to leave, even after being there for three hours, but it provided a respite from their deep concern over Cammie.

  It was time for dinner when they returned to their hotel. Dusk was hanging over Paris, and the lights were just coming on all over the city. The evening was balmy with the temperature around seventy degrees Fahrenheit, so they decided to eat at the sidewalk cafe just around the corner from the hotel—the same cafe where Hildy, Jenny, and Peter had eaten breakfast every morning so many years ago, and where they had first met Zack.

  The next day Zack visited the library again, but found nothing more in his research, and the day came to depart for the wine country.

  Reservations had been made on the same barge they had traveled on twenty-one years ago—La Litote—and they were all looking forward to it—especially Cammie. She had heard so much about how her father and mother had met along the Burgundy Canal and fallen in love, and she couldn’t wait to see it. It will be so romantic for Francois and me! she thought—just like Mom and Dad.

  She felt sure that by now they had reconciled to the fact that she was going to marry him, and she even felt, with the wishful thinking of youth, that maybe her mother had begun to like him.

  * * *

  But no matter how hard Francois tried to win Hildy over, the grave doubts that she had about Cammie marrying him remained.

  There was much gaiety at lunch in anticipation of the trip. Hildy was looking forward to the train ride that she remembered so vividly as being breathtakingly beautiful, and now she could share it with Cammie. She tried hard not to let the fears that kept haunting her interfere with their enjoyment.

  The train left as soon as they boarded. As they rode along, Hildy looked out the window. She could see the foliage in an array of bright colors reflected in the Burgundy Canal as they passed over it. She motioned to Cammie to come and share this gorgeous scenery that remained the same, in spite of the passing years.

  Cammie gasped with pleasure. “Oh, Mom!” she exclaimed, “it’s just as beautiful as you said!”

  Soon they reached Burgundy and boarded the bus that would take them to La Litote. In fifteen minutes they were at the canal.

  “There it is!” Cammie cried. “La Litote!”

  Hildy smiled at her enthusiasm. There it stood, as majestic as ever, looking centuries old. If this were the Nile, she thought, you’d almost expect to see Cleopatra herself standing on the deck. Its reflection in the canal was as clear as crystal.

  An artist stood on the shore painting the lovely scenery. Hildy stared. Could it be? She looked closer. It was! Andre, the artist Jay had hired twenty-one years ago to paint the backdrops of Roger Fielding’s musical, was sitting there working at his easel! “Jay! Zack!” Hildy called to them. “Look!”

  Jay stared. “I’ll be!” he exclaimed. “Andre!” he called as the three of them walked over to greet him.

  Andre left his painting and ran to meet them. “Ah, Madame Stuart!”
he exclaimed as he held out his arms. “How good to see you!” He kissed Hildy on each cheek, and shook hands with Jay and Zack. “I have thought of you often! How have you been?”

  Hildy laughed with delight. “We’re fine!” she said. “We’ve been married for twenty-one years and have a beautiful daughter. She’s twenty years old now.”

  “Oui, I know,” he replied. “I have seen her many times in the musicals.”

  “Cammie!” Hildy called, motioning for her to come over. “We want you to meet someone!”

  “Come on,” Cammie said to Francois.

  Francois looked in Andre’s direction, and hesitated.

  Cammie pulled him by the hand, but he resisted. “You go,” he told her. “I’ll see you on the barge.” He turned and headed toward La Litote.

  “Francois? What’s wrong?” she called after him.

  He didn’t answer.

  She shrugged her shoulders and joined her folks.

  Hildy put her arm around her. “Andre, this is our daughter, Cameron. Cammie, this is Andre, the painter your father hired to paint the backdrops of Roger’s first musical.” She looked around. “Where’s Francois?” she asked.

  “He went to the barge,” Cammie told her.

  “Oh,” she said, turning to Andre. “Cammie is engaged to Count Francois Dubonnet,” she explained.

  Andre stared in Francois’ direction with a look of disapproval. Or was it fear? Or both? His whole attitude changed. He covered his face with his hands and turned his head away, until Francois was on the barge.

  After acknowledging the introduction, Cammie left to join Francois.

  Hildy waited until Cammie was no longer within earshot. Then she turned to Andre, more troubled than ever. “Andre, I get the distinct impression that you don’t approve of Francois.”

  Andre hesitated. “Oh—well—”

  Jay turned him around to face him. “Andre, what do you know about Francois that we should know?”

  Andre hedged. “He has a bad reputation. He’s quite a playboy, and he’s made many women very unhappy. I would not like to see him do that to your beloved Cammie. How did she meet him?”