Man of the Trees Read Online Free PDF Page B

waistline with a wide pointed collar and long sleeves. Modest, but at the same time alluring. Ruth suddenly became conscious of her own bare arms and shoulders and the youthful cut of her dress. For the first time in her life she felt at a disadvantage. Linda obviously knew how to dress for her man. She looked the epitome of sophistication as well as managing to combine modesty with allurement. She had even done her hair differently, her blonde tresses falling to her shoulders in soft curls and waves. Ruth glanced down at her , own dress and felt like a teenager only trying to look sophisticated by doing up her hair.
    ‘Ought we make room for them here?’ murmured Hugh.
    ‘Oh, no—’ Ruth said automatically.
    ‘Him, yes, but her—no!’ added Jill.
    Hugh flashed a mocking smile from one to the other. ‘You women—jealous as hell when there’s another attractive woman around.’
    ‘And you men—’ retaliated his wife, ‘your eyes popping out of your head at the sight of a well-dressed woman.’
    Gareth put his arm about Ruth’s bare shoulders. ‘Well, personally, my eyes aren’t popping out of my head,’ he said. ‘I’ve got all I want here. Ruth dresses to please herself. Linda is obviously trying to look all modest and feminine, but you’re not going to tell me that that’s all Hamilton wants—modesty and femininity.’
    ‘Well, it’s not a bad start,’ Hugh said with a wink, evidently teasing his wife quite a bit.
    At that moment the music started again. Gareth gave Ruth a hug. ‘Come on, sweetheart, let’s dance. And save our seats—’ he added to Hugh as Ruth rose to her feet.
    ‘I suppose we’ll have to get used to it,’ Gareth murmured as he led her on to an as yet almost empty floor.
    ‘To what?’ she asked, though she had an idea of what he meant.
    ‘To having Hamilton around.’
    ‘At work as well as play,’ Ruth amended. Then she asked: ‘Does it bother you that he’s friendly with Linda?’
    He shrugged. ‘Lord, no. I’ve told you, I’ve been out with her a few times, but there was never anything serious.’ He gave a rather wicked grin. ‘All the same, don’t be surprised—or worried—if I date her again. I don’t see why Hamilton should come here and have things all his own way.’
    ‘You mean you’d date her to spite him?’
    He shrugged. ‘Well, something like that. Not if you’re free, of course,’ he added swiftly.
    Ruth caught a glimpse of bright green as Linda and Ross Hamilton moved down the room, evidently having seen some empty seats. Then, as the dancing area became more crowded, the same flash of colour could be seen among those dancing. Once, the pair passed close to Gareth and Ruth, and Ross glanced from one to the other without a sign of recognition in his lazy eyes. Linda did not even appear to have seen them.
    ‘It’s an act she puts on,’ Gareth said when Ruth remarked upon it.
    ‘And do you think he was putting on an act, too?’ Ruth demanded angrily.
    Gareth grinned. ‘Maybe he took his cue from you. I didn’t see you smiling—and I only caught a glimpse of them. Anyway, what does it matter?’
    ‘Not in the slightest, except that the manners of both of them are deplorable.’
    She tried to get a sight of him to see how he danced, but it wasn’t possible, then the tempo changed to beat, and everybody began their individual steps and gyrations.
    When the music stopped Ruth and Gareth were at the farthest end of the room from their table, and as they approached they saw that Ross Hamilton and Linda were sitting there. Judging by the two extra chairs, Jill and Hugh had made room for the pair. Ruth halted involuntarily.
    ‘What’s the matter?’ asked Gareth. ‘Do you want to go and find somewhere else to sit?’
    Ruth thought for a moment, then her chin lifted. ‘No,’ she answered. ‘Why should we? We’re surely more than a match for those two, and besides, it might upset Jill and Hugh.’
    ‘You’re right.’
    They continued