Imposter Conclusion
December 1987
“You look stunning tonight, Mrs. Stetson,” Lee Stetson remarked standing in his tuxedo as his wife glided down the stairs to their home on Maplewood Drive. He reached for her hand and kissed her on the cheek when she reached the landing. Together they walked into the family room. Amanda’s emerald green gown glimmered in the lights of the Christmas tree.
· Dotty looked up from her crossword puzzle and gushed agreeing with her son-in-law, “Amanda Stetson, you look absolutely lovely. All eyes will be on the two of you tonight. You make the perfect couple.”
“Thank you, Mother, but I’m sure all eyes will be on Princess tonight,” Amanda reassured her mother.
“No doubt I will be the envy of every man at the Ball,” Lee asserted as he pulled a small box out
of his pocket. “I have something I’d like you to wear tonight.”
“Oh, Lee, you shouldn’t have!” Amanda exclaimed as she opened the box to find a pair of emerald green earrings that matched her dress perfectly. “They’re beautiful.”
“Almost as beautiful as you,” he answered.
“Lee, you certainly have exquisite taste,” Dotty remarked as her daughter put on her new earrings.
“How do they look?” she asked.
“Perfect,” Dotty said immediately.
“I would have to agree with your mother,” he answered, nuzzling her neck and kissing her cheek once again. Then he whispered in her ear in a husky voice, “I don’t suppose you’d reconsider and stay home tonight?”
She chuckled at his persistence, and her response answered his question. “If we don’t leave soon, we’re going to be late and security at the ball will be rather tight.”
Dotty got up and kissed her daughter and marveled wistfully about their evening. “Have a wonderful time, both of you I’ve heard on the news who is on the guest list! It’s a rather impressive list of ‘Who’s Who’ of royalty, celebrities and politicians, not just from the United States, but around the world! I want to hear every last detail, Amanda.”
“You two can trade stories about the charity ball all day tomorrow. Goodnight, Dotty.” Lee helped his wife into her coat and headed for the door.
“Night, Mother…” Amanda called out as they exited the house.
*** ***
· After getting through the maze of security outside the charity ball, Lee and Amanda finally entered the British Embassy. After checking their coats, they went into the lavishly decorated reception room which was abuzz with people.
“Wow,” Amanda gasped as she gazed around the ornate room which was festively adorned for the Christmas holidays. Several illuminations Christmas trees glistened with lights and reflected the chandelier above. “I’ve never been in the embassy ballroom before. It’s beautiful in here. I really do feel like Cinderella at the ball.”
Lee was enjoying his wife’s reactions to the festivities. Lovingly, he placed his arm firmly around her waist and pulled her close to him and teased, “Just don’t run off with the Prince.”
“I’ve already got my Prince Charming,” she answered with a content grin.
Lee’s eyes began to scan the room, recognizing Senators, Congressman, numerous members of the Royal family and dozens of movie stars. “It’s also really crowded. This has got to be a security nightmare.”
“Lucky for us we’re not working security tonight. So, take your eyes off the crowd,” she whispered into his ear reprovingly, “or I might get jealous.”
Tilting his head, he kissed her on the cheek. “Sorry about that. It’s a hard habit to break. I promise to make it up to you. Would you care to dance?”
“I’d love to,” she nodded.
He responded by wrapping his arm around her waist firmly, but gently and heading towards the dance floor. Navigating their way through the thick crowd proved to be difficult. Before they reached it, they were stopped by security.
“Lee, Amanda, I’m really glad to see you,” Billy Melrose remarked as he glanced around at the crowd rather uptight. “I didn’t realize you were on the security team. Obviously, we could use your help in here. I think everyone who received an invite is here tonight and then some...”
“Sorry, Billy, we’re not working tonight,” Lee explained with a charming grin. “We’re invited guests.”
“What?” their supervisor gasped. “You’re kidding me? These tickets started at $5,000 a plate.”
“They were a gift,” Lee shrugged.
“From Lady Farnsworth?” he surmised knowing they were all quite good friends.
“No, although Emily told me she would be here this evening. They are from my cousin, Leon,”
Lee Stetson answered matter-of-factly.
· Billy stared at Lee, “Really?”
“Yes, he had a change of heart when he returned to England,” Amanda added.
“I’m glad to hear that, but ten grand is a lot of money,” Billy quizzed.
Lee nodded and began to explain, “Leon assisted MI-5 in identifying certain groups that they had suspected in foul play – money laundering, blackmail. He provided evidence against them. For that, he was given a sizeable reward.”
“I see. I’m glad to hear you two worked things out,” Billy answered, surprised, but given his expression, quite pleased.
“We’re working on it. So, if you excuse us,” Lee politely said to his boss as the band began to play a love song. “I promised my wife a dance.”
“Well then, by all means, enjoy your evening,” Billy called out as Lee took her hand in his.
“We intend to,” Lee answered without further discussion. His attention was now focused entirely on his beautiful wife as they vanished from Billy’s view. A few seconds later, they glided onto the dance floor. Lee held Amanda protectively close and she leaned her head against his shoulder.
“Your mother was right,” Lee said softly to his wife.
“About what?”
“You are definitely the most beautiful woman at the ball, Mrs. Stetson.”
She smiled demurely at her husband and whispered back, “And you are undeniably the most handsome man in the room, Mr. Stetson. I’ve never been able to resist you in a tux.”
“I love you, Amanda,” Lee answered with a lingering kiss to her lips.
“I love you, too, Lee,” she responded, nuzzling close into him.
The music continued to play and the loving couple whirled around the dance floor unaware of the crowd. Instead, they were enjoying the music, and cherishing their love for one another.
THE END