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"Mona was clearly startled, but she didn't laugh She only beamed at me, and then boldly she leaned over and kissed ht?' she asked 'I think you're truly and egregiously in love with me ¡¯

" 'Absolutely and forever,' I said 'But we don't have to wait for the cereet married in Paris Aunt Queen does it all the ti out We'd need your passport of course, but I'd go back to the house with you -- ¡¯

" 'Darling,' said Aunt Queen, 'I don't think that's necessary I think I see the Mayfairs co up the drive now ¡¯

"It was a giant black stretch liravel down as it lumbered to a stop before the front steps of the house

"Mona turned around, then she turned back and she looked at me The tears rose in her eyes 'Tarquin,' she said, 'would you really take ht?¡¯

" 'Yes, absolutely!' I said 'Aunt Queen, you know it's what you want, that I go to Europe, that I be educated! Nash, you can guide and tutor all of us ' I would die for Mona, I knew it I would fight everyone in that car

" 'Nash,' said Aunt Queen, 'go and greet the to his feet Call him off I'll never make it across the lawn in these shoes Be the front man, will you, dear?¡¯

"Mona quickly explained that it was Ryan Mayfair, the lawyer and father of Pierce, and Dr Rowan Mayfair, and her husband, Michael Curry, ere now approaching the table I stood up naturally, but Mona did not, and I moved behind her chair and I placedup the lawn I was being rude I was bracing for battle

" 'Don't worry, my brave Ophelia,' I said under my breath, 'you shall not perish while this brave Laertes lives ¡¯

"But theheart, it was the cautious and almost hostile expression on Aunt Queen's face as the little party ca them to sit down

"They all declined a chair They were very much 'in a hurry,' but were very thankful 'We've come to pick up Mona,' said Dr Rowan Mayfair in a very soft and polite voice I believe it's what you call a whiskey voice 'Mrs McQueen,' she said with a little nod of her head, 'you have a nificent house ¡¯

" 'Well, I hope someday,' said Aunt Queen, 'you can come to visit ' But she was not her usual war the group of them in a way I've never seen

"Introductions wereas if he'd been born in his Brooks Brothers suit and Michael Curry, being the oldest and rough cut but a very handsouy in his safari jacket, with his beautiful salt-and-pepper hair and a very easy manner He had a very Irish look to him with his square face and blue eyes The laas uncomfortable and Dr Rowan Mayfair wasn't exactly at ease either Dr Rowan had a high-cheeked, sleek beauty to her with bobbed hair There was soh her manner was low-key

" 'Come on, Mona,' said Dr Rowan, 'we're here to take you ho ¡¯

" 'I want you to leave me alone!' Mona said It was practically a cri de coeur