Page 14 of All the Gossip from Paris (Royal Fashion #2)
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
As she entered the dining room that morning Sophie immediately noted the absence of the groom-to-be. Since arriving in France a month or so earlier Ryan had become a permanent fixture at the chateau’s breakfast table.
This morning it was only Camille and their mother. Marina was sitting pen in hand, ticking off things in her wedding planner. The thick floral journal was rarely seen out of her hands these days.
Heaven knows what Mama will do with herself once this wedding is over.
“Where’s Ryan?” asked Sophie. She headed over to the nearby sideboard which was laid out with various breakfast pastries, and hot beverages. The first order of the day was a strong cup of coffee.
Camille glanced up from her Pain aux Raisins. “Ryan’s parents and his brother, Liam, are arriving this morning from New York. He’s gone into the city to meet them. They’re staying in central Paris at the Royal Resorts hotel until they fly home after the wedding.”
Sophie put the coffee pot down. The mere mention of Liam’s name had set her hands trembling. She took a moment to steady her nerves.
By the time she eventually sat in her usual place at the table, Sophie had managed to school her features into an expression of polite disinterest. She could only pray that the mask held.
In the weeks following her brief visit to New York, she’d tried hard not to think about Liam.
To forget about what had happened that night.
But when it came to the heavily tattooed, penis pierced older Collins brother, not thinking about him was easier said than done.
Especially when she lay alone in her bed at night and he was all she could think about.
I am a fool. It’s impossible not to think about him.
Before parting, they’d agreed to pretend that nothing had happened. They were just friends.
What Sophie hadn’t counted on, was the lingering effect which Liam had on her. She’d thought she’d be able to walk away without looking back. Three months later, and she still hadn’t stopped looking back.
At least she’d finally come up with a plan.
In the lead up to her sister’s big day, she would remain busy helping with the wedding preparations. At the wedding reception, she’d blend into the throng of relatives and friends. How hard could it be to hide in a crowd of four hundred people?
And if she was really lucky, the only time she’d have to see Liam was at the actual wedding service. At worst that would be a couple of hours. Between then and when he got back on a plane to go home, she’d do everything to stay well out of his way.
Out of sight. Out of mind. Out of temptation’s way.
Thank heavens the Collins family wouldn’t be staying at the chateau. That thought then begged the obvious question. “Why aren’t the Collins staying here Mama?” asked Sophie. As the family of the groom she’d assumed they would be, rather than staying in the city.
Marina closed up her wedding planning journal, and let out a tired sigh.
“Because by this time tomorrow the house will be full of rowdy Royals from all over the globe. Your father and I don’t want Ryan’s parents feeling overwhelmed on their first trip to Paris.
You know how the cousins get when they are all under the one roof.
I decided that the Royal Suite at the Royal Resorts hotel would be a much nicer place for them. ”
Sophie couldn’t fault her mother’s logic. Once the Italian and Greek members of the family arrived at the chateau, things were likely to get loud and busy. If the Collins family felt intimidated by the antics of several dozen members of the billionaire clan, they might not want to visit again.
It wasn’t hard to figure out why Marina was at such pains to ensure that the American side of the Camille/Ryan marriage felt comfortable with visiting the Royal family in France.
Her mother was hedging her bets. If the Collins were happy, then it would make future family gatherings easier, and Marina would get to see her grandchild more often.
“Brenda and Pete have never been to Paris before, so it makes sense for them to get the chance to see the sights of the city before the wedding. If they are staying in the city, then they can walk to most places. Though of course they will have use of a private car,” added Camille.
Their mother was planning this wedding with meticulous precision. From the second Ryan had put an engagement ring on Camille’s finger, Marina had launched into planning and then executing her grand strategy.
Three days from now, there would be four hundred guests in the main ballroom of the chateau. Marina was going to great lengths to ensure that Camille and Ryan’s wedding was the highlight of the year for Parisian high society. The wedding hostess was leaving nothing to chance.
Sophie took a sip of her coffee. “Is there anything I can do to help today, Mama?” There was a small army of assistants and catering staff already swarming over the chateau, but it didn’t hurt to ask.
“Well now that you mention it. I was thinking it would be nice for you to call in later this morning, and see how our American guests are settling in. I know Ryan has plans to take his parents to see a few of the tourist sights, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. He mentioned that his brother has already been to Paris on several occasions, so perhaps you could spend some time with Liam. Make him feel welcome.”
“That would be amazing if you could do that for us Sophie. Ryan and I want to make sure his family has the best time while they are here. I think Liam was still hoping to get some photographic assignments during haute couture week. Perhaps you could work closely with him on that,” added Camille.
The sly smile which tugged at the corner of her sister’s mouth set alarm bells ringing off in Sophie’s head.
Her sister knew she and Liam were already acquainted, but Camille couldn’t possibly know how close they’d become that night in New York.
Could she?
Fuck. Fuck. Merde. Fuck.
“Oh. I was thinking I could go help Papa in the atelier. I’m sure he has work for me,” replied Sophie.
She’d rather not spend the day with the man who’d given her the best orgasms in her entire life. Keeping up the pretense that he hadn’t rocked her world was something she wasn’t sure she could do.
“No. Your father is busy putting the final touches to Camille’s wedding gown. He has given strict instructions that he’s not to be disturbed this morning,” replied her mother.
It was worth a try.
Sophie was fresh out of luck. “Alright. I will text Ryan and see when his family has arrived at the hotel. I’m sure they will want some time to rest up after the flight from America.”
If she was clever and dragged her feet, it might mean she would only have to spend a couple of hours with Liam. Surely, she could resist him for that long.
God, I hope so. Or this could be a super uncomfortable day.
Sophie rose from the table. She didn’t trust herself not to offer any more assistance to her mother. People pleasers were fools when it came to limits on what they would do for others. It was a lesson she’d promised herself time and time again that she would one day learn and make stick.
She had just set foot into the hallway when Camille tapped her on the shoulder.
“Are you alright?” asked Camille.
Sophie paused for a moment, then spun round. “Yes. I’ll just go take Rollo for his morning walk. Then I’ll check in with Ryan before I head into the city,” she replied.
Her daily walk along the River Seine with the family dog was one of her few precious moments of solitude and peace. It was rare for anyone to want to accompany her, and Sophie was more than fine with that arrangement.
There were few secrets between the two sisters. The fact that she’d kept quiet about what had happened between her and Liam for the past three months, weighed heavily on Sophie’s conscience.
“Are you sure you’re ok with playing host to Liam? I noticed you seemed a bit reluctant when Mama asked. The two of you got along fine in New York, didn’t you?”
She was tempted to tell her sister. To spill the tea on some of what had transpired on her trip to the US in September.
I really should say something. Then again that might be an incredibly stupid thing to do. Cami is getting married in a matter of days—now is probably not the time to be telling her that I slept with her future brother in law.
She wasn’t entirely sure how her sister or Ryan would react to hearing the news that their siblings had hooked up. Sophie had seen enough rom com movies to know these sorts of things had a nasty habit of ruining weddings.
Better to keep my mouth shut. Stick to the agreement that Liam and I struck. Keep what happened between us a secret.
“Of course Liam and I got on well. I owe him for taking me out that night in New York. Once I’m finished with Rollo, I’ll go to the hotel. I’ll see if Liam wants to visit some of the places where the various fashion week events are held.”
The relieved smile which sat on Camille’s face put paid to any thoughts of telling her about New York. Her heavily pregnant sister had enough things to deal with right now.
What was the thing they always said about Las Vegas? Oh yes. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Wise words indeed.
Sophie brushed a hand on her sister’s arm. “And what are your plans for today, Cami? Papa must be close to being finished with your gown for the wedding reception.” She was eager to change the subject.
Her sister rolled her eyes. “I have another fitting. He is being insufferable. Says the fabric has to drape perfectly, and the drop to the floor must look flawless.” She rubbed her hand over her pregnant belly and softly laughed.
“I have tried to explain to him that I’m not the usual size of the clients that he fits gowns for, but you know Papa. He won’t be told.”
Sophie snorted a laugh. She could just imagine her father stubbornly working on Camille’s wedding gown, determined that it was going to yield to his command.
Details of the dress were being kept tightly under wraps. No one, not even the mother of the bride, had been allowed to see it. Only Camille and Francois knew what she would be wearing at the wedding reception.
“Well enjoy your fitting. I’m going to go find Rollo, then head into Paris.”
A long walk along the river would give her an hour or so to come up with a sensible strategy for dealing with Liam. Hopefully he would be too busy thinking about securing some gigs for Haute Couture Week to be all that bothered with her.
Because if Liam was feeling half as nervous about seeing her again, as Sophie was about seeing him, they were both in for a super awkward day.
This was not how their little mistake was designed to have played itself out. She wasn’t supposed to give a damn about him. Their encounter was meant to have been just about sex.
But as she made her way toward the nearest door, a knot of dread began to form in Sophie’s stomach. All her plans for playing it uber cool with Liam Collins were slowly unravelling.