Microsoft Word - Rogers, Rosemary - The Crowd Pleasers Page 16

  Finally, when Craig protested, Barnes told her he'd probably be getting in touch later.

  The other men who had followed him in followed him out. So did Craig, with a hastily muttered, "I'll be back in a moment, Anne. I've got to find out what brought this on."

  Oh God! Silence. Like an automaton, Anne stood up and fixed herself a drink. Then one for Craig-he fancied vodka and tonic, as she remembered. She handed it to him without a word when he came back in, his face tightly controlled.

  "You see-I do have a good memory, don't I? And now you can tell me if all this was real or not. I must thank you too, mustn't I? For rescuing me in the nick of time."

  "Anne, I can't really blame you for being upset. Thank God you called Duncan when you did! Those men who were here today have no scruples. My God! If -"

  "You seemed to recognize each other. What about you, Craig? You know-that's something I never thought to ask you. Are you part of the Organization too?" Not waiting for his reply, Anne turned away from him blindly; holding her glass with both hands, she stared into the empty fireplace.

  "I said I didn't blame you for being upset. But, Anne-it's time you faced facts. Above all, the fact that you are your father's daughter, like it or not, and because of it you have to be careful! Careful of your friends, your associations. I don't for a moment think that you were responsible, even inadvertently, for the leak the British are investigating with such heavy-handed zeal. And neither does Dune. You've refused me any rights over you, Anne, as your husband. But as a friend, at least, you've got to listen to me! Don't trust everyone you meet. And remember that the fact that you've changed your name and embarked on a career of your own doesn't mean a damn thing; you can't change who you are, Anne! For God's sake, exercise some caution!"

  She had a feeling of claustrophobia, of velvet walls pressing in on her. "What are you trying to tell me, Craig? That I'll never be entirely free? That I must always watch everything I say, doubt everyone I meet?"

  His head jerked in a parody of a nod. "Yes. I'm sorry, Anne, but you might as well realize that you aren't the average girl who's made good. It's high time you faced reality. Anne ..." He touched her arm, held it, turning her towards him. Remembering how his touch had upheld and comforted her earlier, she could not bring herself to wrench away.

  "Why don't you come back, Anne? You've proved something-whatever you were trying to prove to yourself and to everyone else in the first place. Why don't you come home now? You'll be safe there-you'll be able to really be yourself. Jesus, Anne! You and I together, we could-" He must have sensed the instinctive withdrawal in her.

  "But you aren't ready to listen yet, are you? You think you've found something that I couldn't give you-something you wouldn't let me give you, Anne! Have you found it in Harris Phelps's bed? Or Webb Carnahan's? Is that all you're looking for, my dear-purely physical sensation that lasts for a moment, no longer?" Craig's mouth twisted in fury. "I wonder how much you really know about your actor friend. The big movie star, the international stud. Have you wondered why he decided to pay you so much attention? How much has he told you of his background? Oh Christ, Anne! How naive you really are. If you'd only listened to me in the first place .. ."

  But she had had enough for one afternoon. Goaded, she sprang to her feet, with tear-bright eyesand clenched fists. "I won't listen to any more! Do you hear? I've had enough -heard enough. Stop preaching at me, Craig!"

  Chapter Fifteen

  THE FEW WORDS CRAIG had forced her to listen to colored Anne's evening; even after Craig had left, hurt and huffy. She double-locked the door after him, but what good was that? Those men could get back in anytime they wanted to-and there was no way she could put a padlock on her thoughts.

  "You're looking lovely, Anne," Harris said. He, at least, seemed the same as usual ...

  no hint in his voice or manner that anything was different. No questions. "Are you looking forward to the evening?"

  Ready for Carol's intimate dinner and Carol's searching, all-too-knowing eyes. But facing Carol would be comparatively easy after everything she'd been through this afternoon.

  She wore a long black chiffon tunic over black pants woven with silver thread. The tunic was see-through-nothing underneath it but Anne herself, and a silver chain that hung between her breasts as if calling attention to them.

  Yves Pleydel looked at her hungrily through heavy-lidded eyes, Claudia sulked, and Senator Markham was charming. His perfectly even teeth flashed in an attractive grin when he held both her hands, kissing her on the cheek.

  "Anne Mallory-Harris has confided that he has great plans for you. I can only hope that you're a Democrat!"

  They all laughed and Anne joined in politely. "Of course I am-how could I help it?"

  "So you're going to go 'on' for real, are you, love?" Carol whispered, hugging her.

  "Lots of luck-and I mean it!"

  Yves Pleydel impatiently demanded what the delay was. "So this movie Bad Blood is a big success, non? What are we waiting for? I think that now is a good time to announce your next production, Harris, monami." He glanced over his shoulder at Claudia, who was staring moodily into her drink. Dropping his voice, Yves muttered,

  "Are you going to give her a part? She keeps telling me that Carnahan promised her the lead. But of course I reminded her that without me, she would soon go back to the obscurity from which I plucked her. She is a stupid bitch! Not quite as dumb as Francoises you will recall she was my last wife before Claudia? Francoise Marly-pah!" His lips twitched with disdain as his hands moved expressively. Anne found his eyes fixed piercingly on her, particularly on her breasts. "You, ma chere, are not stupid! I can tell that already. I think you will follow direction well, and if you do, you will be a bigger star than any of them. I will make you so; I guarantee it-moi, Yves Pleydell"

  "And of course Yves is right." Harris, standing beside Anne, slipped his hand up from her waist, to momentarily caress her breast very lightly. "It's about time to start our publicity campaign." He smiled at her slightly bewildered face. "Don't look so apprehensive, love! We're going to pull a switch on the public this time. By the time our campaign gets into full swing, you'll be under wraps, shooting Greed for Glory in California. We'll give them just enough information to intrigue them. The big-talent-hunt story. And we'll release a few-a very few-stills from time to time. While you'll still be appearing in the fashion magazines as a model, of course. That kind of publicity we won't have to pay for."

  She remembered the last batch of pictures-with Webb-and winced.

  "Harris, you don't ..."

  "Of course I know what I'm doing, love." Why did his eyes suddenly look so shiny that she couldn't see into their depths to know what he was thinking? He leaned forward suddenly, his lips brushing her earlobe. "You're cleverer than even I gave you credit for, Anne. I talked with Johnnie Bardini earlier on this evening, and I'm buying all his pictures. You and Webb-a secret romance that would lend enormous credibility to your roles on the screen. Magnificent!"

  Struck dumb, she stared up at his smiling face. Harris continued to smile. "And I have a surprise for you when we go to California, sweetheart. A present I think you'll like.

  Which reminds me-do you think you'll be ready to leave by the week after next?"

  Carol, in a slinky green velvet gown cut very low in the back, came up just then, with an incredibly handsome dark-haired man in tow.

  "Here's Karim at last. He's always late-aren't you, darling? And I had to snatch him from Venetia-she's over there, Harris, casting darkling looks at us-do you want to go over and say nice soothing things while I make sure Anne and Karim get aquainted?"

  Karim had a cleft in his chin, a sensuous mouth, and smoldering dark brown eyes that gazed at Anne intently. He held both her hands; kissing them French-fashion.

  "You are beautiful! I had seen your pictures, of course, but they did not do you justice. So blonde, so white-skinned-if you had been a tourist, walking down a street in Cairo, I think I would have h
ad you kidnapped. You do not mind if I am direct? And if you did mind, I would not care. I speak as I feel. Now that I have seen you, I look forward to playing your lover in this motion picture we are to make together." His teeth, when he smiled, were a white flash in his dark tanned face. "I like it that you look amazed-and a trifle frightened. It shows how feminine you are-a quality that most Western women are sadly lacking in." He spoke fluent English, with only the slightest accent.

  Carol, standing by Anne, came to her rescue with a burst of throaty laughter.

  "I do think that was a dig at me-or was it Venetia? The trouble is, baby," stroking his arm soothingly, "that we seldom meet any really masterful men anymore. Men with balls like this Jason character in Robbie Savage's book." She slanted a look at Karim's frowning, considering face and added diplomatically, "

  ... Or like the character that you're going to play. The handsome Mexican General.

  When you have to rape Anne, do you think you're both going to enjoy it?"

  "Really, Carol!" Anne said crossly, and Karim's cloudy look cleared as he smiled, his heavy lidded eyes seeming to caress her slim body. As if Carol had not spoken, he said slowly, "Ah yes! I think I am going to enjoy all of the love scenes I play with you.

  You have sensitivity, and I think under your cold blondness, the capacity for much feeling. And in this book-does not the rape turn into a passion of the bodies? I think I understand very well this Mexican General that I am to play. I am a cynic-as he is-and I, too, in my time have made a trembling woman think she is being raped, only to force response from her. It adds excitement-what you would call spice -does it not?"

  "Were we talking of excitement? Anne, I must warn you that Karim is dangerous. I mean, he really believes all he says about women needing to be dominated in order to find themselves as women! We're still arguing about it, although I must admit it's been fun!" Diamonds against black lace. Venetia Tressider had a sparkling, diamond-bright personality that Anne had always secretly admired.

  "You've been neglecting me, pet, and I don't take that lightly. You're supposed to play my protective escort, and Yves has been whispering obscene suggestions into my ear for what seems like ages. Since I didn't really feel like going down on him with Claudia looking on I thought I should drift this way where the conversation seems to be more stimulating."

  With Venetia's coming they relapsed into the usual gossip that the beautiful in-people seemed to enjoy so much.

  Karim had actually started to make her feel uncomfortable, and Anne was relieved to be able to relapse into the part of listener. She watched as Venetia and Carol exchanged smiling barbs and was even able to admire objectively the way Karim toyed with them both-subtly encouraging each of them in turn. She was able to drift away after a while when all three declared a truce long enough to discuss avidly the love life of a certain multi-millionaire's widow who was an international personality in her own right.

  She joined Harris and Jim Markham-the latter turning all of his much-vaunted public charm on her, while Harris went off to avert a scene that seemed to be brewing between Claudia and Yves. Jim showed her pictures of his wife and children and told her he'd like to get to know her better. Perhaps when she came to California? He was a young-looking, virile man, and rumor had it that he was almost a certainty to win the Democratic presidential nomination. There were also those other rumors that Jim Markham had a weakness for beautiful women. And everyone Anne knew shrugged and said, "So what if he does? Shows he's a normal man. Besides, that wife of his is frigid ... she'll make a great President's lady, but Jamie-boy needs a warm cunt between his sheets-several times a day, darling, if what we hear is true!"

  Gossip, intrigue-rumor! Everyone trying to find his own means of escape from the strain of living in the public eye. The moralistic, quick-to-accuse public-avid for detail, especially of the famous or well-known. "Stop it, Anne-you're sounding like a cynic.

  Stop and think why you're here tonight .. ."

  Why was she here? Escape-that was why. When reality turned too scary, it was time to escape into make-believe. She didn't want to think about this afternoon nor its implications.

  Dinner was served late, in continental fashion, and seemed unending. Anne vaguely remembered being faced with one course after another-and tasted nothing except the wine, which was excellent. Harris and Yves and Karim talked about movies while Carol and Jamie Markham carried on their own low-voiced conversation that seemed to exclude everyone else.

  Between the third and the fourth course, Claudia, who had been ominously silent, had a crying jag; and, in response to Harris' urgent hand signals, Karim turned shruggingly to comfort her. Venetia Tressider chose that moment to push back her chair, casting a telling look at Anne as she did. "I think I need to visit the loa. Anne, dear-keep me company?"

  Feeling like a puppet, Anne followed her warily. What did Venetia have up her sleeve this time? Venetia was almost too outspoken in her views; she had actually hidden out an IRA agent, one of her many lovers, for two weeks.

  "Darling! I'm so proud of you!" Taken aback by Venetia's impulsive embrace, Anne could not find a word of rebuttal at first. "You really are a dark horse, do you know that? All the newspapers had to story-even the Times rumbled a bit. It was awfully brave of you-and if you weren't so bent on going back to California to make this movie they're all talking about I'd ask you to come to Ireland with me when I go there on a visit next month. Are you sure you can't fly out for a few days at least? Every little outcry helps, you know!" Venetia had done some acting herself-with her low, dramatic voice and equally dramatic looks she usually played the part of a sexy female spy/aristocrat, with little or no scruples, who always succumbed to a more unscrupulous hero. No-correction. Hero was passe. It was male protagonist. Webb's role in Greed for Glory, while she, unbelievably, was to be the female protagonist.

  Venetia was staring at her in a puzzled fashion. "Anne? I think I've lost you somewhere along the line. Did you hear what I just said?"

  "Oh yes ..." Anne said vaguely. "But I really don't think I'll be able to." Suddenly, stupidly, she had an impulse to giggle. Especially since Venetia was looking so intense, and she remembered the same look on Venetia's face at one of her parties, when she was being screwed by two of her guests. At the time Anne had found the whole scene morbidly fascinating-and a little frightening as well. She felt the same way about her predicament right now. Those men hadn't been playing. And even Venetia actually believed that she ... She ought really to tell Venetia that she had nothing to do with the leak to the press, but what good would that do? They could all believe what they bloody well wanted to-even Craig, her gallant rescuer. For the second time in her life she was going to run away from all the unpleasantness that threatened her.

  But it was impossible to run away when they went back to the table and Anne saw Webb sitting in the empty chair to Claudia's right, his arm draped carelessly around her shoulder.

  He looked up, taking her in. And how could he make his eyes change from cat-yellow to warm gold that way? He must have just come in-Claudia was still arguing with him-a stream of vituperative Italian spilling from between her full red lips even as she leaned against him, making sure he was aware of her breasts pressed against his side.

  "Here comes Annie, the love of my life. I've missed you, Annie." Anne felt herself pinioned to the spot by their concerted looks-all showing varying degrees of emotion.

  Even Venetia.

  Oh damn him! Why did Webb always create such scenes? And yet she couldn't seem to stir when, leaving Claudia open-mouthed, he walked deliberately over to Anne. He looked at Venetia first.

  "You must be Venetia Tressider. Hello, Venetia." He was drunk, he had to be. He kissed Venetia's half-open mouth verylightly and turned to Anne, "Hi, baby."

  Belatedly she tried to struggle when he put his arms around her. What did he think he was doing? Too late then. His tender-hard mouth already claimed hers, rendered her helpless. Possession. Hadn't she thought that the first t
ime Webb took her hand in his? It was diabolical, this power he had over her senses. But only her mind screamed out in protest as she found herself kissing him back; her body responding to the pressure of his. Damn them all-let them watch!

  Easy to think that while Webb was kissing her. But afterwards there were the other eyes to be met-Yves Pleydel's cynical "Bravo, mon cher!"

  Karmin's scowl and Carol's elevated eyebrows. Jim Markham looked stunned, Claudia on the verge of erupting. Only Harris, a slight smile on his lips, was his usual urbane, diplomatic self.

  "As Yves just pronounced-bravo, Webb! But why don't you let Anne sit down and finish her dinner? Venetia love .. ."

  Thank God for Harris! He handled Claudia as well as he had handled the girl called Tanya a long time ago. She had started to say something, her voice high, when Harris nodded at Yves, and her long-suffering ex-husband whispered something sharply in her ear.

  "They're old friends? And that is how old friends greet each other in America?" Yves said something else that made her subside-turning her shoulder deliberately to Webb. "Karim-what a very masculine name! Is it true what I have heard about you?"

  He laughed, after a long, smoldering glance in Anne's direction. "That depends. What have you heard? Shall you find out?"

  Harris leaned across the table to engage Venetia in conversation. One of her causes that he just might back. Anne was only aware of Webb, holding her hand-holding her eyes with his.

  "I called you this evening. No answer. Not even your obliging roommate!" "Did you?"

  She tried to keep her voice from shaking. "But heard that you were busy somewhere else this evening. Violet .. ."

  "Damn you, Annie. Why do you make me so mad? I had a date I couldn't break, short of causing an unpleasant diplomatic incident. But I got away as Soon as I could."

  She swallowed her wine too fast, almost choking; hating him when his eyes started to crinkle with amusement.