Wise Folly Read Online Free Page B

entrance.
    Jason halted, watching both of them with a puzzled expression, trying to understand the thrust-and-parry conversation. There was more to it than was immediately apparent, but h is f ace showed confusion as he took Dianna’s arm possessively, nodding his head toward the back of the room.
    “I see Miss Sinclair is here. She’s very beautiful tonight, as usual.” Jason’s voice was louder than normal, attracting the attention of a stunningly lovely woman who stood on the other side of the room. She walked toward them with feline grace; her blond hair flowed about her shoulders, framing beautifully sculpted features and wide blue eyes. Her pale blue dress, what looked like a designer original, showed off an enticingly voluptuous figure. She came to Noah’s side and slipped a proprietorial arm in his.
    “Darling, I was wondering where you were. You left me all alone to cope with this crowd,” she complained, her bright cherry lips pouting flirtatiously.
    “ I'm sure you did very well, Kitty. You weren’t shy of male company with h alf the board of directors was paying court” He grinned, the cl eft in his chin deepening.
    “ That h alf your board is over fifty and balding!”
    “But that didn’t stop you from basking in the limelight.” Noah glanced around the room as if only a portion of his attention was on their conversation. Then he re turned to the present company and turned to introduce them.
    “Kitty, I’d like you to meet Mrs. Hammond and Jason Manners. This is Catherine Sinclair, a very talented young country-and-Weste rn singer. My board is betting she'll be the next big star in the music world.”
    Catherine’s eyes narrowed on Dianna before she shrugged her shoulders in dismissal and turned a charming smile on Jason.
    “You were at the Greer party, weren’t you?”
    “I didn’t think you’d remember.” Jason grinned uneasily, glancing quickly at Noah.
    “I wasn’t that drunk, darling Though Noah deserves to find me in that shape if he tries to make a habit out of going to parties just to discuss business and leaves me on my own.”
    “Enough, Catherine. I doubt if my employees are concerned with your vices.” A muscle in the side of his jaw was tightened in disapproval. There was still a ruthless quality about him that reached out and touched Dianna, sending warning signals through her body. Never underestimate him, she told herself. Never underestimate the devil
    “But, darling, surely my vices matter very little to Wescomp compared to yours!”
    “And neither is up for discussion,” he stated grimly. “If you want to join the party I suggest you behave yourself, now, or you’ll lead me to think that you should be on your way home early .”
    Noah’s last comment apparently hit home, and Catherine’s face showed the sting of his words. His threat had effectively silenced her. Dianna stood quietly, not realizing how tightly she had been clutching Jason’s arm until Noah noticed it, then looked at her, his deep gray eyes seeming to read her e very thought. He stepped aside, murmuring to Jason to be sure to introduce Dianna to all and sundry, and walked away.
    Jason escorted her toward the milling group around the long hors-d ' oeuvre table. An ice sculpture of two large robot s stood in the center of the table, the accuracy and intricacy of design making it a work of art They began circulating from group to group, names tumbling over names as Dianna smiled prettily, becoming further withdrawn at the strangeness of it all. These were the elite of Dallas, known to her only from the newspaper columns. She wasn't sure why she was here if she wasn't supposed to meet the rest of the heads of departments.
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWO
     
    Everyone was friendly.  First, she felt awed, then charmed. Only occasionally did the men show their feet of cl ay and the women their boredom and unhappiness. They all striv ed to maintain the image of the beautiful people, even among themselves.