In Name Only Read Online Free PDF Page B

subdued air. There was a vague, pleasant clinking of cutlery and dishes, and faintly, as if coming from a long distance away, was the sound of music, some classical piece which seemed to tie the entire scene together. Jill was enchanted, but she was the heiress now. There was no way she could act as awed as she felt.
    "I took the liberty of ordering for us all," Wilhelm said, "knowing your tight schedule."
    Simon nodded. "Fine, fine."
    Several waiters hovered about, filling water glasses, placing small elegant trays of bread and butter in front of them. A sommelier appeared, his great keys and bottle opener strung on a silver chain about his neck. Jill tried to look as if it were something she had dealt with every day of her life.
    A cooler with a bottle of champagne was brought to the table. "I left the choice of wines to you," said Wilhelm, "but first I want to toast the bride and groom."
    Jill felt her face grow hot as the sommelier uncorked the champagne. Simon reached over and took her hand in his as Wilhelm toasted them.
    "A long, healthy, happy life."
    Their glasses were filled with champagne and Simon, still holding her hand, raised his. "To my bride," he said, downing the champagne quickly. Jill, knowing her face to be suffused with an embarrassed red, raised her glass. "To my groom," she said in a whisper, sipping the drink, her eyes locked with his, yet realizing with a shock that she saw a warning light in them. A warning that told her they were playing games, and that she must keep to the rules.
    "Well," said Wilhelm, rubbing his hands happily, "I've never seen two people more suited to one another."
    Simon silently placed his glass on the table, and turned to discuss ordering the wines with the sommelier.
    Wilhelm smiled attentively at Jill. "Well, I suppose you're all ready for your trip. Are you looking forward to it?"
    "Oh yes," Jill said, forcing a smile. She did not know how much Wilhelm had been told concerning their plans, but something about Simon's manner warned her to say as little as possible.
    "Very pretty place," Wilhelm went on. "Still, a small, sleepy backwater compared to Chicago."
    "I've had quite enough of Chicago," she told him. "I'm looking forward to something small, sleepy and out of the way."
    "Speak Portuguese?"
    "Yes."
    "Well, then, you'll get along." He smiled and picked up a small roll and began to butter it. "You'll get along."
    Jill realized that she had no appetite, none at all. She preferred the champagne, quite content to drain her glass and have the waiter refill it instantly.
    Simon, finished with the ordering of the wine, turned to her. "You didn't have any breakfast, I suppose," he stated. "You'd better eat something." His manner, perfunctory, even bossy, had an overtone of condescension to it, as if he were talking to a child and expected to be obeyed.
    The first course was served, a small square of pate, a black truffle like a baleful eye, decorating the center.
    White wine appeared and her glass was filled at once. Jill, the heiress, she thought, as she tried the pate and found it delicious. The heiress in an old coat and knit cap and boots that had seen better days, with a huge diamond ring upon her finger.
    Simon, deep in conversation with Wilhelm, turned to her occasionally and gave her hand a pat of reassurance, as if she were quite welcome to join in. There was something so superior in his manner, however, so cold and even calculating, that she felt suddenly frightened, and isolated. There was no one, she realized, absolutely no one upon whom she could count for disinterested advice. Mrs. Hughes, by her smiles and nods, had given unqualified approval. Apart from her landlady, there was her college roommate, whom she saw only infrequently for visits to museums or shopping expeditions. No one, because for the past half year, she had all but cut herself off from her friends, with the exception of Derek Fairchild. She had been waiting, waiting, waiting to hear from Daniel