Celeste sat, face in her hands, watching them. Laurel felt a twinge of guilt. She was ignoring her friend. She skated back across the frozen pool and sat beside her. “So, what have you been up to lately?”
“Working at the store mostly.” Celeste smiled. “But I believe that all work and no play will not keep the doctor away.”
“Hey, we're going sledding,” Luke called. “Alex knows a good hill.”
“You want to go?” Robert asked Laurel.
“I just got here. I'd like to skate a little while. You can go.”
“No, I'll stay here with you.”
Celeste started to take off her skates. “I think I'll go with them.”
“Please stay,” Laurel said.
“No. I haven't done any sledding in a while. Sounds like fun.” Her usual smile missing, she pulled on her boots and stood.
Laurel wanted to spend time with Celeste, but how could she change her mind now without hurting Robert? “All right. We'll skate a little while, then come up. Save some good runs for me.”
“See you later,” Celeste said quietly and headed after the others.
Laurel watched her friend climb the bank and disappear. “I think we ought to go with them. Celeste and I are best friends, and we haven't had a visit for a long while.”
“I thought you wanted to skate.”
“I do, but …” she shrugged, not knowing what else to say.
“Sure. We can go sledding.”
Laurel sat and quickly untied her skates. “We'd better hurry. I don't want to lose them.”
“I wouldn't worry about that,” Robert grinned. “They'll leave a clear enough trail.” He sat and started removing his skates. “I was wondering if you wanted to go to the movies next Saturday? They're showing The Thin Man with Myrna Loy and William Powell and Shirley Temple's Littlest Rebel.” He smiled and shook his head. “What a combination. I guess they're trying to please everybody.”
“Sounds like fun,” Laurel stood. “What about your sisters and my brothers? Shouldn't we invite them?”
“Nope. I want it to be just us.”
“All right,” Laurel said a little hesitantly. They walked up the bank and followed a broad path of footprints through the snow.
Robert took her hand and helped her over a log. He flashed a charming smile, his dark eyes alight with admiration. Caught off guard by his open affection, Laurel suddenly felt drawn to him. She returned the smile. I do care deeply for Robert. Maybe I could learn to love him.
Walking side by side, they followed the path left by their friends. When Robert caught hold of her hand, she didn't resist.
A cab pulled to the curb, and the back door opened. “Come on, Adam, climb in,” called Burke Sanderson. He shivered. “Brr. I hate London in February.”
Adam slid onto the cushioned seat beside the veteran journalist and closed the door. “Hi, Burke. What you got?”
The cab left the curb and merged into traffic. The big man puffed on a cigar. He drew a mouthful of smoke in, then slowly exhaled. He studied the stogie.
“So, what's up?” Adam repeated.
“I got a wire from the Trib today. You have a new assignment.”
“Yeah?” Adam asked, his adrenaline picking up. He'd been waiting for something big.
“You've heard the scuttlebutt about England's new king, Edward?”
“Yeah.” Adam stiffened. He didn't like the direction this conversation was taking.
“Rumors are, he's still seeing that Mrs. Simpson, and the word is, he plans to marry her.”
“The royal family won't stand for it.” Adam leaned back against the seat. “He's got too much to lose. Do you think he'd actually marry her?”
“Maybe, but he could be thrown out on his ear for it.”
“Can they, the royal family do that? He's king.”
“Who's to say what they can or cannot do? It's the royal family.”
Adam shook his head. “He'd be a fool to let go of his title for a woman.”
“Either way, it's your job to find out what he's up to.”
“What? You want me to cover this?” Fuming, Adam stared at the dreary, rain-soaked London street. “This is my new assignment?” he asked incredulously.
