Silver Linings

Mattie.” Emery turned back to her with an expression of stagy astonishment. “I told you that you should have invited me to go along when you went on vacation. Send you out to the wilds of the Pacific alone and look what happens. You come back with a really tacky souvenir.”
    “I may be tacky, but Mattie thinks I'm cute.” Hugh shoved an entire canapé between his teeth and bit down hard.
    “Mattie's tastes have always been a little plebeian, to say the least. That's why she's been so successful with her gallery. And it may explain her problem with men.”
    Mattie scowled at both males. “That's enough out of both of you. If you want to squabble, go outside in the alley.”
    “Much too physical. I wouldn't lower myself to that sort of activity, my dear,” Emery demurred.
    “I would.” Hugh stuck another entire round of cheese-and-pimiento-decorated cracker into his mouth and chewed vigorously, showing his teeth. “Any time, Blackwell.”
    “Dear, dear. Where ever did you find him, Mattie?”
    “I didn't. Aunt Charlotte did. He works for her.”
    “That explains it, of course.” Emery smiled benignly at Hugh. “Charlotte Vailcourt is a noted eccentric.”
    “Pay's good, too,” Hugh said.
    Mattie lifted her eyes toward heaven in a silent plea that was answered almost immediately when a handsome, rather hard-eyed woman in her late forties joined the small group. She was an imposing female built along statuesque lines, who favored southwestern turquoise and silver jewelry.
    “Hello, everyone,” Elizabeth Kenyon said cheerfully. “I do hope you're enjoying yourselves.” Her hazel eyes were bright with the glow of success.
    Elizabeth Kenyon's gallery was one of the most important on the West Coast, and everyone knew it. She catered to wealthy collectors whose only goal was to be considered at the vanguard of the contemporary art movement.
    Elizabeth, herself, was important both socially and in the art world. She could make or break an artist, and she had done both frequently. She had a reputation for being able to cow clients into buying anything she told them was collectible, and she had broken the creative spirits of artists whose works she deemed retrograde.
    Mattie admired Elizabeth Kenyon enormously. Although Mattie, herself, had a different taste in art and knew she was much too soft-hearted for her own good when it came to dealing with artists and clients, she respected Elizabeth's success. Someday, Mattie sincerely hoped, Sharpe Reaction would be in the same league as Elizabeth Kenyon's gallery.
    “Good evening, Elizabeth,” Emery said with another gracious inclination of his head. “Fantastic bash, as always.”
    “Thank you, Emery. You know how thrilled I am that you were able to attend. Your presence is always an asset at this sort of thing.” She turned to Mattie. “Who is your friend, Matilda, my dear?”
    “Hugh Abbott,” Mattie said.
    “Mattie's fiancé,” Hugh drawled, sliding Mattie a mildly disgusted glance as he completed the introduction. The warning gleam in his eyes made it clear he was getting tired of having to explain his status in Mattie's life.
    “Abbott. Abbott. Abbott. Now, where have I…? Oh, yes.” Elizabeth's eyes brightened. “Weren't you the one from Ariel's Elemental period?”
    “Excuse me,” Emery Blackwell said, drawing himself up and reaching for another glass of champagne. “I believe this is where I came in. I think I shall go mingle. See you later, Mattie. Elizabeth.” He ignored Hugh, who, in turn, ignored him.
    “Later, Emery,” Mattie said, raising her glass in a small farewell.
    Elizabeth frowned at Emery's retreating back. “I'm afraid dear Emery has not only become rather passé, but he doesn't handle his liquor as well these days as he used to. I rather wish he had not bothered to attend tonight. But I suppose he couldn't resist. In spite of the divorce, he still feels a sort of paternal interest in Ariel's success.”
    “Well, he was a major influence on her early work,” Mattie said, feeling obliged to defend Emery. “And he introduced her to all the right people back at the beginning. That certainly didn't hurt.”
    “Nonsense. She already knew most of the right people through her own family connections.” Elizabeth smiled at Hugh. “How long will you be staying in Seattle, Hugh?”
    Hugh caught Mattie's eye. “As long as it takes.”
    “I see.” Elizabeth looked momentarily blank at the oblique answer. Then she nodded