Dangerous Masquerade

by Janet Dailey

  Laurie couldn't honestly admit that such thoughts had not crossed her mind, but she was too proud to tell Rian. “Don't you trust me to keep our bargain?” she demanded instead.

  “I don't trust any woman, and least of all you."

  “I don't trust you either."

  Dark eyes glittered down at her as his mouth curved into a mocking smile. “How strange you should say that when I remember only a few nights ago hearing you say how you loved me and missed me terribly."

  Laurie couldn't stop the swift rush of colour to her face. “You know why I said that."

  “And very convincingly done, too,” he teased wickedly. “I think you're a much better actress than LaRaine."

  Her eyes rounded enormously as she stared up at him. “Did you guess then that I wasn't LaRaine?"

  “No.” Straight brows gave him a hooded look. “The telephone call troubled me because I didn't expect Vera to exhibit such wholehearted affection for LaRaine. And you, as LaRaine, weren't very talkative, but it didn't occur to me that someone was impersonating her. Does that satisfy you?"

  “Yes,” Laurie replied quietly, not knowing whether it did or not.

  Rian tossed the attaché case on to the passenger seat, then turned back to Laurie. “Vera is watching from the window. It's time for you to test your acting ability by kissing me a fond farewell."

  “I will not!"

  With the lightning swiftness she was beginning to associate with him, Rian seized her chin in his hand, holding it up for her mouth to receive his kiss. His sweetly savage touch claimed her lips, lingered for a wildfire moment, then moved away so the glittering mockery of his dark eyes could laugh at her flashing blue glare. Her chin was still imprisoned by his lean fingers, but she raised a hand to wipe away the burning kiss from her mouth. Rian captured it, too, before it could accomplish its task.

  “I wouldn't do that,” he warned, a malicious light in his eyes as they danced over her outraged expression. “I would only have to replace that kiss with another ... unless that's what you want me to do?"

  He released her, openly challenging Laurie to try to defy him. Her hands dropped to her sides, clenched into useless fists of frustration.

  Rian smiled complacently. “Now you're being sensible. Stay that way until I get back."

  “How long will you be gone?” The question was drawn through clenched teeth.

  His gaze narrowed for a moment. “A loving fiancée would want to know when I would be back."

  “How long will you be gone?” she repeated, defiantly tilting her head.

  “I'll see you tomorrow."

  Her feet were implanted in the ground, incapable of carrying her away even when he crawled into the car and left. She stared after it, aware that she must look the picture of a dutiful fiancée savouring the last moments she had spent with her lover. But the fire that consumed Laurie was one of burning rage, and loathing. Her generally placid nature had undergone a dramatic change, sparked by Rian's volatile and forceful personality. She had sworn last night to remain indifferent to him, to ignore his mocking jibes. The wildfire feeling that raced through her veins when she was with him disturbed her and Laurie shied away from attributing any cause other than that of her dislike for the man as the reason behind the unnerving sensation.

  Still staring after the already vanished car, Laurie didn't hear the horses approach until the Judge's stentorian voice broke into her reverie.

  “Don't look so downhearted, Laurie."

  She turned sharply, taking in the saddled horses he was leading.

  He took note of the troubled frown on her face. “Don't tell me Rian has left you already?"

  “Yes, a business trip,” Laurie sighed as Vera walked out of the front door wearing her tan riding breeches and followed by Rian's bespectacled secretary, who was to be her watchdog.

  “When will he be back?” the Judge prompted with a cheery salute to the silvery fair woman coming towards them.

  “Tomorrow."

  “Then there's no reason to cancel our plans for this evening, is there, Vera?” he declared.

  “No, I don't suppose there is,” she agreed absently while Laurie caught the questioning look from E. J. Denton.

  “What plans are those?” Rian's man inquired with an unassuming smile.

  “Colin was escorting Laurie to an evening Mardi Gras parade after the four of us had dined,” the Judge explained. “When Rian arrived yesterday we had intended to cancel our plans, but there's no need to now that he's gone away again."

  The hesitant look on E. J. Denton's face prompted Laurie to endorse the Judge's idea. “Of course there's no need to change our plans,” she declared with false heartiness, glad of the opportunity to thumb her nose at the absent Rian. “Colin has told me so much about the evening parades, and who knows when I'll be back here again during Mardi Gras time. Rian couldn't possibly object.” Rebellious sapphire eyes were turned on E. J., daring him to raise an objection.

  “You're more than welcome to join us,” Vera invited warmly.

  E. J. Denton glanced at Laurie, realizing that she had been told he was to keep an eye on her. “No, thank you,” he refused politely. “I have a great deal of paperwork to catch up on for Rian. This evening will be a perfect opportunity. You go ahead and enjoy yourselves."

  “If that's settled, are you ladies ready for a morning ride?” The Judge's twinkling gaze was directed lovingly at the smiling Vera.

  “Laurie hasn't had time for breakfast yet,” Vera hesitated.

  “Fine. I had Mrs. Lawson prepare a brunch. We can ride directly to my place so Laurie can eat."

  “That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Laurie declared with a laugh, wondering with wicked glee how poor E. J. Denton was going to keep an eye on her at that distance.

  But the thought didn't trouble him as he lifted a hand in good-bye. “Have a good time.” Then he retreated towards the house, probably knowing that Rian's threat had been sufficient to keep Laurie in line. Recognizing her own weakness, Laurie had to admit he was right.

  The day passed swiftly, too swiftly for Laurie, who felt like a bird freed from its cage. She felt she had to savour each moment of freedom before her master returned her to the cage. The fictitious master of her fate took the form of Rian. Even when his name wasn't mentioned in the conversation, he was uppermost in her thoughts. Some inner sense told her he would not be pleased to discover she was spending the evening with Colin. So perversely Laurie was doubly attentive to her bronzed escort.

  The frenzied festivities of Mardi Gras complemented her high-strung gaiety. The laughing, shouting crowd that gathered along the parade route helped strip Laurie of her inhibitions as she joined in to add her voice to their joyful noise. Dress was unimportant. A few people were dressed in outrageous costumes while others wore conventional sports clothes. Some, like Laurie and Colin, wore dressier attire. But the infectious high spirits made her lose all thought of the expensive silk dress of large black flowers against a background of white or the hand-crocheted shawl that covered her bare shoulders.

  A self-propelled golden dragon weaved its way through the congested street, a hidden generator system providing the power to light all the myriad bulbs along its snaking back. A group of masquers, this time men in bright oriental dress and variegated masks covering their faces, were ensconced in a carrier on the dragon's back, tossing candy, toys, and costume jewellery to the delighted shrieks of the crowd. Laurie and Colin both raised their hands in a riotous effort to persuade the masquers to throw their booty in their direction.

  Young and old alike scrambled for the tidbits tossed from the floats, playfully fighting over the inexpensive gifts and mementos as if they were pieces of gold. Equestrian units separated the floats and the marching bands. Elaborately dressed riders were astride beautiful prancing horses, their hooves gilded in silver or gold, with ribbons in their manes and false tails arching high over their backs.

  There was a lull in the procession and Laurie happily ref
lected on the accuracy of Colin's earlier remark that Mardi Gras was a frivolous time when Mobile went a little bit mad. Mardi Gras—Fat Tuesday, when every whim was indulged and reckless merriment ran rampant. Mardi Gras—followed by Ash Wednesday and the sobering fasting time of Lent.

  “Oh, Colin, this is so much more fun than watching the parade from the window!” Laurie exclaimed, her face upturned so he received the full glow of her excitement.

  “I haven't had this much fun at a parade since I was a child,” Colin admitted laughingly.

  “I've never had this much fun,” Laurie declared fervently. “I feel like letting my hair down and going a little bit wild."

  “Your hair is already down.” A huskiness came into his voice as he captured a silken black lock in his hand. “And you're driving me a little bit mad. I feel like taking you into my arms and asking you where you've been all my life. Where have you been, Laurie?"

  The ardent fight in his hazel eyes sobered Laurie. After the possessively savage sweetness of Rian's mouth, she wondered what it would be like if Colin kissed her. Would he be tender and gentle as she had always wanted a lover to be? Or would he be demanding and sensual like Rian? Colin's hand moved from her hair to her shoulder as he saw the invitation written in the sparkling anticipation of her cerulean eyes.

  The crowd surged around them, jostling their way forward as another float drew alongside. The moment when Laurie wanted the answer to her tantalizing question passed and she eagerly turned to the gaily festooned float, withdrawing the invitation and concentrating on the parade. Colin was quick to sense the change. Although a flash of regret passed across his eyes, he immediately reverted to the carefree mood of those around them.

  With the passing of the float, the crowd eased back to permit a marching band to pass. Laurie rubbed the back of her neck, trying to rid herself of the odd prickling sensation that was tingling down her spine. A strong force compelled her to glance over her shoulder, her eyes locked by the tall man's where he leaned negligently against a tree.

  With languid grace, Rian straightened and, still holding her gaze, made his way through the crowd to her side. He was wearing the dark business suit from this morning, but his tie was loosened and the buttons of his white shirt were undone to reveal the tanned column of his throat.

  “Rian! We didn't expect you back tonight!” Colin exclaimed.

  Laurie couldn't speak; her gaze was pinned by the enigmatic expression on Rian's carved face. “So I understand,” he replied smoothly, his dark eyes not leaving Laurie's upturned face.

  Colin glanced hesitantly from one to the other, in spite of Rian's reply feeling shut out by their concentration in each other.

  “I hope you don't mind my bringing Laurie to the parade.” An apologetic tone crept into his voice. “She's never attended any Mardi Gras festivities before."

  “You seemed to be enjoying yourself, Laurie,” Rian commented.

  “I was ... I am,” she quickly corrected herself, but not before there was a cynical lift to Rian's mouth.

  “It's a pity I arrived to spoil your fun,” he jeered softly. “I thought my fiancée might miss me."

  “Colin and I are friends,” she inserted hastily, not wanting Rian to put the wrong conjecture on their evening. The catch in her throat made her voice sound soft and breathless.

  “In that case,” for the first time, Rian turned his gaze on Colin's uncomfortable expression, “you won't object if I take Laurie home."

  “Of course not.” The blond head nodded in agreement; Colin was fully aware, as Laurie was, that Rian expected no other answer.

  Lines of fatigue were etched around the dark eyes. Laurie's natural concern for the well-being of others, regardless of her personal feelings, prompted her to suggest, “Would you like to leave now?"

  “Would you excuse us?” Rian made a courteous nod in Colin's direction before slipping a guiding hand on Laurie's shoulders and moving her through the crowd before she had a chance to take back her suggestion. “I had to park several blocks away because of the congestion by the parade. I hope you don't object to walking,” he remarked, releasing her once they were free of the milling people.

  Laurie assured him that she didn't as they walked along the sidewalk of a tree-lined street.

  “I suppose Mr. Denton told you where we were.” Her voice sounded sharper than she intended it to be, but his presence always sent her nerves on edge.

  “E. J. was under the impression it was to be a foursome. He was a bit upset when the Judge and Vera returned to the house without you and Colin,” said Rian, casting a downward glance at the defensive tilt of her chin. “The poor man thought there might “have been a conspiracy to spirit you away.""

  “Is that why you came searching for us? Weren't you afraid you wouldn't find us in the crowd?"

  “A native of the city becomes familiar with the best places to view a parade. I had a fair idea where Colin would take you,” chasing away Laurie's theories with a dismissive shrug of his shoulders. “As for spotting you in a crowd, you haven't the type of face or figure that a man would overlook."

  “Really?” Laurie retorted with chilling disbelief. “I doubt that you even knew I existed in Los Angeles."

  “I can hardly be blamed for not being anxious to renew my acquaintance with LaRaine's cousin after our first meeting when you had that cream all over your face, your head swathed in a towel, and wearing a terribly unflattering red robe,” Rian mocked. “The only thing worth looking at then was your blue eyes. The next time I saw you, you were much more presentable, but you seemed terribly anxious to fade into the wallpaper rather than attract my attention.” Laurie could feel his dark gaze resting on her warm cheeks. “Why was that?"

  “I didn't like you very much,” she defended herself, while surprised to find out that he had noticed her. “And you like me even less now."

  “That's true,” she answered, hoping to destroy some of his complacency with her frankness.

  “A little candour is refreshing, Laurie, but don't overdo it.” His words acted as a gentle slap on the hand. “And you're playing with fire the way you keep leading Colin on."

  “I don't know what you're talking about!” A betraying flush of colour lent a falseness to her words as she wondered how long Rian had been standing there watching her and Colin.

  “I've seen that look on a woman's face before which says she's curious to know what it would be like to be kissed by a certain man. I advise against any such experimenting,” he told her firmly, a lingering of an unspoken threat in his voice.

  The way he was presuming to dictate to her was irritating Laurie. She reared her head back like an unbroken filly bridling at her first touch of the bit. “You don't own me!” she flared.

  His fingers closed over her left wrist, holding up her hand so the dim street light reflected the sheen of the deep blue sapphire and the flanking diamonds. “For the present, I do."

  “You blackmailed me into wearing that ring.” Her voice quivered with anger. “It doesn't mean any more to me than it did to LaRaine."

  “I warned you not to push me,” Rian snarled, whirling her round to face him while capturing her other wrist in his hand and twisting her arms behind her back. He forced her against the leanness of his hips and thighs, unmercifully bending her arms until pain shot through her shoulders. “Why did you do it?” His dark gaze rested on her downcast face, unable to struggle without incurring more pain from his steel hands. “Did you hope to make me angry enough to send you away? Or was it something else you wanted?"

  “Let me go!” her order turning into a plea.

  Rian chuckled coldly, tightening his grip enough so that Laurie's head tilted back to elude the knife-sharp pain. His mouth covered hers with demanding fierceness. Laurie tried to turn her head aside, but Rian ruthlessly wrenched her arms higher on her spine until she turned back to him. Her back was arched against the granite strength of his body and she could feel the thudding of his heart against hers. There was tort
urous madness in the burning kiss that melted away the pain of his hold. Her lips were being ground against her teeth as she unconsciously fought to keep from being drawn into the vortex of his anger. But Rian demanded submission. Yet when her lips ceased resisting his pressure, he still wasn't satisfied until they became pliant and responsive to his.

  His virility had Laurie reeling as his touch became less forceful and more sensually persuasive. The light-headedness made her lose touch with reality. When his hold loosened on her wrists, she wasn't aware of it, although she knew the movements of his hands across her hips and back were setting off explosive charges that quaked through her body. At his insistence, her lips parted to allow his sensual exploration of her mouth. When Rian had her weakly clinging to him, achingly aware of her desire for him, he released her, holding her away so his dark eyes could glitter triumphantly down on her shaken face.

  Instinctively Laurie swayed closer to him, the raging spell of his embrace still holding her captive. She could feel his black eyes dwelling on her lips, bruised by his passion and parted in an unwilling urgency to know again the soul-destroying fire of his kiss. Never before had she been so stirred by a man's touch or made so aware of the difference and delights of being a female in the arms of a male.

  “You're very desirable,” Rian murmured, his voice stroking her like a velvet glove. “I can see how you've managed to ensnare Colin with those innocent blue eyes. It's unfortunate for you that I'm not so easily fooled."

  “What do you mean?” she breathed hoarsely, unwilling to believe the coldness that lay behind his softly caressing voice.

  “First you blinked those big blue eyes at me, innocently pleading with me to understand. Then it was anger to persuade me to admire your spirit. When that didn't work, you became submissive and passionate. What will you try next in your attempt to lure me into letting you have your own way? Tears?” Rian taunted. “Such female tricks won't work on me, Laurie. I've long been immune to the wiles of a female. I can't be wrapped around your finger as Colin is. And I won't release you from our engagement that your pretence forced us into."