All That Glitters (10 page)

“I really think you’re getting upset over nothing,” Jenny said, trying to console Hildy.

Before Hildy could stop herself, she blurted out—“Remember Gregory Wilcox! I thought he was a great catch, and look what happened!”

Cammie was surprised. “Gregory Wilcox? What has he got to do with Francois?”

Hildy turned away. “Nothing, honey,” she answered Cammie. “Just forget I said anything.” She looked at her watch. “We’d better get back to the others. We’ve been gone for twenty minutes.”

When they returned to their table, Jeremy had left. Cammie’s heart sank. She kicked herself. Why do I feel so disappointed? I wish I knew who he was, she sighed. Oh, there you go again! What difference does it make? He’s nothing to me. Again, she felt that pang of guilt, as though she were being untrue to Francois.

That night
she was the one who slept fitfully. In her dream
she found herself married to Francois, but longing for the
handsome young stranger whose name she didn’t even know. She
woke up with a start. This is ridiculous! I’m in
love with Francois! And I’m going to be a Countess!

It was only six o’clock in the morning, but she couldn’t sleep any more. Or was it that she was afraid to for fear she would dream about this stranger who saved her from a nasty fall, and feel guilty again about Francois? This is crazy! she muttered under her breath. She rose and turned on the shower.

As soon as she finished, she blow-dried her hair and dressed, ready for breakfast and the flight to Amboise to meet Francois’ parents. She tried to concentrate on the upcoming trip, but she couldn’t get the young man out of her mind. She had been in his arms for just a moment, but she tingled at the very remembrance of it.

A knock on her door brought her quickly back to reality. She found herself wishing it would be the stranger, but when she opened the door, Francois stood there, smiling.

“Ready for breakfast?” he asked.

For some reason she couldn’t understand, she didn’t want to ask him into her room. At the same time she had the feeling that if it had been the stranger standing there, she would have invited him in. She hated herself for this. It must be before wedding jitters, she reasoned. Yes! she decided, relieved. That’s what it is!

“Just a minute,” she told Francois. “I’ll get my purse and sweater.”

“A sweater would be a good idea,” he agreed. “I think we’ll be eating at the outdoor cafe, and there’s a nip in the air.”

She went to the closet and reached for her multicolored sweater—the one her father laughingly referred to as her Joseph sweater. It had all the colors of the rainbow, with sparkling silver threads woven into the fabric. Zack had given it to her for her birthday four years ago, and she was so attached to it that her mother jokingly called it her security blanket. Cammie took it with her wherever she went.

She and Francois met the others at the elevator. As they were entering the lift, Jeremy appeared, and they descended to the lobby together. Cammie nodded, trying to be casual, but her heart pounded. She took a quick peek at Francois to see if he noticed, but he seemed completely oblivious to it.

Cammie, however, was deeply troubled, not understanding any of her feelings. I’m in love with Francois, and I’m going to be a Countess! she chided herself again.

They exited the hotel, and went around the corner to the outdoor cafe. Jeremy followed, and sat at the table next to them. This completely unnerved Cammie, although she tried her best not to show it.

* * *

Hildy turned to Jeremy at the next table. “I didn’t get the chance to thank you last night,” she told him. “You saved my daughter from a nasty fall.”

“Well,” Jeremy replied, “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

“Are you alone?” Hildy asked him.

He looked surprised at the unexpected question. “Yes, I am,” he answered.

“You’re welcome to join us if you’d like,” she told him. It didn’t bother her a bit that this seemed to annoy Francois. In fact, she enjoyed it.

Jeremy eyed the empty chair the other side of Cammie, and rose to his feet. “Thank you,” he said, “I’d love to. It’s a bit lonely traveling alone.” He quickly gathered up his laptop computer and sat down next to Cammie. “I’m Jeremy Douglass,” he introduced himself. “I’m afraid I have the advantage. I know who you are. I’ve seen you in all of your mother’s wonderful musicals. And you must be Hilary Simone,” he said, turning to Hildy. “I’ve admired your work ever since I saw one of your musicals. How very talented you are!”

Hildy smiled with appreciation. “Thank you,” she replied. “I’m glad you enjoyed them. This is my husband, Jay Stuart, who produced them, and Peter Graff, who put them on film. And this is his wife, Jenny, and sitting beside her is our dear friend, Zack Davis.” She hesitated, then continued. “And this is Count Francois Dubonnet, Cammie’s—uh—fiancé.” She almost gagged on the word!

“Yes, I know who he is,” Jeremy said, nodding in Francois’ direction.

Francois quickly put his arm around Cammie in a gesture of possessiveness. He looked fierce. Fear was written all over his face.

He thinks Jeremy poses a threat to him! Hildy thought. Then she saw Cammie smile up at Francois. She had no trouble reading her thoughts. She’s trying to push down any feeling of attraction she has toward Jeremy! How long can she keep this up? Her hopes rose again. She looked at Zack, and their mutual glance spoke volumes as he smiled at her encouragingly.

Jeremy’s eyes were warm as he turned to Cammie. “That’s a very pretty sweater you’re wearing,” he told her.

Her face lit up at his compliment. “Thank you,” she replied. “It’s always been my favorite.”

“All those colors,” he remarked. “You’ll never get lost in a crowd.”

“I like anything that sparkles,” she confided.

“It suits your personality,” he told her.

Cammie blushed at his remark.

Francois glared at Jeremy. They were almost through breakfast when he looked at his watch. He seemed edgy as he rose from the table. “It’s time for us to go,” he told them. “My parents are expecting us for lunch. It will take close to an hour to get to the airport, and another hour or more to fly to Amboise.”

Jeremy looked disappointed. “You have to leave now?” he asked Cammie.

Cammie looked at Francois, then nodded to Jeremy. “Yes, I’m afraid so,” she told him.

Jeremy stood up. “Well, I have to leave, too. I’ve rented a car and I’ll be driving to Mont Richard.”

“I guess we won’t be seeing you again,” Cammie said, holding out her hand. There was no mistaking the disappointment in her voice. “It was nice meeting you, Jeremy. Thanks for saving me from falling.”

Hildy noticed Jeremy’s reluctance to let go of Cammie’s hand, and her heart soared again.

Jeremy extended his hand to Hildy. “Thank you for inviting me to join you,” he said. “It was nice meeting all of you.”

Francois merely nodded coolly and put his hand on Cammie’s arm, steering her in the direction of the hotel. “Let’s go,” he said impatiently. “Our limousine is waiting.”

As they walked away, Cammie looked back once or twice, but Jeremy had already disappeared. She almost stumbled, but caught herself before Francois noticed.

Their luggage was quickly loaded into the limousine and they were on their way to the airport.

CHAPTER XIII
 

When Cammie first
saw Francois’ plane, she was awestruck. The huge silver bird
sat majestically on the runway, ready to take off for
its skyward flight. It bore the impressive insignia of the
Dubonnet family crest. Cammie was overwhelmed with the magnificence of
it all, her thoughts totally eclipsing the fears she had
entertained on the plane to Paris.

The plane’s lavish interior was done completely in red and gold, and exuded a royal aura. Instead of passenger seats set up in rows with an aisle in between, there were plush loungers that swiveled and rocked, adding to the luxurious decor. Hot coffee and pastries were resting on a separate tray at each chair.

Once I’m the Countess Cameron Dubonnet I’ll be part owner of this! she exulted. As she boarded the Dubonnet plane, she held her head high in regal fashion, just as she would if she were making her entrance on stage, playing a new role. She carried herself as though she were already the Countess.

* * *

Francois entered the cockpit and started the engines as the others sat down and fastened their seat belts—all except Zack, who went forward into the cockpit with Francois.

The Count looked surprised. “Do you fly?” he asked Zack.

“I flew combat in the war,” Zack replied. “I’m curious to see how these new instruments operate.”

Francois motioned for Zack to sit in the copilot’s seat. The takeoff was smooth as they climbed into a blue, cloudless sky. As soon as they were airborne, Francois turned to Zack. “Would you like to take over the controls?” he asked.

Zack wasn’t fooled for one minute. He knew Francois was turning on the charm, trying to win him over. But he simply nodded. “Sure, why not?” he answered as he changed seats with him.

They had been flying for about forty-five minutes, and the seat belt sign was off, when Cammie came into the cockpit to see what was going on. She was surprised and delighted to see Zack seated at the controls. Oh, she thought with the hope of youth, I think he’s beginning to like Francois!

“Hi, honey,” Francois greeted her. “We’re having a good time up here, but we’re going to land shortly. You’d better go back to your seat and buckle up.”

Cammie gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and returned to the cabin.

Zack landed the plane so smoothly it was barely noticeable.

* * *

When Cammie told Hildy that Zack was flying the plane, all she could think of was the time he flew the ski plane and rescued her and Roger Fielding, when they were kidnapped by Gregory Wilcox and lost in the freezing, snowy French Alps. She shuddered at the remembrance, and all her doubts about Francois came back full force.

A limousine
was waiting to whisk them away to the Chateau in
Amboise the moment they deplaned. The ride to the Chateau
took them through typical French countryside. The colorful foliage was
nothing less than spectacular with its brilliant oranges, magentas, yellows,
and rusts. Just like home, Hildy thought. Only it’s not.
At home I felt safe.

Soon they turned into a long, winding road that led up to the Chateau, home of Francois’ parents. Stately trees shaded the path as they drove across the moat and under a covered, stone archway into a patio bright with sunlight. A beautiful fountain sat majestically in the center. Its cascading waterfall sparkled with a prism of colors in the bright sunlight.

As they drove in, the front, wooden door suddenly opened, and a very distinguished, silver haired gentleman, obviously the Count, walked out to greet them. Following him was a woman who looked every inch a Countess. She welcomed Francois as any mother would who hadn’t seen her son in some time.

“Francois!” she exclaimed as she threw her arms around him, “how good to see you!” She turned to Cammie and gave her a big smile. “This must be your beloved Cammie! He talks of nothing else,” she told her.

Hildy and Jay stood there taking it all in, not knowing if this was sincere or a big act. Hildy had the distinct impression that the Countess was a bona fide snob. Why do I feel this way? she wondered. You’re not giving her a chance!

Then she spied the guarded expression on Zack’s face, and she knew that he shared her opinion. Not only did she feel she couldn’t trust the Countess, but she sensed a certain bitterness about her that she couldn’t identify.

“You must be the famous Hildy Stuart,” she heard the Countess say as she shook her hand.

Hildy quickly recovered and smiled. “I’m glad to meet you,” she responded. “This is my husband, Jay Stuart. And our friends Jenny and Peter Graff, also a producer, and Zack Davis, a friend of the family.”

The Count, who had been standing by, stepped forward and introduced himself. “I am Count Francois I. I’m delighted to meet all of you. Please come in. Your rooms are all ready. Lunch will be served in the main dining room in one hour.”

Hildy liked him immediately. She felt a sincerity coming from him that she felt was completely lacking in the Countess. She stole a look at Zack, who responded warmly to the Count, and she knew that he also felt the Count could be trusted. Why did she feel that Francois and his mother couldn’t?

The Chateau had been recently renovated, and exuded a charm that many Chateaus they had seen didn’t have. It included all the comforts anyone could possibly imagine. The main door entered into a gracious, marbled foyer, and a staircase completely carpeted in blue led to the upstairs rooms.

To the left as they entered, a homey, yet ornate decor of sparkling crystal chandeliers and stained glass windows added to the charm. A huge fireplace at the end of the main dining room had a crackling fire that took away the chill of the Chateau, and seemed to beckon them to enter and enjoy its cozy warmth.

The butler took their luggage upstairs to their rooms, and the elder Count turned back to the guests. “Please feel right at home,” he said in a most gracious manner.

“Yes,” the Countess parroted his words, “please let us know if there’s anything we can do to make you more comfortable. Lunch will be ready shortly. Why don’t you join us here for some sherry beforehand? We’ll get better acquainted.”

“Thank you,” Hildy said, as she and Jay ascended the stairs to their room.

It was unseasonably warm for this time of the year, and when they reappeared it had been decided that lunch would be served outside at the far end of the patio.

The birds were singing, and the frogs were croaking in the nearby pond. Umbrellas were shading the tables, and to the left was a pathway for strolling, with benches where anyone could sit down and rest on the way back to the Chateau.