“Good evening, gentlemen,” Madison said.

“Good evening, Madison,” one of the smokers said. “Is that your girlfriend?”

Madison smiled, this time more genuine than when addressing the women.

The man held out his hand. “I’m Reginald Fielding the third. Eileen is my sister-in-law.”

“He’s Danielle’s grandfather,” Madison whispered in Sherry’s ear.

Sherry leaned in to Madison, a pleasant tingle spreading from her ear to throughout her body, but she straightened immediately when she became aware of what she was doing. “It’s a pleasure, sir.” She took his offered hand.

Mr. Fielding nodded approvingly. “Lovely.”

“Thank you, Uncle Reginald.” Madison craned her neck. “Where’s Aunt Abigail?”

“She’s indisposed.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

Sherry looked back and forth between them as if she were watching a tennis match. Madison seemed to like him. It wasn’t so much what she said—more how she said it. “May I ask what’s ailing her?”

Madison stared at Sherry as if she’d asked something inappropriate.

Mr. Fielding took a deep drag of his cigar before blowing out a thick cloud of smoke. “Nothing serious. Thank you for asking.”

Once more, Sherry had to blink against the burning smoke.

Madison pulled her away. “We’d better continue our rounds. See you later.”

When they were out of earshot, Sherry held her back. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Aunt Abigail is at the Betty Ford Clinic. I thought she’d be out by now.”

“She’s in reh—”

“Yes. She took an overdose of sleeping pills.”

“Oh my God. On purpose?”

“I don’t think so. But she’s been taking pills for a long time. Now her doctor has put a stop to it and sent her to the clinic to get help.”

“That has to be a nightmare for your uncle.”

“Their marriage has been over for years.”

“Why don’t they get a divorce, then?”

“Nobody in the Fielding family has ever gotten divorced. It’s unheard of.”

“So this is where you’re hiding,” said an overweight older woman wearing a sequined sack that was probably supposed to pass as a dress.

“Hello, Sophia. Sherry, this is my godmother, Sophia.”

“Nice to meet you.” Sherry’s thoughts were still on the divorce thing. No matter the family tradition, why would anybody stay married if they were unhappy?

“Did you hear what they’re saying about Olivia?”

“No. What are they saying?” Madison asked.

Sophia peeked over her shoulder and took a step closer. “You haven’t heard it from me, but they say Olivia has a bun in the oven. Again.” After a dramatic pause, she added, “From her yoga instructor.”

“No!” Madison managed to fake a scandalized tone.

Sherry needed all her self-control not to burst out laughing. This was the perfect chance to try one of Madison’s suggested three standard answers. “That’s scandalous.”

Madison bit her lip.