It's hard not to be able to trust other people, isn't it? To become cynical enough to wonder, every time you make a new acquaintance, what he might really want from you; or whether he would like you just as well if you weren't filthy rich. It's a rather lonely existence, isn't it? And
whether you like my saying so or not, there's a certain air of vulnerability about you, Anne. I wouldn't want to see you hurt."
"What are you two doing, hiding away here in a corner? Anne, sweetie, don't you like the food? Your plate looks as if you haven't touched a thing on it!" Carol's voice sounded reproachful, but her bright emerald eyes were curious as her gaze flashed from one to the other. "You're supposed to circulate! Harris darling, I thought I could count on you to see that Anne meets everyone. She needs to meet people, don't you, pet? And I've been dying to ask you how it went tonight. Was Webb very mad?
Where is he, anyhow? The bastard-did Harris tell you about the scene Tanya tried to make? Although Harris is very good at handling things like that, thank God! And with Ted turning up, trying to get something on me so he won't have to pay up on our marriage settlement ... ugh! Harris- he can't get away with that crap, can he? You'll have to give me the name of that clever attorney of yours."
It was amazing how quickly Carol could switch from one subject to another, and all without stopping to draw breath.
"I think you want to talk alone with Anne," Harris commented dryly, contriving to let his fingers caress Anne's arm as he rose to his feet. With Carol's coming he had changed too, his manner more brisk and businesslike as he melted into his "Harris Phelps, Producer" role. "Don't worry, Carol, I think Grady's making noises because he's still jealous and wants to get you back. If I find an opportunity I'll try to have a little talk with him. And if he does get difficult I'll see that you're well represented."
"Well .. ." Carol looked slightly worried. "I would appreciate your keeping Ted out of my hair. He's always been so jealous it was almost paranoid, and there were a few times he really scared me, you know, with all his threats. He used to say that if he couldn't have me no one else would. And I was almost paranoid by the time I walked out on him!"
The next moment Carol's brilliant, world-famous smile flashed as she reached out for Anne's hand.
"Come on, darling! Let's escape into my bedroom for a little girl-talk, shall we? Harris will look after the mob for a little while."
It was comparatively quiet in Carol's untidy bedroom, with coats and wraps littering her bed; Carol had to clear some space on it before she could sit down. The party noises filtered faintly through the door that Carol had pushed shut, and every chair was draped with clothes-obviously discarded while Carol was deciding what to wear tonight.
It was amazing, Anne thought, trying to postpone the moment of Carol's inevitable questions, that she didn't bring along a maid to keep things picked up.
Echoing her thoughts Carol said, "I always seem to make such a bloody mess! But then, I do like my privacy, and if you tip hotel maids enough they'll even pack for you.
Darling, why on earth don't you sit down? Here, on the bed by me. Or you can shove that silly gown onto the floor if you like; I'll never wear it again!"
Anne didn't quite understand why she felt defensive, but she did. She shrugged, perching herself on the edge of the dresser. "This is fine. I haven't been doing my share of standing about all evening. And I feel guilty about dragging you off from the rest of your guests."
"Anne, do stop being so damned evasiveI You make me wonder, especially since you took so long getting here! Webb- exactly what did he do? What did he say when he found out it wasn't me but you? Did he-"
"He didn't blow his lines, if that's what you mean." Anne was surprised that her voice could sound so dry and even. "But he was mad, and I had a lot of explanations to
whether you like my saying so or not, there's a certain air of vulnerability about you, Anne. I wouldn't want to see you hurt."
"What are you two doing, hiding away here in a corner? Anne, sweetie, don't you like the food? Your plate looks as if you haven't touched a thing on it!" Carol's voice sounded reproachful, but her bright emerald eyes were curious as her gaze flashed from one to the other. "You're supposed to circulate! Harris darling, I thought I could count on you to see that Anne meets everyone. She needs to meet people, don't you, pet? And I've been dying to ask you how it went tonight. Was Webb very mad?
Where is he, anyhow? The bastard-did Harris tell you about the scene Tanya tried to make? Although Harris is very good at handling things like that, thank God! And with Ted turning up, trying to get something on me so he won't have to pay up on our marriage settlement ... ugh! Harris- he can't get away with that crap, can he? You'll have to give me the name of that clever attorney of yours."
It was amazing how quickly Carol could switch from one subject to another, and all without stopping to draw breath.
"I think you want to talk alone with Anne," Harris commented dryly, contriving to let his fingers caress Anne's arm as he rose to his feet. With Carol's coming he had changed too, his manner more brisk and businesslike as he melted into his "Harris Phelps, Producer" role. "Don't worry, Carol, I think Grady's making noises because he's still jealous and wants to get you back. If I find an opportunity I'll try to have a little talk with him. And if he does get difficult I'll see that you're well represented."
"Well .. ." Carol looked slightly worried. "I would appreciate your keeping Ted out of my hair. He's always been so jealous it was almost paranoid, and there were a few times he really scared me, you know, with all his threats. He used to say that if he couldn't have me no one else would. And I was almost paranoid by the time I walked out on him!"
The next moment Carol's brilliant, world-famous smile flashed as she reached out for Anne's hand.
"Come on, darling! Let's escape into my bedroom for a little girl-talk, shall we? Harris will look after the mob for a little while."
It was comparatively quiet in Carol's untidy bedroom, with coats and wraps littering her bed; Carol had to clear some space on it before she could sit down. The party noises filtered faintly through the door that Carol had pushed shut, and every chair was draped with clothes-obviously discarded while Carol was deciding what to wear tonight.
It was amazing, Anne thought, trying to postpone the moment of Carol's inevitable questions, that she didn't bring along a maid to keep things picked up.
Echoing her thoughts Carol said, "I always seem to make such a bloody mess! But then, I do like my privacy, and if you tip hotel maids enough they'll even pack for you.
Darling, why on earth don't you sit down? Here, on the bed by me. Or you can shove that silly gown onto the floor if you like; I'll never wear it again!"
Anne didn't quite understand why she felt defensive, but she did. She shrugged, perching herself on the edge of the dresser. "This is fine. I haven't been doing my share of standing about all evening. And I feel guilty about dragging you off from the rest of your guests."
"Anne, do stop being so damned evasiveI You make me wonder, especially since you took so long getting here! Webb- exactly what did he do? What did he say when he found out it wasn't me but you? Did he-"
"He didn't blow his lines, if that's what you mean." Anne was surprised that her voice could sound so dry and even. "But he was mad, and I had a lot of explanations to
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