Sex and Vanity: A Novel

Charlotte Barclay wanders around Isabel Chiu’s wedding reception, studying the guests and feeling uncomfortable. She wishes she hadn’t borrowed stilettos from Olivia Lavistock, another guest. She stumbles through the party, searching for someone to talk to about what she’s just seen. She decides that Olivia is the perfect person and takes her aside. She begs for Olivia’s trust and help, and Olivia presses Charlotte to reveal what she’s seen. Charlotte starts rambling about her 19-year-old cousin, Lucie Churchill, and Charlotte’s responsibility to care for her during their trip to Capri, insisting that Lucie has ruined herself. She whispers what she saw in Olivia’s ear, and Olivia shrieks.

Lucie and Charlotte fly into Capri for Lucie’s friend Isabel’s wedding. Lucie expresses her interest in visiting the Blue Grotto while there, hopeful that Isabel’s itinerary for the week won’t keep her too busy. They land and make their way to the hotel. Charlotte scoffs about how poorly they’re treated along the way. Lucie wishes she were traveling alone, but her mother, Marian Churchill, insisted that Charlotte accompany her. She and her brother, Freddie, secretly call Charlotte “Madam Buzzkill.” Charlotte interrupts Lucie’s thoughts to talk about Isabel’s fiancé, Adolfo De Vecchi.