669小说网

第14部分（第2页）

nice。　But　would　any　man　fit　the　bill？

With　a　sigh；　she　shook　her　head。　It　had　to　be　Ross。　Always　Ross。

〃Its　all　yours；　princess！〃　he　called。

Chloe　looked　up　in　surprise　to　find　the　horizon　pink…orange　in　advance

of　sunset。　Back　over　her　shoulder；　Ross　stood　at　the　kitchen　door；

silhouetted　by　the　light　inside。

〃Be　right　there；〃　she　called；　looking　at　the　sunset　again；　gathering

posure。　When　she　felt　in　control；　she　returned　to　the　house。　She

caught　a　trace　of　cologne　when　she　moved　past　him；　but　moved　steadily　on

until　she　was　safe　in　her　room。

Promptly　at　eight　she　descended　the　stairs；　wearing　a　pale　blue　sheath

of　lightweight　wool　appropriate　to　the　fast…cooling　night　air。　Its　lines

were　simple；　it　was　nipped　in　at　the　waist　and　wrists；　lightly　flared　at

the　sleeves　and　skirt；　and　deeply　slashed　into　a　vee　at　the　throat。

She　worried　about　that　low　vee。　The　dress　was　simple；　but　provocative。

She　had　bought　it　the　year　before　for　one　of　those　blundered　attempts　at

a　date；　and　would　have　avoided　it　for　that　reason。　Unfortunately；　it　was

the　only　dressy　dress　in　her　wardrobe　that　was　of　recent　vintage。

In　other　respects　she　felt　confident。　Her　hair　was　brushed　to　a　fine

sheen；　swept　back　behind　either　ear；　and　held　in　place　with　buds　of　pale

blue　silk。　The　single　pearl　at　each　ear　matched　the　strand　around　her

throat。　And　her　eyes　were　luminescent。　From　her　makeup；　perhaps？

Whatever；　she　felt　like　a　porcelain　princess　descending　the　stairs。

Ross　was　clearly　pleased。　〃You　look　lovely；〃　he　said；　gently　taking　her

arm。

She　felt　suddenly　shy。　〃Where　are　we　going？〃

〃Farmington　Court。〃

She　caught　her　breath。　〃In　Newport？　How　did　you　ever　get　reservations？〃

〃Oh；　I　managed；〃　he　said　with　a　coy　grin。

Chloes　excitement　was　genuine。　〃Theyve　only　had　the　dining　room　open　a

few　months。〃

〃You　havent　eaten　there　yet；　then？　I　was　hoping　Id　be　the　first　to

take　you。

〃You　are；〃　she　said　and　tried　to　get　a　handle　on　her　breathiness。　〃I

usually　eat　in；　remember？　No；　I　havent　eaten　at　the　Court；　but　Ive

wanted　to。　I　heard　that　the　dining　room　is　gorgeous　and　the　food

incredible。〃　She　arched　a　brow。　〃You　are　hungry；　arent　you？〃