“Be my guest.” Angelica laughed. Candace raised a thoughtful eyebrow.
“There’s more to a man than his looks,” said Letizia. “At our age, we get the faces we deserve.”
“Which is why I still retain my beauty,” said Kate with a giggle. “I’m a thoroughly splendid human being.”
“And you have a splendid face, darling,” Letizia agreed.
“When it moves,” Candace hissed under her breath for only Angelica to hear.
“What are you going to do for Olivier’s birthday?” Kate asked. “It’s next week, isn’t it?”
Of course, she was absolutely right. “How on earth do you know when his birthday is?”
“I have a funny memory when it comes to the names of people’s children and birthdays. I never forget.”
“So when’s mine?” Candace asked, quick as a flash.
“I’m not at my best after a glass of champagne, but if I remember rightly, you’re a Virgo.”
Candace was surprised. “You’re spot-on, but that’s not difficult: I’m a typical Virgo.”
“Letizia’s June twenty-eighth—home-loving Cancer; Angelica’s March sixth—typical, idealistic Pisces; Scarlet’s August twenty-first—very Leo; and you, Candace, are somewhere in late September.”
“The twentieth, actually. I’m more than impressed, I’m astonished you remember anything about anyone else!” said Candace.
“I have a few gifts.”
“Well, I’d completely forgotten Olivier’s birthday,” said Angelica “I don’t even have a gift.”
“Book a table at the Ivy and say it’s been booked for ages,” Letizia suggested. “A surprise. We can all emerge from under the table, if it would help.”
“Oh, I think he’ll be too stressed out to even remember. If it wasn’t for his adoring mother, who will ring at dawn, it would be just another day.”
“For Pete’s, which is at the beginning of December, I’m going to whisk him off to Rome for the weekend. He loves opera.”
“Which bores you to tears,” said Candace.
“That’s not the point. It’s his birthday.”
“That’s surprisingly selfless of you, Kate.”
“I can be generous.” She grinned wickedly. “After all, he’s being very generous to me.”
“So? Out with it? What did he get you?”
The waiter brought the Bellinis. Kate took a sip, enjoying making them wait. “He’s giving me a lot of his time,” she said with emphasis.
“Not his wallet?” Letizia asked.
“Oh, anyone can buy a girl presents, but not all men are good lovers.”
“Now you’ve got me,” said Candace, leaning forward. “Go on.”
“Twice he’s woken me up in the middle of night. Down there!” The girls looked from one to the other in astonishment.
“You’re kidding!”
“Wouldn’t you rather sleep?” asked Letizia, who needed at least eight hours a night.
“I don’t really wake up. I just ride a beautiful wave without ever opening my eyes.” She looked dreamy—and more than a little tipsy.
“So what’s in it for him?” Candace demanded.
“The pleasure of giving,” said Kate sanctimoniously.
“I think he deserves the medal!”
In the wake of that revelation, they all buried their faces in the menus and ordered. Angelica felt flat in spite of being with her best friends in the glamour of the Wolseley, having left the dining room back at home filled with flowers. While Jack’s visit to London had been in the future, she’d had something to look forward to; while he’d been in the city there had been the possibility of meeting him. Now that he had left the country, all chance and anticipation were gone. Nothing in the future except an enticing mirage made up of their impossible desires.
“Angelica, you’re very quiet,” said Letizia, smiling at her sympathetically.
“Hard to get a word in when Kate’s on form,” said Candace.
“I’m feeling a little down, actually,” Kate retorted. “Though one would never know, of course. Have another Bellini, Angelica. I’m suffering a terrible anticlimax after my party, too.”
“Art’s party,” Candace corrected.
“Whatever,” said Kate. “All that preparation, one blissful night, and blink—it’s gone.”
“I’m just tired, but I can’t complain. It was a tremendously good party.” Angelica smiled weakly. She felt as if the slightest comment would make her cry. “I have three big vases of roses for you all,” Angelica continued in order to change the subject. “My godfather filled the dining room with them.”