1 met several business friends of Father s whom ! hadn t<br >met before." She was thinking of Gerald Lannon and her heart<br >beat a little faster. She thought of him constantly since her<br >return. Gerald had been the highlight of her trip. Her father<br >disapproved of him， of course， but had to introduce them<br >when Gerald came up to their table at Del Monico s. His<br >smile had dazzled her. His Irish charm was irresistible. She<br >had fallen in love with him<br >Gerald Lannon was the most<br >the moment he took her hand<br >beautiful man she had ever seen.<br > "Who escorted you to the theater?" Tad asked casually.<br > Her eyes flashed as she turned on him. "What is this， Tad?<br >The Spanish Inquisition? I will not be cross--examined."<br > He was taken aback. "I m not cross-examining you， Mary.<br >rm concerned， that s all."<br > "Well， don t be. I m quite capable of looking after myself."<br > He looked around the room. "Mary， lower your voice.<br >People are watching."<br > "Let them watch. Oh， you re just like Father， Tad. You<br >i， thmk i can t go to the bathroom by myself."<br > "Mary!"<br > "Let me tell you something， Tad Fitzroy. l m sixteen years<br >01d and I don t need a nursemaid." She slammed down the<br >punch cup. "Men，" she huffed， and stormed away.<br > As she walked out of the ballroom， ignoring the astonished<br >looks of the guests， she felt like crying but didn t know why.<br >Why had she become so annoyed with Tad? Lately she was<br >annoyed with everything and everyone. It was Gerald， she<br >knew， who was causing this restlessness and irritability. New<br >York seemed so far away and the terrible fear that she would<br >never see him again was smothering her. He had told her he d<br > to get up to Boston， but it had been a casual remark. She<br >hoped and prayed that he had meant it.<br > : She started up the stairs to the powder room and stopped<br > ~.idway when three very boisterous young men ca me into the<br > ~r. The youngest of the three was taking off his overcoat.<br > .~ sound of his voice， his laugh， was unmistakable. She<br > .~ebed the railing and felt her knees go weak. She couldn t<br > lipide whether to call to him or rush into his arms. <br ><br >