“They’ll be wondering where we are.” Sonya’s hands twisted nervously in front of her, knuckles white as sun-bleached bones. “Please, don’t say anything to William about this. He’ll think I’m just being a hysterical female again.”

“No. No, I won’t say anything to him.” Ginny managed a reassuring smile to hide her own private doubts. She had already voiced her concerns to Steve, and he had shrugged them aside. Now the doubts surfaced again. Sonya looked a wreck, her pale face and trembling hands conspicuous.

As they neared their table, Ginny said calmly, “I have a lovely morning dress in the Pompadour style and colors, a pale-blue silk and white flowered brocade with pink bows. It does not suit me, and with a few alterations, I am positive it would be lovely on you.”

Sonya looked startled, then nodded her understanding as they reached the table where Senator Brandon sat alone and alert. “That would be very nice, Ginny. Thank you.”

Her father looked pleased to see them so amicable, and as he struggled to stand, she put a hand on his shoulder to push him gently back down.

“Where’s Steve?” she asked as she tucked the elegant back of her polonaise to one side so she could seat herself. It was bulky, with a rich green passementerie, fringe and double loops of green silk, not really made for sitting, but more for strolling.

“Your husband went to renew an old acquaintance, I believe,” Brandon said dryly, and Ginny followed the direction of his glance.

At first, she did not see him, then caught a glimpse of Steve’s lean form half-hidden by a potted palm. He was so elegant in his evening wear, the black broadcloth coat and stark white linen shirt suiting his dark good looks to perfection.

When he glanced around, her heart leaped, then dropped like a lead ball as she recognized the men sitting at the table behind him—Jim Bishop and Paco Davis.

Sonya’s fears of earlier didn’t seem quite so childish to Ginny now, for full-blown panic rose sharply to almost choke her as she stared at the two men who had always meant danger to her. Oh God, she had thought perhaps this time it would be different.

As Steve headed back to their table, his face was set in a carefully blank expression that gave away nothing. Jim Bishop returned her stare with his usual grave passivity, but Paco had the grace to give a sheepish shrug and halfhearted grin that she was too irritated to acknowledge.

“What a coincidence to see them here,” she said when Steve took his seat. He gave her a bland smile.

“I had the same thought. You’re nearly out of wine, my love. Shall I order more?”