Chapter 213: Cecile XVII—Redemption
Cecile had not been to a party like this in quite awhile, a few years perhaps and it was no surprise to her that they hadn’t changed one bit. She was used to her mother’s friends cooing over her, laughing loudly at anything she said, placing their hands on her arm, talking in long strings of words that never seemed to finish a sentence and allowing her only one syllable replies. Cecile had kept count at first, just to keep her brain from exploding. She had started with a string of 35 yes, 36 no, 53 oh, 43 right, and 32 long drawn out, disbelieving noooo!
Basically, it was a simple formula. She was engaged to Danny Hinote, apparently the most coveted male in the city and they assumed she was related to Joe Sakic.
“So are you his niece? You must be too old to be his niece!” The woman asked her, a wiry armed, champagne holding, socialite with fluffy brown hair.
“Well…” Cecile began… that was 23 well.
“Ooh don’t tell me,” the woman replied. “I’m good at these
things, you’re his cousin! It’s obvious, you’re so young and the familial
resemblance is amazing oh… my… God that pretty black
hair and those pretty eyes it’s just too…”
“Is it true he got down on one
knee?” A bony, blond socialite asked, a girl barely older than her but with a
lot more make up.
“Yes…” Cecile answered… that was 36 yes….
“Ooo,” she sighed, “I knew it I just knew it he is prince charming I told Mary the other day….”
“Have you known him long?” Another woman asked.
“Well…” Cecile began.
“OMIGOD!” the woman gasped with tears sparkling in her eyes and pressing her hand to her mouth, “It was a whirlwind romance how utterly romantic to be just swept off your feet instantly by a young dashing man when you’re visiting your cousin on a…”
Cecile
resisted the urge to roll her eyes and she glanced at her watch, it was almost
I could be with Danny! Cecile kept thinking. This is ridiculous!
“Honey can I ask you a question?” Another young lady asked, she had butter blond curls and large doe eyes, dark eyebrows, an almost sad face.
“Sure,” Cecile said… that was 16 sure but this had the potential for allowing her to say more than one word in a reply.
The young lady blinked and took a sip from her champagne. “Do you come into contact with Peter Forsberg a lot?”
Cecile nodded but before she could answer the lady cut in.
“Is it true? That… that he is “involved” in a serious relationship with…” the lady swallowed.
Cecile nodded but again was cut off.
“Omigod!” the lady exclaimed. “I heard a rumor but I didn’t really believe it… he can’t be tied down… it’s impossible and with an Italian of all creatures! They’re so loud and whiny how could Peter possibly want to…”
Cecile shook her head, “No Josefina isn’t Italian,” she said wanting to explode with her victory of saying four whole words.
“Josefina?” the lady exclaimed and a few other girls repeated the name. “Josefina? She’s…. she’s Spanish?”
“Mexican,” Cecile replied but before she could add onto any of that she could hear the audible gasps of horror and surprise from the collective.
“Mexican?” the lady exclaimed. “A Mexican he’s with a Mexican?”
Cecile felt a twist of disgust for these women as she thought of Miss Ruiz, she was a funny woman, a vibrant woman…. “And the world ends how?” Cecile said barely containing her disdain. “In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if he married her as far as I’m concerned he doesn’t deserve her, she’s a really wonderful…”
The woman burst into tears and she was immediately pounced upon by the collective who cooed and stroked her hair. “Shhh Clarissa,” one of the girls whispered, “It’s OK you deserve much better you know he…”
Cecile grimaced and took her cue to slip away from the group; she sighed and peered into the next room which was practically bereft of people. That was a good sign and the snack table was there…. Chocolate… covered… strawberries. Cecile ran her tongue over her lips and skittered into the room, avoiding any eye contact with a soul as she held her prey in sights.
“Hee!” Cecile giggled and she scooped up a strawberry, “Gotcha!”
She was about to sink her teeth into the softened, warm berry when she noticed Jennifer Foote swallowing down a glass of champagne, her hand pressed over her belly. She couldn’t recall seeing Jennifer all night. “Hello,” she said.
Jennifer’s eyes widened and she took the champagne from her lips. “Oh… Cecile… hi.”
Cecile frowned. “Are you okay?” she asked.
Jennifer’s mouth opened slightly and she shook her head. “Sure, I’m just fine babydoll and you?”
“Also just fine,” Cecile replied. “I haven’t seen you for…”
“What would it matter!” Jennifer exclaimed.
Cecile blinked. “Um I suppose it doesn’t?” Jennifer obviously was running on too much alcohol, perhaps she should call Adam to help her out…
“Well it doesn’t!” Jennifer snapped and she picked up a delicate plate of bone china where she had some dip and vegetables. Cecile watched Mrs. Foote as she dunked a carrot into the dip and slipped it past her lips only to withdraw it and place it back on the plate. Cecile noticed a dab of dressing on her upper lip and she was about to draw Jennifer’s attention to it when HE came up behind her.
“Is there any berries left?” Patrick Roy asked in a voice so jaunty, so smooth that Cecile was surprised to see that it was indeed him. In the instant she remembered the feel of his warm hand on her bare shoulder, his eyes taking in her…
“Yes,” Cecile replied, she was engaged now, she was important, she was untouchable and she would show him that she could be civil. “Quite a few in fact, I was glad to see some left.”
“Are they your favorites petite?” Patrick asked as he picked up a berry and snapped it off at the head with his teeth, chewed and swallowed it very fast.
“Actually,” Cecile said. “They are Mr. Roy.”
“I bet you were dying all night for some, yes?” Patrick said in a cool, amused voice. “I can see your eyes lighting up like a hunting cat, seeking your prey.”
How could you act so cool? Cecile thought. Have you forgotten?
“I like strawberries!” Jennifer said in voice that was almost wavering.
Cecile looked at her and saw that dab of dressing still on her lip.
“Jennifer,” Patrick said.
“What?” Jennifer said in an almost hostile voice, Cecile looked at Patrick to gauge his reaction.
Patrick merely slid his tongue over his upper lip, rested it in the spot where the dressing on Jennifer’s lip was. Cecile looked back at Jennifer who suddenly spit the cherry tomato that was in her mouth onto her plate and practically slammed it on the table. Cecile jumped and Jennifer shoved past her, heels clomping on the marble floor as she left the room.
“That was odd,” Cecile said, and then she looked at Patrick. “She’s been acting very strange.”
“Too much alcohol is the devil yes?” Patrick said with a casual smile.
Cecile felt her blood crackle. “Don’t smile at me like that,” she snipped, “You haven’t earned the right.”
His smile disappeared and she saw the light in his eyes disappear as well, but he didn’t seem angry. “I know this,” he said. “Which is why I’ve wanted to find some private time with you this evening, if I might ask yes?”
Cecile shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. You’ve made your intentions more than clear to me the last time we… “encountered” each other.”
“Will you not stay at our house anymore?” Patrick asked.
“Yes,” Cecile replied, “But..”
“Well then you cannot be so angry as you act,” he said quickly, “If you would still come back.”
“How dare you…” Cecile began and she was again cut off by him.
“I apologize,” Patrick said quickly. “I seem to find it in such easy stride for me to tease you. That was not my intention tonight.”
Cecile sighed and looked around them, saw no one near them in the room, the party was dying. A few minutes couldn’t hurt, she supposed, when everyone was around.
“What is your intention tonight?” She asked.
“Redemption,” Patrick replied. “I had too much to drink that night, I… There is no excuse for my actions and I have felt bad for it ever since.”
Cecile narrowed her eyes.
“It’s true,” Patrick said. “And you should know that you’re the only girl who has made me feel that way.”
“Only?” Cecile gasped. “What are you implying?”
“Only that I’m not accustomed to refusals,” Patrick said, “And I’m not accustomed to regret, and I am not accustomed to meeting a girl with such a pure soul that you have. When you stood your ground, child, and when you invoked God’s name and with such resolve, such purity, such clear eyes, you struck me deep within. I left in awe and scared, and then ultimately with respect and regret.”
Cecile swallowed; she was momentarily at a loss for words. There was nothing at all insincere about his expression or his words but she couldn’t dare believe that now. “How am I supposed to believe you?” she asked.
“I’ve done nothing to deserve your regard,” Patrick said with a nod. “I know this. And that makes me sad. I don’t want you to fear me anymore, I want you to know that I won’t try to… to… well not again.”
Cecile shook her head. “No, I don’t believe you Mr. Roy.”
“You’re engaged!” Patrick exclaimed. “Danny is my teammate, there is an honor in that, and you are like family now.”
Cecile took a sip from her punch. She knew he eyes were probably narrowed in that expression Danny always called her “mean old snake” and she didn’t care. Something deep within told her that he was playing a different game with her, and the softer parts of her, the ones that sometimes controlled too much, told her to accept the apology at face value.
“I almost
went to church in
Cecile laughed, “Almost? Why didn’t you go in?”
“Because I also want God’s forgiveness,” Patrick said, and she saw his large eyes swimming in pain, he was being sincere! “But I don’t deserve it, I am not good enough. I feel so unworthy yes? I do not think HE would want me.”
“No!” Cecile said and she pressed her hand into his forearm. “No! You’re wrong! It is precisely when you feel the most unworthy of His Grace that you are precisely the most deserving of it. Do not go against your instinct to go to Him if you so feel! God forgives all of those who are truly penitent, don’t let the opportunity…”
She saw a half smile flicker on his lips or perhaps she imagined it and Cecile suddenly felt self conscious about her hand that was on his arm. She looked at it, swallowed and slowly lifted it. “Forgive me…” she whispered.
“For what?” Patrick asked. “It is I who must beg it and then ask a favor.”
“A favor?” Cecile asked.
Patrick nodded. “Could we forget that unpleasantness and could I have the pleasure of calling you a friend?”
Cecile sighed, she knew something vitally important was resting upon her answer but she didn’t know how to answer. “I will not deny you friendship,” she finally said. “It would by hypocritical and uncharitable of me to do so.”
His face brightened to a boyish beauty and Cecile was almost floored by it.
“Thank you so much!” he exclaimed.
“But don’t tread upon it, Mr. Roy.” She said in as severe a voice as she could. “Don’t abuse it and now if you’ll excuse me, I should be leaving about now.”
Cecile closed her eyes briefly as she walked away from him. She didn’t feel frightened; she felt that perhaps she had taken her first steps on the right track.
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