Chapter 50 Senora Alcazar

Bernard straightened Lorenzo's bow tie, and helped him into his tuxedo jacket. Lorenzo thanked him then began pacing. It was 6:15. Alexis had not emerged from her room. He looked at his pocket watch then lapped the room again. There was such a thing as fashionably late. There was also such a thing as being rudely late. Was she tardy on purpose? He had rather forced her into this. Was this her way of getting revenge? He went to rap on her door, when the maid emerged. She smiled, curtseyed, and took her leave. While he saw her to the door he realized Alexis' door had closed again.

"Damn and blast." He muttered under his breath.

"I'll go and bring the car around, sir?" Bernard suggested.

"Yes, please. I'm sure Mrs. Alcazar will be ready momentarily." Lorenzo asserted with conviction he did not feel. 6:21.What could she possibly be doing in there? He would give her another five minutes then he was going in and dragging her out. That's all there was to it.

Ninety-eight seconds later her door fell open. She emerged slowly, shyly. And Lorenzo had to sit down. She was beautiful, he'd thought so from the first, and with every rare smile she grew more stunning. Somehow he had married the single most beautiful woman in all of Europe. She gazed at him hesitantly, unsure of his reaction. He stood. All thoughts of lecturing her about promptness left him. As a matter of fact all thoughts of leaving the suite left him.

"I'm sorry I was so long." Alexis apologized. "Are we very late?"

"No, not at all." Lorenzo assured her. He pulled her velvet cloak from the wardrobe and draped it over her.

"Thank you. Is the car ready?" She asked as she slid on her satin gloves.

"Yes, I believe so." He opened the outer door and held it for her. "Shall we?"


Half an hour later the Alcazars were announced to the crowd. All eyes were on the couple, a new hum rang through the room. Lorenzo merely smiled and nodded. He led Alexis to their table and introduced her to his associates. She was surprisingly at ease, engaging Mme. Marquez in a conversation about the woman's bracelet mere minutes after being introduced. Soon all the women at the table were exchanging names of jewelers and dress designers and manicurists and Lorenzo mused, impressively Alexis didn't appear bored.

He realized though as the men began discussing business, that her attention was equally divided. She made a pretense of caring where the best boutiques in Salzburg were, but her eyes shone brightly during tales of mergers and acquisitions. The other wives complained of boring business drivel ruining this fete. Alexis offered an noncommittal smile.

Soon their companions began to dance. Mme Marquez asked Alexis to accompany her while she powdered her nose just before Lorenzo could ask for a dance. Alexis looked at him as if to ask permission. Lorenzo smiled "Only if I get the next waltz."

"Of course."

He rose politely and watched them disappear in the crowd. "So Alcazar…what do you think of this Roosevelt fellow? I don't like his international policies one bit."

"Ah, I don't agree with everything, but I think he's the most sensible President the States have had since Lincoln. Their government was far too corrupt before he stepped in and began to shake…"

"Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Bell and their daughter Miss Katherine Bell." Lorenzo lost his train of thought when the latest guests were announced. The Bells always were just on the wrong side of fashionably late. He would need to avoid Archie the rest of the evening. That wouldn't be too difficult. Avoiding Katherine was another story altogether.

Impossible actually. Before he could attempt to rejoin the conversation, Katherine was at his side.

"Lorie, there you are. Daddy said he thought you'd be here." She gushed. "You aren't going to make me ask you to dance are you?"

"Actually, Katherine…"

"Lorenzo, I'm ready for my waltz." Alexis said coolly.

"Well, honey, you'll just have to wait your turn. Lorie's quite popular at these functions." Katherine announced without even a glance in Alexis' direction.

"I'm sorry Katherine, I'm afraid my dance card belongs exclusively to my bride." Lorenzo smiled. "Miss Katherine Bell, I'd like to introduce Senora Alexis Alcazar."