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Mrs Kropotkin closed her door

CHAPTER FIVE

A few days passed and I hadn't heard anything an I had to adht he'd at least ht about then I was starting to regret I'd turned down his request to coo on a date

Then, I mentally knocked ood for et into some kind of trouble if I let myself become involved with him My father would hear about it soainst me in his mind

The following Thursday, I was sitting ina new cocktail dress he insisted buying fordinner and he wanted n stylist brought in for me, chosen from a selection of a dozen expensive dresses, shoes, and jewelry We had to look perfect as a family My father's neife, Elaine, as only a decade older than me, Heath's wife, Christie, and I made our choices After the dresses were altered to fit us to perfection, I went to my father's apartment to be 'styled' by the makeup artist and hair stylist he hired to make sure we looked perfect I wore a silky black dress with a plunging neckline and understated jewelry, my hair down

She actually spray-painted makeup and eye shadow on my face I couldn’t believe it My father whistled when he sawme blush

The dinner was catered, of course, and there was a bustle in the apart the table and preparing the food There was even a bar set up in the large dining rooements everywhere and hot appetizers – even Russian caviar flown in fro and fresh Alaskan salmon An ice sculpture…

Father spared no expense for the event

Twenty of 'his people' as he called them would be in attendance to discuss his candidacy They would all be expected todonations They would retire to the study after dinner and talk strategy

I was given the itinerary I would stand around with him and Elaine, with Heath and Christie, and have a drink We'd le before dinner We'd have our meal Then, the serious business would happen and I'd be excused My only consolation was that Nigel would be in attendance

Thank God

I grew up in this old apartment and it held a lot of enerations – since the turn of the 20th century One day, it would be Heath's But tonight, it was the setting for o home and work on my article on the IPCC's next round of climate talks, but this was family business

Judge McDere McDermott down

The invitations went out teeks earlier, and cocktails were set to start at 6:30 with dinner at 7:30 It was now 6:05 and I sat in the living rooes from Dawn I wanted to invite her but father said no, it was just faht

Someone arrived early and I wondered who it was? It was so not appropriate for guests to arrive before the allotted time Must be a buffoon as rich but not used to the usual protocol for these kinds of events