15|Locked Inside A Gilded Cage

The lunch ended much sooner than Marybeth wanted, and Austin pulled her aside long enough to update her on his plans for the afternoon.

"I'm heading into a meeting, and I'm not sure how long it will take," he said, rubbing her arm lightly. "Benji and Arno will drop you off at your place if I'm not done by five."

Marybeth didn't understand why he was carrying on with his charade of a doting couple in the throes of a whirlwind romance. Half the people in the room may have bought it hook, line and sinker, but judging by the shrewd way old man Hawthorne kept looking at her throughout their meal, he hadn't.

"Beth?" Austin shook her a little to get some reaction from her.

She sighed, her voice heavy with irritation when she spoke, "Seriously, there's no need to report every little aspect of your day to me; after all, my job is to look after your daughter. Where is she, by the way? When will I meet her?"

"For as long as we're in company, žená, you will act like a glowing bride, so quit your