“I can’t wait for you to see the house. It’s going to look like it’s always been here and we’ve always lived here. Architectural Digest is coming on Friday to photograph the place.”

“Who’s doing your PR?” Stone asked.

“I am. Paige Rense, the editor, is an old friend.”

“Are they going to photograph us?” Stone asked.

“No, just the house.”

“When will the piece run?”

“I don’t know; not for some time, I expect. They have a long lead time.”

“Well, I suppose everything will be more settled by then.”

“Mom,” Peter said, “I’ve got a new room upstairs.” He told her about his plans for his suite.

“That sounds perfect for you, Peter. May I speak to Stone alone for a moment?”

“Sure. Good-bye, Mom. I’ll see you on Friday.” He padded back to his own room.

“Is he gone?” Arrington asked.

“Yes, we’re alone.” Stone picked up the phone. “What’s up?”

“There’s something I have to tell you about,” she said.

“All right.”

“Tim Rutledge will be around this weekend for the photo shoot and for the housewarming, of course. He’s from an old family in the county, and everyone here will know him.”

“Okay,” Stone said. “I don’t have a problem with that, as long as he behaves himself.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want any scenes at the party.”

“It’s not a problem for me,” Stone said.

“Well, it’s a problem for him. I’m afraid he didn’t take the news of our marriage very well, and you may not find him exactly friendly.”

“That’s all right. I don’t need to be friends with him.”

“I want you to be nice to him, no matter what he says or does,” Arrington said.

“I try to be nice to everybody,” Stone said.

“Tim can sometimes be difficult,” she said. “He’s quick to anger, and sometimes intemperate in his remarks.”

“So I may have to slug him, if he acts up?”

“Don’t you dare. Remember, he’s in tight with most of the people who’ll be here, who are my neighbors, and I want you to exercise some forbearance. I don’t want him to be able to say an unkind word about you that anyone would believe. Remember, you only have one opportunity to make a first impression, especially with the local gentry. I want you to be not just charming but gallant.”

“All right, I’ll wait until we’re alone to slug him. You know, I think I still have my old cop’s blackjack somewhere. I’ll dig it out.”

“Oh, stop it!”

“All right, all right, I won’t harm a hair on his architectural head, and I’ll charm the locals right out of their socks.”

“That’s better.”

“Does Peter know him?”