Hillary Orbits Venus Page 4

  “Malcolm McDowell, you mean,” Mary Clinton said. “No, he wasn't bad at all.”

  This President and his wife had a reputation for informality, and people were already moving toward the entrance to the dining room in no discernible order. Hillary lingered near her daughter, who was answering Ms. Clinton's queries about her postgraduate work and her life in Boston, uncertain of what to do now, when she felt a hand gently touch her elbow.

  “Ms. Rodham?”

  Hillary turned and found herself looking up into the eyes of the President of the United States. He had shaken her hand impersonally at the earlier ceremony, when the members of the Venus mission had been presented with their medals, but now his gaze was definitely focused on her. With that broad grin and that twinkle in his eye, she could almost believe that he was flirting with her, unlikely as that was with his wife standing nearby.

  “Mr. President,” Hillary said.

  Bill Clinton took her right hand and pressed it between both of his. “You and your sister astronauts have accomplished a wonderful thing,” he said, “traveling to Venus and back. I've always had great admiration for brave and brilliant women, and it's a privilege to have you all as our guests.”

  He was a charmer, all right.

  Their eyes locked...and then the moment passed.

  The president moved away and gracefully took the First Lady's arm.

  Chelsea glanced at Hillary and smiled.

  Hillary followed her daughter toward the White House dining room, where the tables waited beneath the glittering chandeliers.

  * * *

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