Free The Granville Sisters by Una-Mary Parker Page A

cuddled into his side, whilst reaching out to greet a sandy-haired young man she knew, called Andrew Stevens. He grasped her hand with its long scarlet nails, and stroked her arm, as her wrist glittered with diamonds.
    ‘It’s been an
age
,’ he burbled, happily.
    ‘An
absolute
age, sweetie,’ she replied, gazing into his eyes. She had succeeded in gathering a circle of her best men friends around her, as if she was a magnet in a box of pins.
    And all the time she was aware of Alastair, circling the group like a prowling shark, his expression angry as she continued to ignore him.
    ‘Juliet!’ he called out loudly.
    She looked up at Colin from under her blackened eyelashes. ‘Oh, listen! They’re playing my favourite tune. I simply have to dance … Come along …’ She grasped his hand, and then he whisked her away across the polished floor. A moment later she was snuggled in his arms, her eyes closed and a blissful smile on her face.
    ‘What’s going on with Juliet?’ Charles Padmore asked Rosie, as they sat together, having a drink and watching the dancing.
    She was beginning to find his constant presence strangely comforting and reassuring. As Alastair had so obviously switched his affections from her to Juliet, it was a salve to her hurt pride to have
someone
interested in her.
    ‘You know Juliet,’ she said, trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice. ‘I expect she’s just trying to make Alastair Slaidburn jealous; bring him to the boil, that sort of thing.’
    Charles frowned disapprovingly. ‘I can’t believe you’re sisters. I’ve never met two people who are so unalike.’
    Rosie beamed, taking this as a great compliment. She squeezed his hand and gave him a look of gratitude, thinking him quite dashing.
    ‘I think perhaps I’m more like Mummy.’
    ‘So, does Juliet take after your father, then?’
    ‘I don’t know who she takes after,’ she said drily. The way her sister was cavorting around the dance floor with such supreme confidence made her wince. Juliet was behaving in a fast fashion, and if she went on like this, she’d get a bad name. Rosie bit her bottom lip, feeling jealous because she knew she’d never get a bad name or anything else, because she wasn’t exciting enough.
    ‘Rosie, would you like to dance?’
    She was on her feet before he’d finished speaking, and to counteract her too obvious eagerness, she then said languidly, ‘Yes, why not.’
    She could feel his bony knees knocking against her legs and wondered if he would feel bony all over, without his clothes. The thought made her feel queasy and at the same time excited.
    Embarrassed by her own thoughts, she averted her eyes as they danced.
    ‘
Juliet!
’ Alastair spoke despairingly. He’d managed to corner her as she re-emerged from the powder room. His face was flushed and red. He gripped her wrist fiercely. ‘What’s the matter with you? Why do you keep avoiding me? Where’s the corsage of orchids I sent you? Why aren’t you wearing it?’
    Juliet stood quite still, her small features like carved marble, her pale blue, cat-like eyes cold and watchful.
    Alastair started haranguing her vehemently again, his voice loud and hysterical. ‘Why have you been ignoring me ever since you got here?’
    She tried to quench her own rising temper. ‘I do have other friends, you know. And the flowers didn’t go with this dress.’
    ‘What do you mean, you’ve got other friends?’ His eyes glittered strangely. A group was forming around them now, of people who loved nothing more than watching others quarrel.
    Alastair continued, his voice rising. ‘We
all
have friends! What about
us
? You and me, goddammit! Why have you been cutting me dead? Dancing with everyone else? Why won’t you answer me
now
?’ Sweat gleamed on his face, his body was rigid with rage.
    Something started to unravel in Juliet’s brain. ‘I’ve been enjoying myself,’ she said icily.
    ‘Yes, with every Tom, Dick and Harry.’ His