Charles dressed up nicely, she thought, studying him. His tuxedo played up his extreme good looks and his fairness.
''Don't we make a pair?" he mused, glancing in the hall mirror at them. "Pity it isn't the right one."
"We'll both survive the evening," she assured him.
"Only if we drink hard enough," he said with graveyard humor. Then he noticed her expression and grimaced. "Sorry," he said genuinely.
"No need to apologize," she replied with a wry smile. "I did something stupid and had the misfortune to be found doing it. I'll survive all the gossip. But whatever you do, don't leave me alone with Simon, okay?"
"Count on it. What are friends for?"
She smiled at him. "To get us through rough times," she said, and was suddenly very grateful that she had a friend as good as Charles.
Charles chided her gently for her growing and obvious nervousness as he drove rapidly down the road that led to the Carlisle estate. "Don't worry so. You're old news," he reminded her. "There's the local political scandal to latch onto now."
"What political scandal?" she asked. "And how do you know about it when you've been out of town?"
"Because our lieutenant governor has been participating in a conference on the problems of inner cities in Memphis. I sat next to him on the flight home," he said smugly. Keeping his eyes on the road, he leaned toward her. "It seems that the attorney general intervened in a criminal case for a friend. The criminal he got paroled was serving time for armed robbery, but when he got out, he went right home and killed his ex-wife for testifying against him and is now back in prison. But the wheels of political change are going to roll over the governor's fair-haired boy."
"Oh, my goodness," she burst out. "But he was only doing a kindness. How could he know...?"
"He couldn't, and he isn't really to blame, but the opposition party is going to use it to crucify him. I understand his resignation is forthcoming momentarily."
"What a shame," Tira said honestly. "He's done a wonderful job. I met him at one of the charity benefits earlier this year and thought how lucky we were to have elected someone so capable to the position! Now, if he resigns, I guess the governor will have to temporarily appoint someone to finish his term."
“No doubt he will."
"Maybe he'll slide out of it. Lots of politicians do."
"Not this time, I'm afraid," Charles said. "He's made some bitter enemies since he took office. They'll love the opportunity to settle the score."
She recalled that Simon had antagonized plenty of people when he held the office of state attorney general. But it would have taken more than a scandal to unseat him. He had a clever habit of turning weapons against their wielders.
She closed her eyes and ground her teeth as she realized how pitiful she was about him, still. Everything reminded her of Simon. She hadn't wanted to come tonight, either, but the alternative was to stay home and let the whole city know what a coward she was. She had to hold her head up high and pretend that everything was fine, when her whole world was lying in shards around her feet.
She hadn't tried to kill herself, but one particularly lurid newspaper account said she had, and added that it had been over former attorney general Simon Hart, who'd rejected her. It was in a newspaper published by a relative of Jill Sinclair, a woman who'd been a rival of Tira's for Simon during the past few years. Tira had been even more humiliated at that particular story, but when she'd phoned the reporter who wrote it, he denied any knowledge of Jill Sinclair. Still, she was certain dear Jill had a hand in it.
Tira shuddered, realizing that Simon must have seen the story, too. He'd know what a fool she'd been over him, which was just one more humiliation. Living that down wasn't going to be easy. But she did have Charles beside her. And he had his own ordeal to face, because his sister-in-law would certainly be present.
A valet came to park the car for Charles, who was torn between escorting Tira inside or accompanying the elegantly dressed young man assigned to the car placement to make sure he didn't put a scratch on "Big Red."
"Go ahead," Tira said with amused resignation. "I'll wait on the steps for you."
"You're such a doll," he murmured and made a kissing motion toward her. "How many women in the world would understand a man's passion for his car? Here, son, I'll just ride down with you to the parking lot."
The valet seemed torn between shock and indignation.
"He's in love with it!" Tira called to the young man. "He can't help himself. Just humor him!"
The valet broke into a wide grin and climbed under the steering wheel.
It was unfortunate that while she was waiting on the wide porch for Charles to return, Simon and his date got out of his elegant Town Car at the steps and let the valet drive it off. He looked devastating, as usual. He was wearing the prosthesis, she noticed, and wondered at how much he seemed to use it these days. Just after the wreck, he wouldn't be caught dead wearing an artificial arm.
The woman with him was Jill Sinclair herself, a socialite, twice divorced and wealthy, with short black hair and dark eyes and a figure that drew plenty of interest. It would, Tira thought wickedly, considering that her red sequined dress must have been sprayed on and the paint ran out at midthigh. Advertising must pay, she mused, because Simon certainly seemed pleased as he smiled down at the small woman and held her elbow as they climbed up the steps.
He didn't see Tira until they were almost at the top. When he did, he seemed to jerk, as if the sight of her was unexpected.
She didn't let anything of her feelings show, despite the pain of seeing him now when her whole life had been laid bare in the press. She did her best not to let her embarrassment show, either.
She smiled carelessly and nodded politely at the couple and deliberately turned away in the direction where Charles and the valet were just coming into view.
"Why, how brave she is," Jill Sinclair purred to Simon, just loud enough for Tira to hear her. "I'd never have had the nerve to face all these people after that humiliating story in the— Simon!"
Her voice died completely. Tira didn't look toward them. Her face was flaming and she knew her accelerated heartbeat was making her shake visibly. She and Jill had never liked each other, but the woman seemed to be looking for a way to hurt her. She was obviously exuding her power since she'd finally managed to get Simon to notice her and take her out. God knew, she'd been after him for years. Tira's fall from grace had obviously benefitted her.
Charles bounded up the steps and took Tira's arm. "Sorry about that," he said sheepishly.
"You love your car," she replied with a warm smile. "I understand."
"You're one in a million," he mused. His hand fell to grasp hers, and when she looked inside the open doors she knew why. His half brother was there, and so was his sister-in-law, looking unhappy.
"Gene," he called to his older half brother. "Nice to see you." He shook the other man's hand. Gene was tall and severe-looking with thinning gray hair. The woman beside him was tiny and blond and lovely, but she had the most tragic brown eyes Tira had ever seen.
"Hello, Nessa," Charles said to the woman, his face guarded, a polite smile on his lips.
"Hello, Charles, Tira," Nessa replied in her soft, sweet voice. "You both look very nice. Isn't this a good turnout?" she added nervously. "They'll make a lot of money at five hundred dollars a couple."
"Yes," Tira agreed with a broad smile. "The hospital outreach program will probably be able to afford two vans and the services of another nurse!"
"For indigents," Gene Marlowe said huffily, "who won't pay a penny of their own health care."
The other three people looked at him as if he'd gone mad. He glared at them, reddening. "I have to see Todd Groves about a contract we're pursuing. If you'll excuse me? Nessa, don't just stand there! Come along."
Nessa ground her teeth together as Gene took her arm roughly. Charles looked as if he might attack his own brother right there. Tira caught his hand and tugged.
/> "I'm starving," she told him quickly, exchanging speaking glances with a suddenly relieved Nessa. "Feed me!"
Charles hesitated for an instant, during which Gene dragged Nessa away toward a group of men.
"Damn him!" Charles bit off, his normally pleasant face contorted and threatening.
Tira shook his hand gently. "You're broadcasting," she murmured, bumping deliberately against his side to distract him. "Come on, before you cause her any more trouble than she's already got."
He let out a weary sigh. "Why did she marry him?" he groaned. "Why?"
"Whatever the reason doesn't matter much now. Let's go."
She pulled until he let her lead him to the long buffet table, where expensive nibbles and champagne were elegantly arranged.
"This is going to eat up all the profits," Tira murmured worriedly, noting the crystal flutes that were provided for the champagne, and the fact that caviar was furnished as well.
Charles leaned toward her. "It's grocery store caviar, and the champagne is the sort they deliver in big round metal tractor trucks..."
"Charles!" She couldn't repress a giggle at the insinuation, and just as she felt her face going red from glee, she looked up and saw Simon's pale eyes glittering at her from across the room. She averted her eyes to the table and didn't look in that direction again. His expression had been far different from the one he'd worn when he'd seen her in the hospital. Now it was indignant and outraged, as if he blamed her for the publicity that made him look guilty, too.
Charles did waltz divinely. Tira found herself on the floor with him time after time. People noticed her, and there were some obvious whispers, which probably concerned her "suicide attempt." She was uncomfortable at first, but then she realized that the opinion of most of these people didn't matter to her. She knew the truth about what had happened and so did Charles. If the others wanted to believe her to be so weak and helpless that she'd die rather than face up to her failures, let them.
"Doesn't it worry you, being seen with such a notorious woman?" she chided when they were standing again at the buffet table with more champagne.
"Notorious women are fascinating," he returned, and smiled. His eyes lifted to his half brother and Nessa and his jaw clenched. The two of them were going out the door and Nessa looked as if she were crying.
"You can't," she said, catching his arm when he looked as if he might follow them.
"She should leave him."
"She'll have to make that decision for herself."
He glanced down at her with worried eyes. "She isn't like you. She isn't independent and spirited. She's shy and gentle and people take advantage of her."
"And you want to protect her. I understand. But you can't, not tonight."
He made a rough sound in his throat. "Damn it!"
She leaned against him affectionately for an instant. "I'm sorry. I really am."
His arm slipped around her shoulders. "One day," he promised himself.
She nodded. "One day."
"Why, Charles, how handsome you look!" Jill Sinclair's high-pitched, grating voice turned them around. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
"I'm having a great time," Charles said through his teeth.
"How about you?"
"Oh, Simon is just the most wonderful escort," she sighed and glanced at Tira with half-closed eyes. "We've been everywhere together lately. There are so many charity dos this time of year. And how are you, Tira? I was so sorry to hear about your near tragedy!" She was almost purring, enjoying Tira's stiff posture and cold face. She raised her voice, drawing attention from the couples hovering near the buffet table. "Isn't it a pity that the newspapers made such a big thing of your suicide attempt? I mean, the humiliation of having your feelings made public must be awful. And for the gossips to say that you wanted to die just because Simon couldn't love you back... why he was just shattered that you made him look like a coldhearted villain in the eyes of his friends. God knows, it isn't his fault that he doesn't love you!"
Tira was too shaken by the unexpected attack to reply. Charles
wasn't.
"Why, you prissy little cat," Charles said with cold venom, making Jill actually catch her breath in surprise at the unexpected verbal jab. "Why don't you go sharpen your claws on the curtains?"
He took Tira's arm and led her away. She was so shocked and outraged that she couldn't even manage words. She wanted to empty the punch bowl over the woman, but that was hardly the sort of thing to do at a benefit ball. Her proud spirit had all but been broken by recent events. She was still licking her wounds.
Simon was talking to a man near the door that Charles was urging her toward. He paused in midsentence and looked at Tira's white face with curious concern.
Before he could speak, Charles did. "Never mind adding your two cents worth. Your girlfriend said it all for you."
Charles prodded her forward and Tira didn't look Simon's way. She was barely able to see where she was going at all. Until Jill's piece of mischief, she'd actually thought she could get through the evening unscathed.
'That cat!" Charles muttered as they made their way to the bottom of the steps.
"The world is full of them," she breathed. "And how they love to claw you when you're down!"
None of the valets were anywhere in sight. Charles grumbled. “I’ll have to go fetch the car. Stay right here. Will you be all right?"
"I'm fine, now that we're outside," she said. He gave her a last, worried glance, and went around the house to the parking area.
She drew her wrap closer, because the air was chilly. Once, she'd have made Jill pay dearly for her nasty comments, but not anymore. Now, her proud spirit was dulled and she'd actually walked away from a fight. It wasn't like her. Charles obviously knew that, or he wouldn't have rushed her out the door so quickly. She heard footsteps behind her and her heart jumped, because she knew the very sound of Simon's feet. Her eyes closed as she wished him in China—anywhere but here! "What did she say to you?" he asked shortly. She wouldn't turn; she wouldn't look at him. She couldn't bear to look at him. The humiliation of having him know how she felt about him was so horrible that it suffocated her. All those years of hiding it from him, cocooning flier love in secrecy. And now he knew, the whole world knew. And worst of all, she loved him still. Just being near him was agony.
"I said, what did she say to you? " he repeated, moving directly in front of her so that she had to look at him.
She lifted her eyes to his black tie and no further. Her voice was choked, and stiff with wounded pride. "Go and ask her."
There was a rough sigh and she saw his good hand go irritably into the pocket of his trousers. "This isn't like you," he said after a minute. "You don't run and you don't cry, regardless of what people say to you. You fight back. Why are you leaving?"
She lifted tired eyes to his and hated the sudden jolt of her heart at the sight of his beloved face. She clenched every muscle in her body to keep from sobbing out her rage and hurt. "I don't care what anyone thinks of me," she said huskily, "least of all your malicious girlfriend. Yes, I've spent most of my life fighting, one way or another, but I'm tired. I'm tired of everything."
Her lack of animation disturbed him, along with the defeat in her voice, the cool poise. "You can't be worried about what the newspapers said," he said, his voice deep and slow and oddly tender.
"Can't I? Why not? They believed every word." She inclined her head toward the ballroom.
His features were unusually solemn. "I know you better than they do."
She searched his pale eyes in the dim light from the house. Her heart clenched. "You don't know me at all, Simon," she said with painful realization. "You never did."
He seemed to stiffen. "I thought I did. Until you divorced John."
Her heart stilled at the reference. "And until he died." Defeat was in every line of her elegant body. "Yes, I know, I'm a murderess."
His face went taut. "I didn't say that!"
"You might as
well have!" she shot back, raising her voice, not caring if the whole world heard her. "If Melia had died in a similar manner, I'd never have believed you guilty of her death! I'd have known you well enough to be certain that you had no part in anything that would cause another human being harm. But then, I had a mad infatuation for you that I couldn't cure." She saw his sudden stillness. "Don't pretend that you didn't read all about it in the paper, Simon. Yes, it's true, why shouldn't I admit it? I was obsessed with you, desperate to be with you, in any way that I could. It didn't even matter that you only tolerated me. I could have lived on crumbs for the rest of my life—" Her voice broke. She shifted on trembling legs and laughed with pure self-contempt. "What a fool I was! What a silly fool. I'm twenty-eight years old and I've only just realized how stupid I am!"
He frowned. "Tira..."
She moved back a step, her green eyes blazing with ruptured pride. "Jill told me what you said, that you blame me for making you look like a villain in public with my so-called suicide attempt, as well as for John's death. Well, go ahead, hate me! I don't give a damn anymore!" she spat, out of control and not caring. "I'm not even surprised to see you with Jill, Simon. She's as opinionated and narrow-minded as you are, and she knows how to put the knife in, too. I daresay you're a match made in heaven!"
His face clenched visibly. "And you don't care that I'm with another woman tonight, instead of with you?" he chided, hitting back as hard as he could, with a mocking smile on his lips.
Her face went absolutely white. But if it killed her, he'd never hear from her how she did care. She smiled deliberately. "No," she agreed softly. "Actually I don't. All this notoriety accomplished one good thing. It made me see how I'd wasted the past few miserable years mooning over you! You did me a favor when you told me what you really thought of me. I'm free of you at last, Simon," she lied with deliberation. "And I've never been quite so happy in all my life!"
Books By Diana Palmer Page 190