Wise Folly Read Online Free Page A

to make a scene.
    “ So, I guess you t wo know each other?’ Jason asked. Before an answer could be given the elevator doors quietly opened and they stepped out
    “We’ve met . ” Noah said noncommittally as he walked her down the wide hall toward music and voices. “Would you care to freshen up, Mrs. Hammond?” he said in a low voice, emphasizing her marital status.
    Fear and anger fought and anger won. Her hazel eyes flashed, her expression looking more determined with each passing second. “Thank you , Mr. Weston . Please don’t wait for me. I'll find my own way to the party,” she answered stiffly.
    He chuckled , his eyes lit with amusement at her discomfort “ In this building, I doubt if you could find your way out of an empty room, but I wasn’t going to wait for you . Jason will do that . ” He glanced over his shoulder at the puzzled younger man. “Won’t you, Jason?’
    Jason murmured something about never leaving a beautiful woman’s side, but Dianna was too preoccupied to pay attention. She made her way across the carpeted hall to the ladies’ room and walked in, closing the door softly with the last of her control.
    She never should have come! Tears pushed at her eyelids and she had a hard time preventing them from coursing down her cheeks. The shaking in her limbs made her sit on the dressing-table stool, taking deep breaths of air, attempting to reason herself into composure.
    Noah would never mention what had happened seven years ago—his family’s reputation was at stake, and that alone would keep him quiet . Why would he want to say anything anyway? After all, he didn’t know about Tabby! Dianna took another deep breath. She was running from shadows again. She c ould go back out and face him, knowing there was no harm he could do to her. Then all would be back to normal . Yes, that was it . All she had to do was act co ol and composed, never allowing him to see the state of her nerves . Once this party was over she probably wouldn’t see the P resident of Wescomp more than a few times a year.
    She hoped her casual exterior wouldn’t crack as she left the lounge and walked toward Jason, ignoring the tall arrogant man who stood in the doorway of the reception room watching her intently with a small secret smile on his lips . The smile she aimed at Jason was more brilliant than she intended and his eyes lit up in appreciation.
    “I always said there was something about an older woman that brought out the best in me,” he teased as he gallantly took her arm and they began walking toward the large gathering.
    “Something along the lines of a mother figure?” she said playfully.
    “Ouch, lady!”
    She gave his arm a squeeze, more from nerves than friendliness. They were approaching the indomitable Noah Weston and she needed to repeat her silent pep talk. “Just teasing. Sorry. I can tell the difference between a man and a boy.” She spoke absently, not knowing how provocative her words sounded
    “Yes, but Jason hasn’t learned the difference between a witty woman and a shrew.” Noah’s voice intruded on their banter, soft and lazy with just a hint of sarcasm. “Watch it, Jason. She might decide to eat you for a snack. ” His grin was maddening. He was playing cat and mouse with her, and she wasn’t the one wearing the Cheshire smile!
    Her face was mockingly innocent “I thought that was your job !”
    He smiled. “I gave you my answer to that long ago, Mrs. Hammond . But times have changed and people have aged . What was young then is more experienced now.” His voice held the hint of a threat, but Jason didn’t pick it up.
    “And what was tender then , is no longer. You might find the meal tough and not at all to your liking,” she replied coolly.
    He gave a handsome smile. “I always did like a challenge.”
    “Not this one,” she murmured sweetly, not showing a hint of displeasure. She tried to pass him in the doorway, but he stood complacently blocking her