Shades of Fortune by Stephen; Birmingham Read Free Book Online Page A

grandchildren—and some of them are still Miray stockholders. But I’ve never met them. The rift, as you call it, was that complete. Sad, but whatever it was left us a divided family.”
    â€œWhere’s Nonie?” her grandmother suddenly cries, though no one is standing in her immediate vicinity. “Someone take me over to my daughter, Nonie. I want to talk more to that young man she brought. Is she having an affair with him, or what? Does anybody know?”
    In the little silence that follows, Mimi says brightly, “Quick, everybody: come to the window and look at the lake. It’s covered with seagulls. That means there’s a storm out at sea. Whenever there’s a storm on the Atlantic, the seagulls fly in and settle on the lake. Isn’t it wonderful?”
    There is a general movement toward the library window, and a great deal of ooh-ing and ah-ing over the sight of the lake afloat with birds. “Isn’t it nice to have reminders that, after all, we live in a seaport?” Mimi says.
    Edwee moves toward his sister. “Well, that was a charming outburst from our mother, wasn’t it?” he says. “And, speaking of affairs, are you ready for a bit of on dit? ”
    â€œWhat’s that?” she says.
    â€œNote that the master of the house has not appeared yet. Well, it seems that Brad Moore has some woman on the West Side.”
    â€œHas some woman?” she asks, looking puzzled.
    â€œIs keeping a woman. In her twenties, I’d say. Certainly younger than Mimi. Not bad -looking, in a cheap way.”
    â€œHow do you know this, Edwee?”
    â€œI was lunching the other day at Le Cirque with Nancy Reagan and Betsey Bloomingdale and another friend, and who should I spot in the farthest, darkest corner of the restaurant? Brad Moore. In very serious conversation with this woman. Their heads were bent together. His hand was on top of hers. She was obviously unhappy. She was weeping. Well, what do you think of that?”
    â€œHow do you know she’s from the West Side?”
    He makes a vague gesture with his right hand. “She had that West Side look . You know—bangs.”
    â€œBangs.”
    â€œA déclassé look. So. Who should be the first to tell our dear little Mimi what’s going on, you or I?”
    â€œWell, I—”
    Edwee suddenly presses his index finger to his lips. “Ssh!” he says. “He just walked in.”
    Sure enough, Brad Moore has just arrived and greeted his wife with a kiss, and is moving around the room shaking the hands of the male guests and kissing the cheeks of his female in-laws. He is followed very shortly by his son, Badger, who looks, as always, happy and alert and is tugging at the sleeves of his dinner jacket as though he had just tossed it on in the elevator.
    Her guest list complete, Mimi makes a small signal with her hand to Felix, who touches a small button beside the library door. Mimi waits for a few moments to let the scent penetrate the room and is grateful that no one is smoking. Soon the Mireille fragrance will fill the air, and Mimi, ever the practiced impresario, moves toward the center of the room to make her announcement.
    Edwee is still whispering to his sister. “Can you get rid of your young man when this is over?” he says. “I need to talk to you. Alone. As soon as possible. Can you drop by my house for a few minutes after we leave here?”
    â€œYes, I suppose so.”
    Now Mimi is about to make her little speech, and she begins, “Family, friends …”
    But her grandmother beats her to the punch. “I smell something!” she says loudly. “What is it? It’s perfume. Who’s wearing it?”
    Mimi laughs and claps her hands. “Good for you, Granny,” she says. “Family, friends … the fragrance you may be noticing in the air means that the Miray Corporation is about to embark on an exciting new