Chapter 3

As Robert pulled into the Kelly's driveway, he surveyed the sumptuous grounds surrounding the Manor House. This was just the way he wanted to live. There was a fantastic view of the Bay from the house which was perched on the top of a sloping hill. Every light in the house was glittering brightly... the party was a big one. The sound of music and laughter drifted from the open terrace windows that gave on to the grounds.

"Now, remember," Robert said to Midge who sat quietly beside him. "Remember, this party could mean everything! Dick Kelly is Kelly Household Products and if I land this account I'll be able to write my own ticket..."

"Yes, Robert, you've told me. My memory isn't quite that short. We've been over this several times before!"

"Okay... I just want to make sure everything goes smoothly, that's all. It's got to be perfect." He brought the car to a stop, jumped out and went around to the other side to open the door for Midge.

Midge noticed how handsome her husband looked in his tuxedo. She was proud of him, but she was worried tonight. He had scarcely mentioned the way she looked, and she had gone out of her way to make herself especially beautiful for the party. He had looked her over, but more as though to see her through the eyes of the guests at the party, than through his own. She felt vaguely dissatisfied as they walked up to the house.

A butler let them in and they were greeted by Dick Kelly who was standing with a small group of people near the door. Midge noticed him right away, for he was a good head taller than most of the men present, and wore a dark burgundy-colored tux. There were waiters scurrying about through the many rooms of the house, and each room was filled with well-dressed, good-looking people.

Robert introduced Midge to Dick Kelly, who smiled and took her hand, hesitated a moment and then placed it to his lips. Midge blushed a deep scarlet.

"Why, Bob," Dick asked "why didn't you tell me you had such a gorgeous wife stashed away at home?"

Robert smiled broadly and put his arms around her waist, letting his hand fall almost obscenely just below her left breast. "I like to keep her for special occasions!" he answered almost suggestively and then excused himself leaving Midge on her own.

A short while later she found herself abandoned. Almost everyone at the party was a member of Carter and White, or of Kelly products. Midge knew some of the wives on sight and she had been introduced to Connie Kelly, a stunning blonde in a Dior dress, but apparently Deedie and Ron hadn't arrived, since she didn't see them anywhere in the vast crowd of people that kept steadily growing.

Midge sipped her scotch and soda and glanced about her. She was very impressed with the opulence of her surroundings. She had never before seen anything quite like it. The house itself was a small mansion built in the Tudor fashion with beautiful hand- carved doors and stained glass windows framed by window nooks in the old style. The main living room was immense, housing a large stone fireplace, large comfortable leather chairs and terrace doors opening onto a sloping lawn. A huge tapestry hung from the ceiling, and up on a small balcony a colorful mosaic depicted a pastoral scene. A suit of armor stood at the entrance-way, causing most of the guests to do a double-take as they entered the room.

It wasn't difficult for her to fend off the thinly veiled passes of most of the men she encountered at the party. Sometimes she wondered why they even bothered. Didn't they know she was a married woman?

She continued circulating from group to group, getting by with a few words and a smile to those she knew and then continuing on. She was in no mood to get involved in long conversations... it was too difficult when her mind was on other things. She wondered where Robert was. She had already gone through most of the rooms without seeing him. She heard some of the men say that there was a billiard room upstairs, and she supposed that he was there.

A waiter appeared with a tray of fresh drinks and she took one, placing her empty glass on the tray. Just then, she spotted Deedie across the room and made her way over to where she stood.

"Deedie!" she called out. "I'm so glad to see you. What kept you so long?"

"Hi, sweetie... oh you know, that husband of mine. It takes him forever to get anywhere. And they complain about us women! Ha! Thank God we're here though... looks pretty posh. Where's that man of yours?"

"Oh, I guess he's around somewhere. I haven't seen him since we walked in the door to tell you the truth. Well,..."

"Well," Deedie went on, "we girls can have fun without them for a while anyway. Besides I see some pretty good-looking creatures here tonight. Speaking of good-looking creatures, what do you think of Dick Kelly?" she said, a strange glint in her eyes.

"Dick Kelly? Oh, he's all right, I suppose," Midge answered absentmindedly.

"Did you see that dress his wife is wearing? Well, I guess if I had a figure like that I'd wear a dress like that too. As it is, I'm constantly bordering on the stylishly stout. Lucky for me a lot of perfectly divine people enjoy the motherly type." Deedie laughed good naturedly, sipping her drink and looking about her with interest.

"Deedie, I just can't get over you. I feel just terrible," Midge whined.

"Nonsense. That shouldn't last long. I insist that you cheer up! You hear me... I insist!" And with that, Deedie drifted off in the direction of a group of young men who were holding an animated conversation in a corner.

Midge turned, feeling rather lost and lonely in the large crowd, and not seeing Robert, wandered across the living room and out onto the terrace that overlooked the bay. The sudden rush of cool air wafting in from the sea water caressed her face in its brisk moistness.

"Mmmm..." she sighed as she felt the fresh air clear her head of the smoke and liquor from the party. Maybe Robert was right, she thought. It certainly would be wonderful to live like this... to have the bay right out your back door... to be able to feel this wonderful breeze singing through your hair every night of the year. But Midge's reverie was soon shattered. As she scanned the vast expanse of the surrounding grounds, her eyes focused upon two figures in the darkness... two figures in the clutch of a passionate embrace. Not wanting to embarrass anyone, she started to turn back when suddenly she recognized the woman as Connie Kelly, the host's wife.