Dangerous Masquerade

by Janet Dailey

  “A sacrificial lamb,” Laurie supplied softly, turning her gaze out the window and thinking how true it was in the respect that she always seemed to be bowing to her cousin's caprices. Although she certainly would never bow to Rian Montgomery. A tiny smile brought her dimples into play as Laurie thought how ironic it was that she had been determined to have no part of the overpowering Rian Montgomery, and here she was pretending to be his fiancée.

  “You're hardly a lamb.” Colin's drawling voice drew her back. “A beautiful Madonna with a touch of the Mona Lisa, a curious mixture of the serene and the sensual. I believe the Judge and I were both right and wrong."

  The sincerity of his compliment disconcerted Laurie. She was too used to comparing herself with LaRaine and seeing a pale shadow of the more colourful and exciting peacock. Most all of the men she had met were usually cast-off admirers of LaRaine, or entranced with her cousin the instant they were introduced. It had always hurt to know she was second-best, like now when she was a substitute for LaRaine.

  “I think you're too generous with your compliments, Mr. Hartford.” Her candid protest came from a realistic appraisal of her own attraction.

  “I thought we agreed it was to be Colin,” he teased gently. “There's no need to be modest either, although it's refreshing. That ring on your finger is an affirmation of your beauty. It also solves another riddle."

  “What's that?” Laurie seized the opportunity to turn the subject away from any more lavish praise which only embarrassed, her since it was so undeserved.

  “You know that Rian's parents died when he was in his teens. Between his grandfather and Vera, they raised him. With his grandfather's death ten years ago, Vera took custody of the family jewels.” Unknowingly Colin was filling in some of the gaps in Rian's background that Laurie didn't know, and LaRaine either hadn't known or hadn't thought important to tell her. “When Rian flew down one morning a couple of weeks ago to select one of the rings from the family collection, Vera was surprised that he had chosen the sapphire instead of the more traditional diamond solitaire studded with pearls. Only Vera, and now perhaps you, would dare question any of Rian's decisions, but Vera did this time. She said he'd remarked that the sapphire and diamond ring would be more suitable for his bride-to-be. As usual, Rian was right."

  “How do you mean?” Laurie asked blankly, inwardly shrinking from the weight of the stone on her finger.

  Colin lowered his gaze from another minute inspection of her face to the gleaming, richly blue stone. “No other jewel could match the lovely blue colour of your eyes. Oh, yes,” he mused softly, “I do see how you've been able to ensnare the elusive Rian Montgomery."

  Play-acting. An innocent game of pretend. That was what LaRaine had called it in the security of their Los Angeles apartment. Carrying it out was not at all like their conversations. Laurie hadn't realized how cheap she would feel until she saw how her cousin's intrigue had wrapped Colin so completely in their web of deceit.

  “How much farther is it?” Her voice was sharper than she intended it to be, but she couldn't stand any more of this talk of her engagement to Rian.

  As she stared out the window at the thinning residential area giving way to pine trees, she wondered how she was going to be able to go through with this deception when she was filled with so much self-loathing only an hour after her arrival in Mobile.

  “There's no need to warn me of my place,” Colin chuckled, meeting Laurie's confused glance briefly. “I'm fully cognizant that you're one of Rian's possessions. The thought of confronting him will keep me from making any advances that I might consider in other circumstances."

  Laurie realized that he thought her quick change of subject was because she thought he was becoming too familiar. “Oh, I didn't mean that. I'm sorry,” she apologized quickly, “I didn't mean to sound rude. I'm anxious about meeting Mrs. Manning, I suppose.” That was a half truth. She wasn't anxious. She was dreading it, knowing that Colin's inquisition was nothing compared to what Rian's aunt would probably put her through.

  “I wouldn't worry whether Vera will approve of you or not. She's been wanting Rian to marry for years. She'll adore any woman who gets him to the altar.” There was a blessed moment of silence as Colin turned off the main road on to a peaceful tree-lined drive in the countryside. “Rian has been very closemouthed about you, but then he is about everything. Tell me, how did you meet?"

  “At a party in Hollywood."

  “That's a surprise.” An eyebrow raised slightly. “Rian has always abhorred those gushy affairs. You don't seem the type who would like that artificial atmosphere either."

  “I don't,” Laurie answered honestly, inhaling deeply before plunging into the business of pretend. “Perhaps that was the reason Rian,” how his name stuck in her throat! “noticed me. We left at an outrageously early hour when he offered me a ride home. He asked me out to dinner the following night, and there you have it."

  “Love at first sight, huh?” A statement not requiring an answer from Laurie. “Those two stone pillars on your right,” Colin directed her attention through the car window, “mark the entrance to the Judge's home. The flame pink azaleas ahead is where Vera's lane begins."

  “How beautiful!” Laurie murmured, catching sight of the brilliant flowered bushes.

  “We've had a mild winter. They're blooming early this year,” he commented idly, “which will make the Mardi Gras week just that more colourful."

  “Mardi Gras? Are you going to New Orleans?” she asked as he made the turn into the lane.

  “Traitorous words,” he mocked severely. “Mobile is the American home of Mardi Gras, where it was first celebrated and still is, but without the publicity that New Orleans receives."

  “I didn't know that."

  “There are quite a few people who don't. The parades and festivities start this week, so you'll be able to see it for yourself."

  Covertly Laurie studied Colin, judging the immaculately dressed man to be no older than his late twenties. Instinct said he would be an entertaining and informative escort to the traditional carnival event. But such thoughts couldn't be allowed, so she shifted her gaze to the numerous magnolias and oak trees scattered over the well kept lawn. The narrow drive ended in a cul-de-sac in front of a scaled-down version of a brick mansion. Red masonry was contrasted by four white columns rising in front of the main entrance to support an upper balcony with white shutters flanking the windows on both storeys. Flowers were everywhere with tropical profusion. Azaleas, roses, and more that Laurie didn't recognize.

  From the corner of the house, a young girl came gliding gracefully towards the Thunderbird and stopped in front of the steps, a basket of freshly cut flowers on her arm. There was a light golden tan to her skin and her hair was an attractive shade of silver blonde. No mention had been made of a female Laurie's age, and she wondered who this youthfully slender girl was.

  “Here comes Vera,” Colin smiled, getting out of the car and walking around to open the passenger door.

  Laurie glanced towards the still closed door of the house looking for the elderly woman who was to be her hostess. There was no sign of anyone but the approaching girl.

  “I've been waiting so long,” the girl's melodic voice brought Laurie's wandering gaze back to her. “I was beginning to decide I should have gone to the airport with you, Colin, to make sure you didn't spirit her away."

  Only at closer quarters was Laurie able to see the betraying lines of age marring the slender throat and crinkling the corners of sparkling light blue eyes. The hair wasn't silver blonde; it was silver grey, but styled youthfully with gently curling waves that enhanced the patrician features. All of LaRaine's images of a doddering, senile old woman were blown away with the wide welcoming smile Vera Manning turned on Laurie after Colin had brushed his lips against the smooth, proffered cheek. A whimsical smile touched Laurie's mouth as she remembered her concern over spending two weeks with an older woman and having staid conversations about Rian Montgomery. M
eeting her hostess showed her there was nothing staid and dull about Vera Manning. She exhibited boundless energy and a totally outgoing nature.

  “If she'd been anyone else other than Rian's fiancée, I would have,” Colin was saying. “But as she is, I brought her safely to you."

  A beautifully manicured hand reached out for Laurie's. “I'm so happy you could come, LaRaine,” Vera Manning declared with obvious pleasure and sincerity “You're just as I hoped you would be."

  “It was very kind of you to ask me to come, Mrs. Manning,” Laurie replied, accepting the warm greeting and knowing she was going to like this woman more than was good.

  “Kindness had nothing to do with it,” the woman laughed. “The invitation was born from my insatiable curiosity and the desire to meet the girl who's going to marry my only nephew. And I insist that you call me Vera.” After releasing Laurie's hand, the older woman put her arm around Laurie's slim shoulders and directed her towards the house, ordering airily over her shoulder for Colin to bring in the luggage. “We must have a drink to celebrate your arrival. You will stay to join us, won't you, Colin?"

  “You know I would never deny myself the company of two beautiful women, Vera,” he chided playfully, following them up the steps with the scarlet suitcases tucked effortlessly under his arms and dangling from his hands.

  “How glad I am that Rian had to go on that South American trip,” said Vera, squeezing Laurie's shoulders briefly before removing her arm and opening the large front door with its brass knocker. “This is a heaven-sent opportunity for us to get to know one another, LaRaine."

  Considering the falseness of her masquerade, Laurie thought Vera was giving credit in the wrong direction. The way her conscience was pricking her, it was more hell-sent.

  “Laurie,” she corrected quickly, explaining, “My friends call me Laurie instead of LaRaine."

  Vera nodded sagely. “Laurie, of course. LaRaine is much too harsh-sounding for someone as lovely as you.” They had stopped in the cool hallway that served as an entrance hall, and the silver gilt head turned to Colin. “Take Laurie's suitcases upstairs to the white bedroom."

  “You're special,” Colin slanted Laurie a knowing look. “That room is reserved for Very Important People."

  “She's more than that,” Vera corrected, bestowing a warm, loving look on Laurie's tensely poised face. “Now she's family. Our best is never too good for those who belong to us."

  Laurie would have preferred that Vera had disliked her on sight or mercilessly examined her. Anything rather than this wholehearted endorsement as the future wife of her nephew.

  “You're embarrassing the girl, Vera,” said Colin, drawing the woman's attention to the pink dots on Laurie's cheeks.

  “No, no, really,” Laurie protested at the slightly hurt expression on the older woman's face. “I'm not embarrassed. I ... It's ... it's only that you don't know me yet. And what if you don't like me when you do?” she asked with a nervous laugh.

  “If Rian has chosen you to marry,” Vera said reassuringly, “then that's all the endorsement I need."

  “Ah, Rian,” Colin mocked. “The black paragon himself. Although I must admit that I've always admired his taste in the fairer sex and his uncanny ability to find a quantity of quality."

  “Those days are over. Now Rian has Laurie and he won't need all those other women,” Vera sighed before glancing sideways at Colin's bronzed form. “And I thought I told you to take the luggage upstairs.” With a mockingly deferential bow, Colin complied with her request. “Excuse me, Laurie,” the woman turned back to her, “while I get rid of these flowers and prepare us a drink. Would you like to freshen up or anything first?"

  “No, it isn't necessary.” Laurie didn't want an opportunity to relax, needing the knife-edged tension to force her to carry through the charade.

  “Why don't you wait in the living room, then?” Vera suggested, ushering Laurie into a brilliant gold and green room. “Colin will be down in a minute and it shouldn't take me much longer than that."

  Cream white walls counterbalanced the rich gold carpeting and the vivid green satin curtains and pale sheer insets. The oak furniture repeated the emerald green with complementing live foliage of lacy ferns and climbing philodendrons scattered throughout the room in colourful planters of green and gold. The ornately scrolled high ceilings were dominated by a classically simple crystal chandelier. It was a bold, vivid room, much like its owner, airy and elegant, bursting with vitality.

  The prospect of remaining in this tastefully furnished home under the guise of LaRaine Evans, exposed every day to the trusting and loving nature of Vera Manning seemed to grow more daunting and distasteful every minute she thought about it. Misery forced a long weary sigh to come from the depths of her soul. Why, Laurie wondered to herself, had she been so gullible and allowed herself to be talked into such a situation? The knowledge that she was enabling LaRaine to fulfil her childhood dream as an actress while maintaining her engagement to Rian and that she was protecting her dear Uncle Paul from a possible suit brought her little comfort now that she was here in Mobile staying under Vera Manning's roof.

  “Do you feel a bit more at ease?” Colin spoke from the doorway, his fair colouring completing the perfection of the room. “Now that you've passed inspection?"

  “Actually,” Laurie walked to a green sofa and sat down, unwilling for a moment to meet his gentle, inquiring gaze until she could slip back into the role of Rian's fiancée, “I'm still a bit overwhelmed."

  “Why?” he asked casually, taking a seat in a nearby chair.

  “I didn't know what to expect,” she smiled weakly. “Rian didn't tell me much about Mrs. Manning ... Vera. I hardly expected her to be so young."

  “Don't tell Vera you expected her to be in her dotage,” Colin laughed. “I think she's found the fountain of youth."

  “Age is a taboo subject in my house.” Vera appeared in the doorway with a tray of drinks in her hands. A wide smile removed any censure her words might have implied. “I refuse to grow old gracefully. Age is purely relative. It grates my nerves when people say “how old are you?” The French put it much more tactfully when they ask “How many years have you?” It stresses experience instead of deterioration."

  “No one could accuse you of the latter, Vera,” Colin stated.

  “It's one of my eccentricities,” she replied, directing a smile at Laurie. “You'll find I have many."

  “I don't quite believe that,” Laurie smiled, accepting the iced fruit drink.

  “I'm disgustingly old-fashioned,” Vera declared. “I still won't fly in a plane regardless of how safe they're supposed to be. I'm a follower of that old saying that if a man was supposed to fly, he would have been given wings. I hate cars and ride in them only when there's no other method of transportation. No, the only two means of travel that I enjoy are horseback riding and walking."

  Which was why, Laurie realized, Vera wouldn't be attending Rian and LaRaine's wedding.

  “Do you ride, Laurie?” Vera inquired.

  “I have ridden,” she admitted, since it had been one of the activities at the exclusive girls’ school she and LaRaine had attended. “But I'm by no means an expert."

  “As well as a swimming pool, Vera has a small stable behind the house,” Colin explained. “She rides every day."

  “The Judge, Colin's father, joins me quite often, and Colin is always welcome, too.” A knowing glance was darted towards the golden-haired man studying Laurie with open admiration. “The rare times that Rian is here, he's in the saddle almost constantly."

  A few questions from Laurie changed the subject from Rian to the horses Vera owned and into a discussion centred on horses in general. A half hour later Colin rose to leave against a mild protest from Vera that it was still early.

  “I know the Judge is anxiously awaiting my verdict on your guest,” Colin smiled, extending his hand in good-bye to each in turn, holding Laurie's a little longer.

  “The two of you must
come over for dinner tomorrow night,” Vera invited.

  “I accept your invitation,” he nodded, sending a glittering glance towards Laurie. “I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

  “Yes,” Laurie agreed. “And thank you for meeting me at the airport."

  “That was strictly a pleasure.” The flecks in his hazel eyes radiated a golden light over her face.

  “He's a marvellous young man,” Vera declared after Colin had left. “So charming and kind, like the Judge. He's attracted to you, too,” darting a teasing glance at the veiled expression in the dark blue eyes.

  In other circumstances Laurie knew she would be attracted to Colin as well, but the borrowed ring on her finger was the dictator of her life for the present. She couldn't complicate the situation by becoming too fond of Colin Hartford. Unconsciously she touched the cold, hard stone of her ring, drawing Vera's attention to it.

  “As much as I adore Colin,” Vera continued, a reassuring hand touching Laurie's arm, “I'm glad you met Rian first."

  “So am I.” A tremulous smile didn't add much credence to her lie.

  “You're looking tired,” the older woman smiled sympathetically. “Let me show you to your room. You'll want to unpack and shower before dinner. You should have time to rest a bit first. I'm afraid I was so excited at finally meeting you that I quite forgot how tiring travelling is."

  Laurie freely admitted that the tenseness and strain was in her face, but not from travelling, from maintaining this pretence of being Rian's fiancée. Meekly she followed the silver-haired woman out of the living room down the wide hallway to the curved staircase leading to the second floor. Gold flocked paper decorated the walls of both hallways with vases of fresh flowers adding further brightness to the sunshine interior.

  “I do hope you'll like your room,” Vera said, opening a highly varnished oak door to the right of the landing.