Never to Love Read Online Free

Justin called for her. She dressed with her usual care and was ready at ten minutes to six. To her surprise she found she was nervous, which was quite absurd, for the evening ahead had no special significance. Jill had lent her a pair of Victorian earrings made of clustered seed pearls in the shape of crescent moons, and these and an enormous rhinestone star on the shoulder of her dress were her only ornaments.
    On the stroke of six the doorbell rang and she took a final quick glance in the mirror before going to answer it.
    In the narrow hallway Justin l ooked even taller than she remembered. They shook hands, and this time she was prepared for his forceful grip.
    “I’m afraid I can’t offer you anything but beer,” she said as he followed her into the sitting room. “We got a case in the other day for Nick. Would you like some?”
    “ No, thank you.” He looked around the room. “This is a very pleasant apartment.”
    “Yes, we were lucky to get it.”
    “I mean the furnishings. Who did the flowers?” He looked at an arrangement of expensive white roses on the sideboard. They were a present from an actor who refused to accept the fact that Andrea felt nothing more than a friendly liking for him.
    “I did,” she replied. “Do sit down. I’ll fetch my wrap.” When she came out of the bedroom he was examining the bookcase.
    “Someone has a very catholic taste,” he remarked. “Are you the bookworm?”
    “Yes, they’re my one extravagance. I buy far too many.”
    He ran his forefinger along the row of titles. “Economics, Buddhism, the history of the theater. I didn’t know young women were interested in such weighty subjects.”
    “I left school at fifteen. I have had a lot to catch up.”
    “I’m beginning to wonder if I should have primed myself with intelligent topics of conversation,” he said, arching an amused eyebrow.
    As he held her coat for her he said, “I don’t know whether you have any preference in restaurants, but personally I dislike having to talk in competition with a band, so I suggest we go the Jersey Club. Do you know it?”
    Andrea shook her head. Her escorts included a number of reasonably prosperous young men, but from what she had heard, a dinner at the Jersey Club would probably have cost them a week’s salary.
    Outside the apartment stood a glossy Bentley Continental, and as she sank back against the soft cream leather upholstery, Andrea wondered what it was like to have been surrounded by luxury all one’s life, to be able to buy anything one wanted.
    Over a dinner of superlative foods and wines, they discussed the cast of the play, and the stage led to books and books to music. It was a lively conversation, and Andrea was almost sorry when they had to leave for the theater.
    The play was brilliantly written and produced, and judging by the enthusiastic comments from people making for the bar during the second intermission, it seemed likely to be the success of the season. While they were talking in a corner of the bar about the superb acting of the leading lady, a plump woman in a skintight satin dress that clashed with her raddled complexion suddenly pounced on Justin with a rush of effusive greetings.
    If he was annoyed at her advent, he did not show it.
    “This is Miss Fleming, Lois. Mrs. Cassell, Andrea,” he said smoothly.
    “How do you do.” Lois Cassell’s pale blue eyes swept over Andrea in a comprehensive glance that took in every detail of her appearance, including an estimate of the price of her clothes. “Haven’t we met before?”
    “Miss Fleming is a fashion model. You’ve probably seen her photograph in Vogue ,” Justin said.
    “Oh, yes, that must be it. Tell me, are you related to the Hampshire Flemings? Modeling seems to be quite the most popular hobby for debs these days. I’m afraid we had nothing so exciting to do with ourselves when I came out, but of course, that was ages ago.” She gave an exaggerated sigh.
    “No, I’m one of the