The gate swung open, revealing a large, turreted castle. Green ivy crept up the front of the building, and dozens of stained glass windows glowed bright and cheerful.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

​​

"It's been in the Fields family for ages," Sean replied.

Dozens of beautifully dressed guests crossed the front lawn heading for the doors. Sean helped her out of the car and led her toward the house. A few people turned to look at them, and she couldn't help but stare back. Several of the curious faces looked familiar, but it took her a moment to place them. She stared at one older man with a lion's mane of gray hair and bright blue eyes. He smiled and winked at her, and she froze.

"He's on TV," she whispered.

Sean cast a lazy glance in the old man's direction, "The Fields family is very involved in the film industry. You'll see lots of actors and actresses here tonight."

She tried not to stare, but it was impossible to avoid the feeling that they were staring at her. As she passed a group of young starlets, she caught them glaring at her.

"She's not even that pretty," whispered one.

"Shh," whispered another.

"Don't you think her shoulders are too broad for her frame?" whispered a third.

"Don't mind them," Sean said.

"They look like they want to eat me alive," she said.

Out of the corner of her eye, she shot another glance at the woman. She couldn't help but wonder if any of them had ever dated Sean. She wanted to ask but was worried he'd interpret the question as jealousy.

"Sean," a voice called.

She turned and saw Leydon making his way toward them. He wore a gray suit like Sean's but instead of a tie, he had a bowtie. He waved them over with a broad smile on his face.

"There you are," he said as they joined him. "Grandma keeps asking about you."

"Where's Brad?" Sean asked.

"Oh, he's kissing up to Grandmother," Leydon laughed. "He wants her to give him the number of some model working for the family company."

"Why doesn't he just get the model's number herself?" Catherine asked.

Leydon and Sean exchanged a glance, and both of them smiled.

"What?" she asked.

"Brad tried to get her number at the last party," Leydon said. "Let's just say it didn't go well."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"The girl threw a drink in his face," Leydon laughed. "My grandmother saw, and naturally, she took the girl's side."

Catherine laughed, and Leydon led them into the house through a grand stone entryway. They passed into a large hall, and Leydon turned to the right, leading them into another room. Chandeliers sparkle overhead though the late evening light still poured through the windows.

A small group was clustered in the middle of the room. In the center of the group stood a white-haired woman wearing large emerald earrings. She shook her head and laughed and then stopped.

"Sean, is that you?" Mrs. Fields called. "It's been far too long."

Catherine felt Sean tug her arm, and together they approached Mrs. Fields. The woman wrapped Sean in a grandmotherly hug and then stepped back.

"You must be Catherine," she said.

"Yes, ma'am," Catherine replied. "It's an honor to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," Catherine said.

Suddenly she remembered the small bag she held in her hand. She offered the gift to Mrs. Fields.

"This is from Sean and me," she said.

"Such a lovely girl," Mrs. Fields said. "Thank you, dear. Though at my age, I hardly need anything else."

"I hope you enjoy it anyway," Catherine said, feeling slightly embarrassed. She had no idea what was in the bag. Sean had given it to her in the car, and she'd forgotten to ask what was inside.

"At your age?" Brad asked loudly. "You don't look a day over forty."

"Flattery won't help you get that poor girl's number, Brad," Mrs. Fields said.

The group laughed, but the sound stopped suddenly. Four women entered the room and moved toward the group. In the middle, Catherine recognized Sean's grandmother, Catherine. On her left was his mother, Vivian, and on her right was Iris. Pearl walked slightly behind them.

"Iris," Sean growled. "She shouldn't be here."

"Oh hush, Sean," Mrs. Fields said. "Let her stay for me. It's my 70th birthday, after all."

"Oh Sean, Catherine," Vivian said. "It's such a surprise to see you here." She paused and looked at the small group, "You know, it's been ages since they've come to visit us."

"I've been busy," Sean said coolly.

"Yes, clearly," Vivian said. "You've always been a hard-worker. But it's a wonder we haven't seen your wife. As far as I've heard, she doesn't work or even attends school. She must have very little to keep her occupied."

"I do work, actually," Catherine said. "I'm an intern at Feather Textile Corporation right now. And I'll be starting school at King's College in a month."

"You? At King's College?" Iris sneered. "You have to be kidding me."

"It's true," she replied. "I have my acceptance letter and everything."

"Curious," Iris said. "I didn't see your name on the list of new students."

Catherine shrugged calmly, "Must have been a mistake."

"You know, Iris, I heard from a friend that King's College holds a few spaces open each year," Pearl said. "They do it for students of exceptional talent. Perhaps, Catherine is one of those exceptional students."

Catherine winced. Though Pearl's words sounded flattering, there was something sarcastic about the way she spoke.

"Perhaps," Iris sneered. "I know one of Catherine's old classmates, and the stories she's told me sound exceptional indeed. Though not in the way King's College means it, perhaps."

Sean opened his mouth to say something, but Catherine grabbed his hand and shook her head. If he defended her, it would make her look weak.

"There's nothing all that exceptional about me," she said modestly. "But I don't mind being the underdog. Besides, I've been studying with Margo Fresco, and she agreed to put in a good word for me at the university."

"Margo Fresco?" Mrs. Fields asked. "She's such a dear."

"She really is lovely," Catherine agreed.

Mrs. Fields paused, "I just had tea with her the other day, and she was telling me about a promising new student she was working with. I wonder, are you perhaps the student?"

Catherine smiled politely, "I believe I'm her only student."

"Well, aren't you charming," Mrs. Fields said. "Someday, you'll have to come over and give me your opinion on some old brooches I have. I want to have the stones reset, and I'd love someone young and creative to design something a little more modern for me."

Iris and Pearl looked as if they'd been slapped, but they didn't dare say anything else in front of Mrs. Fields and Sean. The group fell into an uncomfortable silence.

Suddenly a musical voice called, "Granny, I'm home."

Everyone turned as Clara appeared in the doorway. She moved like a dancer with her head held high and her shoulders back. In her floor-length baby-blue dress, she seemed to float instead of a walk across the room.

"Oh, Clara," Mrs. Fields called. "You made it!"

"I told you I would," Clara said sweetly, planting a kiss on her grandmother's cheek.