Free Casteel 05 Web of Dreams by V. C. Andrews

tall and handsome in his elegant tuxedo. He came toward us quickly, a small and amused smile on his sensual lips and his cerulean blue eyes sparkling.
"Miss Leigh VanVoreen," he said taking my hand and kissing it. I blushed and turned quickly to Momma. She had the beginnings of that excited-littlegirl look on her face again, a look that immediately woke up the butterflies in my stomach.
"Cleave, I would like to introduce you to Townsend Anthony Tatterton, whom you've heard me speak of so much," she said. Daddy scrutinized Tony quickly and then smiled as warmly as he had smiled at everyone else.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Tatterton. Thank you for giving my wife employment she enjoys."
"Oh, it is I who should thank you, sir, for permitting her to demonstrate her talent on the walls of my home."
Daddy nodded, his lips tight, his eyes small. I wasn't sure whether he was going to laugh or cry. Momma broke the scary silence by suggesting Tony get himself an exotic Caribbean drink and indulge in the hors d'oeuvres. He turned as if noticing the party for the first time.
"Looks like quite an affair," he said. "Thank you for inviting me. Leigh," he added turning my way, "perhaps you will do me the honor of dancing with me later."
I was speechless. Why me with all these incredibly beautiful, sophisticated women about? I couldn't go out there and dance with him in front of all these people. I wasn't that good. Oh, the very thought of doing it terrified me. He must have seen the fear in my face, for he smiled even more widely and then nodded at Momma and Daddy before heading toward the bar.
"Well," Daddy said immediately, "I think most of our guests have arrived. I have to meet with the ship's captain for a while to discuss the itinerary and other matters."
"Now, Cleave?" Momma asked with irritation in her voice.
"I'm afraid so. You can hold things down here for a while, Jillian. Leigh, would you like to come along? You should learn about the business. Someday, all this will be yours. If it lasts," he added.
"Now don't go taking her down to the engine room," Momma ordered, "like you did last time. She doesn't have to know how things work."
"Of course she does. She should know things inside out, and besides," Daddy said, "she seems to have a proclivity toward mechanical things. I bet she could take apart an engine and put it back together in no time now, couldn't you, Leigh?"
"Hardly an accomplishment for a young lady to brag about," Momma snapped. "I wish you would treat her more like what she is and not like some tomboy. Really, Cleave." There was an extra edge of annoyance in Momma's voice, as though she had, forgotten even about the fancy party going on all around us. I held my breath for fear they were going to get into an argument about it right then and there.
"We're not going down to the engine room, Momma. I'm not dressed for that."
"I'm glad you have that much sense at least, which is far more than your father has," she said, glaring at Daddy.
"Well, let's get started then, so we can come right back," he said to me, and we went off to the bridge of the ship, leaving Momma fuming, I knew.
I had met the captain of The Jillian before, Captain Thomas Willshaw, an ex--British Navy officer, and I liked him very much because he always looked and spoke to me when Daddy and I were with him, and he seemed to enjoy explaining things to me. While Daddy and he discussed the journey, the navigator took out the nautical maps and traced our route for me.
"I'm happy that you're not bored with all this, Leigh,"
Daddy said. "There is no reason why you won't be able to run a big business when you are out of school."
I nodded, but I thought how different Daddy and Momma really are and how differently they see things, especially things for me.
When we stepped out on the deck again on our way back to the ballroom, Daddy took my hand and we looked out over the great ship.
"You see, Leigh, a man has to have a deeper reason for working, for striving and