‘I suppose you are also looking forward to the fruits of this marriage?’ ‘Indeed, I am.’ replied Mrs. Clark. ‘As you know, Ethan is my only ...hild. For years I feared I had been too lenient with him in his upbringing, considering his previous behavior… I’m sure you know what I’m referring to. I must say married life becomes him rather well. Virginia keeps a tight leash on him.’ ‘Well, I’m sure it’s not just the marriage,’ said the older Mr. Clark. ‘Oh, you know so much!’ his wife scoffed at him.. " I already have, and she ripped my heart away." Her brown eyes were turning raw and out ran large frightened tears as she tried to hold her pride together.I hesitated, my mind twisted with anger against a woman who could be so cruel to such a delicate rose, then reached for her holding her against me. She held enough anger. I needed to provide her with compassion."She is a fool, Sweeting," I whispered in her ear.I held her against me for the rest of the evening while the club churned out song. Shelly had a wonderful touch as she massaged the shampoo in. I felt myself drifting as each stroke of her fingers combing through. My eyes were closed but I could hear the sound of heals walking by, lightly clicking on the hard floor, then the sound of flip flops slapping. I decided to play a game in my head, guessing what type of person was wearing which shoes as they walked past. Shelly was hard at work with the water and shampoo and I could feel her weight press against my sides leaning. "Oh, yes," said the Emir, "Nice food, and a nice place to live. There is my hunting. Did you know that we hunt here, in the full hunting pink, with hounds?" No, Sir. That was an aspect of life in Kobekistan which had escaped my notice. I knew, of course, that the highest order of chivalry here is the Royal Huntsmen, but I never realised that there was a hunt." Oh, yes. A very fine sight these local dignitaries make in English hunting pink on fine horses. The only way you would know it wasn't.