But not the other couple. Oh, they were finely dressed too, but like Mrs. Smith in Edwardian fashion. And they were familiar. Where had I seen them before? Their attitude certainly was different from the others; from the way they sipped their tea to how they sat while everyone else stood. If anyone spoke to them, they were gracious and polite, but acted like they didn’t need to prove anything. Nor when Mrs. Smith entered the parlor did they sit up any straighter, unlike the others who practically stood at attention. Mrs. Smith smiled at them all, but the smile she gave the seated couple seemed a little strained.
“Good evening, and thank you all for coming,” she said. “I’m sure most of you are anxious to meet the ladies tonight, which I assure you are up to the Velvet Glove’s very high sta
