Annie wasn't so much used to being a bureaucrat, but she had a lot of experience mingling and making nice in the field, so she did that now. Giving him a small kiss at the back door, she waited until the applause died down as their guests saw them again and then they split up to make the rounds.

The music played lightly in the background -- Webb had said a DJ, which she'd procured for the evening, but a four-piece orchestra sat in the corner of the yard for the morning brunch, which was on the way. Weaving in and out of the tables, she shook hands and accepted kisses and hugs from everyone she saw, including Joan and Arthur, making small talk as she did.