and introduce you two.”
“Thank you, but no.”
“Because you’re already interested in someone else?” Bianca’s tone was teasing, but there was a real question in her eyes.
Margot immediately thought of Alec, then pushed the thought away. “Let me explain how the morning is going to go.”
Bianca sighed. “Really? That’s the best you can do for a deflection?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. How is the morning going to go?”
Bianca’s cooperation was surprising, but she’d been that way for the past couple of days. When they’d discussed wardrobe for their outing, Bianca had agreed to a pretty but conservative dress and a little extra makeup. Margot had chosen a floral print fit-and-flare dress. She’d put her hair up in a fancy twist, wrestled herself into pantyhose and wore nude pumps that pinched her toes. Her handbag was a small clutch in the same pale pink as the background of the floral print, her earrings were simple pearl studs and she’d made time for a manicure.
When returning to a foreign land, it was important to fit in with the natives, she thought as they walked toward the auditorium.
“This is a pre–Junior Miss,” she told Bianca. “You don’t have to win here to compete at the Junior Miss level, but it helps. At least, it used to be called Junior Miss when I was growing up. They changed it to Distinguished Young Women. Just competing here gives you a leg up. It’s good experience and if you pay attention, you can learn a lot.”
“Are you saying I can learn a lot or the girls can?”
“Both.”
They walked into the auditorium. Margot guided them to seats in the back, on the side, out of the way of family members taking videos and anyone else who had come just to watch. She wanted to have a clear view of the stage, but also be able to talk without disturbing anyone.
“I still don’t get the point of all this,” Bianca said as they took their seats.
“You’re here to get a feel for what’s happening. Watch the girls and their body language. Who wants to be here and who doesn’t? Who has the dream and who is being forced into it because Mom never got the chance to compete when she was little?”
“How will I be able to tell that?”
Margot smiled at her. “You are a very keen observer of people. You’ll know before I will, but I’ll show you what I mean. When you get nervous, you tighten up and look for a distraction. At some point the need to change the narrative takes over and the results can be—”
“Disastrous?”
“I was thinking more that they spiral out of control. I’m hoping by watching these girls, you’ll feel what they’re feeling and see how they handle it. Or don’t. There will be tears and tantrums and outbursts. Sometimes seeing a situation play out in someone else’s life brings us clarity.”
Margot shrugged. “I’m winging it, Bianca. So this may be a colossal waste of time.”
“I’m excited.”
A woman stepped up to the podium. “Kristen Kenneth on the violin.”
A small girl moved into the center of the stage. She looked nervous and Margot felt herself tense, remembering how much she hated being onstage. Then she reminded herself she wasn’t the point of the exercise and consciously relaxed back into her seat. When the girl lifted her bow and the first note filled the auditorium, she could relax for real. The contestant was an excellent musician.
Music soared and danced. The girl’s eyes sank closed as she retreated into the beauty of the piece. Margot leaned toward Bianca.
“Tell me what you’re thinking?”
“She’s gifted and loves her music. I’m not sure she wants to be in a beauty pageant.” She narrowed her gaze. “She’s not nearly pretty enough. She might grow into her looks, but I doubt it. She’s not naturally elegant. I think someone in the family is making her do this and they should leave her alone to have a musical career.”
Margot stared at her. “Wow. That was good. Okay, you’re totally getting this.”
Several more girls competed in the talent competition. One tap-danced with a lot more enthusiasm than talent. When she slipped and landed on the stage on her butt, she burst into tears and ran off.
“A quitter,” Bianca murmured.
Margot winced. “That might be a bit harsh.”
“She’s chubby and there’s no way she’s going to be a beauty. In my business they call it a face for radio.”
“You need to dial it down.”
“I’m telling you what I think.”
“Try being less mean.”
“Whatever.”
They watched a few more girls, then