night.”
“And I’ve thrown up this morning,” Linda said. “What we go through to have our darling babies!”
“Things should settle down soon, Lindy,” Camille soothed.
“I hope so, because I feel kind of exhausted and unlovable.”
Camille laughed. “Hey, you’re married to a marvelous guy.”
“Don’t I know it. He’s upset for me. Some women sail through this time. His sister did.”
“We’re all different,” Camille said firmly, aware of Linda’s uneasy relationship with her in-laws. It’ll be easier with number two.”
“It better be!” Linda muttered. “Stephen wants four. I just wish I was better at it. Anyway, enough of dreary old me, what about Hugh? I hope he didn’t give you a rough time.”
“Actually he fired me.”
“He what?”
“Keep calm. I said, he gave me the sack.”
“You’re joking!” Linda sounded stunned.
“No. It appears everyone wants me out. Harry Guilford’s daughter is not an object of pity or concern. Maybe he thinks Harry salted away millions for me in a Swiss bank account, and I’m keeping it quiet It would be the sort of thing another father might have done, but let’s face it, Harry didn’t think I counted. As for the rest, I’m probably taking up a job someone else desperately needs. Besides, I didn’t make it on my own. It was nepotism and little else.”
“But it doesn’t make sense,” Linda protested. “Hugh-gave you your start.”
“Well, now he wants me out. I’m the golden girl no longer. Even Ruth Maynard tried to put me in my place.”
“Detestable woman!” Linda exploded. “Look, why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? Just the three of us and maybe Jeffrey if he’s available. He’s good fun and he adores you.”
“Don’t go matchmaking, Lindy,” Camille warned. “Besides, you’re not up to dinner parties at the moment”
“No, it’s all right.” Linda’s voice brightened. “I’m better at night, and Hilda will be here to help me.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s fine,” Linda insisted. “You need cheering up. So do I. It will be a nice quiet evening among friends.”
And so it turned out. Jeffrey Prior was there, a humorous solid young man with irregular yet attractive features and thick untamed brows. He’d been in lovewith Camille for years, and still the depth of his affection took her by surprise. Jeffrey, like Linda’s husband, Stephen, was an associate in the prestigious law firm of Carghill Kempner Morris, founded by Stephen’s great-grandfather.
“This is relaxing.” Camille tipped her head back, revealing her long swanlike neck. “I’m savoring the tranquillity.”
“And I’m savoring you,” Jeffrey murmured in his deep pleasant drawl.
“Boy, did that sound fervent!” Stephen, a lean good-looking six-footer, glanced with wry amusement at his friend. Poor old Jeff, he thought It was obvious Camille never had and never would see him in a romantic light
“Darn, and I thought it was my secret.” Jeffrey smiled.
“You’re my good buddy, Jeff.” Camille patted his arm affectionately.
Linda, looking very pretty and relaxed in turquoise silk culottes with a matching loose silk shirt, chose that moment to arrive with the first course. Stephen stood up to help her.
“I hope you’re all hungry?” Linda’s single dimple flashed.
“Are we ever!” Camille and Jeffrey made a comic business of shaking out their linen napkins.
“Good.” Linda allowed her husband to seat her.
The entrée was delicious. Parcels of smoked trout filled with spiced prawns and crabmeat. Because it was such a beautiful night, Linda had bypassed the dining room for the obvious attractions of the rear terrace. Floored in terrazzo, the large informal area ran the fulllength of the house and led down to the pool area and the luxuriant gardens beyond. The high Moroccan arches were emblazoned with a beautiful scarlet-blossoming vine, and huge ceramic pots filled with golden canes were set at
“And I’ve thrown up this morning,” Linda said. “What we go through to have our darling babies!”
“Things should settle down soon, Lindy,” Camille soothed.
“I hope so, because I feel kind of exhausted and unlovable.”
Camille laughed. “Hey, you’re married to a marvelous guy.”
“Don’t I know it. He’s upset for me. Some women sail through this time. His sister did.”
“We’re all different,” Camille said firmly, aware of Linda’s uneasy relationship with her in-laws. It’ll be easier with number two.”
“It better be!” Linda muttered. “Stephen wants four. I just wish I was better at it. Anyway, enough of dreary old me, what about Hugh? I hope he didn’t give you a rough time.”
“Actually he fired me.”
“He what?”
“Keep calm. I said, he gave me the sack.”
“You’re joking!” Linda sounded stunned.
“No. It appears everyone wants me out. Harry Guilford’s daughter is not an object of pity or concern. Maybe he thinks Harry salted away millions for me in a Swiss bank account, and I’m keeping it quiet It would be the sort of thing another father might have done, but let’s face it, Harry didn’t think I counted. As for the rest, I’m probably taking up a job someone else desperately needs. Besides, I didn’t make it on my own. It was nepotism and little else.”
“But it doesn’t make sense,” Linda protested. “Hugh-gave you your start.”
“Well, now he wants me out. I’m the golden girl no longer. Even Ruth Maynard tried to put me in my place.”
“Detestable woman!” Linda exploded. “Look, why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? Just the three of us and maybe Jeffrey if he’s available. He’s good fun and he adores you.”
“Don’t go matchmaking, Lindy,” Camille warned. “Besides, you’re not up to dinner parties at the moment”
“No, it’s all right.” Linda’s voice brightened. “I’m better at night, and Hilda will be here to help me.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s fine,” Linda insisted. “You need cheering up. So do I. It will be a nice quiet evening among friends.”
And so it turned out. Jeffrey Prior was there, a humorous solid young man with irregular yet attractive features and thick untamed brows. He’d been in lovewith Camille for years, and still the depth of his affection took her by surprise. Jeffrey, like Linda’s husband, Stephen, was an associate in the prestigious law firm of Carghill Kempner Morris, founded by Stephen’s great-grandfather.
“This is relaxing.” Camille tipped her head back, revealing her long swanlike neck. “I’m savoring the tranquillity.”
“And I’m savoring you,” Jeffrey murmured in his deep pleasant drawl.
“Boy, did that sound fervent!” Stephen, a lean good-looking six-footer, glanced with wry amusement at his friend. Poor old Jeff, he thought It was obvious Camille never had and never would see him in a romantic light
“Darn, and I thought it was my secret.” Jeffrey smiled.
“You’re my good buddy, Jeff.” Camille patted his arm affectionately.
Linda, looking very pretty and relaxed in turquoise silk culottes with a matching loose silk shirt, chose that moment to arrive with the first course. Stephen stood up to help her.
“I hope you’re all hungry?” Linda’s single dimple flashed.
“Are we ever!” Camille and Jeffrey made a comic business of shaking out their linen napkins.
“Good.” Linda allowed her husband to seat her.
The entrée was delicious. Parcels of smoked trout filled with spiced prawns and crabmeat. Because it was such a beautiful night, Linda had bypassed the dining room for the obvious attractions of the rear terrace. Floored in terrazzo, the large informal area ran the fulllength of the house and led down to the pool area and the luxuriant gardens beyond. The high Moroccan arches were emblazoned with a beautiful scarlet-blossoming vine, and huge ceramic pots filled with golden canes were set at
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