"Well, I thought it needed an esthetic that helped one conjure up a more ..um.. sensory experience.  Because that’s what the Maldives is all about.  It’s more about contrasts and beauty in what the eye sees, what your nose picks up, the silence, what you touch," Bette tried to explain. 

"We live on the leash of our senses," Peggy responded absentmindedly.

"Diane Ackerman," Bette and Lauren said simultaneously.

They smiled at each other, "Knock on wood!" they said simultaneously again and shared a knowing laugh.

"Oh, Bette is among the very best with all things design, esthetics, and art," Peggy continued, eyeing the two women who continued to laugh and smile at each other.  "It’s no wonder she’s being asked to advise on that resort makeover.  You all should see their house … it’s stunning."  

Bette was shaking her head while Marissa, Brook, and Lauren, asked, "Really?,"  "Can we see it?," "Where is it?"  As they were talking a few of the others who were at the table earlier re-joined them.  Lauren stood up from her seat to accommodate someone who asked if he could sit next to Marissa in order to talk to her about something.

"Are you joining the hunt tomorrow?," Lauren asked as she took a seat next to Bette.

Bette shook her head, "No, I’m not.  I’m here with my friend from Paris, who is with his son, and I think they’re joining the hunt, but not me."

"That’s too bad, because I would have wanted to talk to you about something," Lauren continued.  Marissa looked closely at Lauren, who continued to gaze at Bette, who was listening to something Peggy was saying.  Uh-oh.  That look.  I know that look. That’s how I used to look at her back when…

"But Bette is an excellent horsewoman, or so my groomsman says," Peggy said.

"I’ve never joined a fox hunt before, though," Bette answered, with a half-smile, half-frown, oblivious to Lauren’s stare.

"Then maybe we can go riding sometime," Lauren asked.  She paused, looking quizzically across the table at Marissa who seemed to be giving her a warning look.  She continued to ignore her friend.  

Peggy was asking Bette, "Bette, since you’re not riding out on the hunt tomorrow, maybe you could take Gold out for a ride?  All the other horses are joining the fox hunt, and he may get lonely…"