Page 38 of Beau
She knows she promised that she would not hide anything more from him, but she knew her husband and if she told him about her difficulties today, he was going to overreact.
“I did and I am fine now," she assured him lightly.
“I made some soup, drank enough tea to sink a ship and ate crackers. I even managed to consume a garden salad just before you came. I also ate some watermelon and some grapes.”
His hand tilted her chin to study her face. Her makeup was flawless, and he didn’t have to know that she had to avail herself of the products Barry had sold her some time ago.
Nor the fact that she had used a heavy hand when applying her makeup. Her skin tone did not require any enhancement at all, but after the day she had, it had been necessary. “You are wearing foundation; you hardly ever do.”
Her husband never misses a thing, she thought wryly.
“I had sleep lines after the nap.” Tugging her chin away, she went over to her vanity.
“Pearls or emeralds?”
“Diamond and pearls," he said promptly. “Your hair looks nice. Pity I am going to have to undo all that effort when we come home.”
“I paid good money for Barry to achieve these curls.”
His mouth tightened at the mention of the man’s name.
“No doubt, he was regaling you with the latest gossip in society.” He was slipping the diamond cufflinks though the sleeves of his immaculately cut dark blue jacket.
“Linda Crandall’s husband is having an affair with her daughter.” She grinned at the look of distaste on his handsome face.
“That goddamned fairy.”
“Darling–”
“He makes me sick the way he feeds off people’s misery.” Taking a deep breath, he dispelled it in a puff of air and came behind her to secure the clasp of her necklace.
“I hate gossiping. I dislike the fact that we belong to a society whose main pastime is delving into other people’s private lives and loving it when they find dirt.”
Turning to face him, she pressed her hands over the lapels of his jacket. “That sets you apart from the rest of them. Thank God.”
Chapter 9
He watched her closely during the night. He knew her well, over the more than twelve months they were married, he knew when she was being evasive, and she had been when he questioned her.
She looked fine of course, was in fact glowing, her full-bodied laughter in play. But he noticed that she was staying away from the rich banquet their hosts had provided.
He was half listening to the comments the doctors and other medical personnel were making around him, his attention on her. She had also neglected the drinks being passed around the elegant ballroom of the Plaza Hotel.
“Excuse me.” Putting his own drink aside, he made his way through the throng of people to where she was standing, surrounded by friends.
“Darling.”
He was so intent on reaching his wife, that it took a moment for him to see the woman blocking his way.
“Miriam," he murmured briefly, objectively admiring the flaming red hair and lush curves barely covered in the emerald green gown that was an exact match for her eyes.
He had come close to forming a permanent relationship with her when she chose a career as an actress over him. It had left him devastated for months, until he got over her. Miriam had been out of the country for almost a year, and he had lost contact with her.
“Hi.” Tilting her head, she gazed at him through reddish brown lashes.
“Just hi?” She teased. “We have not seen each other in more than a year and that’s all you have to say?” She pouted, red lips inviting and alluring. They had enjoyed an extremely passionate relationship that had mostly governed their lives.
“How are you?”