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Elizabeth smiled. Don't I know it.
Willand Richard left the group and went to the bar to get wine for the table.
“Where are Catherine and Anne?” Will asked.
Richard shrugged. “They should be here shortly. Um, can you do me a favor and at leasttryto smile when you talk to Lauren?”
Will frowned. “Didn't I smile when you introduced me?”
“No. You glared, like you always do. She's been nervous as hell about coming here and meeting you like this, so please be nice. You'll like her, Iknowyou will, if you just give her a chance.”
“I told you I would. Stop trying to sell her to me.”
Richard’s eyes blazed. “Sellher to you? Fuck off, Will. That's not what I'm doing.”
Will held up a hand. “I’m sorry, bad choice of words. What I mean is, if she's everything you claim she is, then Iwilllike her. You don't have to plead her case.” He sighed. “The whole thing…it still makes me uneasy. I don't like it.”
“I know you don't, andsheknows you don't. Can you pretend she isn’t my assistant? Just for tonight?”
“I'll try.”
By the time they returned to the table, Anne and Catherine had arrived, and Catherine called out to him.
“Fitzwilliam! There you are, darling. It's nice to see you.”
She held out her hand, fully expecting Will to walk around the table and take it—which he did.
“Catherine,” he said, and bent to kiss her cheek. “It's nice to see you too, as always.”
“It's been entirely too long, hasn't it? I demand to know why you didn't come to see me when you were in California. Anne said you were there five days, and I never saw you once.”
“I was busy with work. You know RJD keeps me running. I had to keep an eye on your stepson too. Someone needs to make sure he stays out of trouble.”
“Well now, it looks as though he’s found someoneelseto keep him out of trouble. Have you met his Lauren? She's lasted a bit longer than the usual week or two, so she must be something special. It's a shame she's just a secretary. Does she have no ambition, no drive to be more? I’ll need to have a conversation with her later.”
Anne strolled over and caught the last bit of conversation. “You'll do nothing of the sort, Mother. She's very nice, and Richard adores her. You will leave her be.”
Will smiled at Anne. She always stuck up for Richard, no matter what. He liked that about her.
“How are you, Anne?” he asked quietly, and kissed her cheek.
“I'm well, thanks. How are you? Everything…still good?”
He nodded. “Great. I'd like you to meet Elizabeth.”
“I'd love to.”
Will led Anne over to where Elizabeth stood with the rest of their small group, and introduced Anne to Elizabeth and Jane. They all made small talk for a bit, and then Anne turned to Elizabeth.
“It'snice to finally meet you,” she said quietly. “Lord knows I heard enough about you when Will was in California.”
Elizabeth wasn't sure what to say, and Anne waved her hand dismissively.
“Sorry, that came out wrong. I probably shouldn't have brought it up.”
“No, it's–it’s okay. It’s fine.”
“I can only imagine what you thought of me. I’m a lot of things, but one thing I amnotis a woman who steals men from other women.”
