Phoebe McQueen set her porcelain teacup on its saucer carefully,wiping her lips delicately with a napkin, the gentle clink barely audible above the tea house's ambient music.

Across from her, Madame Dubois consulted her leather-bound notebook, occasionally glancing up with knowing eyes.

"The Whitmore daughter recently returned from Switzerland," Madame Dubois said, her French accent lending elegance to each word. "Accomplished pianist, speaks four languages, and her father's shipping empire ...