Page 21 of All the Gossip from Paris
And she was gone.
As the elevator hurried to the lobby, Liam thought long about Sophie’s parting words. It was clear that last night hadn’t been as special for her as it had been for him.
Maybe she was right. Maybe last night was, for want of a better word, a mistake. One they wouldn’t ever seek to repeat. Liam would just have to deal with that.
He took comfort in knowing that it would probably be a long time, if ever, before he encountered Sophie Royal again.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The Really Big Space
Later that afternoon.
The applause was deafening. Camille’s fashion runway show was an outstanding success. A super proud Sophie wiped away tears. Of all the people in the room she knew better than most just how much today meant to her twin. The long, hard hours which Camille had worked to make her New York Fashion Week debut a reality had finally paid off.
Even their usually stoic parents François and Marina, were loudly applauding the show. Seated on the side of the runway next to them, Sophie snuck a peek at her father. Yes, that was a smile on his face.
Well there you go, miracles do happen.
The cheers grew louder. Sophie’s attention shifted from her father to the runway stage. Something was happening.
Ryan had appeared from out of the cluster of models and was making his way down to where Camille stood. As her sister’s personal assistant, he’d been heavily involved in creating and coordinating the show. It was nice to see one of the people who worked so tirelessly behind the scenes, actually getting some public acknowledgement.
See Papa, it’s not just the designer getting all the recognition. I wish you understood that your success is because of the efforts of many others.
As if he’d heard her silent plea, François Royal got to his feet. Ryan bowed to him, and her father nodded his acknowledgement.
What was going on?
Ryan then took something out of his jacket pocket. Sophie peered hard at it. It was a small glass slipper. The theme of the show had been Cinderella in the City. It was probably just one of the props, and he wanted to show Camille.
But why now? It didn’t make sense.
As if a giant hand had hit the mute button on the real world a sudden hush fell over the crowd. Ryan dropped down on one knee. Sophie’s hand went to her mouth.
Of course she’d been hoping this was going to happen, and soon. But she’d never imagined it would be here in front of all these people.
Oh my god. Oh my god. He’s going to …
“Camille Royal, will you do me the greatest of honors and agree to be my wife?”
Tears clouded Sophie’s vision, as Camille gave a croaky emotion filled reply.
“Oui. I mean, yes.”
Pandemonium erupted in the room. People were cheering. People were crying. Her parents moved to embrace one another.
And in the middle of the insanity stood Camille and Ryan, wrapped up in one another’s arms. The newly engaged parents-to-be. They really had taken the Cinderella happily ever after theme to its perfect conclusion.
Liam was blind-sided by his brother’s unexpected marriage proposal to Camille. It hurt to know that Ryan hadn’t felt he could trust him with that secret.
Standing at the end of the runway, camera in hand, it took a moment for Liam to regain his composure. When he did, he started snapping pictures of the newly engaged couple.
It was only an hour or so later, long after the crowd had finally dispersed that the future impact of his brother’s engagement dawned on him. With Ryan and Camille now set to wed, it meant he’d be seeing Sophie Royal again.
Her ready acceptance of his request for them to keep last night a secret now made sense. Had she known that Ryan was going to propose to Camille?
He looked for Sophie, but she was nowhere to be seen. The Royal family, along with Camille and Ryan were still mingling and chatting. Someone made mention of there being an impromptu engagement celebration at the Royal Resorts Manhattan hotel. The same hotel he and Sophie had stayed at last night.
