Selma Quigley was clearly aware of Henry''s history, and after a brief, almost imperceptible pause, herposure returned.


    Henry, on the other hand, froze. A flicker of panic and guilt crossed his face, and he quickly dropped his hand from Vanessa''s shoulder.


    Vanessa, ever perceptive, sensed the shift. She studied Selma with curiosity. "Henry, do you two know each other?"


    Henry cleared his throat, schooling his features. "Vanessa, this is Miss Quigley." He then avoided Selma''s gaze as he introduced the other woman. "Selma, this is Miss Shannon."


    Selma''s smile didn''t waver. "Miss Shannon, it''s a pleasure. I was at yourst piano recital." Her grace was impable, especially considering she was face-to- face with the woman who had taken the man beside her''s virginity.


    Her poise was not what Henry had expected, and his panic and guilt strangely morphed into a flicker of admiration. He had tried to contact Selma several times after their night together to talk, but she had avoided him. Seeing her here, so suddenly, had caught himpletely off guard.


    "Thank you, Miss Quigley. I''m ttered," Vanessa replied, though her eyes darted to Henry, noticing his gaze was still on Selma.


    Selma excused herself and walked past them into the restroom. When Vanessa turned back to Henry, she found him staring down the hallway, lost in thought.


    Vanessa''s intuition screamed. "Henry," she asked casually, "have you and Miss Quigley met before? You never mentioned her."


    He stiffened. "Our fathers are old friends. We met at a family gathering recently." It was a


    ???


    half-truth. It was at that gathering where he''d left his jacket and keys, Which Selma had returned to his hometer that night-the night they had slept together.


    Vanessa smiled. "Is that so? Miss Quigley seems very elegant. She''s quite a catch. You should go for it."


    A sh of panic crossed Henry''s face. He grabbed her arm. "Vanessa, don''t misunderstand. We''re just friends."


    "We''re just friends too," Vanessa said pointedly, pulling her arm away. The gesture was a clear signal, drawing a line between them.


    Having pursued her for years, Henry could read her every mood. He knew he had genuinely upset her this time.


    Vanessa returned to the ballroom, but when she nced back, Henry wasnt following her to apologize on exin. The hope in her eyes faded. A few momentster, however, as an older man began to hit on her, Henry''s voice cut in from behind.


    "Mr. Duskborne, would you mind if I had a word with my friend?" he said, his tone carrying a distinct warning.


    Vanessa didn''t turn around, but a triumphant smile yed on her lips as Mr. Duskborne quickly excused himself. When she finally turned her eyes fell on Selma Quigley, who was chatting with a group of socialites across the room. Noticing Henry''s tie was crooked, Vanessa reached up and straightened it for him.


    Henry''s breath caught as he looked down at her, momentarily mesmerized.


    From afar, Selma observed them, herposure finally wavered, betrayed by a sh of pain.