' Cohan? No, something got in the way. Let's head back to the Plaza and I'll tell you.' She was finished by the time they were halfway there and he was horrified.

'My God, what you trying to do? Clean up the whole world now?'

'I see. You mean I should have stood by and waited while those two animals raped the girl and probably cut her throat?'

'Okay, okay!' he sighed and nodded. 'What about Senator Cohan?'

'We'll fly back to London tomorrow. He's due there in a few days, showing his face on what he pretends is Presidential business. I'll get him then.'

'And then what? Where does it end?' Hedley grunted. 'It all seems unreal.'

He pulled up at the Plaza and she smiled mischievously like a child. 'I'm a great trial to you, Hedley, I know that, but what would I do without you? See you in the morning.'

He went round and opened the door for her and watched her go up the steps.

'And what would I do without you?' he asked softly, then got behind the wheel and drove away.

The night doorman was waiting at the top. 'Lady Helen!' he said. 'It's wonderful to see you. I heard you were in.'

'And you, George.' She kissed him on the cheek. 'How's that new daughter of yours?'

'Great, just great.'

'I'm going back to London in the morning. I'll see you again soon.'

' 'Night, Lady Helen.'

She went in, and a man in a raincoat who had been waiting for a cab said, 'Hey, who was that woman?'

'Lady Helen Lang. She's been coming here for years.'

'Lady, huh? Funny, she doesn't sound English.'

'That's 'cause she's from Boston. Married an English Lord ages ago. People say she's worth millions.'

'Really? Well, she seems quite something.'

'You can say that again. Nicest person you'll ever meet.'

In The Beginning:

London, New York

Chapter One

B ORN IN BOSTON in 1933 to one of Boston 's wealthiest families, Helen Darcy's mother had died giving birth to her, and she was raised as an only child.