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At the table, the conversation went from the latest economic news to the latest Palm Beach gossip. The women were very concerned about a fashion outrage at the last charity ball. Someone had come in a pants suit with too much midriff

"A belly button is not exactly appetizing." Dolly said.

"It depends." Asher commented. The women all turned to him. I could see he had Thatcher's impish smile at times, or. rather. Thatcher had inherited his. "On whether it's an innie or an outie."

The men laughed.

Throughout the conversations. I kept catching Thatcher looking at me, studying my reactions. He continually wore a smile of amusement. Since I had told him something of the truth, it was as if we were both conspirators now.

Before we had a chance to get to the desserts. Jennings appeared. "There is a phone call for you. Mr. Eaton," he told Thatcher.

"Oh?"

He excused himself, and, as if he had been the one keeping them from focusing on me, they all turned and began to fire questions about my work, my home and family, and my impressions of Palm Beach so far. I tried to be as diplomatic as Thatcher, who returned to announce he had to leave immediately to go to court.

"What?" his mother cried, "Now? We're having brunch."

"It's a weekday. Mother. You might have noticed people are at work. Something was moved up unexpectedly. It won't be long. but I have to appear."

"Don't you have a lunch hour?" she countered.

"Yes. Mother. but it usually doesn't run more than three." he said. smiling.

"Ridiculous. What about this poor young woman you've brought? Is she to be a slave to your work habits?"

She can stay. obviously," Thatcher offered as a compromise. I'll go and come back."

'Good,' his mother said. "I would have had our driver take you back to your hotel anyway if he wasn't," she told me. She glared at Thatcher, "How anyone could pass up freshly baked Giandika chocolate cake is a mystery to me."

Thatcher laughed and the

n pulled me aside to ask if I wanted to stay.

"Yes." I said, my gaze moving off to the beach house. "I'll return as soon as I can. Sorry about this."

"I'm fine," I said I'm enjoying it."

"I knew you would." he said. He kissed me quickly and left,

When I turned to rejoin the brunch party. I saw Thatcher's mother had been watching us. She smiled as she approached me.

"Walk with me for a few minutes." she said. "I do like to walk after I've stuffed myself like that. Besides, the rest of them are in a big argument about how to renovate the yacht club. and that is so boring."

We started down the walkway toward the beach.

"Thatcher obviously is somewhat taken with you," she continued. "Do you know that you are the first young lady he has brought to this house for over two years now?"

I shook my head.

He didn't tell you about Mai Stone?"

"No. Who is that?"

"I suppose that's good," she said. "I suppose I shouldn't have even mentioned her name."

"But you did." I said quickly.

"He'd be very upset with me if he knew," she replied.