Plain Jane in the Spotlight

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE flight from Los Angeles to Paris was thirteen hours. Charlene dozed as much as she could manage, sometimes awakening to find him holding her hand. After many hours had passed they found themselves over the Atlantic.

‘Is anything more boring than flying?’ she murmured.

‘Not much,’ he agreed. ‘You just end up staring at clouds that go on endlessly.’

‘At least we’ve got this to read,’ she said, taking out the brochure of La Couronne, the magnificent hotel that was the heart of Marcel Falcon’s empire, which was where they were to stay for the next few days. The gloriously coloured pictures showed a building that was several hundred years old, originally built as a palace, home of the nobility, whose portraits were also included.

‘They were executed in the Revolution,’ Travis said. ‘The house changed hands a few times until Marcel bought it and turned it into a hotel. Last year he bought up a London hotel with the idea of duplicating La Couronne as The Crown. That’s how he met Mrs Henshaw, who turned out to be Cassie, a girl he’d been in love with eight years ago.’

‘Eight years,’ she marvelled. ‘And they found each other again after so long?’

‘It’s incredible, isn’t it? But I guess if love is real it can overcome time.’

‘That’s not all it had to overcome,’ she reminded him. ‘His clumsy proposal-without asking her first.’

Travis grinned. ‘That’ll teach him not to take any notice of me.’

‘Anyway, they got it right in the end.’

‘So much so that Marcel has created a wedding chapel in the hotel, something he always refused to do before.’

‘What about your father? Will he be there?’

‘It isn’t settled. He’s not pleased about this wedding either. He wants one of us to marry Freya, his stepdaughter, but she actually helped Cassie raise the money to buy into the business.’

‘I thought you said she raised it modelling.’

‘Some of it, yes. But Freya topped it up with a loan of money that Amos had given her to provide a dowry. He hoped she’d use it to entice Marcel. Instead, she used it to see him married to someone else. According to Marcel, Amos is still seething.’

‘Did you never talk to him again after he called from the airport?’

‘No. I might as well not exist as far as he’s concerned. The last time I saw him was almost a year ago, in Monte Carlo, where he lives for tax reasons. He had a heart attack and we all went there to be with him, in case it was the last time.’

‘But he recovered, and you had the chance to talk to him.’

‘Yes,’ Travis said wryly. ‘The chief thing I remember is him grunting, “Don’t give up. You can still do better.”’

‘I suppose that’s a kind of encouragement.’

‘He didn’t want to encourage me. Quite the reverse. He wanted me to get a “serious job”. He’s not going to change now. I just hope he’s there and we can meet cordially.’

They started the descent. She looked down with fascination as Paris came into view below them. Whatever else happened, there were things about this trip that she was going to enjoy.

When they had reclaimed their bags Travis looked around. Suddenly his face lit up.

‘Marcel!’

There at the barrier a tall man in his thirties was waving eagerly. Beside him was a truly beautiful young woman, whom Charlene recognised as the glamour model in the magazine.

Their meeting was joyful. Marcel thumped his brother’s shoulders and was thumped in return before everyone calmed down for the introductions.

Charlene never forgot her first sight of Paris. It was a glorious day, with the city showing at its glamorous best as they made their way to La Couronne. From the outside, the hotel still looked like a palace. Inside, it presented a traditional appearance, but beneath the surface was every modern convenience.

A man with a faint resemblance to Marcel was waiting on the huge stone stairway that led up to the hotel entrance. This must be Darius, Charlene thought, watching him greet Travis.

‘Let’s leave the three of them to talk,’ Cassie said. ‘I’ll show you to your suite.’

Of course they had put them together, Charlene realised. To have asked for separate rooms when they were known to be living together would have invited suspicion.

‘You’re all on the same floor,’ Cassie explained. ‘Darius and Harriet have rooms just along the corridor, Jackson’s around the corner, then Leonid, and over here is for Amos and his wife, and Freya.’

‘If they come,’ Charlene said wryly.

‘I’m crossing my fingers. It will make Marcel very sad if Amos snubs him.’

They were accommodated in a grandiose suite, dominated by a double bed so huge that the occupants could hardly be described as sleeping together. Cassie showed her out onto the balcony, from where they could see a cab drawing up to the entrance and a young woman descend.

‘That’s Freya,’ Cassie said. ‘And she’s alone. Freya! Up here!’

But no Amos, Charlene thought with sinking heart. She knew a spurt of anger at the thought of Travis’s disappointment.

I’m being absurd, she reproved herself. It’s Marcel who’s being rejected, not Travis.

But she knew that he would feel it the most.

Freya and Cassie greeted each other as old friends, reminding Charlene that Freya had helped raise the money for the hotel investment. She was a brisk, efficient young woman, attractive without being glamorous. She and Charlene took to each other at once.

‘Why are you here alone?’ Cassie asked. ‘Aren’t Amos and your mother coming?’

‘I hope so. I left them arguing about it. Amos is still displeased with me for helping Marcel to marry you, but he doesn’t rule my life, and so I told him.’

‘Good for you,’ Cassie said at once, adding wickedly to Charlene, ‘You want to watch out. He’ll be trying to marry Freya to Travis next.’

Freya winked. ‘Don’t worry. Travis doesn’t interest me.’

‘It wouldn’t bother me if he did,’ Charlene said, laughing. ‘Be my guest. He’s all yours.’

‘Excuse me,’ said a voice from the door. ‘Did I hear that right?’

Travis was standing there, clearly enjoying the joke. Freya threw herself into his arms with a delighted cry.

‘Trust you to come in at the wrong moment,’ Cassie observed.

He gave a melodramatic sigh. ‘Don’t worry, I’m used to rejection. Freya, it’s lovely to see you.’

There came a noise from the corridor outside. Cassie and Freya dashed out, crying, ‘Leonid, Jackson!’ followed by Travis.

Charlene followed more slowly and received a surprise at the sight of the two men. One she recognised as Jackson Falcon, whom she’d often seen on television, fronting nature programmes. The other man bore such a strong resemblance to Travis that it was startling. He had the same lean features, generous mouth and dark eyes. The difference lay in the atmosphere that clung to him. Travis’s air was light-hearted and charming. Leonid Falcon carried a brooding melancholy that seemed to come from a darker world.

He greeted everyone with quiet courtesy, speaking in a heavily accented voice, but then seemed to stand back, watching with cautious eyes.

Now Marcel and Darius were there, revving up spirits for the evening ahead.

‘We’re going to have a great party,’ Marcel announced. ‘It’s too long since we all saw each other, and we’re going to make the most of it.’

A cheer went up. The fun had started.

The family dined together. Charlene got on especially well with Harriet, Darius’s bride from the island of Herringdean.

‘Everyone wants to meet you,’ she said, plumping down beside her and offering a glass of wine. ‘The girl who’s won Travis’s heart.’

Charlene made a laughing reply, but the words, If only, flitted through her brain.

‘You know, of course, how Marcel nearly ruined his own chances when Darius and I got married,’ Harriet added.

‘By taking my cue from my daft brother,’ Marcel put in, joining them.

‘Don’t blame me,’ Travis protested, appearing behind him. ‘It was the character, a virtuous, magical being, not me. Some people can’t tell the difference.’

‘Nonsense. I could tell the difference between you and a virtuous being without any trouble,’ Marcel declared, and a cheer went up from the others.

This was what Travis had secretly yearned for all his life, Charlene thought; the support and cheerful companionship of people who were linked to him by unbreakable ties. She felt a glow of pleasure in the happiness he must be feeling.

La Couronne prided itself on being international. English and American newspapers were on sale, and the guests could receive television channels in several languages. So it wasn’t a surprise when a pile of papers on a low table turned out to contain a showbiz publication, sporting the headline Who Will Be The Man From Heaven?

‘Why, that’s my brother, of course,’ Darius declared with mock indignation. ‘Nobody else need apply.’

Amid laughter, he read out a highly coloured piece about the rivalry between Travis Falcon and Alaric Lanley, phrased to make it sound as though the two were at each other’s throats.

‘“Both great stars,”’ Darius read, ‘“both poised to seize the next huge chance and brook no opposition, both ready to explode in the firmament. The entertainment world watches breathless as these two giants fight it out.”’

Cheers, laughter. Then sudden silence. Everyone looked up to see a man and woman standing in the doorway.

The man was in his seventies, tall, white-haired, with features that were stern and uncompromising. He stood looking around at the gathering, as though their silence was a tribute that he accepted as natural.

Amos Falcon.

‘Good evening,’ he said.

Charlene had seen his picture in newspapers, but in the flesh he was different, more vibrant, more-she fought for the words-more menacing.

It was easy to believe that he’d made enemies, fought them, crushed them, seldom been defeated. Formidable as a foe, perhaps formidable as a friend, certainly formidable as a father.

At the sight of Travis he nodded, speaking gruffly but cordially. ‘Glad to see you. Wasn’t sure you’d make the journey, such a distance.’

‘You don’t think I’d let Marcel tie the knot without being there to chuck things at him, do you?’ Travis grinned.

Then Amos did something that took everyone by surprise. Laying a hand on his son’s shoulder, he said, ‘Just make sure your aim is good.’

The others looked at each other, startled. Amos had actually made a joke, and with his least favourite son. Whatever was the world coming to?

To cap it all, when he made his way to a seat it was Travis he urged to come with him.

‘Haven’t seen you in a long time, except on television, of course. Can’t get away from you there.’

‘Sorry if that bothers you,’ Travis said, knowing Amos had never been a fan of his career.

But his father surprised him again.

‘Doesn’t bother me. Good to see you doing well. Show business is like anything else. If you climb high you become somebody. There’s profit to be had.’

‘I think I’m beginning to understand this,’ Harriet murmured. ‘Somebody’s told Poppa Falcon that Travis’s career prospects have suddenly leapt up to the heights.’

‘Right,’ Cassie agreed. ‘It’s one thing to have a TV series, but quite another to be a big film star.’

‘But does he know anything about film stars?’ Charlene asked. ‘I wouldn’t think he acknowledged their existence.’

‘I think I may be responsible for that,’ Freya said with a laugh. ‘I’ve always been a big fan of Alaric Lanley.’

‘I’m not surprised. He’s gorgeous.’ Harriet sighed.

Darius glanced up. ‘Did you say something?’

‘Not a thing,’ she told him cheekily. ‘Never mind me. Go back to making money.’

‘Yes, dear.’

For a moment his severe aspect faded and he exchanged a conspiratorial smile with his wife that revealed a hidden world beneath their conventional exteriors.

How lucky they are, Charlene thought. Would it ever be the same for herself and Travis? They exchanged many smiles, even spoke with affection, but there was still a barrier that they hadn’t brought down.

‘Amos saw me reading stuff about Lanley,’ Freya continued, ‘and he started looking through it. That’s how he discovered how big he is, how much money he’s making, how he can take his pick of the roles.’

‘Ah, I see,’ Harriet murmured. ‘So when he discovered that Travis was challenging him and was expected to win, suddenly Travis looked different.’

‘Someone he might actually be proud of,’ Charlene added. ‘Even boast about.’

‘And who’d make an amount of money that even Amos would have to take seriously,’ Cassie added.

The three women nodded solemnly.

At last Travis drew his father in Charlene’s direction.

‘Father, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.’

Amos knew her at once, she realised. Clearly he’d been following the press reports and needed nobody to tell him who she was or what part she played in Travis’s public persona. He looked her up and down, nodding in a satisfied way. After that he spared her few words. If she’d been concerned for herself she might have been offended, but she cared only how this affected Travis, so she said what was necessary and retreated to leave him with his father.

The other women did the same, drifting to the far end of the room for a final coffee before bed.

‘They’ll probably talk all night,’ Harriet muttered. ‘I need a good sleep to get ready for tomorrow, and I’m sure Cassie does.’

‘What about poor Charlene?’ Cassie said. ‘She must be so jet-lagged after that long flight.’

Yet, far from being jet-lagged, she felt vibrantly alive. At this moment she badly wanted to be with Travis, but she knew he would probably be a long time. At least, she hoped so. The longer Amos kept him there the better.

They were joined by Janine, Amos’s current wife and Freya’s mother. Charlene liked her at once, especially when she gave a humorous account of how she’d persuaded her husband to attend the wedding.

‘He snubbed Darius’s wedding. If he’d snubbed this one too he’d have looked ridiculous. Amos couldn’t bear that.’

‘He can’t snub them all just because they don’t marry me.’ Freya chuckled. ‘He’ll run out of sons to snub. Silly man.’

‘Don’t let him hear you say that,’ her mother warned. ‘He’s very fond of you. That’s why he wants you in the family. But there’s only Jackson and Leonid left, so you’d better make a choice soon.’

Freya glanced over to the corner, where Jackson and Leonid could both be seen.

‘Perhaps I’ve already made it,’ she said mysteriously.

They began to drift away. Charlene gave Travis a wave, then flapped her hand, indicating for him to go back to his father. He smiled.

She was feeling good as she went up to their suite. There she had a shower, donned a nightdress and settled down to watch television. By mysterious luck one channel had just begun to show The Man From Heaven with French subtitles, which she enjoyed enormously.

‘Something funny?’ Travis asked, coming in a couple of hours later and finding her laughing.

‘You,’ she said, pointing at the screen. ‘There’s no getting away from you, is there?’

He grinned. ‘My father said something like that, but he actually seemed to think it might be a good thing.’

‘It’s really going well, isn’t it?’

‘Well, he’s listening to what I say, which makes a change.’

‘I’m so happy for you.’ She threw herself back on the bed. ‘Oh, it was a great night, even before he came. A real family occasion!’

‘You mean with my brothers sending me up something rotten?’ he said, grinning.

‘Yes, exactly. That’s what families do, send each other up rotten, but still be there for each other.’ She was helping him undress and hanging up his clothes.

‘Isn’t it lovely that your father’s here?’ she remarked.

‘It’s good for Marcel that he didn’t snub him,’ Travis conceded slowly.

‘And you?’

‘And me, yes. But-’ he dropped down beside her and gently brushed the hair back from her forehead ‘-right this minute-’

‘You know I’m here if you need me.’

‘I do need you. You know that. You point the way for me, and somehow it always turns out to be the right way. I’m only afraid-’ he stopped uneasily ‘-I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong idea now.’

‘How have I done that?’

‘This suite. I should have asked you first but I didn’t tell them to put us together, they just assumed. Everyone thinks…I’m sorry if I’ve put you in an awkward position.’

She had hoped for much from this night, but now she sensed that emotionally he was backing away again, reminding her how shocked he’d been at the suggestion of marriage. But she concealed her disappointment.

‘How have you put me in an awkward position?’ she demanded. ‘Everyone knows we’re living under the same roof in Los Angeles. This was bound to happen. Now stop talking like a Victorian parson and come to bed, because the jet lag has caught up with me and I’m about to zonk out.’

‘Me too,’ he said, getting in beside her. ‘As long as you’re not offended.’

‘Go to sleep!’

Next morning they were up early to prepare for the wedding. All around them they could hear the family in the other suites and sometimes outside in the corridor, where Freya was having a lively argument with her mother.

‘If you really want to please your father, the answer’s simple,’ Charlene said as lightly as she could manage. ‘Just marry Freya.’

He was sitting on the bed. Now he put his head on one side, seeming to consider.

‘Really?’ he mused. ‘I don’t think so. The fact is-I’d rather marry you.’

She hoped he didn’t hear the little gasp that burst from her. She knew he didn’t really want to marry her. She’d been prepared for rejection, polite excuses as to why their relationship could go no further. This sudden reversal sent a jolt through her like a burst of lightning, but she controlled herself, assumed a smile, then her most cheerful tone to say, ‘I’m serious.’

‘So am I,’ he said.

‘No, you’re not. It’s one of your daft jokes. I blame Jackson. The pair of you are like a couple of school kids.’

‘Then obviously I need a good teacher to keep me in line. But I take it you don’t fancy the job.’

‘I don’t think I’d be up to it. It would take more than me to keep you in line.’

‘No, just you. You’re the only one who’s ever come close. Even Mom admits that.’

‘Oh, she wants to hand over the job of being your mother, does she? Thus freeing her for a succession of toy boys.’

His smile almost made her heart turn over. ‘Something like that.’

She could hardly breathe. Beneath the teasing atmosphere, something serious was happening.

‘Well?’ he murmured.

‘Well…the fact is…I’m not sure I’m up to the job.’

‘You mean you don’t think you could put up with me?’

‘Maybe yes, maybe no. I never rush big decisions.’

‘Then take your time.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘We’ll talk again later.’

He vanished into the shower, leaving her stunned, not only by him but by herself.

Why hadn’t she leapt at his offer of marriage? She loved him deeply. She wanted nothing more than to be with him for the rest of her life.

But his own feelings fell short of hers. That was the fact that she must face. He’d asked her because he’d decided to take Joe’s advice. His career was going well. His relationship with Amos was going well, and he wanted to consolidate everything by making a sensible marriage to a woman who could care for him as no other woman could.

The temptation was fierce. Seize the chance. Make the best of it. What else does life offer?

If possible, she would have dismissed her sensible side, but it hammered on her brain for admittance, reminding her how devastating was the decision she must make.

To marry him, knowing that her feelings were far greater than his, and his merely practical affection could never reach the heights of her passionate adoration. Or refuse him, walk away, knowing she had left this vulnerable man at the mercy of what life would do to him.

Nonsense! This is a grown man. He doesn’t need you to protect him.

But he does.

OK, so he marries you and you give him the children he wants. He’s grateful and affectionate, and for a while everything is lovely. But then he gets infatuated with some sexy little bimbo. Maybe he won’t leave you, but will he be faithful to you?

I don’t know.

Yes, you do. Admit it.

I don’t know!