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fund for battered women, he’d arranged an event to raise money for the cause. He had some good connections, and was confident he could accumulate a sizeable sum over time. The charity was officially titled Women Fighting Back.
    Meg had assisted with planning the event, and as always, she had done a great job. Plus, as she’d told Jacob, it was a cause she could get behind. The get-together was held during the day in Palm Court at the Plaza. It was planned as an afternoon tea, another of Meg’s good ideas.
    “ You want to get the women involved, ” Meg had said. “ It’s a cause they will support, and you know plenty of women in business. ”
    She had been correct, and the invitation for afternoon tea went over well. Not only were the women he invited pleased to attend, but his male business associates took the opportunity to include their wives or female counterparts.
    Too often events or fundraisers were open-bar cocktail parties, and while they served their purpose, such had been overdone. It was usually a crowd of businessmen talking shop, “ with the women bored to tears, yet doing their best to be sociable ,” as Meg had enlightened him.
    She had made a good point, and although Jacob wouldn’t have thought of it, the tea was something different. The idea was amazingly popular, and the event’s attendance was good. With Vivienne on his arm, he walked into the dining room.
    “What is that scent you’re wearing today?” Jacob said. “You smell absolutely edible.”
    Vivienne wore a mint-green sweater with a matching flared skirt and beige heels. She looked stunning, as she always did to Jacob, but not overdone. “I’m wearing one of my new scents,” she said. “Actually, that last time we strolled through the park I had an idea. After playing around with it a bit, this is what I came up with.”
    “I seem to recall it was one of your perfumes that lured me in the first place.” Jacob was smitten with her all over again.
    “Mmm, yes, back then I think I was fond of wearing the one that smells like jasmine.”
    Jacob was dressed for the occasion, relieved that high tea didn’t call for a jacket and tie. Especially for the afternoon, he’d been told trousers with a collared shirt were acceptable. Meg seemed to know a lot about etiquette and attire, so she’d filled him in.
    “ It’s a perfect excuse for the ladies to get dressed up, though .” Meg had been right about that, as, looking around, Jacob saw very festively dressed women. They weren’t in the black cocktail dresses he saw so often, but instead wore all manner of dresses or skirts in lovely colors.
    Vivienne took in the scene. “Well, Jacob, you’re a hit with the ladies.”
    He took her hand and headed toward someone he knew. “I try to be.”
    While they chatted and made friends, small sandwiches and fruit tarts were served, with a choice of teas. The male attendees seemed to be having just as much fun as the women. Classical music played in the background and waiters whisked by delivering treats or retrieving empty plates.
    Scones were served with Devonshire cream, lemon curd, and fruit jams. Tiered plates of cakes, petit fours, and éclairs adorned each white-linen-covered table. While the guests nibbled on the treats and sipped tea, they talked and laughed.
    “What a great idea this was,” Vivienne said, leaning toward Jacob.
    “I’ll tell Meg you said so.”
    At the appropriate point, Jacob went to the podium at the front of the group. He highlighted his plans for the new women’s fund, but he didn’t belabor the points. The invitations had made it clear what the purpose of the event was, and the name of the charity spoke for itself.
    The guests lingered over the last of the food, accepting refills of tea. Jacob received many personal thanks for a delightful event, and the donations that followed confirmed that it was a success. More than anything, he was pleased to see such support for a good cause.
    Since it was still