Candles in antique wall sconces dimly lit the crowded room where the dinner party guests were mingling and enjoying small glasses of sherry and port. He chose a spot along the wall just inside the doorway and scanned the crowd, hoping for a glimpse of Monica's long, curly hair. Twice he thought he saw her, but the face didn't match the hair. Then he spotted Stephen Burns near a window across the room, and made his way through the crowd to stand beside his new father-in-law. It was all he could do not to immediately ask about Monica. "Mr. Burns. I trust everything is going well this evening?" The older man nodded thoughtfully, taking a small sip of the dark amber liquid in his glass. "Well enough, well enough. I couldn't help but notice you disappeared - is everything okay?" The hint of disapproval made Harley bristle, but he worked to maintain a bored look. "Just a family tiff," he said, glancing at faces walking past and wondering if Derek was still here. "I handled it. Speaking of family, did Monica come see you?" He could see his words hit the intended mark as Burns blinked, the lines on his face hardening.
