Free Wild and Wanton by Dorothy Vernon Page A

her models unfailingly gave him a good report. One of them, Ami, was more than a little sweet on him, and now Lindsay knew why.
    â€˜Lindsay Cooper. The pleasure is mutual.’ She meant that; she liked him on sight, even though she wished they’d met in different circumstances.
    â€˜Lindsay Cooper.’ He repeated her name, musing over it. ‘Of the Bourne Agency?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜We’ve spoken on the telephone.’
    â€˜That’s right.’
    â€˜Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought you were solely on the administrative side.’
    â€˜I am.’
    â€˜Lucky break?’
    â€˜No. I’m here because of a man who won’t admit that he’s wrong.’ She gave a sketchy explanation of the circumstances. ‘It’s utterly ridiculous, my being here. I’ve never heard anything like it before.’
    â€˜No? Well, I have. Some of the greatest models in the business have been discovered by accident. Cross your fingers and hope you can come across as well. Not that I’ve any doubt; you seem to be a natural.’
    â€˜Would it surprise you to know that I don’t want to come across well? I intend to freeze before the camera. I can’t get through to Mr. Farraday, so I want him to see for himself what a mistake he’s made.’
    â€˜Are you on the level? Don’t you realize what a wonderful chance this is for you?’
    â€˜So everyone keeps telling me. I don’t want it. I happen to be content with my lot.’
    â€˜Really? Chin up, honey, and look to your left.’ Lindsay obeyed automatically and blinked at the bright flash as the camera clicked. ‘Haven’t you ever thought you might be missing out on something? I know some people are perfectly happy to plod along the same old road. At least, they say they’re happy, and in some cases they even manage to fool themselves. But in reality they haven’t the guts to accept life’s challenges.’
    â€˜It’s not like that at all. I’ve got plenty of spunk. And I’m not afraid to accept a challenge. Perhaps, in other circumstances, I might have been intrigued by the idea of changing course. But I don’t like the way I’m being swept along. I like to feel in charge of my own destiny.’
    â€˜Do you think that’s possible?’ Bob Sheldon asked, clicking away as he spoke. ‘Turn your head a bit to the left, will you? That’s great. Hold it. Now throw your shoulders the other way. That’s fine. Relax for a moment.’
    â€˜I make my own decisions,’ Lindsay said stolidly, rubbing the back of her neck.
    â€˜Even if they’re the wrong ones?’
    â€˜I bet you wouldn’t let anybody, not even Nick Farraday, push you around,’ Lindsay said, picking up the conversation some time later, after a session of being told to sit, stand, walk, run up a short flight of stairs, look forward, look up, look down, smile, frown, etcetera.
    â€˜Don’t bet your shirt on that; you’d lose it. I’ve been pushed around in my time, kicked down . . . and been glad to be picked up and have someone tell me what to do. If it hadn’t been for . . .’
    â€˜Yes?’
    He was absently running his hand down his left leg, the one that caused his limp. When he wasn’t smiling his boyish appeal disappeared, and the fine lines of suffering etched round his eyes and mouth came into greater prominence. ‘You’re not hiding the fact that you aren’t exactly wild about Nick Farraday.’
    â€˜That’s perfectly true,’ Lindsay retorted coolly.
    â€˜Well, you just happen to be looking at the number one member of his fan club.’
    â€˜He collects fans easily,’ Lindsay said scathingly.
    â€˜You reckon so? Maybe some he does. This one he collected at considerable personal danger. Sometime, if I’m ever in the mood, I might, just might, tell you all about