Wild Melody Read Online Free PDF Page B

to
    take-their coats.
    'Don't worry,' Jason murmured. 'She's not permanent staff. Just hired for the
    big occasion.'
    He guided her expertly through groups of chatting people in the hall into a
    large room with a bar at one end. Catriona noticed that French windows
    stood open at one side, leading apparently to a big conservatory.
    'There's Clive—never far from the drinks,' he remarked. 'Brace yourself,
    darling, you're about to meet my respected brother, and Jeremy's papa.'
    Clive Lord was shorter than his brother with slightly receding hair and a
    developing paunch. He looked much older than Jason too, but in his smile
    Catriona thought she could detect a reminder of Jeremy, and she warmed to
    him.

    'I don't think I've seen you here with Jason before, have I,
    Miss—er—Muir?' he asked, handing her a glass filled with a glowing red
    liquid.
    'Please call me Catriona,' she said, smiling up at him, and ignoring Jason's
    sardonic smile.
    'I don't suppose you know how honoured you are, Clive,' he murmured.
    'When's the big moment, by the way?'
    'Oh—shortly.' Clive looked round in a harassed manner. 'I don't see the
    need for all this fuss. We had the same nonsense in Yorkshire last week.
    But you know Marion—not to be outdone, of course.'
    'Of course,' Jason agreed smoothly. 'Come on, my sweet, we don't want to
    miss anything.'
    Catriona felt her temper rising. 'What's going on?' she asked heatedly.
    'Where's Jeremy? I must see him alone for a few moments.'
    'We're going to see him now. I should put that revolting concoction Clive
    gave you down if I were you. There'll be champagne in the next room.'
    'I don't want any champagne,' Catriona insisted almost wildly.
    'Oh, but you must. It's traditional, and the fun's just beginning.' He drew her
    across the hall into a room packed with people. It was quite true—there was
    champagne, and Catriona took the glass she was offered almost
    mechanically.
    'That's the ticket.' Clive appeared beside them beaming. 'Now I must do my
    stuff, I suppose.' He went off through the crowd, and just as Catriona was
    turning to Jason, demand to be taken to Jeremy at once framing on her lips,
    sudden hush fell.
    Startled, she looked round, and then—at last—she saw Jeremy. He was
    standing at the end of the room with two women. One of them, Catriona

    was immediately convinced, was his mother. She was tall and fair-haired,
    wearing an dress, and stood toying nervously with her rings.
    Although she was smiling, Catriona had the feeling that in repose Mrs
    Lord's face would have a rather peevish expression, and she felt slightly
    chilled. At the same time she was registering incredulously that the other
    woman—hardly more than a girl, in fact—was clinging possessively to
    Jeremy's arm. He was in evening dress, and he had shaved off his beard and
    cut his hair. He looked quite different, Catriona thought with dismay, then
    he turned to the pretty, rather plump blonde at his side, smiling at
    something she had said, and his smile made him the familiar reassuring
    Jeremy again.
    Clive's voice rang out over the room.
    'And now, everyone—friends—if you'll raise your glasses, we'll drink a
    toast to Jeremy and Helen. Long life and every happiness!'
    Catriona stood numbly, her fingers clenched round the slender stem of the
    glass as Jeremy bent and kissed the girl, who smiled and held up her left
    hand so that everyone could see the glittering diamond ring adorning it.
    Catriona gave a little choking cry. The room dipped and blurred and she
    heard her glass smash to the parquet floor as she turned and fled. A startled
    maid stepped forward, as she gained the hall.
    'Excuse me, madam--' she began as Catriona began blindly to wrestle with
    the ornate ring that served as a front door handle. Her hands were slippery
    with perspiration, and she felt hysteria rising within her. Then Jason's hands
    were gripping her shoulders, and his voice was saying calmly, 'Come into
    the conservatory,