The Season Of Love: Beloved. Diana Palmer

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СКАЧАТЬ let him know that it bothers you. Smile, girl! We’ll get through this.”

      “Do you think so?”

      She plastered a cool smile to her lips as Simon pulled Jill along with him and came to a halt just in front of the two women.

      “Nice crowd,” he told Tira, his eyes slowly going over her exquisite figure in the close-fitting dress with unusual interest.

      “A few art fans and a lot of rubberneckers, hadn’t you noticed?” Tira said, sipping more champagne. Her fingers trembled a little and she held the flute with both hands, something Simon’s keen eyes picked up on at once.

      “Nice of you to come by,” Lillian said quietly.

      He glanced at her. “It would have been noticeable if I hadn’t, considering that I own half the gallery.” His attention turned back to Tira and his silvery eyes narrowed. “All alone? Where’s your fair-haired shadow?”

      She knew he meant Charles. She smiled lazily. “He couldn’t make it.”

      “On the first night of your first exhibition?” he chided.

      She drew in a sharp breath. “His half brother had a heart attack, if you must know,” she said through her teeth. “He’s at the hospital.”

      Simon’s eyes flickered strangely. “And you have to be here, instead of at his side. Pity.”

      “He doesn’t need comforting. Nessa does.”

      Jill, dressed in red again with a sprig of holly secured with a diamond clip in her black hair, moved closer to Simon. “We just stopped in for a peek at your work,” she said, almost purring as she looked up at the tall man beside her. “We’re on our way to the opera.”

      Tira averted her eyes. She loved opera. Many times in the past, Simon had escorted her during the season. It hurt to remember how she’d looked forward to those chaste evenings with him.

      “I don’t suppose you go anymore?” Simon asked coldly.

      She shrugged. “Don’t have time,” she said tightly.

      “I noticed. You couldn’t even be bothered to phone and check on me when that lunatic went wild in the courtroom.”

      Tira wouldn’t look at him. “You can’t hurt someone who’s steel right through,” she said.

      “And you were out of the country when it happened.”

      She lifted her eyes to his hard face. “Yes. I was in Nassau with Charles, having a lovely time!”

      His eyes seemed to blaze up at her.

      Before the confrontation could escalate, Lillian diplomatically got between them. “Have you had time to look around?” she asked Simon.

      “Oh, we’ve seen most everything,” Jill answered for him. “Even the bust of Simon that Tira did. I was surprised that she was willing to sell it,” she added in an innocent tone. “I wouldn’t part with something so personal, Simon being such an old friend and all. But I guess under the circumstances, it was too painful a reminder of…things, wasn’t it, dear?” she asked Tira.

      Tira’s hand automatically drew back, with the remainder of the champagne, but before she could toss it, Simon caught her wrist with his good hand.

      “No catfights,” he said through his teeth. “Jill, wait for me at the door, will you?”

      “If you say so. My, she does look violent, doesn’t she?” Jill chided, but she walked away quickly just the same.

      “Get a grip on yourself!” Simon shot at Tira under his breath. “Don’t you see the reporters staring at you?”

      “I don’t give a damn about the reporters,” she flashed at him. “If she comes near me again, I swear I’ll empty the punch bowl over her vicious little head!”

      He let go of her wrist and something kindled in his pale eyes as he looked at her animated face. “That’s more like you,” he said in a deep, soft tone.

      Tira flushed, aware that Lillian was quietly deserting her, stranding her with Simon.

      “Why did you come?” she asked furiously.

      “So the gossips wouldn’t have a field day speculating about why I didn’t,” he explained. “It wouldn’t have done either of us much good, considering what’s been in print already.”

      She lifted her face, staring at him with cold eyes at the reference to things she only wanted to forget. “You’ve done your duty,” she said. “You might as well go. And take the Wicked Witch of the West with you,” she added spitefully.

      “Jealous?” he asked in a sensuous tone.

      Her face hardened. “I once asked you the same question. You can give yourself the same answer that you gave me. Like hell I’m jealous!”

      He was watching her curiously, his eyes acutely alive in a strangely taciturn face. “You’ve lost weight,” he remarked. “And you look more like a widow than a celebrity tonight. Why wear black?”

      “I’ve decided that you were right. I should have mourned my husband. So now I’m in mourning,” she said icily and with an arctic smile. “I expect to be in mourning for him until I die, and I’ll never look at a man again. Doesn’t that make you happy?”

      He frowned slightly. “Tira…”

      “Tira!”

      The sound of a familiar voice turned them both around. Harry Beck, Tira’s father-in-law, came forward, smiling, to embrace Tira. He turned to shake Simon’s hand. “Great to see you both!” he said enthusiastically. “Dollface, you’ve outdone yourself,” he told Tira, nodding toward two nearby sculptures. “I always knew you were talented, but this is sheer genius!”

      Simon looked puzzled by Harry’s honest enthusiasm for Tira’s work, by his lack of hostility. She’d killed his only son, didn’t he care?

      “I’m glad to see you, Simon,” Harry added with a smile. “It’s been a long time.”

      “Simon was just leaving. Weren’t you?” Tira added meaningfully.

      “Someone’s motioning to you,” Harry noted, indicating Lillian frantically waving from across the room.

      “It’s Lillian. Will you excuse me?” Tira asked, smiling at Harry. “I won’t be a minute.” Simon, she ignored entirely.

      The two men watched her go.

      “I’m glad to see her looking so much better,” Harry said on a sigh, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I’ve been worried since she went to the hospital.”

      “Do you really care what happens to her?” Simon asked curiously.

      Harry was surprised. “Why wouldn’t I be? She was my daughter-in-law. I’ve always been fond of her.”

      “She СКАЧАТЬ