you last night,” Paul said. “Figured your mother would talk to me at least.”
“After all these years? It doesn’t matter.”
“But I got into some cognac. You know how that is.”
“Not really.”
“I hoped you’d be here. Among your people.”
I shrugged. “It’s a good cause.”
Another waiter came by. “Champagne?”
Paul took two flutes. “I hoped we could talk about it all.”
“That isn’t necessary. It’s been almost a decade, Paul.”
“Have you ever read one of my letters?”
“I really need to be going—”
“Aren’t you the least bit curious about my side of it?”
I took a glass from him with a shaky hand. “Not really.”
“Don’t you owe it to me? Leaving me flat?”
“If that’s how you remember it…” I said.
I watched Paul’s new wife consider a model’s scarlet shift. Had she ever tasted foie gras? How did she stay so fit in a country that frowned upon vigorous exercise?
A photographer came by. “Can I get a picture, Mr. Rodierre?”
“Why not?” Paul said.
He pulled me to him with more force than necessary, one arm around my waist. He still wore Sumare. Did his new wife like it? Impossible not to.
“Smile, Caroline. Pretend you like me.”
The flashbulb blinded us both for a second.
“Thanks, Mr. Rodierre,” the photographer said and wandered off.
“Last time we were in this room, I was in command of that stage,” Paul said.
I just nodded and pretended to be recovering my eyesight from the flash, afraid speaking would unleash a few tears.
“You’ve been tanning,” I said after a moment.
“Cannes. It was horrible. I hate all that.”
“I’m sure. So where is Rena?”
“Who knows? Last seen on the Greek island of Hydra with a young man half her age.”
“How wonderful for her.” I meant it. Rena deserved her time in the sun.
“You may have kicked me to the curb, but life did go on, Caroline. I guess I don’t make the best decisions when it comes to women.”
“Maybe give them up for Lent.”
Paul smiled. “It’s good to see you again, C. You hungry? I’m taking Leena to meet some film people. I know a little place by the Hudson—”
“Look, Paul, I obviously never really knew you. Let’s just leave it at that. Maybe remember the good things.” I turned. “I have to go.”
Paul caught my wrist. “Nothing has ever been as good as our time in New York. You ruined me for love, you know.”
“Looks like it,” I said, watching his Leena pluck a lobster canapé from a tray.
“What’s wrong with you? I’ve been through hell. You’re not the only person affected here—”
“Mon cher,” Leena called to Paul, “I’m famished.”
I really was invisible to her as she waved Paul to follow.
“Come here, darling,” Paul called to her.
Leena worked her way toward us. It had been a long night. Did I have to meet his wife?
“Oh, please, Paul. I’d rather not—”
Paul pulled his Leena to him, one arm around her waist. “Leena, I’d like you to meet—”
“Caroline Ferriday,” Leena said. “How did I not recognize you?” The girl took my hand and pulled me to her. “Of course I know you from photographs. With Helen Hayes. What was it like to be on the same stage with her?”
“Thank you, but I really must be going.”
“She runs away, Leena,” Paul said. “You need to hold on to her.”
Leena held my arm with her other hand. “Oh, please. I’ll do anything to have lunch. In Paris. The next time you’re there.”
“I’d rather not—”
“But, Father, you must convince her.”
A chill ran down my arms.
Father?
“Miss Caroline Ferriday, Leena Rodierre,” Paul said, his smile still more dangerous than ever at close range.
“Pascaline is my stage name, but do call me Leena.”
How had I not seen?
“I too played Balthazar, Miss Ferriday. My first role, just like you. Father’s told me everything about you.”
“Do call me Caroline, dear,” I said as I stared at her. Leena was a perfect mix of her parents, tall, with her father’s stage presence, no doubt. “You must have been a perfect Balthazar, Leena.”
The girl circled me in her arms and held me tight to her. The lovely child I’d found at Orphelinat Saint-Philippe. Pascaline. Born on Easter…
Pascaline released me. “Do say you’ll come to Paris, Caroline. I’m to have my first lead role. It would mean the world to have you there.”
I nodded. It was all I could do to contain the tears. She was a darling girl with her father’s charm. “Of course, dear,” I said.
“Well, we must be going,” Paul said.
“Father’s introducing me to movie people,” Leena said.
“Au revoir, Caroline.” Paul kissed me on each cheek, the