"Roberts, Nora - Private Scandals" - читать интересную книгу автора (Roberts Nora)

"That she does, but yours seem sharp enough to me." He paused. "At least on soft news."
She nearly snarled, delighting him. "I enjoy what I do, and if I didn't, it still wouldn't be any of your business."



"An accurate statement." He should have dropped the subject, but he knew too well what Angela could do with her
claws once they were dug in. Unless he missed his guess, Deanna would bleed fast and copiously. "Would you listen
to a friendly warning about Angela?"
"No. I make up my mind about people on my own."
"Suit yourself. I wonder," he continued, searching her face. "Are you as tough as you think you are?"
"I can be tougher."
"You'll need to be." He released her hand and walked away.
Alone, Deanna let out a long, steadying breath. Why was it every time she spent five minutes with Finn, she felt as
though she'd run a marathon? Exhausted and exhilarated. Pushing him firmly out of her mind, she tore open Angela's
note. The handwriting was a series of loops and flourishes drawn with a fountain pen.

Deanna darling,
I have something vitally important to discuss with you. My schedule today is maddening, but I can slip away about
four. Meet me for tea at the Ritz. Lobby lounge. Believe me, it's urgent.
Love, Angela

Angela hated to be kept waiting.
By four-fifteen, she'd ordered a second champagne cocktail and begun to steam. She was about to offer Deanna the
chance of a lifetime, and rather than gratitude, she was greeted with rudeness. As a result, she snapped at the
waitress when her drink was served, and scowled around the sumptuous lounge.
The fountain behind her tinkled musically. It soothed her a bit, like the frothy sip of champagne. It wasn't really
drinking, she thought, pleasing herself. It was like tasting success.
The gilt and glory of the Ritz was a long way from Arkansas, she reminded herself. And she was about to go further
yet.
The reminder of her plans softened the frown on her face. The smile bolstered the courage of a matron with blue-
tinted hair who approached for an autograph. Angela was all gracious



affability. When Deanna hurried in at twenty after four, she saw Angela chatting amiably with a fan.
"Excuse me." Deanna took the seat across from Angela. "I'm sorry I'm late."
"Don't give it a thought." Waving away the apology, Angela smiled. "So nice to have met you, Mrs. Hopkins. I'm glad
you enjoy the show."
"I wouldn't miss it. And you're even lovelier in person than you are on TV."
"Isn't that sweet?" Angela said to Deanna when they were alone. "She watches the show every morning. Now she'll
be able to brag to her bridge club that she met me in person. Let's get you a drink."
"We'd better make it tea. I'm driving."
"Nonsense." Angela caught the waitress's attention, tapped her glass, then held up two fingers. "I refuse to celebrate
with something as passive as tea."
"Then I'd better know what we're celebrating." Deanna slipped out of her jacket. One drink, she estimated, could
easily last the entire thirty minutes she'd allowed for the meeting.
"Not until you have your champagne." Angela smiled coyly before sipping her own. "I really need to thank you again
for being such a trouper the other night. It turned out to be a wonderful party."
"There wasn't much to do."
"Easy for you to say. You're able to keep a handle on all those little details." With a flutter of her fingers, Angela