“And I’ve been telling Celia,” Dominique said as if she were still struggling to hold on to her patience, “that canceling will be the worse option of the two because the foundation will forfeit so many deposits at this late date. It’s Christmas, the busiest time of year for entertaining. We’ve been planning this evening since August. People will still come. The Miranda Foundation does a lot of good in the community. We’ve made our bed, now we just have to find it.”

Celia’s hands fluttered like a pair of nervous birds. A diamond solitaire on the third finger of her left hand flashed in the candlelight and she began twisting it around and around.

“Is that an engagement ring?” I said. “It’s beautiful.”

Dominique looked as if I’d thrown her a lifeline. The waiter arrived with our drinks, an espresso for Dominique, and a coffee and tiramisu for Celia.

Celia gave a faint smile and said, “It is. Jack finally got down on one knee and proposed the day before Thanksgiving.”

Celia had never remarried after Tommy’s death, but five or six years ago she fell in love with her personal trainer at the gym. Eventually he moved in with her and they had been together ever since.

“Congratulations. How wonderful.”

Quinn lifted his beer. “Great news. To the two of you.”

“Yes,” Dominique said. “Félicitations.”

Celia stopped fiddling with her ring. “Thank you, all of you. Unfortunately not everyone is happy for us. I stopped by to tell Prescott the news on Saturday before the party.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“He was upset. Actually, he was angry.”

“You’re not serious.” This from Dominique.

“I am.”

“Why?” Quinn asked. “Jack’s a great guy.”

“I know he is. But Prescott blew his top. He told me he’s cared for me as a member of the Avery family ever since Tommy died, treating me as if I were his and Rose’s daughter. Financially, personally … plus he gave me a job running the foundation,” she said. “He made it sound as if I were being disloyal. He’s always thought Jack was unworthy of me because of what he does for a living.”

“That’s unfair,” I said.

“After I told him about the engagement I found out he’d just had a huge battle with Clayton over him wanting to marry Victoria.” Celia picked up her spoon and toyed with her tiramisu. “Prescott said he didn’t care if Jack and I lived together, but if I remarried and made it legal he was going to remove me from the Avery Communications board of directors and I was done running the Miranda Foundation.”

“Why would he do that?” I said. “That’s awful.”