<div style="text-align: justify;">The hunting season always put <span style="text-decoration: underline">Sir Angus McBride</span> in a good mood. He loved the good weather, and the opportunity of being outdoors for long hours, riding and hunting. And of course, as it was with most entertainment, it was always better with company. Therefore, and as it was traditional for every hunting season, Sir Angus opened McBride manor to some carefully picked guests. He had invited mostly relatives and old friends, and of course, their wives. His uncle Richard was naturally the first one to receive an invitation, as family always came first. While Sir Angus was iffy about his uncle’s new wife, he would not let this feeling upset his relationship with one of his last surviving older relatives, and so he would have to accept the woman’s presence and deal with it like a gentleman. And of course, Aunt Daphne would have liked him to keep in touch with his uncle. The Chisholms were also family, albeit distant, and seemed like nice enough people. There was also Anthony Darkwook, an old friend, and his lovely Nicolet. It seemed like it would be a merry group. Andrew Chesterton was an old friend, and they had a guest who was a crime author, it should be an entertaining presence during dinners. <br/><br/>With a happy sigh as he left his bed and looked at his face in the mirror, Sir Angus smiled. Nothing would go wrong. It was the beginning of a great season.<br/><br/>Andrew had arrived last night, as well as the new guest, Mr. Allen, who seemed like a friendly one. Peter had mentioned he would be along with Drina for breakfast, and the others should be getting around soon as well. He couldn’t wait for the season to be in full swing. The ball he had planned for Sunday was supposed to be the best one yet. It would be inspired in the Versailles court, and the guests would be dressed accordingly and wearing masks. It would be a memorable night.<br/><br/><span style="text-decoration: underline">Andrew Chesterton</span> was also excited for the hunting season. He wasn’t as passionate as his old friend about hunting, but he liked socializing as much as the next guy. And it would be a nice season, with all those vastly different people. Some of those people had some unsettling secrets, and he was unsure about how the season would pan out, and hoping that, for the sake of everyone involved, no secrets came out.<br/><br/><span style="text-decoration: underline">Peter Chisholm</span> was relieved to have some time away from London. Work was stressful, and his second woman had been nagging him lately to leave Drina and marry her. Of course, that would never happen. Drina was the ideal wife for a doctor. Intelligent, pretty, and with a lovely personality. And she didn’t seem to mind at all when the phone rang in the middle of the night. She would get up, take the call in a clear voice, and make him coffee while he got dressed. A good doctor’s wife indeed.<br/><br/><span style="text-decoration: underline">Drina Chisholm</span> was also relieved to be away from London. The life of a doctor’s wife wasn’t the easiest one ever. There were the late night calls, the keeping of appearances, the patience with lost dinner reservations, lost trips, lost moments because the doctor had to rush to the side of one of his patients. It wasn’t a surprise that she had ended up taking up a lover, as she was starved for attention. With a smile, Drina looked out the car window. They were almost there. And soon, Anthony would be there, too, and she could steal a quick moment in his arms. With a happy sigh, Drina caressed her husband’s arm softly. <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FFFF00">“It will be a wonderful holiday”</span></span>, she murmured sweetly.</div>