Three Weeks in Paris by Barbara Taylor Bradford Page B

this. In fact, none of the older females in the family let the two of them forget that they were in dereliction of their duty.
    Their elder brother, Sergio, who would be thirty-four the following week, had been married and divorced and was childless. Obviously, he was beyond the pale as far asthe grandmothers were concerned; mostly this was because of his marital history, his taste for the fast track and flashy women.
    Sergio was the heir apparent. But Maria knew that Fabrizio was the true favorite in the family. And she fully understood why. He was the best-looking. Tall, blue-eyed, and blond, he was a true Franconi in appearance, while she and Sergio were dark and took after the Rodolfos. Furthermore, Fabrizio was the smartest, the brightest, and he worked the hardest. Without even trying, he endeared himself to everyone. Even strangers quickly fell under his spell.
    No blots on his page, she thought, smiling inwardly. Fabrizio was the star, and she did not resent this one bit. She loved and admired her brother more than anyone in the world. And she trusted him implicitly. He had two characteristics she put great store in: honor and integrity.
    ————
    TEN MINUTES LATER , Fabrizio stood leaning against the doorjamb of her kitchen, watching her as she finished cooking, sipping a glass of red wine, looking nonchalant.
    He was filling her in about his trip, and she turned and smiled at him, glowing inside when he told her that it was her revamping and updating of their famous Renaissance Collection that was making such a difference to the company.
    “The reorders are tremendous, Maria,” he explained. “And so I toast you, little one, for designing a line that has been such an extraordinary success.” He raised his glass.
    Picking up her own goblet of red wine, she touched it to his. “Thank you, Fab. And won’t Grandfather be surprised? He was so against my ideas.” She laughed delightedly. “I can’t wait to see his face when you tell him.”
    “Neither can I. Not only that, the customers were really singing your praises. They like what you have done with some of the other older styles as well. I told them I would be showing them a whole new line next season. A line not based on any of the company’s standards.”
    “You did?” She stared at him, her dark eyes holding his.
    “Yes. And so I am looking to you, Maria, to produce a collection that bears
only
your signature.”
    “That’s quite a challenge! I’ll try.” She paused for a moment. “Fabrizio …?”
    “Yes?” He stared at her alertly, detecting a new note in her voice. “You sound excited.”
    “I am. I got an invitation last week to go to Anya’s eighty-fifth birthday party in Paris.”
    Fabrizio stiffened slightly, although he endeavored to disguise this, and his face did not change when he asked as casually as possible, “And when is this party?”
    “Early June.”
    “I see.… ” He let his voice trail off noncommittally, wanting to hear what else she had to say.
    “I’m going, of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ve already sent in the reply card, accepting, and I plan to stay for two or three weeks.”
    Her brother frowned. “Two or three weeks!” he exclaimed, and looked at her askance. “Whatever for?” This announcement
had
surprised him.
    “Because I love Paris, and I want to have my summer holiday there.”
    “But we always go to the house in Capri in the summer.”
    “Not this year … at least I won’t be going.”
    “
They
won’t like it.”
    “I don’t care. I’m twenty-nine, almost thirty years old, and I think I can spend a vacation alone for a change. Don’t you?”
    “But, yes, of course, you’re an adult.” He smiled at her gently, decided to say no more, and swallowed the rest of his wine without further comment.
    Later, after dinner, he would have to tell her she could not go to Paris. He dreaded the thought.

CHAPTER TEN
    MARIA WATCHED HER BROTHER SURREPTITIOUSLY, PLEASED