The band was playing “Where Did You Get That Hat?” and people nearby were laughing and moving to the melody. More of the invited guests had arrived. Some of the women were wearing dresses that I knew were imported from France or England. I had seen them in magazines and stores. There was enough jewelry displayed to buy the state. I thought that this was the biggest and most festive event I ever had attended. The music renewed my excitement, not that it had diminished even an iota. I was just frustrated and annoyed by how careful I had to be with my every smile and gesture, knowing my mother probably was watching me like an eagle by now.

Garland returned carrying two plates of food. He nodded at a waiter nearby as he put my plate before me.

“Madam, as you wished,” he said, and sat across from me. “You haven’t drunk much of that champagne. Want something else?” he asked.

I looked at my glass and thought how ridiculous to spend the whole night on one glass. I gulped most of it and nodded.

“Another, please,” I said, perhaps too enthusiastically. He laughed and ordered another for me and one for himself. I chastised myself. A woman shouldn’t laugh so much and should rarely giggle. You know that, Corrine Dixon.

“Hope that is not too much to eat,” he said, nodding at my plate.

“It’s perfect. I thank you, sir.”

“I’ve had a good start, then,” he said.

“Good start?”

“Winning your affections.”

I looked at him deliberately suspiciously. “Is that really your goal?”

“I’d have to be half dead for it to be otherwise,” he said.

I felt my face glisten. “I fear you might be having fun with me, sir,” I said, looking down as would someone who suddenly had turned quite bashful, which was difficult for me but not impossible. I knew it to be a chief tool of a coquette.

He feigned immediate indignation. “Moi? Oh, far from it, Corrine. I mean every word I say to you. I might as well have a Bible in my hand.”

“Until proven otherwise, I will believe you,” I said.

When he smiled, his eyes really did lighten. There was a positive energy about him, difficult to ignore but maybe difficult to trust.

The waiter brought us two additional champagnes.

“Shall I make my first toast in your presence, then, to prove my sincerity?”

“Please do,” I said, raising my glass. I was actually terrified that any moment my mother would appear and reprimand me for having a second glass in front of this handsome stranger. She’d rip it from my hands and embarrass me to death. I held my breath.

“To Destiny that gave me a special gift of beauty and Southern elegance tonight,” he said.