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the First Class section. She no sooner fastened her seat belt when she felt the plane begin its slow descent to its designated runway at JFK airport on Long Island, New York.

CHAPTER VI  
    T he plane approached Kennedy Airport on schedule. The group managed to get a little sleep. All except Courtney, who was visiting with Manny. And Zack, who was extremely disturbed about Courtney going into the Business Class section of the plane shortly after takeoff. He knew, of course, why she did. Obviously, she was smitten with the handsome young man who had introduced himself as they boarded the plane in Paris.
    Zack’s intuition was hard at work, and he felt a terrible sense of foreboding. Courtney returned to her seat only twenty minutes before they landed in New York.
    Zack looked up as she sat down beside him. “How was your visit with Manny?” he asked.
    Courtney turned to Zack, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Oh, Uncle Zack—” The words spilled over into each other. “He’s—he’s just—wonderful! I think I’m in love!”
    In spite of Zack’s trepidation over the whole matter, he couldn’t help being amused at her declaration. He turned his head so she wouldn’t see the look on his face. “Love seldom happens that fast, Courtney,” he chided her.
    But Courtney wouldn’t be talked out of it, and she made an announcement that completely floored him. “I’ve invited him to join me at the theater tonight! Oh, I can’t wait!”
    Zack remembered how excited Cammie was at Courtney’s age when she told them all that she was going to marry the man she thought was Count Francois Dubonnet II—now known as Gregory Wilcox, Jr. What a disaster that was! He cringed just thinking of it. He couldn’t yet put his finger on what was bothering him about this young man, but he was convinced that he was bad news. He’s after something. But what?
    “What’s the matter, Uncle Zack?” Courtney asked. “You don’t look pleased. Did I do something wrong?”
    Zack quickly recovered. I don’t have any concrete evidence, he realized, so I can’t say anything. Courtney would only resist if I tried to warn her. He thought for a moment before speaking. Then he posed a very pertinent question. “How do you think your mother and father will feel about this? Wasn’t this supposed to be just a family gathering tonight? Manny is a complete stranger.”
    Courtney pouted. “But I’ve already asked him. I can’t un-ask him. Besides,” she tossed her head in defiance, “I don’t want to. I want him there as my guest. I have a right to ask anyone I choose, and I choose him!”
    The announcement from the Captain came to return their seats to the upright position ready for the landing, and Zack decided to say nothing more for the time being.
    The long, sleek limousine was waiting to take them to the Stuart Manor in Scarsdale. The parkways were fairly free from congested traffic at this hour, and twenty minutes later they crossed the Whitestone Bridge and entered the Hutchinson River Parkway that would take them into Westchester County.
    As they rode along, the maple trees could be seen forming an archway over the road. The autumn leaves were just beginning to fall, leaving a path of brown, yellow, orange, rust, and magenta hues on the sidewalks. The bicycle enthusiasts in their brightly colored attire glided easily along the bike paths. The deep blue sky with its pillowy white clouds cradled the bright sun, the birds chirped their sweet songs, and it seemed good to be home in the States.
    Soon they approached the gated entrance to Stuart Manor, the mansion that the Stuarts called home. The chauffeur pressed the button that opened the gate, and drove down the long driveway. He pulled up under the porte-cochere in front of the house.
    The front door opened, and the butler came out, followed by one of the maids, ready to take their luggage up to their rooms.
    As they entered the foyer, the sweet floral scent of magnolia blossoms