Men of Intrgue A Trilogy (81 page)

Angela smiled a little, fingering the fringe on the end of her belt.

“What?” Holly said, noticing her expression.

“Oh, nothing. It’s just that I’ve been so upset with him lately that I’d forgotten I like him.”

Holly raised her brows. “I think I’d use a stronger word than
like
for the way you feel,” she said dryly.

“You don’t understand what I mean,” Angela replied impatiently. “I know that he seems quiet and reserved, but he’s actually quite funny, and very nice in a thoughtful, behind-the-scenes sort of way.”

Holly sighed. “Oh, Angela.”

Angela put her head back against the wall behind her chair and closed her eyes. “I know, I know. What am I going to do? Some nut is after me, my uncle shows no sign of coming back from wherever he is, and I’m about to fire the man I love because we’re driving each other crazy.” She rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand. “How did I get into such a fix?”

“I don’t know. Three months ago your biggest problem was making up an exam your tutorial students could pass.”

Angela smiled ruefully as the band shifted into another number. She stood wearily.

“I’d better get back out there. Philip will be sending a search party.”

“Do you mind if I sit in here with the dirty dishes for a while?” Holly asked, putting her feet up on the chair next to her.

“Feel free. Everything’s been served, it’s just a matter of keeping the liquid refreshment flowing now. See you later.”

Holly nodded as Angela went out to rejoin the revelers.

The first thing she saw was Devlin dancing with the Flower of the South. This made her want to turn around and go back to the clutter of the pantry, but she forced herself to keep walking.

Philip saw her and came over to put his arm around her and kiss her cheek. She stiffened at his side.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Fine.”

“Well, it’s a great party. I couldn’t have asked for more. You did a wonderful job.”

“I’m glad you’re pleased,” Angela said neutrally.

Scarlett giggled fetchingly, causing heads to turn in her direction. Philip frowned.

“Will you look at that guy?” Philip said disgustedly. “I’ll never understand what women see in a character like that.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” Angela replied quietly.

Philip glanced at her. “Well, I mean, really. He’s supposed to be guarding you and he’s spent the whole evening chasing Jerry Hathaway’s date.”

“Do we have to talk about him?” Angela said.

“No, of course not. Can I get you anything from the bar? A drink would help you relax.”

“No, thanks. Everybody else is relaxed enough not to notice that I’m not relaxed.”

Philip held her off to look at her. “Are you sure you’re all right? You sound strange.”

A female voice called Philip’s name behind them.

“Go,” Angela said. “I’m just going to mix a little bit.”

“Okay,” Philip said happily. He trotted off to answer the summons.

Angela turned to face Devlin, who was dancing with his companion in his arms. Angela spun on her heel and headed for the kitchen.

She was standing at the sink, letting the water run cold before she filled a glass, when Devlin’s shadow blocked the light from the hall.

“I missed you,” he said.

“Didn’t look like it,” Angela answered crisply.

“I’d like a dance.”

“Go dance with Miss Georgia.”

“I have. Now I want to dance with you.”

Angela whirled to face him. “Forget it.”

He caught her arm as she pushed past him. “Wait a minute,” he began.

“No, you wait a minute. You have been neglecting your duties and I don’t like it. What is my uncle paying you for anyway? I could have been shot five times while you were waltzing around with that . . . that . . . praline!”

Devlin’s eyes widened. “Praline! What are you talking about? You’ve been treating me like I had the plague all day, and now you read me the riot act because I dance with one of your guests! You
told
me not to stand around and stare at everybody, you
told
me to mingle and act like one of the crowd.
You
did. Or was that someone else who gave me that prissy little lecture this afternoon?”

Angela advanced on him, her expression mutinous. “Don’t throw my words back in my face. You know how I hate that!”

They were glaring at each other when Holly appeared on the threshold. She took one look and spun around in the other direction.

“Holly, get back here!” Angela barked.

Holly stopped on a dime and marched back into the kitchen.

“Yes?” she said meekly, eyeing Angela warily.

“Mr. Devlin here wants a dance partner. Why don’t you oblige him?” Angela lifted her skirt with one hand and swept regally from the room.

Devlin pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, blinking his eyes. After a moment he said to Holly in a controlled voice, “Can you tell me what’s wrong with her?”

Holly examined him with narrowed eyes.

“Don’t you know?” she asked pointedly, and followed her friend out of the kitchen.

Devlin sat at the table and lit a cigarette.

All these women were driving him insane.

* * * *
 

The last guest didn’t leave until one-thirty in the morning. Angela was barefoot and beltless by then, emptying ashtrays with mechanical precision. Josie was collecting glasses and Holly was running the vacuum cleaner while Philip congratulated himself on the social success of the season. He had changed back to street clothes and was savoring a final and unnecessary sherry. He was already feeling no pain.

Devlin had vanished.

“I have never seen so many cigarette butts,” Angela said wearily, dumping another load into the paper bag on the floor. “It’s a wonder we didn’t go up in flames.”

Philip chuckled. “You can’t tell people not to smoke at parties, darling,” he said, seating himself in the living room.

“You can’t tell them not to drink, either,” Josie complained, adding another glass to her assortment.

Holly shut off the vacuum and they lowered their voices several decibels.

“That’s the best I can do with this rug for now,” she said to Angela. “I think you’ll have to have it cleaned professionally, but I got up most of the ash. I didn’t want it to get trampled into the fibers.”

“Leave it,” Angela replied. “Go home. You look exhausted.”

“I think I’ll take you up on that,” Holly said. “Did I leave the rest of my stuff in your room?”

“Yes. I’ll call the car for you while you get it.”

“I can take a cab.”

“Don’t be silly. After all you’ve done tonight, the least you deserve is a ride home.”

Angela went to the telephone and was hanging it up when Holly reappeared, dressed again in jeans, with her costume back in the bag.

“Where’s Devlin?” she asked Angela in hushed tones.

“I’m sure I don’t know,” Angela responded airily. “My guess would be that he’s sulking in his room.”

“Are you sure you want to call Simmons and have him replaced?” Holly asked.

“Holly, it’s almost two in the morning and I’m not sure of my own name right now,” Angela answered. “I’ll think about it tomorrow.”

“Well, let me know what you decide,” Holly said.

“I will.”

Angela waited with her until the car came, and then said good night. Josie finished in the living room and started on the dining room, where the mess was worse. Angela opened the doors and glanced at it, then pulled on Josie’s arm.

“Let’s forget this until the morning,” she said. “I can’t even look at it now.”

“Everything will be crusted on the dishes by then,” Josie replied. “Just help me rinse them off and we can let the rest go.”

“All right,” Angela said resignedly, leading the way into the kitchen. Josie was tenacious; if Angela didn’t help her she would do all the work by herself.

The two women worked in silence for a while, then Josie said, “Where did Brett go?”

“He must be in his room. He’s probably dodging the cleanup efforts. I always said he was smart.”

“Avoiding you, more likely. Not that anyone would blame him, the way you’ve been treating him.”

Angela froze with a platter in her hand, staring at Josie in astonishment.

“The way I’ve been treating him! I can’t believe you said that.”

Josie flapped her dishtowel in annoyance. “Don’t play the innocent with me, young lady. I’ve known you far too long. Don’t you think I see what you’ve been doing, giving him the cold shoulder all the time, speaking to him only when necessary, looking through him as if he weren’t there. Just because he doesn’t say anything doesn’t mean he’s not sensitive to your tactics.”

“Listen to you!” Angela said. “Anyone would think you were on his side.”

“I didn’t know we were choosing up sides. All I can see is that you’re doing your best to ignore him. How do you think that makes him feel?”

“I hope it makes him feel hurt and rejected, because that’s the way he’s made me feel,” Angela burst out helplessly. She dropped the dish she was holding onto the table and ran out of the room.

Josie started to follow, but gave up the pursuit when she saw Angela join Philip in the living room. This discussion would have to wait.

“When is she going home?” Philip whispered, standing and nodding toward the kitchen.

“In a few minutes. She’s just finishing up a few things.”

“Good.” He winked. “I’d like to stay for a while.”

Angela’s heart sank. All she needed now was for Philip’s triumph to make him amorous.

“I’m really tired, Philip,” she said. “I’d like to get to bed.”

Philip put his arm around her shoulder. “Just what I had in mind,” he said softly. “Don’t you think it’s about time?”

Angela restrained an overpowering urge to scream.

“Philip, I can’t. It’s been a long day and Devlin is here, he’s just down the hall. ...”

“Oh, the hell with him,” Philip replied. “Who cares what he thinks? He’s useless anyway, he just hangs around casting a pall on everything.”

Josie bustled out of the kitchen and went to the hall closet for her coat.

“I told the driver to come back after he dropped Holly off,” Angela said to her, not meeting her eyes. “He’ll take you home.”

“Thank you. And I’d like to continue that talk we were having in the morning.”

“All right,” Angela said reluctantly. “Thanks for everything. Good night.”

Josie stood by the door until the driver returned and then left. The minute the door shut behind her, Philip pulled Angela into his arms.

Angela struggled. “Philip, I said no. No means no.”

Philip seized her shoulders and turned her around to face him.

“I don’t understand you. I really don’t. How long do you think we can just go on this way? I’m only human and I’m not a monk. You’re treating me as if we were sophomores in high school instead of mature adults. I’m getting sick and tired of this old routine. I don’t think I’m asking for much. We’ve been seeing each other a long time.”

“Philip, do we have to talk about this now?”

“When are we going to talk about it? You’ve been avoiding the subject for weeks. As a matter of fact, ever since that Devlin showed up you’ve been as cold as ice to me. Not that you were exactly passionate before.”

“He has nothing to do with it!”

“I’m not so sure.”

Angela pulled loose from his grasp. “Philip, I’m exhausted. I can hardly see straight. This is not the time to debate the nature of our relationship. Why don’t you go home and we can hash this all over tomorrow when we’ve had some rest? Everything will look better then.”

Philip’s mouth hardened. “Stop talking to me as if I were a four year old overtired from a day at the circus! I’ve had it with your evasions and your excuses. You just worked hard to help me with this party and I’m feeling up because it went well, and I just wanted to share that feeling with the person responsible for it.”

“By taking me to bed,” Angela said sarcastically.

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to, that’s why not!”

Philip grabbed her again, his grip like steel. “Well, I do. And I’m not taking no for an answer this time.” He pinned her to his side and tried to kiss her.

Angela twisted her head, evading his mouth. “Let me go!”

“No chance,” Philip panted. “Stop fighting me.”

Angela beat her fists on his chest. “Leave me alone.”

“You heard the lady,” Devlin said in a dangerously quiet voice behind them. “Leave her alone.”

Philip started, releasing his hold on Angela. She scampered out of his reach.

“Look who it is,” Philip said sarcastically. “The man without a function. The bodyguard who doesn’t seem to do anything but appear where he isn’t needed.”