Elizabeth, a voice rang out. She turned her head, and Nicholas got her cheek instead. Her cheeks turned red as she heard him snickering at his blunder while Mrs Wexford walked up to them, a hint of suspicion on her face.

There you are dear. Good evening Nicholas, the older woman said.

Good evening Abigail, Nicholas returned her greeting.

Or I should say good morning. It's well past this old lady's bedtime. Elias is outside waiting to take us home.

Is it really that late? Elizabeth asked, looking at her watch. She saw that it was almost three in the morning.

Yes, and I need my beauty rest, Mrs Wexford declared. Although once you're past sixty it doesn't help much.

I should be heading home too, Nicholas said. I do have plans for tomorrow. He raised his brows at Elizabeth who smiled in response. They walked back into the ballroom, where almost half the party goers had already left.

Mrs Wexford looked at Nicholas curiously. You're not going to join the team? She cocked her brow. I see Eduardo didn't bring his lady friend from Spain with him. Lance told me they're going to continue the party elsewhere.

No, I'll go straight home, Nicholas answered. I promised Elizabeth I'd take her riding tomorrow, he explained as he squeezed her hand.

Oh? Mrs Wexford said, looking at the pair. I see. I didn't know you could ride Elizabeth.

Well, I haven't been on a horse for a while, Elizabeth explained. I'm pretty rusty. We'll see tomorrow, how I'll do, she said, giving Nicholas a look of longing as they continued into the cloakroom. The attendants soon found their coats and Nicholas helped Mrs Wexford slip into hers.

Tomorrow then? he said, holding Elizabeth's hand as they made their way to the parking lot. Elias got out of the vehicle, opened the back door and helped his mistress inside. Nicholas gave Elizabeth a warm kiss on her cheek once Mrs Wexford was seated in her Bentley.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth smiled as she got into the car. They drove off and Elizabeth watched as Nicholas headed to his own vehicle. She waved at him, wondering what it would be like if she had decided to go to with him instead.

Isn't Lance coming with us? Elizabeth asked as the car drove into the quiet streets.

No, my grandson will probably find himself in a bar on Greenwich Avenue tonight. Elias doesn't need to drive him there. He'll find a way. I wouldn't mind if you wanted to stay Elizabeth. I mean if you'd prefer to stay out, I wouldn't hold it against you. I'm not that old fashioned.

Elizabeth bit her lip. On one hand, she wanted to spend more time with Nicholas. On the other hand, she had a feeling that if she stayed with him, they'd probably end up doing a lot more than talking. The thought titillated and frightened her at the same time.

Elias continued driving and Elizabeth felt sleepy in the warmth and comfort of the car.

I see you were remarkably cozy with Nicholas Morrow, Mrs Wexford started, cocking her brow.

Actually, Nicholas and I already know each other, Elizabeth explained. I met him at home, in California, maybe six years ago. We were friends, but we drifted apart, with his moving away.

Oh yes, that's right, Mrs Wexford said. I knew the name Sweet Valley was familiar. He's a very nice young man. I'm friends with his Aunt Eleanor. You met her briefly today, remember?

Yes, I remember, Elizabeth nodded.

Don't let her scare you. She's an old crow with sharp eyes and an even sharper tongue. She's actually his mother's great aunt. So I assume you know his parents, and... Regina?

I know the family, Elizabeth said. I was friends with his sister, I was there the night she died, Elizabeth continued, a faraway expression on her face.

Ahhhh, Mrs Wexford said, her old hooded eyes came alive at the opportunity to to gossip. That family has never been the same since that poor girl...

She leaned back into her seat. Now you know Elizabeth, I don't like spreading tales.

Did Nicholas tell you about his divorce?

Elizabeth perked up at the mention of the word. No, he didn't. She shook her head, trying to look nonchalant, but deep down she was all too curious about Nicholas' love life.

Well, I'm sure you'll hear about it soon enough, Mrs Wexford adjusted her silk scarf. Sherry Cavanaugh was his wife. Her family lost all of their money and she latched on to Nicholas, hoping to benefit from his trust fund. His parents were against the match from the start. But she was pregnant, and he married her. In City Hall in Manhattan, can you believe that? And he didn't tell his parents! The shame of it all. Their only son, she moaned in exaggeration. I have known Skye from the time she was a girl. She grew up here you know. I was at her wedding to Kurt. They lived in Boston, but were always visiting here. So I got to know Nicholas and Regina well.

Now what was I saying, she continued, eager to fill Elizabeth in.

Oh yes. The baby. Elizabeth almost laughed as Mrs Wexford looked around and lowered her voice, as if there was an audience listening in on their conversation.

She lied to Nicholas and she lied to her parents as well. She had a tryst with someone else. Some say it was a pool boy in New Canaan. Some say it was her ski instructor in Vail. Can you believe that? They were together for a year and the poor child got an infection and had his tonsils removed. Nicholas grew suspicious after learning of the child's blood type. He had a paternity test done and found out her baby isn't his. It was quite the scandal! Eleanor tells me that he's back in his parents' good graces. But he still refuses to go back to California. He's only recently started talking to Skye and Kurt again, she nodded slowly.

Can you imagine Elizabeth? Being estranged from the person you love most in the world?

Only too well, Elizabeth wanted to say, as she thought of Jessica. She tuned out Mrs Wexford and digested this bit of news as her companion started prattling on about Eduardo and his Barcelona girlfriend. A dreamy smile came over her face as she pictured herself, riding through the grasslands with Nicholas at her side. Elias pulled into Mrs Wexford's driveway and parked the car. He opened the door and helped Mrs Wexford out. Elizabeth felt a bit of awkwardness, she was unaccustomed to being doted on by servants. They entered the house and Margo was right there on hand to take their coats. Elizabeth thanked Mrs Wexford for the evening and they made their way to their bedrooms after wishing each other goodnight. Elizabeth smiled as she heard Chi Chi barking excitedly as her mistress entered the room. She walked into the bathroom, washed her face, brushed her teeth and put on her nightgown. Elizabeth went to the door, giggling as she locked it.

Lance better not try to give me any surprises tonight,! she thought to herself as she got into the pillow soft bed and wrapped the covers around her. She fell asleep, playing over the recent events over and over in her head. It had been a wonderful day, and an even more wonderful night, a wonderful night indeed...