Catch As Cat Can

                "Yes." He nodded slightly to the American, who recognized his old school tie from England. Most Americans hadn't a clue.

                "Well, you're a wise man then-wise enough to escort one of he most beautiful women in Virginia." She was taking his measure.

                "Madam, I am speaking to one of the most beautiful women in Virginia." Thomas bowed low and Tally pursed her lips, all ready to ay something about being The Ancient of Days, but at the last minute she decided to enjoy the praise.

                "You are very kind, Mr. Ambassador." BoomBoom had given rally his bio before, of course, but she bumped him up from being counsel to number one. He didn't mind. She turned her attentions now to Diego, being introduced by BoomBoom. When she took a moment to focus on him, his light brown eyes, his jet-black hair, she breathed in. Oh, if only she were young again!

                She and Diego chatted and laughed as two cats and one dog tore through the house.

                "Quick. Let's get post the receiving line!" Mrs. Murphy led her friends."Aunt Tolly will insist we do tricks."

                "I smell ham biscuits." A dreamy look came over Pewter.

                "Later. We've got to dodge the humans." Tucker nudged Pewter with her nose, for the fat kitty had slowed down.

                "They con just get out of my way," she replied with a saucy toss of her gray head, but she did move.

                Tally said, "Where's Harry?"

                BoomBoom called over her shoulder for Tally was now greeting Tracy Raz, who'd stopped off to buy an orchid

corsage for Miranda as well as one for Aunt Tally."She's in the garden."

                "She can't go in the garden before she goes through the receiving line. You tell her to get her bucket back here or she'll hear from me."

                "I will but-" BoomBoom glanced around, then walked back, whispering something in the old lady's ear.

                "Oh, well, all right, but tell her she has to come back here then." She smiled a moment."Harry. H-m-m."

                Diego strode into the garden, where Harry waited in a simple but very becoming dress. She leaned against a handsome bench built in the eighteenth century, worth a small fortune. Tally believed things should be used. Her only concession to the bench's value was to bring the outdoor furniture into the huge mudroom each night. Her George II silver, her Hepplewhite sofa, chairs, all the paraphernalia of old Virginia wealth pleased her, but she wasn't possessed by her possessions. Nor did she call attention to them. Only new people did that.

                Diego bowed, then kissed Harry's right hand, brushing the back of her hand with his lips, the proper way."In the future, I shall equate spring with you."

                "Diego, you know how to turn a girl's head." She laughed.

                "May I bring you a drink?"

                "I think you'll have to because Aunt Tally's butler probably can't take it from the bar to the garden." She noted his puzzled look, then she pointed out the butler, who happened to be slowly passing the opened French doors.

                "Ah, a gentleman in the fullness of his years."

                "Before you fetch me a drink I must pay honors to Aunt Tally. I n around the back of the house and didn't go through the receiving line because I wanted you to find me in the garden. I guess I •oiled the effect by telling. I was running late because my neighbor's cows crashed through the fence and I had to drive them back. y neighbor knows next to nothing about farming plus he's in cattle on a photo shoot for Nordstrom's. I just made it!"

                "A photographer?"

                "A model. Little Mim was mad for him. You've met Marilyn?"

                "Only just, on my way to you."

                Harry stood up, a little unsteady on her heels."I don't know why I'm talking so much. I'm actually a fairly quiet person. Every-le will tell you dial and lots else, I guess." She smiled, her white eth enhancing her clean, open features.

                "I'll walk you back to the grand Aunt Tally. I take it she earned her name hunting?"

                Harry positively beamed."Oh, you know about foxhunting?"

                "Tally champagne." He called out as they passed the bar and Ned Tucker held up a bottle of violently expensive champagne.

                They both laughed as Roger said a bit too loudly, "Come on, Ned. Stop telling me how great it is and pour, dammit."

                "An artist?" Diego noted Roger's attire . . . just off, despite his wearing a sports coat. The cowboy boots didn't help.

                "Uh, a mechanic. He and his brother Sean own a salvage yard led with architectural pieces, columns, that stuff. It's quite interesting." They'd reached the line for Aunt Tally. Big Mim had rejoined her aunt on the receiving line.

                No sooner had Harry and Diego taken their place than who should walk up behind them but Fair, at six foot five towering over everyone.

                "Harry." He leaned down and kissed his ex-wife. He knew thanks to BoomBoom that she was "helping out" with the South Americans as BoomBoom put it, but of course Boom had neglected to describe Diego. When Harry introduced them, Fair struggled to contain his surprise and dismay. He collected himself."Welcome to Crozet."

                "Thank you." Diego firmly shook his hand.