“I’m all atwitter!” Charlotte giggled. “It’s going to be a very interesting encounter with Dr. Marcus now that I know what he’s been up to. Of course, I’m going to have to control myself and keep from knocking the living you-know-what out of him.”

“You can say ‘shit,’ ” Annie teased.

“When it’s appropriate,” Myra retorted.

All three broke into hysterics. The howling caught the ear of Patrice, the flight attendant, who peeked behind the privacy door. “Everything okay back there?”

“Couldn’t be better!” Annie hooted.

Once they reached cruising altitude, the captain turned off the seat-belt sign to indicate that they could go back to the plane’s lounge area.

“It’s going to be about seven hours. Do you want to watch a flick?” Annie turned on the sixty-inch-screen TV. “Pretty much anything you want.” She handed the remote to Charlotte.

Annie went on. “When we land, it will be around ten P.M. London time. Patrice will fix dinner for us. What do you think you’ll be in the mood for?”

“I could use something right now. Maybe a snack?” Charlotte asked sheepishly. “Whatever you have for dinner, I will also.”

“Meat, fish, poultry? You decide.” Annie called over to Patrice, “Could you fix us a little something to munch on?”

“Shrimp cocktails and crabmeat salads?” Patrice suggested.

“Sounds divine,” Myra answered. She then whispered, “I must admit, no matter where I go, the food can’t compare to Charles’s. I’m really spoiled.”

“Boo-hoo,” Annie joked.

“Ha!” Myra returned fire. “You and Fergus get to share most of it, Countess!”

Annie turned to Charlotte. “And this is why we’re friends.” She paused. “Charles’s cooking!”

Patrice rolled over a cart that looked like it belonged in a fine restaurant rather than in an airplane. It held a platter of colossal shrimp, chunks of crabmeat, and seviche. A crisp Sancerre wine was in a silver bucket.

“This looks divine,” Annie said with glee. Myra and Charlotte agreed, and they all indulged in the luscious seafood.

As they were finishing their repast, Myra turned to Charlotte. “Maryann must be thrilled that you’re coming back to London.”

“She was very surprised, to say the least. Especially when I told her you and Annie were coming with me.”

“And she’s okay with you staying at my brownstone?” Annie asked.

“Yes. She said she understood wanting to have ‘girl time,’ as she put it. And I think it’s less pressure for her. Their flat is rather small. I told her we would plan a nice lunch for all of us once we get settled,” Charlotte replied. “She made the appointments for the three of us to meet with Marcus tomorrow.”