THE muted hum of conversation vibrated up to meet Beth as she peered over the edge of the upstairs gallery in Cadogan Hall the following morning. Only ten more minutes till noon and still no sign of Warren in the audience below. Five designers’ collections had already been displayed and, at the very least, he should have come to view those. After all, wasn’t that part of his job? Part of what his parents paid him for? Instead he had chosen to stay away from the entire show, just to show his annoyance with Beth. Well, damn him! she thought. A sick feeling of misery, nerves and anger surged up inside her, but she paid no attention. Her feelings didn’t matter. What mattered was getting this show on the road and not disappointing the team who had helped her. She caught a glimpse of a dark glossy head, which could only be Daniel’s. A pang of some indefinable emotion shot through Beth’s body. She wasn’t even sure that she liked Daniel, but she certainly owed him a lot. And, however bitterly they might have quarrelled, he was here when she needed him most. But where on earth was Warren?
A husky voice broke in on her reverie.
‘Beth? You want to come check that we’re all dressed right?’
It was Laura Mae Harper, a black model from Georgia with the regal dignity of an African queen. As they made their way back to the dressing-rooms, she squeezed Beth’s arm comfortingly.
‘Hey, don’t look so gloomy, honey! Your designs are great. They’re gonna be a smash hit!’
‘Do you really think so?’ asked Beth miserably.
‘Just watch it happen!’ urged Laura Mae.
But it wasn’t until the show was nearly over that Beth was finally convinced. Peeping out from the wings behind the catwalk, she saw Laura Mae swirling around in the wedding-dress against a halo of bright, natural light. And suddenly the catchy music from the loudspeakers was drowned by a growing thunder of applause. Holding her breath, Beth tiptoed away until she was safely inside a deserted dressing-room. Then she jumped into the air and let out a stifled whoop of excitement. She was so thrilled that she wanted to share this moment with everyone, even Warren. But it wasn’t Warren who came backstage to congratulate her ten minutes later. It was Daniel.
‘Well, are you feeling proud?’ he asked. ‘You ought to be.’
Beth pulled a face at him. Some of the euphoria had already worn off and she was beginning to worry that the applause was mere courtesy.
‘Do you really think it was a success?’ she asked anxiously.
‘It was dynamite,’ insisted Daniel. ‘You’re going to find yourself a very busy and very wealthy woman before too much longer. Now that you’re over the first hurdle, you’d better get ready for the second one. It’s crucial for you to shine at this lunch too. The social side of doing business is important anywhere, but it’s vital in Los Angeles.’
Beth heaved a sigh.
‘I hate that sort of thing,’ she said. ‘I’ve always been shy and I’m just not good at it. Besides, I’ve no idea where Warren has got to. I looked everywhere for him before the parade ended, but I couldn’t find him.’
‘Never mind about Warren,’ snapped Daniel impatiently. ‘You can sort out your personal problems any time. But there are moments when your work has to come first and this is one of them. Agreed?’
‘I suppose so,’ muttered Beth.
‘Good. Well, come on.’
Five minutes later a silently gliding lift disgorged them on to a rooftop terrace on the fifth floor of the building. Beth stopped dead in amazement at the sight that met her eyes. The terrace must have been eighty feet long and nearly as wide, but the entire perimeter of it had been enclosed in screens of white silk. Against this background were tubs containing orange and lemon trees, their foliage green and glossy against the pale background. Smaller terracotta urns were bright with cascades of red geraniums and blue lobelias and in the centre of the terrace a string quartet of musicians dressed in white clothes were playing a Vivaldi sonata. Arranged in a circle around the central plaza were round tables with shady white umbrellas, but nobody was sitting at these yet. Instead a huge crowd of people was milling around on the red-brick paving, laughing and chattering and uttering shrill squeals of excitement. Somewhere a champagne cork popped loudly and Beth heard the chime of crystal glasses and the clatter of silver. She hesitated, feeling decidedly intimidated by the hum of noisy conversation, the white glare of photographers’ flashes and the glimpse of several internationally famous celebrities.
‘What do we do now?’ she whispered, unconsciously shrinking closer to Daniel.
‘Stop acting like a clinging vine for a start,’ replied Daniel under his breath. Adroitly he shrugged her off, so that a good two feet of brick paving lay between them. ‘You don’t need me for support, do you?’
It was brutal, but effective. For a split second Beth stared at him with a look of frozen shock and dismay on her face. Then her chin came up, her shoulders squared and her eyes flashed blue fire.
‘No, I certainly don’t!’ she hissed angrily. ‘In fact, why don’t you just take yourself off? I can manage perfectly well without you.’
Daniel smiled lazily.
‘Oh, there’s no need for that,’ he murmured. ‘You forget that we have business interests in common. So we’ll circulate fashionably together. But just remember that I don’t want you all over me like a rash.’
Beth felt her shyness being shrivelled up by a fierce, scorching anger.
‘I wish I were all over you like a rash!’ she muttered. ‘Smallpox, for preference!’
But Daniel seemed indifferent to her sarcasm.
‘Come on,’ he urged, plunging into the crowd. ‘Let’s get something to eat and then we’ll circulate.’
Beth followed him sulkily, feeling as if she could plunge a knife into the back of his smart beige summer suit. Her first instinctive reaction to Daniel Pryor had been one of wary mistrust, but a lot had happened in the few days since the boating accident. And, in spite of their quarrel about Warren she had found herself increasingly drawn to Daniel. Besides, he hadn’t seemed entirely indifferent to her. So why was he behaving like this now? Just when she was beginning to trust him and feel grateful to him, he was slamming the door in her face. It made her feel hurt and puzzled. And very, very annoyed.
The buffet was arranged at the far end of the terrace with a squadron of black-uniformed waiters around it. Following Daniel’s example, Beth picked up a Wedgwood plate and chose some succulent king prawns with a dipping sauce of Tabasco and thousand island dressing, a small square of hot savoury cheese in filo pastry and a few cherry tomatoes.
‘Champagne?’ asked Daniel.
Beth shook her head.
‘I’ll just have an orange juice, please,’ she replied coldly.
She had thought she was too nervous to eat, but the food was delicious and the orange juice was freshly squeezed and clinking with cubes of ice. As they stood juggling plates and glasses, Daniel casually roped in a couple of guests who wandered by and introduced them to Beth. For a moment her usual shyness threatened to paralyse her, but then the memory of Daniel’s cutting remark flashed back. Fighting down her urge to shrink and stammer, she forced herself to smile and chat intelligently. Before long she found herself at the centre of a friendly, laughing group and she began to relax a little. Deftly Daniel took her empty plate and glass and set them on a nearby table.
‘Well, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to mingle,’ he said.
And mingle they did. Within the next fifteen minutes Beth found herself introduced to half a dozen buyers from both east- and west-coast stores, five film stars and several agents. By the time they sat down at a shady table to eat their main course she was rather enjoying herself. Conscious of Daniel’s mocking gaze as they did their rounds, she had dredged up a courage that astonished her. It might be pure bravado, but she had waded in and tackled buyers with charm and determination. Now she had several important new contracts under her belt and a glowing sense of confidence to go with them. As a waiter set a plate of sizzling charcoal-grill beef steak in front of her accompanied by a gigantic jacket potato lavishly filled with sour cream and chives and a plate of green salad, she shot Daniel a look of triumph.
‘Well,’ she said challengingly. ‘Are you convinced? I’m not such a hopeless wimp after all, am I?’
His dark eyes held hers with a look that baffled her. Was it amusement, contempt or something else?
‘Oh, I suppose you’re doing all right for a beginner,’ he replied, in dampening tones. ‘But the day’s not over yet.’
The lack of enthusiasm in his voice made Beth smoulder inwardly. She felt a simmering indignation bubble up inside her and, along with it, a fierce determination to make Daniel sit up and take notice. However hard she had to work, she wouldn’t leave until she had enough orders to pay him back twice over for the money he had spent. That would show him!
The main course was followed by a luscious array of desserts, but Beth waved away the hazelnut gateau and strawberry shortcake in favour of a small bowl of tropical fruit. Once the fragrant black coffee and chocolate truffles appeared, people began to circulate again, moving casually from table to table to chat with friends or business acquaintances. Beth was just about rise to her feet and join the fray when she heard a husky laugh behind her. Swinging around with an enquiring look, she saw that a deeply tanned brunette with a voluptuous figure, curly black hair and huge brown eyes had just materialised in the narrow gap between her chair and Daniel’s. The newcomer was only about five feet two inches tall and her red and white dress was obviously very expensive. Before Beth had the chance to notice anything else, the brunette slung one arm around Daniel’s shoulders and leaned forward, enfolding him in a cloud of perfume and a generous display of warm cleavage. Beth felt a stab of anger so sharp that it startled her. After all, what did it matter to her if some centrefold pin-up girl chose to drape herself all over Daniel? She didn’t care. Did she?
‘Well, hi, Daniel,’ cooed the brunette rapturously. ‘Now don’t say I never do anything for you. I turned up to the show just the way you asked!’
Just the way you asked... So Daniel had invited this purring sex kitten to the show, had he? No wonder he hadn’t wanted Beth hanging around him! A shock of resentment seared through her as Daniel’s gaze flickered lazily from her to the brunette. He’s comparing us! thought Beth indignantly. How dare he? I suppose he’s working out which one gives the best kisses! She felt even more indignant when she realised that Daniel’s eyes were lingering on the other woman with unabashed admiration.
‘Sunny, I’d like you to meet Beth Saxon,’ said Daniel. ‘Beth’s a fashion designer just getting established. And this is Sunny Martino. She’s one of our finest Hollywood actresses.’
Sunny wriggled joyously at the compliment.
‘Well, thank you, sir,’ she cried, laying one hand on Daniel’s shoulder and batting her enormous eyelashes seductively. Then she gave a little shriek of laughter.
Beth’s mouth tightened disapprovingly. Featherbrained idiot! she thought. And then Sunny’s melting brown eyes skimmed from her to Daniel with a shrewd, speculative look that was anything but featherbrained. For a moment she wondered whether she was underestimating the actress. Then Sunny pouted provocatively.
‘Don’t you have a place for me to sit down?’ she complained.
‘Let me get you a chair, Sunny,’ offered Daniel.
He pulled out a chair for Sunny and moved along one space himself so that the actress was now seated between him and Beth. Sunny smiled mechanically at Beth and then leaned across at Daniel.
‘Honey, I’ve been wanting to talk to you,’ she murmured huskily. ‘I’ve got a big problem with AYZ Studios and I need your advice. You see, my contract—’
At that moment there was an interruption as three photographers who had spotted Sunny appeared on the opposite side of the table and flashbulbs blazed rapidly. With only the faintest of sighs, Sunny lounged back into her chair, thrusting forward the magnificent cleavage and smiled winningly. A reporter appeared beside them, whipped out a notebook and pencil and began asking Sunny some questions. She was still babbling engagingly when another figure hovered into sight.
‘Warren!’ exclaimed Beth. ‘So you came! Did you see the collection?’
Over the past few days she had been feelingly increasingly annoyed with Warren for leaving her in the lurch in Santa Barbara, but now her resentment was tempered with relief. The worry that Warren might have left permanently had been haunting her and, in some obscure way, she felt that his presence would protect her against Daniel. And, with Daniel making eyes at Sunny Martino, it gave Beth’s pride a boost to have another male come in search of her. Particularly one as good-looking as Warren. Ushering him into a seat, she flashed him a welcoming smile and was gratified to see Daniel scowl.
‘Hi, Beth,’ said Warren, sitting down at the table with nothing in his manner to suggest that they had ever quarrelled. ‘Sure, I saw it. We did a pretty good job, didn’t we?’
‘Yes, didn’t we?’ agreed Beth rather coolly. She might be pleased to see Warren, but that was going just a little too far. How like him to want to claim the credit when he hadn’t done any of the work!
The reporter paused with his pencil in mid-air, sensing a story.
‘Hey, are you guys the people behind Warbeth designs?’ he asked. ‘The collection that was such a smash hit today?’
‘That’s right,’ agreed Warren.
The reporter darted a quick look at Sunny.
‘Well, look, can you stick around?’ he asked. ‘Maybe when Miss Martino and I have finished—’
Sunny dissolved into giggles.
‘Oh, we’ve finished now!’ she cried and blew the reporter a kiss. ‘I know you’ll say all the right things about me. So go ahead and interview these people while Daniel and I have our coffee.’
But the interview wasn’t a complete success. For one thing, Beth was irrationally annoyed by Sunny’s apparent inability to spoon sugar or stir coffee without help from Daniel. And, for another, Warren simply elbowed her out of the discussion. He had always had the kind of personality that loved the limelight and he was quick to jump in and field the reporter’s questions before Beth had a chance to answer. Before long her relief at his return gave way to a growing irritation. She resented the way he took credit for most of the designs and for all of the business side of putting the collection together. He also kept turning the conversation round to the subject of his parents’ chain of clothing stores in Australia. But the most distressing moment of all for Beth came when one of the reporters asked a completely routine question.
‘So did you have any problems getting your designs here safely from Australia?’ he asked.
Warren laughed boyishly.
‘No, we didn’t have any trouble on the way here!’ he exclaimed. ‘But we certainly did have some trouble in Santa Barbara. We were taking some fashion photos on a launch on the harbour when—’
Indignation and dismay rose in Beth. Without even knowing why, she felt passionately certain that she did not want the details of the accident and its aftermath splashed all over the newspapers for other people to gape at.
‘—when we had a rather unpleasant accident,’ finished Warren dramatically.
‘That sounds interesting,’ said one of the reporters. ‘Would you like to tell us about it?’
‘Sure,’ began Warren.
But he was foiled by Daniel’s lazy interruption.
‘Say, have you guys heard that I’m thinking of making a new series of Destiny’s Favourite?’ he asked. ‘Naturally it’ll be starring Sunny Martino and some other big-name actors.’
Beth and Warren were instantly forgotten amid a hubbub of excitement and the cameras began to flash again. Daniel and Sunny obligingly cuddled close together and flashed radiant smiles which made Beth suffer an obscure pang of annoyance. Warren began talking about the accident in Santa Barbara again, trying to arouse the reporters’ interest, but Daniel adroitly headed him off.
‘I’m also thinking of inviting Lane Galloway to play the male lead,’ he said. ‘I see he’s right over there at that other table. Maybe you guys would like to come and get a picture of us all together.’
In a moment the table was abandoned in a hectic rush and Warren and Beth found themselves alone.
‘Pryor is such a ratbag,’ complained Warren. ‘What a publicity-hunter! Did you see how he had to turn the reporters’ attention on himself immediately? He couldn’t bear to see us in the limelight for one minute, could he?’
Beth pulled a face. ‘I’m glad he couldn’t,’ she said with feeling. ‘I really didn’t want to talk about how it felt to be half drowned or to walk through the Yacht Club in a borrowed bathrobe. Personally I’d rather keep my private life private.’
Warren sighed impatiently. ‘What’s so private about it?’ he demanded. ‘It would have been great publicity for the collection. And with the way things are beginning to take off, I think we should take advantage of every bit of help we can get.’
‘We?’ prompted Beth with renewed grievance. ‘I thought you didn’t want any more to do with it. You walked out rather than help to replace the collection, remember!’
Warren reddened. His tanned, neatly manicured hands crept across the table and seized hers.
‘I’m sorry, Beth,’ he said coaxingly. ‘I was just so jealous when I found you staying with that creep. I couldn’t think straight. But I want you to know that from here on I’m with you all the way. It’s a full partnership as of now.’
‘Is it?’ asked Beth bitterly. ‘And what exactly does that mean?’
Warren’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘Why, probably that we form some kind of company,’ he said. ‘The way things are going now I think we’re going to be a big hit as designers, you and I.’
Beth withdrew her hand from his grip and pressed her lips together to stop them quivering.
‘I see,’ she replied evenly. ‘A business partnership. And what about the rest of our lives, Warren? What other kind of partnership did you have in mind?’
Warren’s voice was suddenly warm, caressing.
‘We’ll go back to the way we were before,’ he murmured. ‘Silly Beth, did you really think I’d left you forever? There’s no need to look so tragic, darling, nothing is going to change between us.’
‘That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,’ snapped Beth. ‘Nothing ever does change, does it? You’re bright and cheerful during the good times, Warren, but, when the bad times hit, you don’t want to know me, do you? You just leave me to cope with it all on my own!’
Warren stared at her in consternation. ‘Beth,’ he said in a reproving undertone. ‘People are looking at you.’
She glanced around and saw that a couple of heads were turned in their direction. Embarrassment flooded through her and she rose to her feet. Coming hot on the heels of Daniel’s little tête-à-tête with Sunny, Warren’s calm assumption that nothing had changed between them was more than she could bear. Were all men nothing but selfish egotists? Did Daniel really think he could kiss her passionately one minute and waltz off with a glamorous actress the next? And did Warren honestly believe he could abandon her in a crisis and then come back a few days later as if nothing had happened? Beth had always thought of herself as calm, serious, reserved, but she was shocked by a sudden impulse to shout and weep and throw things. With a determined effort she regained control of herself.
‘You’re right,’ she admitted unsteadily. ‘We can’t talk about it here. And anyway, I’m too upset at the moment. Why don’t you phone me at Daniel’s apartment? It’s listed in the telephone directory.’
And with that she turned and plunged blindly into the crowd. She had no clear idea of where she was going, but before she had advanced twelve paces she blundered straight into Daniel, who was standing with his arm around Sunny. He took one look at her troubled face and released his hold on Sunny.
‘Can we take a raincheck on this conversation?’ he asked the actress. ‘It’s time Beth and I were getting out of here.’
‘Sure,’ agreed Sunny. Once again her brown eyes met Beth’s with a challenging, speculative expression. Then she gave a faint, twisted smile. ‘Take my advice, honey, and be very careful what you do from here on. There are a lot of wolves in this town and they don’t hesitate to gobble up babes in the wood. I’d hate to see you get hurt.’
Beth gave her a startled glance and murmured some inaudible reply. What on earth did Sunny mean? Was she warning Beth off Daniel? If so, she needn’t bother, thought Beth sourly. After getting the brush-off today, I’m hardly likely to go chasing after him. Not that I ever was! And Warren is just as bad. She didn’t ask herself why Daniel’s flirtation with Sunny should cause her so much more pain and anger than Warren’s clumsy attempt to gloss over their quarrel. All she felt was a childlike urge to bolt and run for cover.
Somehow she managed to keep her head high and a smile on her face as Daniel shepherded her though the crowd to the edge of the terrace. But once they were safely inside the lift she gave up all pretence of control. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against its wall and fought back tears.
‘Warren?’ asked Daniel.
She nodded wordlessly. It was easier and less humiliating to agree than to try and explain her complicated feeling about Sunny.
‘That bastard,’ said Daniel softly. ‘Here, take this.’ He handed her a clean white handkerchief. ‘No tears until we’re safely out of this place. There may still be photographers down on the sidewalk and I want you smiling when you walk past them. Got it?’
Beth opened her eyes and took a long, shuddering breath.
‘Got it,’ she agreed.
But her lips twisted bitterly as she scrubbed her face with Daniel’s handkerchief. How easy and convenient for Daniel to assume that Warren was the sole cause of her distress! As if his own behaviour in kissing her passionately and then falling all over some actress didn’t matter a damn. Well, it probably didn’t to him, she reflected grimly. Men were all the same, especially men with smouldering animal magnetism. Untrustworthy and interested in only one thing. But he’s not getting it from me, thought Beth, so he’d better not try again! By the time they reached Daniel’s apartment her misery had subsided to a hollow ache in the pit of her stomach. When Daniel opened the door into the marble-floored entrance hall, with its huge gilt mirrors and claw-footed antique tables, she felt a rush of relief almost as if she were coming home. After the tension of the day the apartment seemed like a welcome refuge. And, although Beth had an ominous feeling that there was a confrontation brewing, she was content to postpone it as long as possible.
‘Go and sit in the living-room and take it easy while I fix you a drink,’ Daniel ordered.
Obediently she slogged into the living-room, kicked off her shoes and flopped on to a deep cream leather couch. Two minutes later Daniel appeared beside her, hauled her into a sitting position and thrust a large gin and tonic into her hand. She took a sip of the chilled, bitter drink and shuddered.
‘Right,’ said Daniel as briskly as if he were chairing a meeting. ‘The first thing you need to do is get rid of that goddamned Warren. So why don’t you call him up right now and tell him it’s all over?’
Beth choked on her drink. The arrogance of this suggestion took her breath away and it was several moments before she could speak.
‘Why? To clear the way for you?’ she flared.
Daniel shrugged indifferently.
‘It would certainly make things easier for our relationship.’
There was a tense silence, broken only by Beth’s incredulous gasp for air.
‘I don’t believe I’m hearing this!’ she spluttered. ‘What relationship? The one you’re hoping to have with me when Sunny Martino is too busy to oblige you?’
A twisted smile played around the corners of Daniel’s mouth.
‘So, it upset you to see me with Sunny, did it?’
‘I didn’t say that!’
‘You didn’t have to,’ he growled, seizing her arm. ‘It’s written all over you!’
Beth’s heart hammered wildly and she had to consciously resist the impulse to sink into Daniel’s embrace. His hard brown fingers were gripping her arm and it would have been easy, so fatally easy to bring her right hand over to cover his. She could almost feel the warmth of his wrist, the coarse dark hair, the tension of muscle and sinew. But if she yielded to the urge to let her fingers flutter over his, to look up into his eyes, she would be lost. There would be no going back. Because she wanted Daniel Pryor as she had never wanted any man in her life. And if she touched him, or looked at him, he would guess the truth. Dropping her gaze, she broke away from him in panic. ‘I’m just telling you that I’m not prepared to be some kind of sex object for you. Good enough to kiss in private, but not fit to be acknowledged in public! I was just a little interlude before you got back to your real interest, Sunny Martino, wasn’t I? You didn’t even want to know me at that lunch today!’
‘Don’t be a fool!’ snarled Daniel. ‘That place was crawling with reporters, which was why I trod very carefully. I knew you wouldn’t want a lot of imaginative smut about your relationship with me splashed over the tabloids tomorrow.’
‘Whereas Sunny would?’ taunted Beth.
Daniel shrugged.
‘Sunny and I have been lovers for the last seven years,’ he said indifferently.
Beth felt a pang as sharp and hurtful as if she had been stabbed. She caught her breath.
‘Or so the tabloids say,’ finished Daniel, eyeing her from under half-closed lids.
She felt her fingernails dig deep into her palms. ‘Is it true?’ she asked hoarsely.
‘What would it matter to you?’ countered Daniel. ‘You’re not interested in getting involved with me. Are you?’
‘No!’ she insisted violently. ‘Obviously all you want is sex and as much variety as possible in your partners. Well, I’m not interested in that kind of relationship, thanks very much.’
‘What kind of relationship are you interested in?’
‘One with commitment,’ retorted Beth, tossing her head. ‘One where both partners genuinely care about each other and are loyal through thick and thin.’
‘I see,’ Daniel murmured in velvety tones. ‘Like the one you have with Warren?’
Her head jerked back as if he had slapped her. Rage swept through her.
‘That’s not fair,’ she whispered hoarsely.
‘Isn’t it?’ taunted Daniel, his face so close to hers that she could see the blue-black shadow of his beard under his skin.
Her legs felt so weak that they would scarcely hold her. She opened her mouth to reply, but the words wouldn’t come. She stared at Daniel in dismay, willing him to stop this torment.
And, before she could protest, he took her face in his hands and stared down at her with a ferocity and passion that electrified her. For a moment she gazed back at him, feeling her lips part and her body quiver in a frenzy of need as urgent as his own. Then she broke away, shuddering.
‘No!’ she cried despairingly.
He took a step backwards, his dark eyes blazing, his mouth a narrow, contemptuous line.
‘All right,’ he rasped. ‘If that’s your choice, get dressed and we’ll go out for a farewell dinner.’