When Vronsky and Claudine arrived, Beatrice was in a fine mood and happy to see her mopey-faced cousin looking better than the last time she saw him. But she was far more excited to meet his traveling companion. When Vronsky introduced his cousin to Claudine, she realized she had met her once before when their families traveled from Vienna to Paris on the VS Orient Express when they were little kids. Claudine was two years younger than her and had been going through an un-fun awkward phase that only made Beatrice’s blossoming beauty more apparent, which in turn made Beatrice like Claudine immediately. Now years later, Claudine walked onto the plane and was totally unrecognizable. All remnants of her awkward gangliness were gone, replaced by curves that made the teenager look even older than Beatrice. Claudine displayed her ample assets in a way that only a Parisian woman could, with a voluptuousness as elegant as it was enticing.

Vronsky had no interest in the bait his mother had graciously laid at his feet. But even he had not been completely immune to Claudine’s ample attributes. The French girl was more than happy to be dispatched to America in Geneviève’s husband’s plane to distract Geneviève’s love-stricken son from the girl who had abandoned him in the wasteland of her indecision. Claudine was certain she’d be successful, for no boy had ever been able to resist her charms. But Claudine had another agenda for her trip as well. Her sights were set on an even more delectable trophy than the boy known as Count Vronsky.

Adaka, DandyZ, and Clement arrived next, which meant they were waiting for only Murf, Steven, and Lolly to complete their party. Beatrice received a text from Steven that they were five minutes away and that Anna had decided to come after all. Bea wasn’t unhappy over Anna’s change of heart, not like she would have been fifteen minutes ago. Now she was pleased. Beatrice had sensed Claudine’s interest in her from the moment Claudine hugged her and whispered in her ear that she had been counting down the days until she saw her again. “I’ve never forgotten you letting me practice the proper way to kiss on your wrist,” Claudine said, not caring that Beatrice didn’t remember.