Free Deceit by Fayrene Preston

minute that Richard had lost interest in her, Liana reflected the next morning. It was more as if he had put her on hold while he spent the afternoon playing golf. But he had been in the dining room last night, again with his attractive assistant, Margaret, and he had watched her every bit as intently as he had the night before. This time she coped without the champagne.
    And now this morning, as early as it was, a crowd of people had gathered on the front steps of SwanSea, the first site of the day’s shooting. Liana, dressed in a wrapper, sat before a makeshift table while Rosalyn laid out makeup, combs, and brushes.
    Usually by this time in a day’s shoot, her concentration was firmly in place. This morning, though, her thoughts were scattered. Leonora and her lonely resting place still bothered her and she didn’t know why.
    She chided herself. What a foolish thing to get upset about. She was being far too impressionable, too open to sentiment. It wasn’t like her, and she needed to put a stop to it immediately.
    She glanced up at the impressive facade of SwanSea. There was no doubt that it was magnificent, but she couldn’t help wondering how Leonora had felt about SwanSea as a home. Living in a small, cozy house as she did, she would have a hard time viewing such a huge place as a home. Had it been just as overwhelming to Leonora as a seventeen-year-old bride? All at once she remembered another Leonora..
    “Which dress is first, love?” Rosalyn asked her. 
    “What? Oh, the gold.”
    “I saw that one,” Rosalyn said, reaching for the pot of foundation. “It's gorgeous, but then all the gowns are. I’ve overheard several ladies plotting their strategies for the auction. ”
    Liana smiled. “It should be interesting.” Rosalyn applied a light base of foundation to Liana’s cheeks, then a cream rouge. “You think we’ll see any cat fights?”
    “Here? No way. SwanSea is much too dignified.” Rosalyn made a sound halfway between a snort and a laugh. “Listen, sweetie, women and their love of beautiful clothes are the same no matter where they are. You mark my words. It’s going to get down and dirty at the auction, and I for one can’t wait. ” She broke the seal on a new jar of loose powder and screwed open the top, then she dipped a puff into the powder and held it toward Liana’s face.
    But Liana turned toward Sara, who was sauntering up to them.
    “Clay’s ready for you, Liana. ”
    Liana smiled. “Thanks, Sara. I won’t be much longer.”
    Rosalyn peered at her own image in the mirror. “We’re leaving her hair straight for this shot,” she said to Sara and idly dusted a sprinkling of powder over her own face. “All I have to do is brush it.”
    “Okay, I’ll tell Clay. You know what? He’s in a good mood. He should take more days off. If you call taking pictures of me a day off.”
    Rosalyn laughed. “Sounds like a busman’s holiday to me.”
    “And for you, it doesn’t sound like a day off,” Liana said. “Besides, I thought you didn’t like to have your picture taken. ”
    “I don’t, but it was all in fun. I even got to wear some of your designer gowns.”
    “Really?”
    “Oh, don’t worry. I was very careful with them.” “Sara, you don’t have to reassure me. They’re not my gowns.”
    Suddenly Rosalyn made a sound of pain, dropped the puff, and clutched at her face.
    Liana looked up at her. “Rosalyn, what’s wrong?” “My face,” she gasped. “It bums!”
    Alarmed, Liana jumped up and guided Rosalyn into the chair. Even as she did, she could see red blisters rising on Rosalyn’s face. “My Lord, she must be having some sort of allergic reaction. Sara, go see if there’s a doctor registered. ”
    “It’s the powder,” Rosalyn cried.
    “Try not to touch yourself.” Liana glanced frantically around and spied two ladies standing nearby. “Quick, run into the hotel and tell them we need cold, wet cloths immediately.”
    Steve came rushing up. “Sara