Microsoft Word - Rogers, Rosemary - The Crowd Pleasers Read Online Free PDF

had a fleeting image of Craig's face, if he could have known, and that decided it.

    "Here-read this-you'll see there's nothing to it." Carol thrust the script at her. "And I'm going to call Harris right now, before you chicken out."
    In spite of the sputtering, old-fashioned heater that was supposed to warm the dressing room, Anne felt as if she was freezing. Even the heavy robe that mufffed her goose-pimpled body didn't help.
    She sat perched on an unsteady wooden stool in the doorway, with Harris Phelps's arm around her waist for support, waiting for her cue to go onstage. Although she was grateful for his presence, Anne hardly heard his soothing flow of words, because she was watching Webb Carnahan through gaps in the elaborate set. Noticing the movement of his lips, the dark, almost sardonic cast of his features, especially when he scowled, most of all the way he walked, making it seem like the angry pacing of a trapped forest creature. For this scene he had shed his jacket and wore only a thin silk shirt, open at the throat. He lifted his arm once to run his fingers through his shaggy dark hair, and she could almost see the fluid, rippling motion of the muscles in his back and shoulders. All grace and motion. And it was crazy of her to be thinking like this, especially at this particular time ...
    Anne shivered slightly, but this time her tremor wasn't from the cold.
    Harris Phelps must have noticed, because she felt his arm tighten around her waist.
    "Cold, Anne? I suppose you're wondering how we let Carol talk us into this bit of madness. But then-I'm sure you know as well as I how easily Carol twists her friends around her finger. I wouldn't be surprised if she's sneaked into one of the seats at the back just to watch what happens."
    Good, let him keep on talking about Carol. Anne supposed it must have been a surprise for Harris Phelps when he'd arrived in Carol's hotel room expecting love in the afternoon with Carol and it had been Carol's friend who had stood there in the darkened room with just a pink-shaded light behind her, wearing Carol's wig and Carol's pale green negligee.
    That had been the test. "Because if Harris takes you for me close up, then there's no way a theater audience could tell the difference, Anne! Don't you see?"
    All things considered, Harris had been very decent about it all, even forgiving Anne's part in the masquerade, shruggingly letting himself be talked into going along with Carol's scheme. "But just for this one time, remember! And we can't let anyone else find out . . ."
    "Oh yes-union rules!" Carol had made a face at that, but she'd been gleeful at getting her own way, and magnanimous once she had achieved it. "I wanted you two to meet, anyway. Harris, this is Anne Hyatt, and would you believe we used to be best chums in school? Before they threw me out, that is!"
    Harris Phelps had been charming, but Anne had the uneasy feeling that he hadn't stopped studying her. Assessing her? Wondering about her, even if he'd been too much of a gentleman to ask questions? And how much had Carol told Harris after Anne had left?

    If only she could switch her mood back to this afternoon's lightness, Anne thought now, wishing her eyes wouldn't keep following Webb.
    This time Phelps followed the direction of her gaze and she felt, rather than saw, his frown. "Do you mind if I give you a bit of advice, Anne? Keep away from him. Most women find Webb fascinating, and he uses that fact to use them. He's got it down to a fine art. Loves them and leaves them when he's squeezed them dry. He's a damn good actor, of course, but he carries that role into real life. Somehow, I get the impression you're not used to that kind of man, dear ..."
    Did it really show so obviously just how inexperienced she was? Anne stiffened, searching in her mind for an amused, easy rebuttal.
    "I can't figure you out, Anne Hyatt," he continued. "You're like a chameleon, taking on colors that dont' really belong to you. With Carol's