“Drew, neither one of you knows what you’re talking about. I’m an expert on vintage clothing and have had my head up dozens more skirts than either one of you.”
Now she couldn’t mistake his smile. It curled his beautiful mouth deep at the corners. “In that department I can’t speak for Dr. Stemmer. Only myself.”
The Clayworth confidence and the Clayworth reputation with women set her on fire. She thrust up her chin. “Probably I’ve had my head up more skirts than you. Vintage ones for sure!”
“That’s debatable,” he muttered, lowering his lids for an instant over those cornflower eyes.
“Of course, how could I possibly have forgotten?” she drawled, helpless not to. “I remember the item Rebecca ran about you and your cousins closing down a restaurant in Paris while cavorting with a troupe of topless can-can dancers.”
His lips twitched and his eyes lightened to a silvery blue. “You can’t believe everything you read. Even in Rebecca’s column. It was Prague, and the ladies were wearing Bohemian costumes.”
“No doubt fine vintage,” she snapped.
He laughed. “Yeah. Costumes and women.”
Their eyes met and her body tingled back to life. No way. I will never ever again be sucked in by the Clayworth charm. He doesn’t mean it. It’s all show.
I can see it in his eyes.
PRAISE FOR TALK OF THE TOWN
“4 Stars! A funny, energetic, and charming story that’s sure to entertain many readers… The depth and reality of Bodine’s characters make the story come alive, and readers will finish the novel with a happy feeling inside.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine on Talk of the Town
“Fun, fresh, and entertaining, Bodine’s work sparkles for those who like a little dish and a little romance.”
—Parkersburg News and Sentinel (NC)
“I love this book! Fizzy, frothy fun expertly blended with sexy romance, powerful friendships, much warmth, and lots of laughter. Don’t miss this witty and wonderful page-turner.”
—BARBARA BRETTON, New York Times bestselling author of Casting Spells
“Charming and a fun escape.”
—JandysBooks.com
“What a hoot! Laugh-out-loud rollicking romance… Juicy gossip, fashion advice, delish recipes, and sexy romps; Talk of the Town is destined to be the talk of romance readers everywhere!”
—SingleTitles.com
“I thoroughly enjoyed Talk of the Town.”
—ArmchairInterviews.com
ALSO BY SHERRILL BODINE
Talk of the Town
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2010 by Sherrill Bodine
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Forever
Hachette Book Group
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New York, NY 10017
Visit our website at www.HachetteBookGroup.com.
www.twitter.com/grandcentralpub.
First eBook Edition: January 2010
Forever is an imprint of Grand Central Publishing. The Forever name and logo is a trademark of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-446-55855-6
Contents
COPYRIGHT
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
EPILOGUE
THE DISH
This book was made possible by the generosity of new friend Timothy Long, curator of costumes at the Chicago History Museum and friend extraordinaire Laurie Davis, owner of LuLu’s at the Belle Kay. Thank you both for introducing me into the fabulous world of vintage haute couture.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CHICAGO IS FULL OF FASCINATING PLACES! Like the secret fallout shelter, now a treasure trove of historical artifacts, which I’ve disguised so no one can ever follow my directions.
CHICAGO IS FULL OF FASCINATING STORIES! Yes, Tim Long truly was poisoned by a black Dior evening gown, which was the inspiration for this book.
CHICAGO IS FULL OF FASCINATING CHARACTERS—many of whom I’m fortunate to call friend and who helped to bring this book to life…
Meghan Smith, who has the very best job as collection manager for costumes and textiles at the Chicago History Museum.
Dr. Alexander Stemer, supreme diagnostician and always the hero in my book.
Dr. Marc Karlan, Jack Rickard, and Tom Adams, international yachtsmen and companions on many an adventure on Lake Michigan.
Klaren Alexander, pilot, entrepreneur, and the only man I would allow to fly my private jet if I had one like his.
And
Always, I must thank Michele, Amy, Samantha, and all at Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to reveal the heart beneath Chicago’s glitter.
Chicago Journal & Courier
Sunday Talk of the Town
by Rebecca Covington-Sumner
Many of us are saddened—yours truly included—by the abrupt “early retirement” of Alistair Smith, former treasurer of Chicago’s iconic, exclusive department store John Clayworth and Company. Tongues are wagging about why Mr. Smith was so quickly tossed his gold watch, not to mention why he departed for Palm Beach posthaste… and methinks all the Clayworth men doth protest too much!
My heart goes out to Mr. Smith’s beautiful daughters, Athena, Venus, and Diana. These lovely young women are so often compared to the internationally famous Cushing, Bouvier, and Miller sisters, all of whom made brilliant social and royal marriages.
Our Smith sisters endeared themselves to me a few years ago when they declared they were content to wait until they found their soul mates, be they princes or paupers. I can attest to the wisdom of their choices, being blissfully, madly, happy with my own Prince Charming.