Microsoft Word - Rogers, Rosemary - The Crowd Pleasers (7 page)

"Well-you know, I think. And believe me, darling, I'd make Harris promise to stick right by your side. If I'd thought Webb might pull something like he did, I'd never have suggested what I did. It just seemed like such a wild idea! And I did so want to get even with him. But not at your expense-you do believe me, don't you? You see, Anne

..."

Carol wore a frown now; she bit her lip as if she was trying to choose just the right words. "I don't know if you really do see, because you really haven't had too much experience with the bastards of this world, have you? Or of sex as a game or a weapon. I guess when I was being selfish as usual this afternoon, I wasn't really thinking that you hadn't been around enough to find your own weapons or learn how to use them. I think I was born street wise, and so was Webb. We recognized that quality in each other from the first. Oh damn, how am I going to put this so you'll realize I'm not just playing big sister?"

"If you're trying to say that you and Webb are ..." Anne began stiffly. She wanted to say the word "lovers," but it was too bitter to pronounce. She should have known, or guessed, shouldn't she?

But Carol caught her up swiftly, so that she didn't have to continue. "That's just it, sweetie! Webb and I are almost too much alike, I guess. We both know the score.

We started way back-God, further back than I care to remember! And since then, between his women and my guys, we've been an on-and-off thing-although for my part I'd like it to be over permanently!" Carol sounded vindictive; her emerald-green eyes narrowed as she almost spat out the words.

"I don't expect you to understand, Anne, but sometimes, sometimes a man and a woman can really have a sexual thing going. In the sack they can really groove, and it's the greatest fuck ever, but out of it, apart from those moments of hunger, they could hate and despise each other." Carol's voice took on a slightly exasperated note as she leaned forward urgently. "Listen, I can almost hear the wheels go round in your head. You're wondering if I'm saying all this because I'm jealous, and I'm not! I got over being jealous of Webb a long time ago-I had to, in order to make it. But I don't want to see you all torn up like so many others I've seen it happen to. Like Tanya, for instance. Christ, I lost count of the rest a long time ago! And didn't give a shit, either. But I feel responsible for you, sweets. That's the reason for all this"-Carol gave an expansive gesture-"which isn't really my style at all! I mean, I can remember that stubborn, stony-faced look of yours from the old days, and I'm not going to ask you any more questions or give you any more warnings. Little Carol has done her girl-scout bit for the evening and that's it!"

"Thanks," Anne murmured, not knowing what else to say. She knew what she wanted-another martini, to take away the sick, self-hating feeling inside of her, and the voice that cried "Fool! You thought you were being adventurous, and you let yourself be used as a weapon in someone else's game that every-one but you knows about, didn't you?"

She forced herself to shrug lightly. "You and Harris! All the warnings weren't really necessary, you know, but thanks any-way!" She pushed herself away from the dresser, glad to be standing on her own feet again.

Carol stood up too, stretching lazily, then turned towards the mirror to run a small brush through her hair. "Oh well. As much as I hate the thought, I guess we'd better go back out there and face the crowds again." Carol frowned as she fought her curls into perfect disarray. "You'll stay for a while, won't you? There are some really nice people I want you to meet."

THREE MARTINIS LATER, Anne was wondering when she could decently make her excuses and leave. She should have forced herself to eat when she had the chance-now there were only nuts and olives to nibble on.

Harris had found her another chair to sit on-really a bar stool with arms. He had his hand on her knee, while she explained to him seriously, hoping she didn't sound tipsy, that she had always wanted to be able to go to college here in the States.

"Finishing school! My father is very old-fashioned, don't you think? What good was that? All I really learned was foreign languages, and things like manners and deportment. I told him I wanted to go to college, to be an anonymous face among other anonymous faces. I wanted to major in psychology. I had to write to him to tell him that-and you know what he said? He said, 'When you come back home, we'll see.' And then he sent Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt to take me out of school in Switzerland and take me on that world cruise I really dreaded. I don't get seasick, but I'm afraid of the ocean. And Craig was with them. He made me feel safe, and flattered of course. I kept wondering what he could see in me, what was interesting about me."

"But you are interesting, Anne. And you have a classically lovely face. I think any man would find you fascinating." Harris Phelps's voice was soft and soothing, and Anne thought that after all, she did like him. He was understanding and seemed to enjoy her company. And she could be confident that he wasn't out to use her or exploit her. He was so rich that he could have his choice of women-any woman in this room, for that matter. And yet he chose her to sit by and talk to, neglecting even Carol. She didn't mind the slight pressure of his hand on her knee-Harris was a toucher, that was all. And his touch was safer than Webb's. Webb Carnahan-actor.

She would like to blot out every memory of him if she could. Forget. Never think his name again. Recklessly, Anne began to sip at another martini, ignoring . Harris's disapproving, questioning look and his hand, which moved almost imperceptibly upward from her knee to her thigh, massaging gently while he continued to talk to her. "Are you really going to go through with a divorce, Anne? What are you going to do with yourself?"

"I'm going back to Europe, Harris. On my own, this time. I think I need to travel, and find out things. Travel is supposed to be broadening, isn't it?"

"You could stay here and go to college." "Yes, but it's a little late for that now, isn't it?

Anyway, if I stayed here, I'd always feel-watched. And there'd be too much pressure.

I think I'll feel more free in Europe. This time I'll travel where I want to go, not where somebody thinks I should go."

"Where's that, Anne? I wish I could show you my Europe ..." Harris broke off with a sigh of annoyance. "Damn! I think Grady is drunk enough to start becoming obnoxious. Wait for me, will you, love? I'm going to have to rescue Carol."

It must be getting very late. She ought to go back home and get some sleep-or at least call and leave a message with the electronic voice ... Anne didn't know whether she felt sick or wanted to giggle. Imagine Mrs. Preakness's cold-sober New England face if she came back like this! Oh dear-I think I'm getting quite drunk. Maybe Harris will have to rescue me next. Or will he take advantage of me instead?

Thank God Craig wasn't here to look disapproving and disgusted. Why was it that whenever she had too much to drink she always felt sick instead of happy or sexy like everyone else? Defiantly, Anne finished her latest martini, frowning down into the empty glass while she wondered if she should ask for another.

The glass was taken away from her. She looked up to protest, her head moving in slow motion, and was almost sober again with the shock of meeting Webb's eyes.

When had he come up behind her? Why couldn't she react normally and tell him to go to hell, that she was only waiting here for Harris to finish rescuing Carol ... ?

"You look like you've had enough, Annie. Why didn't you stick to something safe like ginger ale?"

He had no right to sound so sarcastic. Nor to pull her off her safe perch on the bar stool as if he owned her, so that she fen against him. He shouldn't be here at all-she had just blotted him out of her mind. Angrily, she struggled against the pressure of his arm, thwarted by her own treacherous senses as much as by his strength. "What do you think you're doing, anyhow? You can't just .. ." She finished on a note of desperation: "You haven't even asked me if I want to go with you, damn you!"

Abruptly, he swung her around so she was facing him, his hands rough on her arms, his voice hard and full of tamped-down fury that she didn't understand. There was a long scratch down the side of his face that she didn't remember How.

"All right, damn you, Annie! Why do you think I'm here? I'm not used to asking, but I will, if that's what you must have. Come back with me to my room. I want to make love to you again. I want more time with you, Annie, so I can try to figure you out, and maybe try to understand at the same time what the hen kind of hex you've put on me

.. ."

His voice, softening, roughening, made Anne suddenly oblivious of who might be watching them. Her whole body started to shake when he held her against him and kissed her.

"You can't pretend it isn't there for you too, Annie-love ..." She made one last-ditch attempt to save herself from complete capitulation.

"Why me? There's Carol-and Tanya ..."

"Shut up, Annie. There's you. And are you coming with me or not?"

He wouldn't ask her again. She knew that, and she went with him, her fingers laced with his; feeling herself taken over and not even caring any longer. The half-hearted protests she Continued to make were the merest token, a salve for her pride.

"Harris-I promised him I'd wait ..."

She caught a glimpse of sheened gold as Webb slanted dangerously lazy eyes at her. "You supposed to be Harris Phelps's date tonight?"

"No-but I-I really should thank Carol, too, I can't just walk off without ..." Why couldn't she finish her sentences? She stammered like an awkward teen-ager and hated herself for showing her weakness so obviously.

She felt Webb's fingers tighten over hers for an instant and wondered wildly whether he would leave her now-standing there in the middle of the still-crowded room. But instead, surprising her, he gave a short laugh. "You're a well-brought-up kid, aren't you, Annie? So okay-let's go say good-night to Caro and good old Harris."

Lengthening his stride, he pulled her through the room of staring faces, and Anne became miserably aware of half-finished conversations and speculative whispers that followed them.

At the far end of the room, the three of them stood together -Carol, all spitting fury; the sandy-haired Ted Grady looking sullen as he rubbed nervously at the side of his unshaven jaw; and Harris, the calmest one, talking urgently in a low voice to them both.

Carol looked up first, those slanted emerald eyes widening and then growing narrow.

"Webb Carnahan, you-you-what in hell are you doing here?"

"Better watch your language, Care-baby. You don't want to give your old man the wrong impression, do you? And you invited me, love-don't you remember?"

Suddenly, Anne felt caught again in an unpleasant game these two were playing with each other, and she didn't want to be here. Only Webb wouldn't release her fingers.

Ted Grady had given up rubbing at his jaw and was staring nastily at Webb, his pale blue eyes swiveling from him to Carol and back again.

"Damn it, Webb!" Harris said petulantly. "It's a damned late hour to make an appearance at a party, isn't it? You might have-"

But Carol didn't give him a chance to finish. "What are you doing here with Anne?

Where's that Tanya creature?"

Webb grinned, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. He said softly, "I was wondering why she turned up in my room, Caro, but now I know. It was thoughtful of you to send her along to look for me, but after a few words she trotted off to bed like a good girl.

Disappointed?"

He was deliberately baiting Carol, who seemed to realize it belatedly.

She sucked in a long, vindictive breath that sounded more like a hiss. "Why should I be disappointed? Tanya's always been able to take care of herself-and she does have long nails, doesn't she? You'll have to cover up that scratch for the performance tomorrow, won't you, Webb darling?"

"Hey, what the hell is this? What're you two talking about? And, mister, I'd like to know just how well you know my wife!"

"Mister-you'd better stay out of matters that don't concern you. Why don't you tell him that, Caro? Unless you're planning on a big reconciliation, that is."

"Ted-you keep out of this!"

Harris Phelps sighed. Webb was spoiling for a fight, and so was Grady. And Anne looked white and scared and helpless. He felt sorry for her and coldly furious at Webb. Damn him-why Anne?

"You the guy all the gossip columns keep linking with my wife?" Grady said aggressively, thrusting his jaw out. "What the hell is going on between you two, huh?

That's what I came here to find out. And let me tell you, you damn Yankee, back in Texas we've got ways of dealing with bastards who mess around with other guy's wives!"

"Stop it!" Carol gritted, stamping her foot with rage and exasperation. She glared at Webb. "I might have known you'd do something like this! Deliberately come here to create a scene ..."

"But he came here to find me, and we only meant to tell you thank you for a-a really nice evening." Anne heard her own voice, sounding amazingly calm and clear. Now they were all looking at her, even Webb, with varying degrees of astonishment. She gave his hand a tug. "Webb, darling, hadn't we better be going? And Mr. Grady, I'm really surprised at your Ianguage, considering that you call yourself a Southern gentleman."

She stared unflinchingly at Grady until his eyes dropped and he mumbled some kind of reluctant, shamefaced apology under his breath. She was able, more boldly now, to smile at both Carol and Harris, who was watching her through worried gray eyes.

"Thanks, Carol. I'll talk to you tomorrow, shall I? And Harris, thank you, for being so kind. Webb will take me home, now that he's here at last."

Anne didn't remember what Webb said to them after that, if he said anything, She was so angry that it was all she could do to stop her whole body from shaking. This was one time when all the years of practicing rigid self-control really paid off. She would wait until they were outside the door of Carol's suite, and then she would –she would- she'd let him see very quickly that he couldn't use her again. That she was wise to him and all his tricks. Actor!