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journalists who had come to the mission. Mostly, though, she told him about
Sister Margaret.
I've never met anyone I admired more, she said. Someday, I want you to meet
her again.
He brushed her hair off her shoulder. She sounds like you, only celibate.
She has a true calling. But maybe ... maybe if she'd met a man like you fifty
years ago, she might not be celibate either. She linked her fingers with his.
I've decided to give her the ranch.
He looked surprised. Do you even still have control over what happens to the
ranch?
Not exactly. Even if I could organize a sale now, who would buy it? The
Germans had never reached
Montedora, having cancelled their plans upon learning of Escalante's coup.
But Margaret is a friend of the Doristas. If they win the war, they'll let
her have the ranch without a quarrel. If Escalante wins, he probably won't
interfere with my donation to the mission, especially not with what I can tell
the world about his treatment of us in Montedora. And if Veracruz wins
Veracruz is finished, Ransom said with certainty. How long will his troops
stay loyal to him, if he's living comfortably in exile while they're
surrounded by Doristas and Escalante's followers?
She watched him light up a cigarette, then asked a question that had been on
her mind for a while. Do you think Miguel made it out alive?
He squeezed her hand. I didn't tell you! He called me.
He called
From New Orleans. After he left Doragua, he picked up his mother and sisters
at the border and drove the car all the way to Rio de Janeiro. Then he sold it
and bought four round-trip tickets to New
Orleans.
Round-trip? But he's not going back
No, but it's easier to get through immigration if you've got a round-trip
ticket.
Why New Orleans?
He read that it was an easier port of entry than L.A., New York, or Miami.
He had been planning his escape for a long time, Madeleine surmised.
Ransom blew smoke toward the ceiling. He was kind of emotional when he
called. He knew about the war, of course, so he started trying to get news
about us the moment he reached the U.S.
I hope you weren't too hard on him, she said.
I was ... a little hard on him, Ransom admitted. He expected it. And I
couldn't just forget everything that happened to you after he took the car.
You're the one who got shot.
You're the one I worry about. He kissed her.
But you're going to help him, aren't you? she prodded, knowing the answer.
Yeah, he admitted.
She snuggled against him, smiling. You're not half as tough as you pretend to
be.
Maybe not, he agreed mildly, but let's keep that between us, okay? He rose
to his feet and found an ashtray for his cigarette.
Okay, she agreed as he helped her off the floor.
She straightened the front of her gown, then turned around to let him zip it
up. She tried to tidy her hair,
then faced him. How do I look?
Like you've been having sex in the sitting room.
Great. Maybe we should try to leave without being seen.
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He finished buttoning his shirt, not bothering to tuck it in, then pulled his
coat back on. I think I've lost my tie.
Too bad. But twentieth century fashion will survive this setback.
You're the one who took it off. Where'd you put it?
Here it is. One of them had kicked it under an end table.
Oh. Thanks. He stuffed it in his pocket.
Ready to go?
Sure. Your place or mine?
Mine. I haven't been home in three weeks, she reminded him. She stretched
and added, I'm so tired, I
could spend the next week in bed.
He grinned at her. Precisely my plan.
She held out her hand. He took it and let her lead him to the door. I'll just
tell Caroline to make my apologies to my parents, she said, unlocking and
opening the door, and then we can ... Mother!
Ransom looked doubtfully at the elegant woman who had turned to face them when
Madeleine opened the door. Her expression swiftly changed from one of polite
interest to frosty distaste as she studied them with glacially blue eyes. He
realized that their appearance, added to the locked door, left little doubt
about what they'd been doing. They probably even smelled of sex. Dammit, why
did they have to bump into Maddie's mother, of all people? He glanced at
Madeleine, waiting for her renowned tact to rescue them all.
Mother, I'm so glad you'll be the first to know. Mr. Ransom has just asked me
to marry him, and I've accepted, Madeleine said with as much composure as if
she'd been planning this moment for weeks.
Ransom grinned. Yeah, she had guts, all right.
Madeleine's mother quickly concealed her true feelings (shock and dismay,
Ransom suspected) behind a bright, artificial smile. How delightful, dear!
When will the wedding be? Or... She laughed prettily. Is it too soon to
ask?
Ransom glanced at Madeleine. Next month? he ventured, supposing she'd want
time to do whatever it was women did for their weddings.
Next month, she agreed, smiling beautifully at him. Okay, he could put up
with her mother now and then, he supposed.
Madeleine! a voice boomed from halfway down the vast corridor. An elegant,
gray-haired man came striding toward them, and Ransom realized they weren't
going to escape the party as easily as they had hoped.
Uncle Winnie! Madeleine accepted the man's embrace and exchanged a few words
with him before her mother interrupted.
Winnie, dear, Eleanore said, please allow me to introduce Madeleine's
fiance.
Fiance! You're getting married?
Mr. Ransom, Eleanore said. this is my brother-in-law, Senator Winston
Barrington.
How do you do, sir? Ransom decided he'd better take control of the situation
before any more relatives turned up. It's been a pleasure meeting you both,
but we were just about to
You're getting a wonderful girl, er... Uncle Winnie frowned briefly at
Ransom. Sorry, son, didn't catch your first name?
Come to think of it, neither did I, said Madeleine's mother.
Her eyes glowing with amusement, Madeleine said, Don't be shy, darling. Tell
them.
Shy? boomed the Senator. Nonsense! We're all family now, eh?
Ransom looked a little desperately from one Barrington to the next. Might as
well get it over with, he decided.
My full name is Horace Balthazar Ransom. He glanced at Madeleine and added
defensively, It was my grandfather's name.
Ah, a fine old family name then! Uncle Winnie pumped Ransom's hand and
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