Page 35 of Somewhere I'll Find You
“It's not from me—it's from a secret admirer.”
“Really?” Looking pleased and flattered, Arlyss toyed with her mop of curls. “Who is it, Jessica?”
Julia held, out the package. “Open this, and see if you can guess.”
Giggling in excitement, Arlyss snatched the parcel and tore the paper with childish glee. After the layers of protective covering were demolished, both women stared at the offering in delight. It was a small, exquisite portrait of Arlyss costumed as the Comic Muse, with luminous skin, rosy cheeks, and a sweet smile curving her lips. The interpretation was idealized, her figure painted a bit slimmer than in real life, her eyes a little larger…but it was unquestionably Arlyss. The skill and talent of the artist were remarkable, resulting in a delicately shaded work that captured the joyous essence of its subject.
“How wonderful,” Julia murmured, thinking that Michael Fiske could have a future beyond mere scene painting.
Arlyss scrutinized the portrait with obvious pleasure. “It's too pretty to be me!…Well, almost.”
Carefully Julia touched the edge of the gilded frame. “Clearly it was painted by someone who loves you.”
Thoroughly perplexed, Arlyss shook her head. “But who?”
Julia stared at her meaningfully. “What gentleman do we know who can paint like this?”
“No one around here, except for…” Arlyss sputtered with an incredulous laugh. “Don't tell me this is fromMr. Fiske? Oh, dear…he's not at all the kind of man I usually take an interest in.”
“That's true. He's honest, hardworking, and respectful—completely unlike the debauched men you've been complaining about for so long.”
“At least they're able to provide for me.”
“What do they provide?” Julia asked softly. “A few gifts? A night or two of passion? And then they disappear.”
“I just haven't found the right one yet.”
“Perhaps you have now.”
“But, Jessica, ascene painter…”
Julia stared into her friend's sea-green eyes. “Be kind to him, Arlyss—I believe he truly cares for you.”
The petite actress frowned uncomfortably. “I'll thank him nicely for the portrait.”
“Yes, talk to him,” Julia urged. “You may discover that you like him. Judging by his work, he's a man of depth—and he is rather good-looking.”
“I suppose,” Arlyss said thoughtfully. She gave the portrait a lingering glance and handed it to Julia. “I mustn't keep Mr. Scott waiting. Would you be a dear and put this in my dressing room?”
“Certainly.” Julia crossed her fingers as Arlyss walked away. An ironic smile spread across her face. She had thought herself to be worldly, even cynical, but there was a part of her that was still irrepressibly romantic. She hoped Arlyss would find love with someone who would appreciate her, no matter what her faults, no matter what her mistakes in the past. Wryly Julia acknowledged that it would make her feel better to know that even if her own situation was miserable, at least someone else could be happy in love.
Pauline looked up from the mountain of packages on the carpeted floor of her mauve and gold bedroom. She was a fetching sight, surrounded by frothy piles of ribbon and tissue, her dark hair falling in sensuous disarray over her bare shoulders. Her lips parted with an inviting smile as Damon entered the room.
“You're just in time to see my new purchases,” she informed him. “I had a delightful shopping expedition this morning.” She stood and held a garment up to her breasts, a sheath resembling a thin, spidery web of gold. “Look, darling…it's meant to be worn over another gown, as an adornment, but when we're in private I'll wear it just like this.”
Gracefully she pulled it over her head and let the glittering woven fabric slip over her body, at the same time allowing the gown underneath to fall away. The web of gold enhanced the rounded beauty of her body, doing nothing to conceal the dark triangle between her thighs or the rose-brown points of her erect nipples. Excitement shone in her velvety eyes, and she licked her lips as she approached him slowly.
“Make love to me,” she murmured. “It seems forever since you've touched me.”
Damon stared at Pauline without expression, finding it difficult to believe that he could be unmoved by a woman he had once found so arousing. “I didn't come here for that,” he said, keeping,his arms at his sides even as she purred and rubbed against him. “I want to talk.”
“Yes…afterward.” She caught his hand and tried to bring it to her breast.
Scowling, Damon pulled away. “I want to know the name of your doctor. The one who confirmed your pregnancy.”
The sexual interest faded from Pauline's face, replaced by a defensive, perturbed expression. “Why?”
Damon gave her an unyielding stare. “What's his name?”
