The Husband List Read Online Free PDF Page A

on the edge of Central Park where it met Fifth Avenue. A dozen future rulers of New York society stood by their bicycles under two broad and leafy sycamore trees, avoiding the bright afternoon sun. He wondered how the wool-clad group would avoid dropping of exhaustion on this unseasonably warm day. He worried about the women, especially, in their jackets with both blouses and vests beneath, not to mention their long skirts. Even those who wore shorter skirts with voluminous knickerbockers peeking from beneath would feel the heat. Because Jack chose not to roast, he’d grabbed a yachting blazer made of cotton. Functionality interested him, not fashion.
    “There you are, old man,” Charles cried as Jack coasted to a stop and dismounted.
    Jack did feel old compared to this crew. Under one tree he’d already spotted the Maxwell twins, along with a handful of their little friends. They were all barely out of the nursery. Slightly older cyclists had gathered beneath the second tree. And he did mean slightly. At age twenty-three, Charles’s sister appeared to be the eldest.
    Charles approached and shook Jack’s hand. Round of build, with wavy brownish hair and a usually serious demeanor, Charles looked as trustworthy as the heir to a banking fortune should. He’d entered Princeton the same year as Jack. Charles, along with classmate Eddie Maxwell, had made sure Jack received invitations into the best dining clubs, though he wasn’t from a top-drawer family. Jack had appreciated the gesture, even if he hadn’t cared one hell of a lot about making inroads with the worst of the snobs.
    “So glad you could make it,” Charles said to Jack.
    “Happy to be here,” Jack replied automatically.
    Then he realized that might actually be true. He’d just spotted Caroline in the deep shade of the first tree. If her dark hair hadn’t given her away, the seductive curve of her waist to her hips would have.
    This outing might be tolerable, after all. Jack began to head in Caroline’s direction, but Charles held him back.
    “My sister Harriet is here,” he said in a cheerful tone. “Have I ever introduced you to her?”
    “Yes, you have,” Jack said. When Charles’s brown spaniel eyes drooped, he added, “But it’s been some time.”
    “Then let’s go over and renew the acquaintance,” Charles said. “Bring your bicycle. We’ll be heading off soon.”
    It was clear to Jack that he was expected to be Harriet’s partner.
    “Harriet,” Charles called. “Look who’s joining us at the last minute!”
    Instead of just Harriet, the entire group looked their way. Jack lifted a hand in a casual wave and shot a smile specifically at Caroline. She smiled back. Maybe last night’s storm had blown over.
    Harriet hurried over to greet him. As she talked, Jack could see why any number of men might be pleased to have someone like her as a wife. Her blond hair was thick and beautiful, her teeth were straight, and her nose pert. She didn’t require much participation in a conversation, either. Jack nodded and made polite responses as she chattered in her high-pitched tones.
    All the while, Caroline kept looking over, aggravation growing more obvious on her face. Harriet and her brother were talking about Harriet’s skill at archery when Caroline stalked over.
    “Excuse me for interrupting, Charles, but do you think we could be on our way?”
    Charles looked at her blankly.
    She gave him a stunning smile.
    “Oh, yes. Yes, of course,” he stammered.
    “Thank you,” she said.
    Charles trotted off to do Caroline’s bidding.
    “Good job,” Jack said to her.
    “I try to do my best,” she replied.
    “Caroline, Jack and I were just talking about archery,” Harriet announced, moving a step closer to him.
    Caroline must have noted the proprietary move because amusement began to sparkle in her eyes. “Were you?”
    “Yes.” Harriet tilted her head and assessed Caroline. “You know, I’ve never seen you engage in archery while