Fabulous Beast by Unknown Read Free Book Online

seemed to lend an air of dignified restraint to the total picture of lean, conservative masculinity. Best of all he acted as if she were the only woman in the whole room.
    “You look very charming tonight, Tabby,” he murmured as they took their seats. “I only wish I could ask you to go dancing later on.”
    She glanced up in surprise and confusion. “Oh, will you be too tired, do you think?” she asked weakly.
    She had been hoping the evening would extend well beyond the dinner hour. The tinge of disappointment was almost painful.
    He gave her an odd glance as he picked up his menu. “Not too tired. But I’m afraid I don’t dance.” His silver glance slid sideways to the cane hooked on the back of his chair.
    Relief flooded through her. “Good grief, is that all you’re worried about?”
    “Well, it does rather limit my capabilities on the dance floor,” he drawled a bit coolly.
    “So who wants to dance? I’m not really a very good dancer anyway. We’ll sit at one of the little tables and drink gin and tonics and make brilliantly perceptive observations about all the other people on the dance floor.” She chuckled.
    Dev studied her for a moment. He seemed about to ask a question but shelved it as the others who had been assigned to their table began to arrive. The conversation quickly became general. The two other couples, both in their mid-fifties, had heard of the affair on St. Regis and were full of interested concern as they discovered themselves seated next to the victim. Somewhat to Tabitha’s surprise, Dev seemed quite willing to talk about it although he chose to emphasize her own part in the matter.
    “Believe me, I was never so glad to see anyone in my life as I was Miss Graham here when she came around the corner,” he announced feelingly.
    “Not quite true,” Tabitha heard herself retort. “You said that if I were the U.S. cavalry, I was a bit late, as I recall!” She turned to the others, astonishing herself with her willingness to make a joke of the whole thing. “It was one complaint after another, you know. First that I was late and then that I wouldn’t let him pour an entire bottle of rum down his throat in the taxi on the way to the boat and later, when he asked for a bowl of soup, that I showed up with a full-course meal. There’s no pleasing some men!”
    Dev contrived to look hurt. “Well, I really could have used the rest of that bottle of rum the taxi driver offered!”
    One of the other men at the table laughed loudly. “I don’t blame you, Colter. Sounds like good medicine to me!” He picked up his whiskey sour and swallowed thirstily.
    It wasn’t until Dev had escorted Tabitha to a seat in the elegant cocktail lounge after dinner that he asked the question she had seen in his eyes just before the meal.
    “Why don’t you dance?” he inquired blandly as he ordered drinks.
    Tabitha lifted one shoulder dismissingly. “Not enough practice, I suppose. It takes a fair amount of experience to feel confident on the floor, you know.”
    His mouth twisted. “To tell you the truth I wasn’t much good even before my accident. Now the cane gives me the perfect excuse to stay safely seated.”
    “Your accident?” she began delicately, aware of an avid curiosity.
    “Umm.” He nodded unhelpfully and then, instead of responding to her unasked question, he went on with another of his own. “So why haven’t you acquired much practice, Tabby? Don’t they date in that little Victorian village where you have your bookshop?”
    She smiled. “Definitely. We’re not that antiquated. But since my marriage ended, I haven’t gotten out a great deal.” She bit her lip. “Actually, I didn’t get out a great deal before my marriage. Or during it, to be perfectly precise.”
    He gave her an odd glance. “When were you married?”
    “A couple of years ago. It didn’t last long, I’m afraid. Only about a year.”
    “What happened?” Dev asked.
    “I guess you could say it was