“You look crackers tonight, darling,” Lord Farley said to Mona as they sped along Versailles Road at twenty-five miles per hour in Mona’s chauffeur-driven red and black Daimler. It was dark and the road was slippery with ice.
Mona smiled and answered, “Thank you, Robert. A lady always likes to be complimented, but in America the word ‘crackers’ has a negative connotation.”
Robert replied, “Then you look ravishing. How’s that?”
Mona nodded and took a sterling compact out of her purse in order to check her lipstick.
Robert gave Mona the once-over. She was wearing her sleeveless black velvet gown with the sweetheart neckline and elbow-length black gloves. The dress was accented by a long strand of pearls held together by a diamond clip. Her evening coat was a heavy, black brocade as the night was cold due to a winter storm several days before.
Mona glanced over at Robert, approving of his evening tux, black cape, and silver-handled walking stick. He also smelled divine. “You look mighty spiffy yourself.”
“Spiffy. That’s a new American term for me.”
“It means you look okay, bub.”
“Darling! You’re shivering.”
“I’m cold. I think I’m still recovering from our trek to the mountains.”
“It was a shame you missed your first Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Moon Manor only to be fighting for your life on Pine Mountain.”
“I was bored and wanted some adventure,” Mona laughed. “That’s what I got—only the joke was played on me.”
“A little too much adventure.”
Mona placed her hand over Robert’s. “The only thing I regret is that I put you in danger. I can never forgive myself for doing so. I should have checked out Rupert Hunt more thoroughly. I’m so sorry, Robert. Really.”
“I never liked the man, but I must say his scheme to kidnap you without you knowing it was devilishly clever. He got you to go along with his plan willingly.”
“So you forgive me for hiring Rupert later?”
“I guess it takes a thief to catch a thief.”
“He’s already given Moon Enterprises good information on embezzling in our Butte, Montana office.”
“Hiring him is not something I would have done, but things seem to have a way of working out for you, Mona.”
“Yes, it’s a brand new year and all that trouble is behind us. Roosevelt is fixing the country, and we are heading toward a brighter future.”
Robert kissed the inside of Mona’s wrist. “And our future as well.”
Mona looked deeply into Robert’s eyes. “To our future as well,” she echoed before shivering again.
“Why aren’t you wearing one of your grandmother’s fur coats?”
“I hate wearing dead animal skins. It makes me feel—well, uneasy.”
Lawrence Robert Emerton Dagobert Farley, Marquess of Gower, had noticed that Mona was slowly weeding her wardrobe of leather and furs. He had thought this new indulgence odd, but had said nothing. Instead, Robert was rather proud of Mona’s compassion for animals. Pulling her close, he said, “Let me warm you. It is a chilly night.”
Mona snuggled close to him, sighing contentedly.
“I see you are still not wearing my engagement ring.”
“I shall wear it when we announce our betrothal and not before.”
“Let’s do it tonight.”
“And spoil the evening for our hostess? I should say not. By the way, who exactly are our host and hostess tonight?”
Robert pulled out a linen paper invitation from his pocket. “Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Hopper.”
“The Vanderbilt family?”
“A minor cousin with the name but none of the money. Cornelius goes by the name of Connie.”
“Did you know that a centurion named Cornelius was directed by an angel to contact St. Peter? After he spoke with Peter, he converted to Christianity and is considered the first gentile convert. Here’s another fun fact, Connie means wolf in old German.”
“You know the oddest trivia.”
Mona shrugged. “I guess I thought of it because there is a wolf moon tonight.”
“A what?”
“A full moon in January is called a wolf moon. Don’t ask me why. It just is.”
Robert peered out of the car window at the sky. “It is a full moon. I didn’t even notice. Looks like it’s going to snow, too.” He leaned back in the seat and put his arm around Mona.
“What else can you tell me about them?” Mona asked.
“The family did have money at one time, but Connie’s father was a notorious gambler and frittered all the family’s money away.”
“Ooh, not good.”
“I mean they are not poor by any means, but the family is not Vanderbilt rich anymore. They are just comfortable.” Robert thought for a moment. “Well, maybe scratching by. I’ve heard tales.”
“They can’t be too poor if they are throwing a big shindig tonight. Champagne costs money.”
“Connie is throwing this bash for everyone to meet his new young wife. She has some money, which is why he can afford this bash.”
“Go on.”
“Her name is Elspeth Neferet Alden. Her father was Sir Jonathon Alden.”
“The famous Egyptologist?”
“I knew that would impress you.”
“Oh, my goodness. I can’t wait to meet her and talk about her father’s exploits.”
Robert was delighted when Mona’s yellow eyes lit up with excitement. She liked nothing better than to discuss the ancient world in the Near East. It was her passion.
The Daimler pulled up in front of a beige limestone mansion with its windows blazing with light as though a thousand candles had been lit. Jamison, Mona’s chauffeur, opened the car door.
Robert jumped out first and gave a hand to Mona, who stared at the mansion.
Mona commented, “This is bigger than Moon Mansion. Must cost a fortune for the upkeep.”
“Now you see the need for this marriage.”
“Oh,” was all Mona could utter before the door was opened by the butler and Mona was whisked out of the cold.