Wayne." Ms. Kendrich said, rising andpouring a glass of pink champagne from a bottle chilling nearby.Then she handed me the glass. "I suppose you're w...ndering why welured you here tonight." Okay, I'll bite. What's this all about?" Remember that afternoon in my father's study?" Stephanie asked."I was being such a brat that day! Do you remember how I yelledat you and kicked you and all? A lot of guys would have folded ina situation like that, but not you. You put me in my place.And you did it so. What? “I'm so sorry, I didn't quiet catch that. Could you run that by me one more time? I think I must have misheard you.” I said with a faintly confused smile. Surely I heard that wrong. The old lady waiting in line behind me certainly didn't react to this woman offering to suck my nuts... to get my balance back?And taking a second to look at her she was quite the young woman. Probably between 20 and 23, she stood tall and curvy, her almond skin practically glowing. Her hour glass figure round. We could have made for Ostend, which is a similar distance by road, but would entail a longer sea passage. Mimi was concerned the girls and Jean- Woodrow might succumb to seasickness, and therefore chose the shortest crossing. We were accompanied by Claudette; now the twins were fully weaned she acted as their nursemaid and Mimi’s ladies’ maid, and was regarded as a member of the family.The safety and security of Château Blanchard and its residents had been left in the safe hands of the steward. “Can I get you another beer, Steve?” I offered. He looked up gratefully, drained his can and held out the empty. “Thanks, Em, that’d be just great. And listen... Thanks... Just thanks, yeah?” He grabbed my hand, gave it a squeeze and his voice caught in his throat as he opened his mouth to say something else. The words never came and instead he just gave a wan smile. “I won’t be too long,” I smiled, rubbing his slumped back. “Gonna check how my bath is doing. I'll back in a minute.” I hurried.