levator opene

dence of ownership. The space smelled of lilies and money, the particular perfume of old wealth that had ne

nty, perhaps, his livery impeccable, his face ar

and rose, palm out, as if he might physic

's arm

s flew, skittering across the Persian runner. He stumbled, his balance failing completely. He fell backwa

pped ov

ahogany, heavy, designed to impress. Evel

ct was t

lting, spilling Earl Grey across her Chanel skirt. The liquid was hot-she gasp

rock sc

ghter, and the sound died in her throat as she turned toward the intrusion.

aw Ev

rdrums. Giselle's hand found her throat. Chloe's fingers curled i

lked into

door and the seating arrangement. She didn't hurry. She didn't hesitate. She

ed the so

white silk dress beneath, still stained from the morning's performance. She looked at Giselle. At

in my mother's c

rmor of entitlement. She straightened her spine, lifted her chin, l

ing's spectacle. Dragging our name through the gu

ched for

she was recovering too, finding courage in her mother's presence. "E

ed for the c

on that cost four dollars apiece at Ladurée. She selected one, pink

ped it into t

t. Chloe's face flushed crimson. She surged to her feet, p

ked. "Get out of our

ound Chloe's finger, the extende

she said. "Or I

e Chloe's hand falter. The finger curled, retracted. Chloe took a

sition, using her height, her heels, th

he said. "You have nothing. No money,

hallway where the butler lay, and screa

n lau

n edge of hysteria that made Giselle's hand pause on the telephone

hrew

t, across the floor at Chloe's feet. Dozens of images, printed on gl

ht in the Hamptons. The man behind her was recognizable to anyone who followed financial news-a hed

nt the colo

mouth opened, closed,

le sc

o hide them, to undo the moment of exposure. Her composure shattered, her dignit

ns. She crossed her arms, watching the per

e said, "is ju