Bad Reputation, A Read Online Free Page B

Clarke and Flora less than welcoming glances.
    â€œWhat did you want to tell me?” I turned to Pamela, although I had figured most of it out.
    â€œThat’s Wendall’s trophy wife. Everyone knows he left his first wife for her.”
    â€œShe seems really sweet, though. Did she actively pursue him?”
    â€œOh, yes. She left her husband for him.”
    â€œSpreading local gossip, Pamela?” came a harsh voice.
    I recognized Larissa Norton. “Larissa” sounds like a lovely waif-like creature that dances in the forest, but this Larissa was a tall dark-haired woman with a firm chin and a highly annoyed expression.
    I held out my hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Madeline Maclin Fairweather.”
    She eyed me with a dark unfriendly stare and did not shake my hand. “Yes, I know. Are you acquainted with Wendall Clarke?”
    â€œWe’ve just met.”
    Larissa Norton transferred her glare to Wendall. “He has some nerve coming back to Celosia and bringing that woman with him, expecting everyone to be thrilled with his plans. Clarke comes swanning into town, and everyone falls over themselves to do his bidding. I can’t believe it. Celosia doesn’t need an art gallery. That’s sheer foolishness. It’ll go under in a week, maybe less. And don’t give me that sad face, Pamela. You haven’t a chance in hell of showing any of your pitiful pictures in Clarke’s gallery or anyone’s gallery, for that matter.”
    Pamela flinched at this cruel remark. “I’m going to ask him anyway.”
    Larissa gave a derisive snort and left. Pamela watched her go and shook her head. “I’m not surprised she’s so upset.”
    â€œIs she that much opposed to an art gallery in town?”
    â€œIt’s not that. She’s Wendall’s ex-wife.”
    â€œOh.” That could sting a little.
    â€œHe became fabulously wealthy, dumped her for a younger woman, and now rolls into town with all sorts of big plans. She’ll be opposed to anything he proposes.”
    â€œUnderstandable.”
    â€œI’d never tell her how delighted I am about the gallery,” Pamela said. “I’ve always dreamed of having my own art show. I don’t see why Wendall wouldn’t help me.”
    â€œI’m sure he will. He’ll need pictures for his gallery.”
    â€œAs long as he doesn’t put Bea Ricter’s pictures in.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    â€œOh, she thinks she has talent. It’s really sad. She does these primitive things, you know, like painting on old pieces of rotted wood. I’m surprised you haven’t met her.”
    I found it ironic that Pamela would talk down a fellow artist after Larissa’s cutting comments about her own work. “Jerry and I haven’t been in Celosia very long.”
    â€œOh, Madeline, I’ve just realized why Larissa was so abrupt with you. She really wanted the job at the theater.”
    â€œWhat job? Do you mean playing for Oklahoma ? I thought she was sick and couldn’t do it.”
    â€œShe probably said that so Evan would beg her.”
    That explained Larissa’s unfriendly stare. “Is that the sort of thing she’d do?”
    â€œOh, yes. I hope Jerry does such a good job that Evan hires him for all the shows. It’s about time Larissa learned she can’t get everything she wants.”
    Watching Larissa’s face as Wendall paraded Flora around the room, I thought, no, she didn’t get everything. I could understand her resentment, but in fact, very few of the people at the reception had welcoming expressions for Wendall and his new bride.
    â€œHas Wendall done something else to alienate people besides marrying Flora?” I asked Pamela.
    â€œHe was always somewhat of a braggart and a show-off, always talking about how he couldn’t wait to leave this pitiful little hick town and make his