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that?" he asked.

    She shrugged, not knowing quite how to explain it.
    "He's his own man. He doesn't seem to need anybody."
    "He just seems that way."
    "He's not attached to me like a child is to his mother. Were you attached to your mother?"
    "Yes."
    "Are you attached to your wife?"
    Thorn's eyes met hers and he caressed her face; she kissed his hand.
    "I don't ever want to leave this spot," she whispered. "I want to stay here like this."
    And she moved her face upward until her lips touched his.
    "You know, Kathy," Thorn whispered after a long silence, "when I first met you, I thought you* were the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen."
    She smiled at the memory and nodded her head.
    "I still think so, Kathy," he whispered. "I still do."
    "I love you," she whispered.
    "I love you so," he responded.
    Her mouth tightened, moisture tracing the rims of her closed eyes.
    "I almost wish you would never to speak to me again," she whispered. "That's what I want to remember hearing you say."
    And when she next opened her eyes, darkness was upon them.
    When they returned to Pereford that night, everyone was asleep; they built a large fire in the fireplace, poured themselves wine, and sat snuggled together,^ deep in a soft leather couch.
    "Can we do this in the White House?" Katherine asked.
    "That's a long way off."
    "Can we do this there?"
    "Don't see why not."

    "Can we be disgusting in the Lincoln bedroom?"
    "Disgusting?"
    "Carnal."
    "In the Lincoln bedroom?"
    "Right in his bed?"
    "If Lincoln will move over, I guess."
    "Oh, he can join in."
    Thorn chuckled and pulled her close.
    "Have to do something about the tourists, though " added Katherine. "They come through the Lincoln bedroom three times a day."
    "We'll lock the door."
    "Hell, no. Let's just charge them extra."
    He laughed again, delighting in her mood.
    "What a tour!" she whispered enthusiastically. "See the President screwing his wife."
    "Kathy!"
    "Kathy and Jerry, going at it. And old Lincoln rolling in his grave."
    "What's gotten into you?" he gasped.
    "You," she hissed.
    He gazed at her, somewhat perplexed.
    "Is this you?" he asked.
    "The real me."
    "The real you?"
    "Aren't I disgusting?"
    She laughed at herself, and so did he. And for that day and night it was the way she had dreamed it could be.
    The following morning dawned bright, and by 9:00 A.m. Thorn was dressed for the wedding and moving jauntily down the stairs.
    "Kathy?" he called.
    "Not ready," her voice replied from upstairs.
    "We're going to be late."
    "That's true."

    "They might wait for us, you know. We ought to make an effort."
    "I'm making an effort."
    "Is Damien dressed?"
    "Hope so."
    "I don't want to be late."
    "Ask Mrs. Horton to make us some toast."
    "I don't want any toast."
    "I want some toast."
    "Hurry up."
    Outside, Horton had already pulled the limousine into place; Thorn stepped out and gave him a wait-a-minute signal, then moved quickly to the kitchen.
    Katherine hurried from her room, tying the sash on her white dress, and moved toward Damien's, calling ahead of her as she went.
    "Let's go, Damien. We're all ready!"
    She stopped in his room, for he was nowhere in sight. She heard the sound of bathwater running in the tub and quickly entered the bathroom. She gasped in dismay. Damien was still in the bath, Mrs. Baylock washing him as he played.
    "Mrs. Baylock," moaned Katherine, "I told you to have him dressed and ready . . ."
    "If you don't mind, ma'am, I think he'd rather go to the park."
    "I told you we were taking him to church!"
    "Church is no place for a little boy on such a sunny day."
    The woman was smiling, apparently feeling it didn't matter.
    "Well, I'm sorry," replied Katherine evenly. "It's important that he go to church."
    "He's too young for church. He'll just cause a fuss."
    There was something in her tone and manner, perhaps too calm and innocent as she openly defied her, that set Katherine's teeth on edge.

    "You don't seem to understand," said Katherine firmly. "I want him