Danielle Steel - Zoya

“We haven't told them yet. But they seem to like him.” She told her about the drive to Long Island. It had truly been a whirlwind romance. They had only known each other for a few weeks, and yet Zoya knew that he was a good man, and she also knew that she loved him.

He stopped by at the shop that afternoon, and brought flowers to her, and to Axelle. The older woman was touched that he had thought of her, and he thanked her for championing their romance.

“Just don't steal her from me too soon, Mr. Hirsch.” She already hated the thought, but they both assured her that they were going to proceed slowly. And he still had to introduce her to his parents. And there was more than that that needed tending to. That weekend he knew both children were staying with friends, and without warning her, he showed up at Zoya's apartment on Saturday morning. He was carrying a huge bouquet of white lilacs, and a mysterious smile, which Zoya pretended not to notice.

“You're looking very pleased with yourself, Mr. Hirsch.”

“Why shouldn't I? I happen to be engaged to a very beautiful, very wonderful woman.” He kissed her and she took the lilacs to the kitchen to arrange them, and he found her there, selecting a vase of heavy cut crystal. She had bought it because it reminded her of one that her mother always used for flowers from their garden at the Fontanka Palace.

“They're lovely, aren't they?” She took a step back to admire them, and found herself in Simon's arms, as he gently turned her toward him and kissed her.

“Not as lovely as you are.” She nestled in his arms silently for a moment, enjoying his gentleness and his warmth, and stroking her hair, he looked down at her and murmured. “Let's go for a drive somewhere. It's a beautiful day today.” And he knew that she didn't have to rush back for the children.

“That's a lovely idea.” She smiled happily at him, and he wandered back into the living room, while she went to change into white slacks and a white cashmere sweater. He glanced at the photographs in silver frames everywhere, and stopped in amazement in front of one of the Romanov children, seeming to hang upside down, while making funny faces at the person taking the picture. And as he looked at it carefully, he realized that one of the young girls in tennis garb was a much younger Zoya, and he correctly guessed that the girl next to her was Marie, and the others were her sisters. It still amazed him to realize the history she had lived. But it was long in the distant past now. Even the photograph was fraying and faded. And there were others, of Sasha and Nicholas, and several of Clayton. He was a distinguished-looking man, and Zoya looked happy standing beside him.

“What are you doing in here so quietly?” She smiled as she walked back into the room, looking beautiful in the white slacks and sweater. There were times when she reminded him of Katharine Hepburn.

“I was looking at some of your photographs. Nicholas looks a lot like his father, doesn't he?”

“Sometimes.” She smiled. “And a little bit like my father too.” She picked up a large silver frame that held a photograph of her parents and handed it to Simon. “And a bit like my brother.” She pointed to another on the table, as Simon nodded.

“They're a distinguished-looking group.” As always, he was impressed by her aristocratic ancestors, but Zoya smiled sadly.

“That's all such a long time ago.” It was hard to believe that it had been twenty years since she'd seen her parents. “Sometimes I think one should only live in the present. The past is only a heavy burden to carry with you. And yet …” She looked up at him with wise eyes, “it's so hard to let them go … to forget … to move ahead …” It was why she had wanted to wait a little while until they married. She still had some letting-go to do. She still had a giant step to make, from the past to the present. But he understood that and he wasn't rushing her. He knew she needed time and he was willing to be patient. Especially now that she had agreed to marry him. With that promise made, he could wait for her, and help her to make the transition.

“I think we let go when we're ready to. Speaking of which, are you ready to go?”

“Yes, sir.” She was carrying a dark blue flannel blazer, and a few minutes later they were in his car, driving to what he described as a “secret destination.” “Does this mean I'm being abducted, Mr. Hirsch?” She was laughing, and she felt young as they drove along in the sunshine. It was a nice carefree feeling not having to worry about the children. It was different when she had to think of them, it made her feel more serious and less romantic. But now all she had to think about was enjoying Simon.

And he laughed at her suggestion. “Abducting you is the best idea I've had since we met. Come to think of it, I should have done it in Paris.” But he was willing to settle for Connecticut, as they drove along the Merritt Parkway. He was telling her about his business, and some of his thoughts about his fall collection. He loved talking to her, about anything and everything, and his hope that one day he would collect important paintings. He was particularly fond of the Impressionists, and Zoya told him of her parents’ collection in Russia.

“I'm not sure ‘things’ are that important to me anymore. It's funny, I think I used to take all of the beautiful things around me for granted. But having lost everything once, and then sold everything I had with Clayton, it just doesn't mean that much to me anymore.” She smiled slowly at him with loving eyes, “the people in my life are more important.” He quietly reached out and touched her fingers across the table as they ate lunch, and their hands met and held, and a little while later, they left and talked quietly as they continued their drive through the country. It was late afternoon by then, and Zoya was relaxed as she leaned against him.

“Tired?”

She stifled a yawn and then laughed as she shook her head. “No, just happy.”

“We'll go back in a while. There's a place I want to show you first.”

“Where?” She loved being with him. Everything about him made her feel safe and loved and happy.

“It's a secret.”

She giggled and half an hour later she was amazed when she saw it. It was a little English cottage on a back road Simon knew, with a picket fence around it, huge shade trees and a profusion of rose bushes that let off a heady fragrance as they got out of the car and looked around them.

“Whose house is this, Simon?”

“I wish I could say it was mine. It belongs to a wonderful English lady who made an inn of it, in order to support it. I found it years ago, and sometimes I just come here to unwind from all the craziness in New York. Come inside, I want you to meet her.” He didn't tell Zoya, but he had called Mrs. Whitman early that morning and warned her of their arrival. And when they stepped into the cozy living room, done in lovely English floral chintzes, there was a proper English tea waiting for them. Her silver teapot gleamed invitingly and there were plates filled with delicate sandwiches and little cakes, and what Mrs. Whitman referred to as “biscuits” She was a tall, thin, white-haired woman, with a clipped accent, laughing eyes, and long, graceful hands roughened by her work in the garden. And it was obvious that she had been expecting Simon and Zoya.

“How good to see you again, Mr. Hirsch.” She shook hands genially and looked appreciatively at Zoya, and she looked approving when Simon introduced her as his fiancoe. “What good news! Are you recently engaged then?”

“Very.” They answered in unison and then laughed, as Mrs. Whitman poured them each a cup of tea and invited them to sit down in her comfortable little parlor. There was a pretty fireplace, and handsome English antiques she had brought with her fifty years before. She had lived in London, and then New York, and when her husband died, she had retired to the country. She recognized Zoya's accent at once, and something about Zoya's bearing told her that there was a lot more to Zoya than met the eye. She thought Simon had made a wise and interesting choice, and much to Zoya's amusement, she said so. And in celebration of their engagement, she brought out a bottle of her very best sherry.