Nightmare in Shining Armor Read Online Free Page B

society has been permanently stunted thanks to you slighting us.”
    I was both stunned and thrilled. I’m just a little old gal from the backwaters of Rock Hill, South Carolina. I’m a relative newcomer to Charlotte myself. I barely know the boundaries of Charlotte society, much less have set a toe in that exclusive realm. I certainly—and you can bank enough to send your child to Harvard on this—am not in a position to influence anyone else’s standing in the community.
    â€œCaptain Keffert, I have not slighted anyone. And I’m sure your wife’s standing in Charlotte society has not been affected.”
    â€œHa! That’s easy for you to say. You rub elbows with the elite on a daily basis, while we, just because of our transplant status, must content ourselves with the hoi polloi.”
    I didn’t know which misconception to address first. In the end I decided not to dissuade the captain of his conviction that I hobnobbed with the crème de la crème of Charlotte society.
    â€œSir, I assure you that your immigrant status has little to do with your position. This is Charlotte, after all, the banking center of the southeast. All you have to do is buy your way in. It is only in Charleston—and that’s in South Carolina—that you have to be born to the manor.”
    He seemed to cogitate on that for a moment. “How do I do that?” he finally asked. “I mean, buy my way in.”
    â€œI don’t know,” I said honestly. “Not having done it myself. But I can make some guesses.”
    â€œPlease,” he begged, “tell me what you think.”
    I love giving solicited advice. “I think you might consider donating a large amount to some charity. Maybe several charities. And join the right church, of course.”
    â€œEpiscopal?”
    â€œClose. Episcopal is front line in Charleston, but second line here. First line here is Presbyterian.”
    â€œWell, I guess we could manage that. Anything else?”
    â€œDo you belong to a country club?”
    â€œNeither of us plays golf.”
    â€œOh dear. You’re missing the point. You need someplace to eat Sunday lunch. Some place to be seen .”
    â€œThere is a nice restaurant on the lake we’ve been meaning to try.”
    â€œHeavens,” I said in mock horror, “that won’t do at all. It can’t be a public restaurant. The hoi polloi eat there.”
    â€œMrs. Timberlake, are you making fun of me?”
    â€œPerhaps just a little,” I confessed. “Look, Captain, it’s been interesting, but I really have to get back to my guests.”
    â€œAh, your guests. Mrs. Timberlake, for my wife’s sake is there any way I could get you to reconsider? You know, to expand your guest list.” He started to whisper. “For a reasonable fee, of course.”
    I was shocked. The nerve of that man trying to buy his way to my party! Okay, so I was flattered as well, but I really couldn’t accept paying customers at my party. Who knows where that trend could lead? And yes, I know, I could have just capitulated and told the couple to hustle their bustles over, and that I wouldn’t charge them a farthing, but I hate being bullied.
    â€œCaptain Keffert, the answer is no, and I’m afraid this conversation is over.”
    â€œMrs. Timberlake, I hope you realize that you just may be losing a customer.”
    â€œIs that a threat?” I snarled. I really try to mind my manners, but enough is enough.
    â€œIt’s more than a threat, Mrs. Timberlake. This is the end of our doing business together—well, almost the end. The end will be Monday when I return that Queen Anne period secretary.”
    I gasped as he hung up the phone. I gasped again a second later when it rang a second time.
    â€œYou can just forget my next party, too!” I barked.
    â€œAbby? Is that you? Are you all right?”
    â€œI’m fine,”