Sex and Vanity: A Novel

The group returns home to find Marian and Charlotte wearing face masks, drinking wine, and listening to music together. Lucie gets the others to leave and arranges a private conversation with Charlotte. She confronts her about the movie and what she told Olivia about Capri. Charlotte reveals that she only told Olivia about “the drone thing” because she needed help destroying the footage to protect Lucie (268). Furious, Lucie blames Charlotte for humiliating her and causing George to kiss her in the alley and flee back to the city. Charlotte assures Lucie that they’ll drive into the city in the morning, find George, and resolve the whole mess.

Lucie privately obsesses over everything that’s happened. She thinks of everything she hates about George and everything that’s good for her about Cecil. She fears George ruining her plans to create the perfect life with Cecil.

Lucie arranges to meet George at a bookstore in the West Village to avoid running into people they know. However, she and Charlotte must leave the shop immediately because they see several familiar faces. Outside, they run into George and lead him to a nearby garden. Lucie tells him that she can’t see him anymore and wants him to stay away from her homes and family. George is outraged by what Lucie told Charlotte about their kiss after the film. He tells Lucie that he loves her and that she shouldn’t marry Cecil. He rants about Cecil’s inability to understand Lucie and promises that he does. Afraid of ruining everything with Cecil, Lucie tells George that she doesn’t love him, and George runs off.

Lucie can’t stop thinking about what happened with George. Meanwhile, everything Cecil does annoys her. Throughout their afternoon at Doubles, she tries to ignore his irritating behaviors. She gets upset, however, when Cecil makes a scene about her not wearing her ring. He leaves the restaurant to get the ring and bring it back for Lucie to wear in front of the other guests. Lucie, Freddie, and Marian start lunch without him. Marian has an upcoming fundraiser and wants an animal rights activist to attend. The siblings suggest Cornelia Guest, but when Cecil returns and hears the plan, he refuses to ask Cornelia on Marian’s behalf. He’s friends with Cornelia and tells Lucie that Marian’s event is beneath her.

Lucie and Freddie walk together after lunch. Freddie finishes sending some texts and reveals that he got Cornelia for the fundraiser. The siblings talk about the event, their childhood, and how they’ve seen each other over the years. Freddie is sorry to hear that Lucie has been holding in so much for so long.

Lucie has Cecil meet her at a tearoom in the West Village. He complains about the menu and is rude to the waitress. Lucie returns his ring and breaks off the engagement. Cecil protests, insisting that they’re perfect for each other. Lucie explains her reasons for not wanting to marry him, and Cecil remarks that Lucie suddenly seems like a different person.

Lucie’s morning run doesn’t make her feel any better. She can’t tell if she’s anxious or guilty. She runs into Auden, who informs her that he’s heard from the Ortiz sisters that they’re adventuring in Mongolia for the next several months. Auden, expressing his condolences about the end of Lucie’s engagement, insinuates that she ended things with Cecil to be with George. Lucie rebuts the remark. Back home, she runs into Rosemary. Lucie is shocked to discover that she’s applying for an apartment in Lucie’s building. She wishes that she could join the Ortiz sisters abroad.

At the apartment, Lucie and Charlotte talk about their grandmother and how she’s seen each of them over the years. Lucie doesn’t think Charlotte understands her perspective. Charlotte repeatedly insists that everyone wanted to protect Lucie after her father died. The conversation shifts to the Zaos, and Lucie discovers that Marian is writing a letter to the board recommending Rosemary to the building. After Charlotte leaves, Lucie edits her mother’s note to disparage Rosemary.

Lucie attends her mother’s fundraiser with Freddie, Charlotte, and the board. Lucie meets Cornelia, and they share a pleasant conversation. Then, she runs into the apartment board director, and, hoping the director won’t let Rosemary into the building, Lucie lies about Rosemary’s illicit past. Afterward, Lucie runs into Rosemary, who begs to know if George and Freddie are fighting since George refused to attend the fundraiser. Lucie feels guilty, and she feels even worse when she realizes that Cornelia has overheard her conversations. She tries to explain herself, but Cornelia says that the only person Lucie is lying to is herself.

Marian and Lucie drive to the Hamptons in Lucie’s new car. Cornelia’s words replay in Lucie’s head throughout the trip. They stop to collect Charlotte, but she has already gotten a ride.

Charlotte informs Lucie that Rosemary wants to speak to her. Lucie feels nervous, but Rosemary is kind. George finally told Rosemary everything that happened between him and Lucie and about his feelings for Lucie. She’s decided to leave New York because she’s already caused Lucie’s family too much pain. George also plans to move to a new city. Lucie tells Rosemary not to make these decisions and professes her love for George.

Lucie and George elope and take a trip to Capri. One day, they visit the Blue Grotto. They swim in the water together, and Lucie realizes how happy she is. She and George kiss and express their love for each other.