No Red Roses: A Loveswept Classic Romance (Santa Flores) Read Online Free Page B

crowd,” he commented casually, as he looked around the large room appraisingly. “I don’t believe Walter has thrown a party of this size since Natalie died.”
    “You knew his first wife?” Tamara asked, surprised. Then she bit her lower lip vexedly as Marc’s face tightened in annoyance. Of course he would have known Natalie Bettencourt. Her employer couldn’t be more than five years older than Marc. She was continually forgetting how much older Marc was than she, but she was aware how sensitive he was on the subject. He certainly didn’t look anywhere near the forty-seven he was. His dark hair was only lightly frosted with gray at the temples and an almost fanatic devotion to tennis kept his tall, slim figure firm and muscular.
    “Yes, I went to school with Natalie,” Marc admitted stiffly.
    “Tamara, you look absolutely fantastic!”
    Tamara turned with scarcely disguised relief at Janie Sutherland’s exclamation. Her young sales assistant was looking very attractive herself in a spring green gown that set off her glossy brown hair to perfection. She didn’t wait for Tamara’s response before rushing on eagerly. “I suppose Celia couldn’t wait to tell you about the social lion she’s acquired in the family. She’s going to be absolutely ghastly to be around now that she has a superstar like Rex Brody to flaunt. Not that she was any prize before.”
    “Superstar?” Tamara asked, puzzled again. “Rex Brody?”
    Janie’s eyes widened in incredulous surprise. “You’re not telling me you’ve never heard of him?” she asked. “Good heavens, the man is world famous! I know you’re a classical music fan, but you must have heard about Rex Brody. He was the hottest singer in America before he quit performing four years ago to concentrate on composing. Since then he’s won a Tony for thebest Broadway musical and an Oscar for the best original song for a motion picture. You must have seen him last year on television when he accepted the Academy Award.”
    “We don’t have a television set. Aunt Elizabeth won’t have one in the house,” Tamara said absently. So that was why Brody had that air of arrogant self-assurance. If he was as famous as Janie indicated, it was no wonder he felt he could just walk in and take whatever he wanted.
    “I’ve heard Brody’s score for Lost Dream ,” Marc said thoughtfully. “It’s an exceptional piece of work.”
    Tamara looked at him in disbelief. Marc hated pop music with a passion. In fact, it was their mutual love of the classics that had brought him and Tamara together.
    “That’s not the only exceptional piece of work,” Janie drawled, winking. “The man practically oozes sex appeal. When he announced he was returning to performing and going on tour, his concerts were sold out all over the country six hours after the tickets went on sale. He’s supposed to appear in New York day after tomorrowand I’ve read that the scalpers are already asking two hundred dollars a ticket.”
    “Very impressive,” Tamara said with a coolness she was far from feeling. Every word Janie was uttering was increasing the feelings of trepidation and anxiety that had beset her since Brody had left her earlier. Aunt Elizabeth’s situation was far worse than she’d imagined: Brody had power and prestige.
    “I’m surprised Celia didn’t tell you about him,” Janie said, obviously curious. “She’s certainly been boasting about him to all and sundry. Everyone in the room is waiting with bated breath for the great man to arrive.”
    “It’s not very courteous of him to be late for his aunt’s anniversary party,” Marc said with a disapproving frown.
    “According to Celia, he had some very important business to take care of and only arrived back at ye old family mansion a short while ago,” Janie said, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “If he hadn’t just arrived in town today, I’d be tempted to wonder if there was a woman involved.”
    Tamara could feel the