new croquet mallets； or 。。。
Orwhat？
Blair didn？t give up easily and she was determined not to let yesterday get her down。 Maybe
Marcus and Camilla needed to get their cousinly bonding thing out of the way。 They？d
undoubtedly soon tire of each other？s pany。 Besides； Marcus was likely to forget
Camilla？sname when he caught a glimpse of Blair in her new knee…high black python…skin boots
and her new black lace Gossard corset and matching boy shorts； which she planned on modeling
for him that very night in between courses during the champagne…and…chocolate room service
dinner she？d planned。
Tucking the still…warm credit card back into her new Smythson billfold； Blair dropped her wallet
inside the limited…edition hand…painted Goyard bag she？d picked up the day before and walked out
of the store and onto the quiet stretch of Press Street。 She？d been to London only once with her
family； when she was twelve。 They？d stayed at the Langham Hotel just off Regent Street； visited
Old Ben and Buckingham Palace； seen the crown jewels； watched the changing of the guard；
drunk tea； and eaten scones。 As far as she could remember； she？d spent most of the trip listening to
Madonna on her iPod。 But that was London as atourist。 Now that shelived here； things were totally
different。
Everyone said London was gray； overcast； foggy； and depressing； but it had been clear and sunny
all week。 The trees were in full bloom； there were lush gardens on every block； and every building
was ornate and beautiful。 Everyone also said that the English were standoffish； with bad teeth and
thick accents； and although their teeth and accentswere distractions； so far every