"The broad standing beside the President."
"That happens to be Ashley Fleming."
"I know that," Dana whispered, trying to hide behind Seagram's reassuring bulk. "Look at her gown."
Seagram didn't get it at first, and then it hit him, and it was all he could do to suppress a boisterous laugh. "By God, you're both wearing the same dress!"
"It's not funny," she said grimly.
"Where did you get yours?"
"I borrowed it from Annette Johns."
"That lesbian model across the street?"
"It was given to her by Claude d'Orsini, the fashion designer."
Seagram took her by the hand. "If nothing else, it only goes to prove what good taste my wife has."
&nbs
p; Before she could reply, the line joggled forward and they suddenly found themselves standing awkwardly in front of the President.
"Gene, how nice to see you." The President smiled politely.
"Thank you for inviting us, Mr. President. You know my wife, Dana."
The President studied her, his eyes lingering on her cleavage. "Of course. Charming, absolutely charming." Then he leaned over and whispered in her ear.
Dana's eyes went wide and she flushed scarlet.
The President straightened and said, "May I introduce my lovely hostess, Miss Ashley Fleming. Ashley, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Seagram."
"It's a great pleasure to meet you at last, Miss Fleming," Seagram murmured.
He might as well have been talking to a tree. Ashley Fleming's eyes were cutting apart Dana's dress.
"It seems apparent, Mrs. Seagram," Ashley said sweetly, "one of us will be searching for a new dress designer first thing in the morning."
"Oh, I couldn't switch," Dana replied innocently. "I've been going to Jacques Pinneigh since I was a little girl."
Ashley Fleming's penciled brows raised questioningly. "Jacques Pinneigh? I've never heard of him."
"He's more widely known as J. C. Penney," Dana smiled sweetly. "His downtown store is having a clearance sale next month. Wouldn't it be fun if we shopped together. That way we wouldn't wind up as look-a-likes."
Ashley Fleming's face froze in a mask of indignation as the President went into a coughing spasm. Seagram nodded weakly, grabbed Dana's arm, and quickly hustled her away into the mainstream of the crowd.
"Did you have to do that?" he growled.
"I couldn't resist it. That woman is nothing but a glorified hooker." Then Dana's eyes looked up at him in bewilderment. "He propositioned me," she said, unbelieving. "The President of the United States propositioned me."
"Warren G. Harding and John F. Kennedy were rumored to be swingers. This one is no different. He's only human."
"A lecher for a President. It's disgusting."
"Are you going to take him up on it?" Seagram grinned.
"Don't be ridiculous!" she snapped back.