Breaking the Rules by Barbara Taylor Bradford Page A

minute.’
    Geo watched Dax rush away, turned to M and said, ‘I’m thrilled he’s going to be in A Streetcar Named Desire. I’ve never seen him so happy; he’s like a different person. Don’t you think so, M?’
    ‘Yes, I do, but it’s natural, isn’t it? He’s wanted to be an actor for so long, and now he has his chance, his first decent break. Oh, here he is coming back with Iris.’
    Dax came to a standstill and said, ‘Iris, I would like you to meet my friends, Georgiana Carlson, called Geo, and Marie Marsden, who’s known as M. And this is Iris Ingersoll.’
    Fashionably dressed and elegant, Iris Ingersoll was a tall, imposing woman with silver hair and a rather lovely face. She looked much younger than her sixty-odd years. She shook Geo’s hand and then M’s. ‘I’m so glad you could come, Dax has told me how you both encouraged him to pursue his acting career, and have been so supportive.’
    Now turning to James, Iris gave him one of her most dazzling smiles. ‘And how very nice to see you, James, thanks so much for coming. You’re such an asset at a party.’
    ‘It’s my pleasure to be here, Iris. It always is, actually.’
    Iris inclined her head, then turned to Dax. She continued, ‘I’d like you to come and meet a few other people who might be important to you one day. Anyway, the more people you know in this business, the better off you’ll be.’
    Dax gave M and Geo a funny grin, raised his eyebrows and followed Iris.
    M laughed and so did James, who then looked from M to Geo and asked, ‘How about freshening up your bubbly, ladies?’
    ‘Not for me, thank you,’ M murmured, and put her glass down.
    Geo said, ‘I think I will, and thanks, James.’ She handed him the empty flute.
    Once they were alone, Geo said, ‘I’m glad I took your advice and wore this black lace outfit, M. The women are quite dressy tonight, don’t you think?’
    ‘They are, and they’re most definitely New Yorkers,’ M answered.
    ‘Because they’re dressed in black!’ Geo grinned, eyeing M, admiring her dress once more. ‘Aren’t you pleased you wore this? You were hesitant about it.’
    ‘Yes. Anyway, it is my favourite frock. But I don’t often have the chance to wear it.’ M looked down at the skirt, smoothed her hand over it, smiling to herself. The dress was made of black taffeta and was cut in the simplest style, with a straight neckline that stretched from shoulder to shoulder. It had short sleeves, a plain front and a bell-shaped skirt that dropped just below the knee.
    Geo now told her, ‘You know, M, I thought that skirt was a bit too long at first, but it works well on you, and it does give the dress balance.’ She threw M a questioning look, and asked, ‘Where did you buy it?’
    ‘I thought I told you: my mother bought it for me. I think she found it in a little boutique in London.’
    ‘It looks as if it comes from Paris to me,’ Geo muttered, her head on one side, her eyes thoughtful. ‘Paris couture, maybe?’
    M began to laugh and looked away. And caught her breath.
    A man was standing in the doorway of the living room and he was watching her. Staring hard, in fact. She stared back at him boldly, and discovered she couldn’t tear her eyes away. He held her gaze. Mesmerized by him, she felt a sudden weakness in her legs, wished she had a chair to sit down in or lean against.
    He began to walk towards her, his blue eyes never leaving her face. She knew who he was. Suddenly she was nervous and just a little bit afraid. Not of him, but of herself and what she might do.

T EN
    H e walked towards her.
    The crowd had thinned out and the living room was half empty, and she stood waiting, watching him now, just as moments ago he had been watching her. Their eyes were locked on each other.
    It seemed to M that no one else existed in this room except for him. Her stomach was in knots, and her heart suddenly lurched when he finally stood there in front of her.
    His face was immobile,