“Do you still look down your nose at us?”

Patrick crossed his arms over his chest and looked away, almost as if she’d hurt him. When he spoke, his voice was quiet. “I can see the good in some of you.” He swallowed and continued. “I’m sorry about the way things worked out. I don’t want to fight with you.”

He was right. She came here determined to be dignified, and yet she’d just thrown the first dart. She needed to walk it back.

“Forgive me,” she said. “I’m just tense and nervous over all the changes in my life, and I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

His eyes softened in concern. “What changes?”

“Liam didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what? All we’ve had time for is corporate business.”

She couldn’t help the smile that broke out across her face. “I’m starting classes at New York University next month. With luck, I’ll have my doctorate in three years, focusing on botanical medicine.”

“Good for you!” he said, genuine happiness lighting up his face. He opened his arms as though about to embrace her, then remembered. He dropped his arms and withdrew a step. “I’m proud of you,” he said a little awkwardly.

She nodded, feeling equally uncomfortable. What was she supposed to say?

She was spared a response when Liam’s strong voice bellowed across the water. “Natalia! Hurry up and get on board. We’ve been waiting for you!”

People began applauding as Natalia hurried up the gangway. The moment she boarded, two deckhands pulled up the ramp and prepared the ship for departure.

Natalia came immediately to Gwen’s side, looking flushed and embarrassed. “I’m sorry to be late,” she said. “I didn’t realize I was the last to arrive. I was delayed by wiring Count Sokolov about the vote.”

“Couldn’t you have sent him a telegram tomorrow?” Patrick asked.

“Of course not!” Natalia said. “He knew the vote was today, and he always wants to know every detail as soon as possible. He’s fussy that way.”

“But the vote was four hours ago!” Patrick said.

Natalia laughed. “Do I need to remind you how difficult it is to contact a man in Siberia? Or how he enjoys nattering on over the silliest things? Oh, Gwen, he’s completed his juniper perfume and named it in your honor. He says it’s a masterpiece, but don’t get your hopes up, because he tends to exaggerate.”

Natalia continued speaking about Count Sokolov, whose hungry mind was always searching for distractions while stuck in his lonely Siberian outpost. The yacht had begun moving, sailing down the river toward the Upper Bay, but Gwen’s mind was far away. At this very moment she was surrounded by friends and family yet still felt desperately alone. It was like a physical ache inside, filling her chest and weighing her spirits.