Christmas in Paris (33 page)

“That's wonderful, what a gorgeous ring,” Isabel gasped, admiring the emerald-cut diamond on a platinum band. “When is the wedding?”

“We don't have a date yet, Édouard wants a long engagement.” Bettina hesitated. “I quite agree, it will take months to pick out my dress. I already set up showings in Milan and New York.”

“We are happy for you.” Alec shook Édouard's hand. “We'll have to open a bottle of Château Lafite Rothschild from our father's cellar to celebrate.”

A couple walked over to them, and Isabel recognized Mathieu's light brown hair and angular nose. His wife wore a black dress over her rounded stomach and a diamond bracelet.

“This is a scene that would warm the heart of any estate attorney,” Mathieu said. “Marriages and births do bring families together.”

“We weren't sure if you could make it.” Alec clapped Mathieu on the shoulder. “It's an impossible night to get a taxi and I didn't think Helene would take the metro in her condition.”

“We wouldn't miss it,” Mathieu laughed. “Next year we'll be spending New Year's Eve surrounded by baby bottles and those jumpy things you attach to the doorway.” He sipped his champagne. “I tried to install it yesterday and almost brought down the plaster ceiling.”

Isabel saw the maître d' motioning to her and smiled. “I think we should be seated. Chef Jean-Paul is very particular. He won't be pleased if we let his spinach gnocchi get cold.”

The guests sat on embroidered high-backed chairs and waiters served green asparagus soup topped with sour cream. There were platters of milk-fed lamb and risotto with chanterelle mushrooms. Isabel ate breast of duckling with black currants and thought she had never tasted anything so delicious.

“It's proper etiquette for the groom to make a toast at the engagement dinner,” Alec said when the main courses had been replaced by sponge cake and chocolate tarts and slices of Emmental cheese. Demitasses held Turkish coffee, and there were silver bowls of licorice ice cream.

“The last time I spoke at a dinner party, I embarrassed everyone by thanking an imaginary dog. I swore I'd never put myself in the same position, but then I met Isabel. Somehow it's not as frightening to stand up here tonight.” He glanced at Claudia. “Though I might still be afraid of a few things, like parasailing on a Spanish island. I don't want to leave the people I love a moment too soon.

“Many of you know Isabel, but those who don't are in for a treat. She's the most beautiful and genuine woman I ever met and I can't believe she said yes.” He paused. “Now I'm going to do the intelligent thing and turn the evening over to my fiancée. She can express our gratitude better than I can.”

Isabel stood up and brushed a tear from her eye. She glanced at the candles flickering in the gold candelabra and took a deep breath.

“A short time ago I sat in my mother's kitchen and said I thought I'd never find the man to marry. She replied this wasn't the nineteenth century and I'm not Jane Austen. You only get married if you discover the person you can't live without.” She looked at Alec. “When I met Alec, I finally understood what she meant. He's warm and kind and I'm the luckiest girl in the world.” She paused. “We can't thank you enough for coming. Being happy is wonderful, but sharing your happiness with the people you love is the best thing in life.” She fiddled with her earrings. “And I have to thank Gus. He may be imaginary, but he's brought joy and hope to children all over the world.” Her face broke into a smile. “I can't wait to read his next adventure.”

Alec kissed her and everyone clapped. Isabel heard a clock chime midnight and inhaled the scent of French perfume and dark chocolate. She gazed out the window at a light snow falling on the Place de la Concorde and wondered how anyone could be so happy. She kissed him back and knew she was exactly where she belonged.

 

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Melissa Flashman, my agent, and Lauren Jablonski, my editor, for being the best two people I could hope to work with. Thank you to my publicist, Staci Burt, for tirelessly getting my books into the world. And thank you to the whole team at St. Martin's Press: Karen Masnica and Laura Clark in marketing, Danielle Fiorella for her wonderful cover, and always to Jennifer Enderlin and Jennifer Weis.

This book is a little magical, so I want to thank the people who add magic to my life, my family: my husband, Thomas; my children, Alex, Andrew, Heather, Madeleine, and Thomas; and my daughter-in-law, Lisa.

 

Discussion Questions

  1. Isabel calls off her wedding to Neil three days before the ceremony because they can't agree on anything. Do you think she is doing the right thing or should she have tried to work things out?

  2. Isabel is pragmatic in her career, but entrusts her romantic future to a fortune-teller. Have you ever done something that seems to be the opposite of who you are? If so, how did it turn out?

  3. Alec doesn't tell Isabel about his mother's situation because he doesn't want to air the family's dirty laundry. Do you agree with his decision or should he have confided in Isabel?

  4. What are your thoughts on Bettina? Does she deserve sympathy because her mother abandoned her or is her behavior unforgivable?

  5. Isabel has been dreaming of going to Paris on her honeymoon since she was a girl. What is your dream honeymoon destination and why?

  6. Paris is almost another character in the novel. Can you imagine the story being set anywhere else? If so, where?

  7. Isabel meets Rory when she is very young and is instantly attracted to him. Do you think that colored her actions and have you ever had a relationship based on physical attraction?

  8. Alec is somewhat insecure even though he is good-looking and charming. What do you think is the cause? Bettina or his unique career or something else?

  9. Alec and Celine had a fraught relationship. Do you think they would have gotten married if Celine hadn't left in the beginning?

10. Describe the role that fate plays in the story. Do you believe that “things happen for a reason”?

 

St. Martin's Griffin

 

ALSO BY
ANITA HUGHES

Santorini Sunsets

Island in the Sea

Rome in Love

French Coast

Lake Como

Market Street

Monarch Beach

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anita Hughes
is the author of
Christmas in Paris, Santorini Sunsets, Island in the Sea, Rome in Love, French Coast, Lake Como, Market Street,
and
Monarch Beach
. She attended UC Berkeley's Masters in Creative Writing Program and lives in Dana Point, California, where she is at work on her next novel. Visit
www.anitahughesbooks.com
for more information. Or sign up for email updates
here
.

    

 

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Contents

Title Page

Copyright Notice

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Acknowledgments

Discussion Questions

About the Author

Also by Anita Hughes

Copyright

 

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

CHRISTMAS IN PARIS.
Copyright © 2016 by Anita Hughes. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.stmartins.com

Cover design by Danielle Fiorella

Cover photographs: Christmas wreath © Photastic / Shutterstock; Eiffel Tower in Paris © Ilona Ignatova / Shutterstock; window in Paris © Radius Images / Offset