On those occasions, as Duncan barbecued and Marino usually mixed the cocktails, the two canines would romp and tussle around Duncan’s backyard to everyone’s delight. Paul was regularly with them now that Harlean’s engagement to him had officially been announced to the press. Today was no exception. They still hadn’t been intimate but she assumed he was waiting for the wedding night—and the old-fashioned gesture charmed her. Paul was kind and gentle with her, and so wise, she felt as if all she wanted to do most of the time was to curl up at his feet and let him educate her about the world, as he saw it. She knew there was so much to learn from him. She still wasn’t in love with Paul. What Harlean felt was nothing at all like the turbulent passion she’d had with Chuck, but she did love him, and it would be a good marriage. Yes, she was certain of that. She sat on his lap now, an arm slung behind his neck, as Ivor took two freshly made gin and tonics from Marino, then handed one to Harlean and one to Rosalie.
