She was halfway down the stairs when the doorbell buzzed stridently. Frowning in puzzlement, she continued slowly down the stairs, her eyes fixed on the shadowy outline behind the translucent panels of the front door. It couldn’t be Marc. He firmly believed it was just as rude to be early as late, and would arrive at eight o’clock on the dot.
Besides, that masculine shadow had an odd electric quality that was totally unfamiliar to her. The shadow moved abruptly and suddenly the bell was ringing again. The visitor pushed on the bell with a rough impatience, causing Tamara’s lips to tighten in displeasure as she hurried down the last few steps and across the hall. Whoever the visitor was, he could use a lesson in manners. She threw open the door.
“You certainly took your time about it, damn it!”
Tamara felt her mouth drop open in shock. The man standing before her was the most blatantly virile male she’d ever seen. He was in his late twenties or early thirties, a little under six feet, and every inch of his muscular body exuded an almost tangible sexual vitality. She’d sensed that electricity just from his shadowy silhouette, but it was nothing compared to the dynamic effect of his actual presence. Crisp dark hair, worn slightly long, framed features that were more fascinating than good-looking, she thought dazedly, except for that beautifully sensual mouth and the flashing dark eyes gazing at her with distinct displeasure.
The realization of this displeasure abruptly snapped her back to her usual cool sanity. Tamara wasn’t used to that particular expression on the face of men who’d just seen her for the first time. She was more accustomed to their looks of dazed admiration than the open contempt of this arrogant and extremely rude man.
“May I help you?” she asked. Upon closer inspection, she was sure he’d come to the wrong house. She certainly had never seen him before, and it was unlikely her aunt was acquainted with a man like him. His biscuit-colored suit was obviously exorbitantly expensive and far too trendy for one of Aunt Elizabeth’s conservative friends. His yellow linen shirt was left unbuttoned to reveal a strong bronze throat encircled by a fine gold chain.
“You must be the local vamp I’ve been hearing about,” he said curtly, his dark eyes glittering. “Well, I’m sure you’d be very good at it, honey, but I’ve other fish to fry tonight. I want to speak to Elizabeth Ledford.”
Tamara’s eyes widened at the remark before a flush of anger stained her cheeks scarlet. This had to be the rudest, most conceited, most arrogant idiot she’d ever had the misfortune to meet. “My aunt is out for the evening,” she said between clenched teeth. “Perhaps you could call her tomorrow for an appointment.”
“No way!” he growled, a frown of impatience darkening his face. “I have to get back to New York tomorrow, and I intend to settle this tonight. I’ll have to make do with you.” He stepped aggressively into the hall, and Tamara was forced to move aside to avoid being swept out of his path. The nerve of the man!
“I’m afraid I also have plans for the evening so you’ll have to leave now,” she said crisply. She wasn’t about to be intimidated by this macho lout!
His dark eyes narrowed dangerously. “I’d advise you to climb off that high horse. I’m mad as hell, and not in the mood for any of your histrionics, Cleopatra. You might find yourself occupying the same jail cell as your aunt if you’re not careful.”
“Jail! You’re absolutely insane. Will you please get out of here?”
“When I do leave, it will be to go directly to the police. I don’t think you’d want me to do that. I understand your great-aunt is a little old to be thrown into the holding tank, isn’t she?” His voice was coolly ruthless, and Tamara felt a shiver of apprehension cutting through the antagonism she felt for this man.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“Rex Brody,” he answered tautly. “And you’re Tamara Ledford, right?”
“Right,” she echoed. On reflection, all his remarks had betrayed an odd familiarity for a perfect stranger. “But how did you know that, Mr. Brody?”
His lips twisted cynically. “I know all about you, babe. I’ve spent the last two hours being filled in on all the juicy details of your aunt’s operation. I even know about your little affair with Walter Bettencourt.”
“My affair with—”
“I’ve got to admit I can understand his being unfaithful to my aunt a little better now that I’ve seen you,” he drawled, his eyes lingering on the silken thrust of her breasts in the low-cut gown. “From what I hear, you have the reputation for being very accommodating to half the male population of this horse-and-buggy town. He’d have to be a monk to resist an experienced little madam like you.”
“As I said before, you’re completely crazy.” Tamara’s violet eyes were blazing. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Then perhaps we’d better discuss it,” he suggested. “May I come in?”
He was already in, she thought in annoyance, as Brody shut the door and strode through the arched doorway to the right of the entry hall.
“Please do make yourself right at home, Mr. Brody,” she said caustically, trailing behind him into the living room.
“Very cozy,” he said, ignoring her sarcasm. “All this hominess must be very soothing to your ‘clients,’ Miss Ledford.” There was a caustic barb in the smooth silkiness of his voice and Tamara clenched her fists in fury. Her gaze followed his around the room, noticing as if for the first time the faded flowered carpet, the worn spot on the shabby blue couch, and the lace drapes, yellowing with age, at the windows. Why did this arrogant, obnoxious man only have to enter the room for her suddenly to find fault with the only home she’d ever known?
The room was cozy, she thought defensively. What difference did it make that the furniture was old-fashioned and a bit shabby, and that lace doilies and family miniatures went out with high button shoes? It was all dear and familiar, and had the mellow graciousness of a faded but still beautiful old lady.
“This is our home, Mr. Brody,” she said archly. “My aunt and I aren’t concerned if the decor isn’t up to your exalted standards.” She sat down on the couch and gestured resignedly. “You might as well sit down.”
He sat down on the couch beside her, looking bizarrely out of place in the gentle period surroundings. “You’re very much on the defensive, Miss Ledford,” he drawled. “I meant no offense. In fact, I think your aunt is much more clever than Celia Bettencourt imagines.”
“Celia!” Tamara said sharply. “What does she have to do with this?”
“Did you actually think you could pull such an obvious scam on Aunt Margaret without her step-daughter tumbling to it?” he asked mockingly.
“Scam?” Tamara repeated, her violet eyes huge in her suddenly pale face. If Celia was involved in this crazy misunderstanding, then it foreboded serious trouble.
“Scam, bunko, con game. Whatever you care to call it, it’s still highly illegal, Miss Ledford. I don’t know how much your aunt has bilked Aunt Margaret out of in the last year on these phony psychic readings, but I want it returned double quick, do you understand?”
Tamara’s chin lifted disdainfully. “I gather you’re Margaret Bettencourt’s nephew, Mr. Brody?” He nodded curtly, and she continued with acid sweetness. “How unfortunate for her. Do you always jump to conclusions without verifying the facts? For your information, my aunt never accepts money for her readings. When she’s asked for help, she gives it without charge.”
He nodded grimly. “I said she was clever, but not quite clever enough. She may not accept cash, but I think the police would agree that a pretty trinket would be valuable enough to constitute grand larceny.” He gestured to a beautifully crafted Easter egg on the mantel. “I understand from Miss Bettencourt that my aunt gave Elizabeth Ledford this art object two months ago. Do you deny it?”
“Of course I don’t deny it,” Tamara said hotly. “Mrs. Bettencourt was very grateful to Aunt Elizabeth for her advice regarding some stock investments. She insisted on giving my aunt at least
a token gift. It’s quite lovely, but not at all valuable.”
“Some token,” he said, his lips twisting cynically. “Are you telling me you don’t know that’s a Fabergé egg, and it’s worth a small fortune?”
“A Fabergé—” Tamara gasped, stunned. She shook her head dazedly. “You’ve got to be mistaken. Why would she give Aunt Elizabeth something so valuable?”
“Because my Aunt Margaret is basically a very naïve woman,” Brody said grimly. “She must have been a piece of cake for your aunt to manipulate. There’s no telling how much she’s managed to get out of her in the past year.” His dark eyes were staring thoughtfully at Tamara’s shocked face. “Well, I’ll be damned.” He whistled. “You actually didn’t know what your aunt was up to, did you?”
Tamara squared her shoulders proudly. “Of course I didn’t realize the value of Mrs. Bettencourt’s gift, and neither did my aunt. She would never have accepted it if she’d known it was anything but a trinket. I’m quite sure she’ll return it immediately when I tell her.”
“You’re damn right she will,” he said absently, still staring at her. There was an odd, flickering awareness in the depths of those dark eyes as his gaze moved from her face to her throat and then, in lingering assessment, to the full curve of her breasts. “Lord! You’re a lovely creature!”
Tamara could feel the color rise to her face, and her breath caught in her throat. What in the world was wrong with her, she wondered with a panicky feeling in the pit of her stomach. All her cool assurance and control were gone in the time it had taken Rex Brody to give her that one burning glance. Why did the man have such an effect on her? She could feel her breasts tingle in response to that intimate appraisal, as though he were stroking her with his hand instead of his eyes.
She stood up abruptly and instinctively backed away from him. “Since we’ve agreed the egg will be returned to your aunt,” she said a trifle breathlessly, “I believe that concludes our business, Mr. Brody.”
“Do you?” Brody leaned back on the couch, his gaze running over her lazily; each inch of her flesh seemed to burn and come to vibrant life beneath the insolent caress of his eyes. “You’re wrong, Tamara. I don’t think we’ve even started.”
He rose with liquid grace and crossed swiftly to where she stood. He was only inches away; she felt the heat emanating from his body and his shaving lotion reminded her vaguely of Russian Leather.
“I can’t allow your aunt to continue her activities, you know,” he said huskily. She could see by the quickening pulse in his throat he was as disturbed by her nearness as she was by his. “But that shouldn’t affect your financial arrangements to any great degree. I’m sure we can work something out.” His hand reached out almost compulsively to caress lightly the crimson taffeta covering her breasts and she could feel her nipples harden in response.
“What do you mean?” she asked throatily, her gaze fixed helplessly on his face. Was she going crazy? Why was she standing here allowing this stranger to caress her with an intimacy she’d never allowed any man?
“You know what I mean,” Brody said thickly. His dark eyes were blazing now and he drew a deep, steadying breath. “I mean that you turn me on. We’ve got some wild chemistry working, pretty lady.” He frowned impatiently. “Do you want it spelled out? I intend to take very good care of you. You needn’t worry about that. I’m a great deal richer than Bettencourt.” His lips tightened. “And I’m a helluva lot younger. I promise you that you won’t regret coming to me, Tamara.”
“Coming to you?” she repeated blankly. Then the color rushed to her face as she understood and was able at last to break the golden sensual threads that held her. The man was propositioning her as if she were a high-priced call girl! Well, why not, she thought bitterly. It was probably exactly what Celia had led him to believe she was. Understanding his reasons didn’t modify her resentment toward him, however. Her violet eyes blazed. “Why should I come to you?” she asked recklessly. “Celia must have told you that I like variety in my lovers. Do you really think you could satisfy me?”
Brody’s eyes blazed back at her. “I’m damn well sure I can,” he said deliberately. “And so are you. You want it as much as I do.” His hands reached out to grasp her shoulders. “And you’ll just have to forget that penchant for variety. I’m going to be the only man in your bed from now on.”
“The hell you will!” Tamara cried. She whirled away from him, her breasts heaving with fury. She glared back at him over her shoulder, her head lifted proudly. “I’m not going to occupy your bed or any portion of your life, Rex Brody! How do you have the nerve to come marching in here trying to intimidate Aunt Elizabeth, and then expect me to jump into bed with you!”
Her fury had no visible effect on Brody’s cool demeanor. In fact, there was a glint of admiration mixed with amusement in his eyes. “I gather you’re going to keep me in suspense for a while before you succumb to my fatal fascination,” he said outrageously. “Well, I’ve never been known for my patience, but you just may be worth waiting for, Tamara Ledford.”
“If you don’t get out of here …” she stated threateningly, turning back to face him.
“Oh, I’m leaving,” he said casually, strolling toward the door. He looked over his shoulder and winked mischievously. “I’ve got to get back to Bettencourt’s to change for the party. I’ll see you there, babe.”
“Oh no you won’t!” Tamara said. There was no way she was going to tolerate an evening of Rex Brody and Celia Bettencourt.
He paused at the door, all laughter banished from his face. “Yes, I will,” he said, a steely determination firming his lips. “Don’t even think about missing it, Tamara. I want you there tonight, and I make a habit of getting what I want. I’ve let the matter of your great-aunt’s little criminal sideline slide for the moment, but don’t think I’ve forgotten it. I assure you I’ll remember it much more vividly and with considerably more activity if you’re not at that party.”
Before she could answer, Brody turned and walked out the door.
TWO
THE BETTENCOURT MANSION was ablaze with lights as Marc Hellman turned his car into the long, curving driveway and drove carefully to the pillared front entrance. They were met by a white-jacketed servant, who smilingly helped Tamara from the dark blue Buick before taking Marc’s car keys and tossing them to another servant so he could park the car.
Marc cupped Tamara’s elbow protectively as they mounted the steps, and he bent his dark head to murmur quietly in her ear, “You’re sure you want to go through with this? We could still send in a message with a servant. Walter surely wouldn’t expect you to attend if he knew you were ill.”
Tamara smiled reassuringly. “No, really, I’ll be perfectly fine, Marc,” she said. “It was just a headache. I’m much better now.”
Marc Hellman shook his head, his thin, clever face concerned. “I’m not at all sure of that. You were shaking and practically in tears when I picked you up, and even now you’re still quite flushed.”
“Don’t be silly, Marc, I’m perfectly well now,” she said crossly, wishing he would stop fussing.
At times Marc’s almost avuncular protectiveness could be quite annoying.
But a twinge of guilt pricked her at the worried frown on his face. He had arrived a scant five minutes after Brody had departed, and a plea of illness had been the first excuse she could think of to account for her obvious distress. Throughout dinner at Somerset’s leading hotel, Marc had been extremely solicitous, even though she’d made every effort to appear normal.
She would dearly have loved to take Marc’s suggestion that they miss the party, but she had a shrewd idea that the silken threat Brody had made before he’d left the house wasn’t a bluff. For Aunt Elizabeth’s sake she couldn’t run the risk of his anger being directed at her, despite the indignation she felt. She’d just have to make another attempt to convince him Aunt Elizabeth had never had any intention of accepting compensation for her services, and that this whole
misunderstanding was utterly ridiculous.
She preceded Marc quickly through the front door, leaving her cloak with the servant in attendance in the front entrance hall, and moved swiftly to the left where Walter, Margaret, and Celia Bettencourt formed a receiving line to greet their guests.
Walter smiled with genuine pleasure as he took her hand in his. “Tamara, how good it is to have you here, my dear. You’re looking positively radiant tonight. You should wear red more often.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bettencourt,” Tamara replied warmly. “You’re looking very dashing yourself.” She spoke only the truth. Walter Bettencourt was in his early fifties, but his vigorous, athletic body was fit and lean and his features had a blunt cragginess that was very attractive. “And Mrs. Bettencourt looks absolutely ravishing,” she added.
Occupied for the moment with greeting another guest, Margaret Bettencourt didn’t hear the compliment, but her husband beamed proudly at his attractive brunette wife in her peach silk gown. “She certainly does. How do you suppose a staid old businessman like me got so lucky?”
Just then Margaret Bettencourt looked up and smiled with a warm kindness that lit her charming face. “I’m so glad you’ve come, Tamara,” she said. There was a flush of color on her cheeks and her gentle gray eyes were glowing with excitement. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
Walter Bettencourt slipped an arm about his wife’s slim waist and said with an indulgent chuckle, “That’s what she’s been saying to everyone. Personally, I think this nephew of yours is just a myth. You’ve been telling me about the man since the day I met you and I’ve yet even to see this paragon.”
His wife cast him an affectionately reproving glance. “I explained that Rex has been in London for the past sixteen months. You would have met him early this evening if he hadn’t suddenly been called away on business.”
No Red Roses: A Loveswept Classic Romance (Santa Flores) Page 2