The Darlings Read Online Free PDF Page A

to Lily, who was midstory. When Lily finished gesticulating animatedly, Merrill clapped her hands and beamed at her sister with a smile that was equal parts encouragement, indulgence, amusement. Paul had seen that scene countless times before. Though Lily was more classically assembled, Paul found Merrill’s innate, unstudied gracefulness endlessly appealing. There were moments when it took the wind out of him, how unfathomably lucky he was to be her husband.
    â€œShe looks beautiful, doesn’t she?” Carter said, his voice tender with pride. “All my girls do tonight.”
    â€œI’m a lucky man, sir.”
    â€œWe both are. It’s been a tough fall, but we have plenty to be thankful for in our family.”
    â€œIndeed. I know I do.”
    Carter patted Paul on the shoulder, acknowledging Paul’s gratitude. He had told Paul to stop thanking him for the job, but Paul continued to do so, in quiet ways.
    The band had stopped playing, and the crowd had begun to trickle out in groups of two and four. Carter pointed toward Ines and Merrill and said, “Should we get the girls to the after-party?”
    Paul hesitated. “I think we may head home,” he said finally. “It’s my fault; I’m a little tired tonight. Will you be in tomorrow?”
    â€œInes wants me to go out to East Hampton with her and get the house ready. I’ll be on my cell, if you need me, or call me at the house. Ines gets testy when I take too many work calls on what she considers to be ‘family time.’ I’ve been doing a lot of that lately, so I’m a bit in the doghouse.”
    â€œUnderstood. I’m sure nothing will come up that I can’t handle.”
    â€œGood man. You’re coming out Thursday morning?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    The men shook hands. “All right, son. Be there in time for the game. The Lions need all the fans they can get this year. Tennessee’s going to give us a run for our money. I’m counting on you.”
    Paul stood outside the Waldorf for a few minutes before Merrill emerged. He watched as she said good-bye to a couple he didn’t know, and from the way she lingered at the hotel entrance, he could tell she was about to stand him up.
    â€œShall we walk home?” Paul said when she finally slid beside him. He extended the crook of his elbow to her.
    â€œI think I’m going to stop in quickly at the after-party,” Merrill said. She busied herself with her fur coat and stared at the ground, knowing she was disappointing him. “I’m sorry! Lily convinced me. I’ll only stay for a drink.”
    â€œOkay,” he said. He was disappointed, but not entirely surprised.
    â€œWhy don’t we walk together, though?” she offered quickly. “The party is just up the street; it’s on your way home. These shoes are actually pretty comfortable.” She laughed as she lifted the hem of her evening gown, the cold night air pricking at her exposed toes. Her toenails were painted a deep vermilion red. Her fingernails were short and unpolished. Merrill never got manicures; she claimed she couldn’t sit still for that long without using her hands.
    â€œThat can’t be possible,” Paul said, shaking his head, “but I can carry you the five blocks.”
    She laughed. “It’ll feel warmer if we start walking.” She burrowed into his side. Feeling her head against his shoulder bolstered his spirits a bit. They started up Park Avenue together, moving as briskly as her dress would allow. Paul noticed when a man passing in the opposite direction checked Merrill out; it gave him a small burst of pride and he hugged her closer to him.
    Even at night, Paul loved this walk. After so many years in New York, midtown Manhattan still felt like the epicenter of the world. The steel buildings glowed with life. Outside, sleek black town cars lined the curbs while young bankers and lawyers stood