He allowed me to store them in his office safe and offered to loan me a few trinkets if I ever felt like wearing anything else. He said that he had pi...ked up a few items in the Orient, but they were such that he would look awfully silly wearing them.Mama’s clothing proved surprising for several reasons. First of all, she had an inordinate number of fineries, fit only for viewing by Papa, I am sure. To be delicate about the matter, she had the most complete and indecent trousseau! While I knew. “Hello. Are you two love birds here for a show or are you gamblers?” “Leave them alone Alice.” “Oh shoosh Philip. I’m just making conversation with the lovely couple.” Sarah for some masochistic reason decided that now was the perfect opportunity for complete honesty. “No show for us, we’re here for a dirty weekend.” I swear I was crimson as was Philip. This was clearly another way for Sarah to tease. Alice never batted an eye. “Good for you love. It’s been a bloody long time since we had one. Tate takes my hand gently in his and rubs his thumb around the palm of my hand. “Trust me.”, he reminds me. After about 15 minutes, we arrive at a nice home by the lake. Other houses are near but spread out as well. “This is beautiful”, I comment. And it is, a light blue house with white trim and shutters, large trees around the property and a lake about 50 yards from the back of the house. We walk up to the front door and Tate opens the door without knocking. My nerves are going crazy. “Ah,. I, uh, didn't think they would take so long at the bank." That's okay," Marissa replied, more curtly than she should have.Alan sat down at the table. He placed the thick envelopes on the table. Both of them knew what those envelopes represented.Neither wanted to be the first one to talk.Finally, Alan cleared his throat. "I ... um ... had a great time this week, Marissa." I did, too," she said with a sigh. She needed a sign from him. Something to tell her that she hadn't been played."I—" he.