Legacy of Lies Read Online Free PDF Page B

couture.”
    â€œMrs. Friedman bought your entire collection.”
    â€œTrue. However, I cannot understand why she chose my designs when they are so obviously inappropriate for her figure.”
    â€œShe told me she likes your work.” Alex was not about to reveal Sophie’s actual reasons for buying Debord’s collection. “And Lady Smythe seemed pleased with that black cocktail dress.”
    That particular purchase had been viewed as a positive sign, since Miranda Smythe not only happened to be Eleanor Lord’s niece and style consultant for the Lord’s London store, but was rumored to be the person who’d brought Debord to the department store executive’s attention in the first place.
    Unfortunately it appeared that when it came to business Lady Smythe had scant influence with her powerful aunt.
    â€œI would feel a great deal better about the sale if Miranda Smythe had actually paid for the dress,” he countered. “I cannot understand Marie Hélène. The discounts she allows that woman are tantamount to giving my work away.”
    Alex was not about to criticize Debord’s formidable sister. “I suppose it doesn’t hurt to have the wife of a British peer wearing your designs,” she said carefully.
    â€œSuch things never hurt. But the British are so damnably tightfisted, they seldom buy couture. The average Englishwoman would rather spend her money on commissioning a bronze of her nasty little dogs, or a new horse trailer. Besides, Lady Miranda is about to get a divorce.”
    Alex had heard Marie Hélène and Françoise, Miranda Lord Baptista Smythe’s personal vendeuse, discussing the socialite’s marital record just yesterday.
    â€œLet us keep our fingers crossed,” Debord decided. “Perhaps, with luck, this time the fickle lady will wed a Kuwaiti prince. They never ask for discounts.”
    Alex laughed, as she was supposed to.
    At last she couldn’t stand the suspense a minute longer. “I know you’re very busy, Monsieur. Would you like to see my portfolio now?”
    â€œIn a moment. First, I would like to know why such a beautiful woman would choose to labor behind the scenes when she could easily be a successful model.”
    â€œI’m not thin enough to be a model. Or tall enough. Besides, I’ve wanted to be a designer forever.”
    â€œForever?” he asked with a faintly mocking smile.
    â€œWell, ever since I watched Susan Hayward in Back Street . That’s an old American movie,” Alex explained at his questioning glance. “She plays a designer. The first time I saw it I fell head over heels in love.”
    â€œWith Susan Hayward?” He frowned.
    â€œOh, no.” Alex laughed as she followed his train of thought. “Not the actress. I fell in love with the glamour of the business. It became an all-encompassing passion.” Her grin was quick and appealing. “Some of my friends would tell you that designing is all I think about.”
    â€œReally?” Debord’s eyes, so like his sister’s, but much warmer, moved slowly over her face. “I find that difficult to believe. A beautiful young woman such as yourself musthave some other interests—parties, dances…men. Perhaps one particular man?”
    He was watching her carefully now, the blue of his eyes almost obscured by the ebony pupils. Alex swallowed.
    â€œLet me show you my designs.” The portfolio was lying across her knees. She began to untie the brown string with fingers that had turned to stone. “I should probably tell you right off that most of the teachers at the institute didn’t really like my style,” she admitted. “But since I believe this is my best work, I’d really appreciate a master’s opinion.” Her words tumbled out, as if she were eager to get them behind her.
    â€œI do not understand why Marie Hélène did not tell me about