“What’s the latest with Wallis and Blake Darley?” Bo asked, sipping slowly. His eyes had located my sister across the ballroom, chatting easily with a group of suits.

“It’s a long story,” I said. I didn’t want to talk about the Darleys here, not thirty feet away from Miles, but L.K. poked, both literally and figuratively, until I caved. “Fine,” I said, slapping her hands away. “They are together, but Blake has been called back to South Carolina by his mother.”

“She’s on a mission to break them up,” added Cricket.

“Judging from Wallis’s mood the past few weeks,” I conceded, “if that was indeed Melinda Darley’s plan, it seems to be working.”

“I believe it,” L.K. said, and Cricket nodded approvingly. “Melinda Darley would sooner raise taxes than let Blake date Wallis without a fight.”

“What does Wallis have to say about all of this?” asked Bo.

“Not much.” I said. Fried shrimp guy was back, and we all helped ourselves, even Cricket. “I mean—she is in so much pain, we try not to bring it up.”

“What!” L.K. cried, gesturing with her shrimp. “That would never happen in my family. My sister would jab until I gave up and spilled.”

“In my family we let each other keep secrets,” Bo said. “My mother still says”—he paused, affected the drawl—“‘Darlin’, it’s a beautiful day to leave me alone.’”

“She does not say that.” I suppressed a grin.

“I’m fixin’ to take y’all to meet her,” Bo said. Then his face brightened, struck by a thought. “Daisy, now that you have the time off, why don’t you come to Charleston next weekend?”

“Sure,” I laughed, wiping my fingers with my napkin. “Why not?”

But Bo was serious. “Don’t you think it’s a good idea, Miss Cricket?” he asked. “My sister is having an engagement party. Plenty of eligible bachelors for Daisy. L.K., you come, too.”

“I wish I could,” L.K. said sadly. “I have a wedding in Vermont. And it’s not even in the cute part. I’d much prefer Charleston.”

“Charleston is simply fabulous!” Cricket clapped. “It’s a perfect place to get Daisy out of her funk.”

“Where would we stay?” I asked, hoping this might reveal an out. Did they not remember I had no income?

“With my parents,” answered Bo. “They’ve got enough bedrooms in that house. It’s huge. Interesting people always coming in and out. It’s also the place where I was the loneliest as a kid. Go figure. Am I selling you on this yet?”

“I couldn’t possibly impose on your mother in that way.” I looked at Cricket. She, of manners and propriety, would certainly say something here. But, no. She still seemed enthused. “And during your sister’s engagement party of all times!” I added for good measure.