Re: Lou + Biddie (+Archie!)
"My congratulations on graduating the schoolroom, Mr. Parkinson," Biddie said dryly. "I'm sure our business associates will applaud the academic gymnastics - instead of, say, seeing the a prominent banking official align himself ever so humorously with a rival enterprise right after a major and costly disaster. Yes. How clever."
"Biddie," Archie started.
"Enjoy the punch," Biddie said, turning away in swirl of bright skirts and invisible frost.
Archie watched her slide away like a damn iceberg and sighed. "Sorry, Lou. It's this business with the fire, you know. She doesn't hold anything against you, right? Or at least she won't by tomorrow. But she's mad and with reason, well, you know how she gets when she finds a bloody reason."
The young man smiled in sympathy. "The family dinners have been spectacular. I like the togs, by the way. Very financial."