Chapters (71)
- Copyright Notice
- Dedication
- Part One
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Part Two
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Part Three
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Part Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Forty-Eight
- Forty-Nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-One
- Fifty-Two
- Fifty-Three
- Part Five
- Fifty-Four
- Fifty-Five
- Fifty-Six
- Fifty-Seven
- Fifty-Eight
- Fifty-Nine
- Sixty
- Sixty-One
- Books by Barbara Taylor Bradford
- About the Author
- Newsletter Sign-up
“Let’s go to White’s instead. I haven’t been since I came to town.” Robert stood up, straightened his jacket and then smiled at his friend of such long standing that they were like twin brothers.
“Just keep your eyes peeled at the Strattons’. We can’t go directly to the club; we have to show up. We can’t offend Caroline. She would be hurt.”
“You’re right, I suppose.” He began to laugh. “Just half an hour, though. In view of the dire circumstances. Anyway, I’m not worried. I have you to defend me from any fiercesome women and, most importantly, from Vanessa.”
“You betcha!” Adrian answered, also laughing.
Thirty-Four
The two men could see the crowded drawing room from the large entrance foyer. They stared at each other in dismay. Robert said, “It’s packed to the nines already. Shall we scarper?”
Adrian shook his head. “Better not. As you just said earlier, Caroline would be hurt.”
“All right. We’ll make our appearance, stay only a short while and slip out when we can. Beat it to the club, where we can relax.”
“Agreed,” Adrian answered, sounding relieved.
The two of them walked forward in step, and a moment later were greeted by Caroline Stratton, and her parents, Harry and Claire.
Caroline led the men into the drawing room, and both of them reached into their pockets and brought out an envelope.
“These are for your charity,” Robert said, giving her his dazzling smile.
“Oh, thank you, Robert, Adrian. Just pop them in that big bowl over there. That’s what everyone’s been doing.”
They did as she asked, and Robert, an expert on antiques, noticed that the bowl was of the finest Rose Medallion china.
Caroline said, “I’ve got to stay here, you know, meet and greet with my parents. But you should both go into the room and mingle. You’ll know lots of people. Many of your friends are here.”
“Righto,” Adrian said, and taking hold of Robert’s arm he pulled him into the chattering throng. Within seconds, they were separated. Adrian was caught by two women, one of whom he knew. Robert was pushed to the left and found himself near a wall where he managed to slide past two men he vaguely knew from business and wanted to avoid.
Suddenly he saw his chance to rush down to the far end of the room, where French doors opened on to the garden. It would be cooler.
He was halfway there when his way was blocked by a tall young woman wearing a beautiful purple silk evening gown, with a deep flounce to the skirt and ribbon trim against her bare shoulders.
She was in profile, and what immediately struck him was her marvelous hair. It was piled high on top of her head in curls, the style currently favored by Queen Alexandra. It gleamed in the light.