In Hot Pursuit by Joanne Rock Page A

she’d always secretly liked the uptight gentleman her father had once hired as her elocution tutor when she was in high school.
    She’d grown up two blocks from here, a social misfit with her academic parents. The Mansfields had been well-off by most of the world’s standards, but peasants by this neighborhood’s standards.
    Simone had thrived on teasing Lexi since their shared days at a posh boarding school in the city, but she’d gone too far with her letter to Lexi’s editor.
    â€œGawd-awful,” Lexi responded in her best New Jersey accent, just to torment him. “I see Her Majesty is holding court today?”
    James sat down beside her and poured them botha cup of tea from his silver tray. He might be the butler, but he was the Bertrand household’s only claim to refinement, and he ruled the roost in a way Simone never could.
    â€œThe gentleman is a New York police detective,” James confided. “I hope Simone hasn’t gotten herself into any trouble.”
    â€œNothing she can’t handle with her ten-thousand-dollar body, I’m sure.”
    James seemed to battle a grin as he passed her a cup of tea with a half lemon. “I’ll admit she loves to make trouble, but this marks our first visit from the authorities.”
    â€œI don’t suppose they can arrest her for disparaging my character in a public forum, can they?” Lexi sipped her tea, soothed by both the companionship and the drink.
    â€œHer letter was disgraceful. I’d like to go on record as having recommended against that course of action.”
    â€œThank you. It did seem a bit over the top, even for Simone.”
    James looked as if he would comment further, but after a fierce frown, he suddenly changed the topic.
    â€œIs there any chance you can wrangle me an invitation to the Dance for Children ball next month?”
    â€œNo offense, James, but its five hundred dollars a plate. Are you sure you want to go?”
    â€œMaria’s niece was diagnosed with leukemia this year, and we wanted to make a contribution. I thought this would be a nice way to do it, if it’s not too much trouble.”
    Lexi wondered if Simone would shell out half as much money to the Dance for Children as her bighearted butler.
    â€œDone. Tell Maria I’m sorry to hear about her niece and I’ll call her this week. Maybe we can run something in my column on this.”
    â€œThank you.” James finished his tea and replaced his cup on the platter. “If you are not careful, my dear, you are going to turn into the grand dame of New York’s social scene before you know it.”
    â€œI’ll leave that to Simone. You know I pride myself on being a loose cannon in the social realm.”
    â€œYes, but you have the much-needed attribute of a generous spirit.”
    He stood to leave, but before Lexi could protest, Simone’s brother, Anton, rounded the corner of the house.
    The male counterpart of Simone’s blond perfection, Anton was not only handsome, but also reasonably nice. He’d occasionally stepped in to staunch Simone’s mouth when no one else had been able to, and his kindness had saved Lexi from more than a few playground scrapes.
    â€œLexi!” Anton kissed her on both cheeks, his white sweater and gym bag suggesting he’d been at the tennis courts. “What a nice surprise. I should have known when James didn’t answer the door that you were around here somewhere. You seem to be the only person who can distract the old man.”
    He gave James a playful punch to the arm, but the dignified butler merely walked away with his tea tray.
    â€œGood luck, Ms. Alexandra,” he called.
    â€œThanks, Jeeves.” She kept a wary eye on Anton as he pulled James’s vacated chair as close to Lexi as possible.
    â€œI am so sorry about Simone’s recent nastiness.” He reached for Lexi’s hands.
    â€œI’ll set her