The day had started out so boring and had just become interesting. It was nice to know that there was a man in Paris who didn’t express eternal love for her money. Frenchmen were horrible when it came to saying things plainly. An Englishman, especially one who challenged her, would make the day delightful.

Hoping to evade the crowd of admirers, she slipped into English, which she had learned from her aunt and cousins. Yes, it might just be a lovely day.


There was something about Englishmen that Kate instantly enjoyed. Perhaps it was their way of getting to the point. Maybe it was the jaunty way that they acted, or maybe it was just as simple as enjoying the accent.

Kate put her finger to her mouth and thought for a few minutes about what she would like to have, there was so little in the world that she wanted. Her apartment was filled with pretty things and fresh flowers that were changed daily. Admirers presented way too much candy.

She thought. Believe it or not, Kate was shy and more at home with her dogs and paints. This Englishman seemed to look right through her. She gathered up her courage and continued to act like a regular flapper.

“If Ksar wins, you have to accompany me while I go shopping tomorrow, take me for afternoon tea, and go with me on a walk to a few places I could never go to on my own and pay for a spray of orchids next time I go to the ballet or opera.

If Ortello wins, then I shall write out a large check to your favorite charity. If you’d rather have something else, name what you want.”

Katherine tossed her head back and laughed, although even a blind man could know that she was issuing a challenge.