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must have been something of an honor for her to be to the right of Frank Prentiss. Walter was sitting at Midge’s right hand. Next to her on her own right was Pete Wellington. His wife Charmaine was sitting opposite him. The two remaining seats were facing her and Walter and she realized that Herb would be sitting opposite her, and his wife Kit would be opposite Walter.
    There was something very charming and sophisticated about the seating arrangement, which ensured that the couples were all spread out and would have to get to know each other. But she also couldn’t help but notice that she was surrounded by Herb, Frank and Pete while Walter would be surrounded by Kit, Midge and Charmaine.
    —Now, we’re just waiting on Kit and Herb, Midge said.
    —They’re always the last to arrive, Charmaine said. I’m sure they do it on purpose.
    —Well they’ve earned it, Frank said. They’ve been here longer than any of us. In fact this whole place, everything for miles in all directions, has belonged to Herb’s family since the Civil War.
    That was news to April. She knew Herb was the senior partner at the firm and came from blue blood but she’d never realized just how wealthy he was. She was impressed. In fact, she could feel the excitement from all that wealth and power oozing through her veins like a drug.
    They were drinking a very dry, white wine as an apéritif and it was going straight to April’s head. She hadn’t eaten a thing all day and she was beginning to feel giddy before she’d even finished her first glass. They waited for half an hour and Herb and Kit still hadn’t arrived so the chef sent them out a round of amuse-bouches . Frank explained to April that amuse-bouches were a sort of appetizer that a chef would select for his guests to demonstrate what he had in mind for the evening’s dining. Judging from the little plate in front of her, April thought they were in for quite a treat. It was a very thin slice of some kind of cured ham, served with a piece of grilled peach and a white cheese. She popped it in her mouth and it was delicious.
    By the time the Kingsleys arrived April was having a lot of fun. She couldn’t help drinking the wine, it was so good, and everything was so pretty. Frank and Pete were as charming as they’d been at the restaurant and when she checked on Walter he seemed to be having as much fun as she was with Midge and Charmaine. Then the butler came in and announced Herb and Kit Kingsley and everyone stood up. All the men were dressed formally, but Herb took the cake, dressed in tails and a top hat he looked like an aristocrat from another age. But when Kit walked into the room everyone went silent. Kit was about Herb’s age as far as April could tell, that put her in her mid-sixties, but again she was as beautiful and stylish as any woman could be. She wore a long white gown that actually trailed on the ground behind her and she had white silken gloves that extended past her elbows. An intricate bead-work on the bodice of her gown made her glitter in the candlelight like a chandelier and to top it all off she was wearing a tiara. She looked like a queen.
    April didn’t know what to say when Kit came around and kissed her on both cheeks and told her she looked beautiful in her black dress. She certainly did stand out against the three white gowns the other women were wearing.
    —Don’t be shy, child, she said. You couldn’t be more adorable.
    April didn’t know what to say.
    —I picked it out, you know, kit said and winked.
    —Thank you, was all April could manage before Herb came around and kissed her on both cheeks.
    As she’d expected, Herb sat in the chair opposite her, and Kit sat at the other end of the table, opposite Walter.
    The conversation over dinner covered many topics, and April found it all very enjoyable. At one point she started to feel the need to reconnect with Walter but it was difficult to get his attention. She found herself getting a little