Free The Willful Widow by Evelyn Richardson Page A

men surrounding her, and the picture she made, her smooth white forehead wrinkled in thought, head tilted speculatively, a look of deep concentration in her blue eyes, forced Justin into the unwilling recognition that this was a serious conversation. There was nothing the least bit flirtatious about her or the situation.
    "Perhaps, Lady Diana, but do you not agree that this is not a work that is truly illustrative of Mozart's particular abilities?" Her companion was as immersed in the topic as she was, and his expression was one more of respect than admiration for the lovely picture she made.
    "You see what I mean?" Reginald whispered in his ear,
    "Denby is a brilliant fellow—a first-rate scholar—but he's so shy, he barely talks to us, let alone to women. Lady Diana is always so interested and so stimulating that she puts anyone at his ease, unlike so many ladies who smile and laugh and make a fellow feel awkward and foolish if he doesn't know how to offer them pretty speeches."
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    The Willful Widow
    by Evelyn Richardson
    However loath he was to revise his opinion of the lady, Justin, judging by the evidence at hand, had to admit to the truth of his nephew's remarks; but appearances could be deceiving, and there was no doubt that Lady Diana was remarkably clever. There was no more time for speculation as Reginald, grasping his uncle's arm, urged him forward to meet his companions.
    Justin bowed low before the two ladies, wondering ruefully to himself when, if ever, he had impressed two women less. Lady Walden was friendly enough, but he could see her sizing him up as though he were the veriest schoolboy, and somehow he felt he did not quite measure up—a most uncomfortable sensation for one accustomed to charming ladies of all ages and degrees.
    There was no doubt as to the hostility of Lady Diana's expression. She was all that was polite—soliciting his opinion of the opera, admitting to having heard a great deal about him from his nephew—but the eyes that swept over him, while they blessedly did not reveal the slightest hint of recognition, were distinctly unfriendly, and there was an unmistakably frosty note in her voice. It was abundantly clear to all and sundry that Lady Diana Hatherill remained unimpressed by Justin St. Clair. Even Suzette de Charenton, trying unashamedly to catch a glimpse of her lover through a crack in the curtains backstage, could tell from that distance that her wishes had been granted and one woman at least appeared to be immune to Justin's considerable charms. Not only was the woman immune to them, she actually seemed to dislike him, if the rigidity of her posture and the 74
    The Willful Widow
    by Evelyn Richardson
    defiant tilt of her head were any indication. Suzette could not help smiling to herself. Personally, she could not understand such an absurd reaction, but it would be great fun to tease Justin about it later. Irresistible as he was, there was just the slightest bit of arrogance about him that made her want to see him taken down a peg. No, it was not arrogance precisely, it was colossal self-assurance. Woman had been falling at his feet for so long, herself included, that he simply never entertained the possibility that they wouldn't succumb to his considerable attractions.
    Suzette was intrigued. It was from a distance, of course, but the lady in question did not appear to be an antidote or an ape-leader or one of those women who were so unattractive that they hated men out of self-defense. It seemed quite the contrary, if the eager crowd around her were any indication. Suzette pulled the curtain together and hurried back to her dressing room to check herself in the looking glass before reappearing onstage. The dancer was highly amused. She hoped that Reginald would force his uncle to endure the lady's company, as it was bound to have a salutary effect. At the same time, she was curious about a woman who remained unmoved by such a splendid specimen of manhood as Justin St.