Страница 37 из 76
James smiled widely in return. "I have heard you are a premier player, Miss Boothe. But I should be honored to have you test my mettle, so to speak."
A
They are expecting good weather, I have heard."
James bowed. "On the morrow, then," he said, and he took his leave of their group.
A
Lizzie glared. "He has merely come to his senses," she said. She took A
A
Lizzie stared.
A
A
The Countess Rossini had paused on the threshold of the room. She was so lovely, so striking, that everyone else in the room seemed to disappear. In fact, all of the guests had immediately noticed her appearance, and they were all staring-conversation had dimmed and ceased. A
The contessa smiled at the room at large and entered it, followed by two couples and her escort, a very attractive blond, mustachioed gentleman. She nodded and smiled at those she passed.
A
A
"Miss Boo the? Good evening."
A
A
"Miss Boothe? Might I mention that you are quite breathtaking tonight?"
A
Miserably A
As the hotel staff had forecast, that next day was clear. It was far too early in the morning to tell if it would be warm and su
She leaned against the tree, digging into her simple straw bag, trying to forget last night. She had made a fool of herself, she had no doubt, allowing Thomas Frank to escort her into supper and walk with her afterward in the galleria. A
As her fingers finally slid around a small matchbox, there was a sharp hissing sound behind her. A
"May I?" Pierce St. Clare said with a smile.
She was so surprised by him that the cigarette fell out of her mouth. She caught it against her chest as the man she had no wish to see, not now, not ever, continued to hold out the flaming match. Trembling, angry, A
He watched her closely, shaking and dropping the match. "Since when did you become a smoker?" he asked.
"Oh, sometime after the abduction," she said tartly, between puffs.
"There was hardly an abduction," he returned, his tone as pleasant as hers was not.
"That is not what society says." She waved the cigarette airily.
"And since when have you ever cared what others think? It is a part of your vast and unique charm, A
For an instant she believed that he was sincere, then she caught herself and blew smoke as directly as she could at his face.
He waved it away with his hand. "It's quite early in the morning for a stroll. Much less a smoke."
"I rise at six," she retorted. "And I have come down to the beach for a swim." That wasn't true, but A
He gri
"I do." She puffed harder than before.
"Does the kindly Thomas Frank know about this habit of yours?" There was laughter in his tone. "I don't imagine he would allow his wife to smoke."
Her eyes widened. "I beg your pardon. Nothing has changed in two years. I am hardly interested in marriage."
He stared, remaining silent.
A
"I know," he said.
Her heart turned over, numerous times. "You know nothing. And you followed me," she said sharply, u
"Yes, I did."
"What's wrong?" She was snide. "Did the countess throw you out of her bed before breakfast could be served?"
His gaze was searching. "Your jealousy is showing." "I am not jealous," she flashed, throwing down the cigarette.
He eyed her, then ground out her smoking butt with his heel. "You could have fooled me, A
"Actually, I am flattered, that after all this time, you still care enough to be jealous of another woman."
"I do not care at all!" she cried, turning her back on him and starting rapidly down the path.
He fell into step beside her. "Well, in truth, I have not been in the countess's bed, although I doubt you would believe me."
"I don't."
"You also have nothing to be jealous of." A
When he did not reply, merely kept pace with her, she had to look at him. If only he were ugly. "She is probably one of Europe 's reigning beauties."
"Probably," he agreed.
A
"Ten years ago," Pierce said, his tone conversational, "I would have enjoyed the attentions of a woman like Guilia Rossini, but call me jaded if you will, she offers little for a man like myself now."