The Art of Seduction by Katherine O'Neal Read Free Book Online

repeating the process on the other eye. “I cut them once when I was young just to see if they would grow back. They did, even longer than before. This is the one way I can guarantee that people won’t recognize me.”
    â€œIt’s true,” Lisette teased. “It wouldn’t occur to anyone that you would do such a stupid thing.”
    They threw themselves into the planning like Sarah Bernhardt preparing for the Comédie Français. The extensive amount of weight Mason had lost added to the disguise. They took the initials from Mason’s first and middle name—Mason Emily—and twisted them a bit to form the name Amy. Once they’d purchased the new wardrobe, they packed it into steamer trunks and had them sent to the Jockey Club. Then, with Mason in full costume, they went to Gare St-Lazare, where they hired a finer coach and took it to the Opera Quarter as if Miss Amy Caldwell from Boston, Massachusetts, had just arrived on the train from Le Havre.
    They giggled most of the way there. What they were doing was outrageous, but after all, it would only be a brief charade. Once the show was a success, Mason Caldwell would come back to life and her sister Amy would conveniently disappear forever.

Chapter 3
    A s the show was about to open to the public, Mason was faced with an important decision. Falconier had already unbolted the doors and people were beginning to stream in. Halting the sale at this point wouldn’t just be a major inconvenience for everyone involved, it would be considered an affront, particularly inconsiderate in light of the false start-and-stop Falconier had already endured. And yet…What if this Garrett was right? She had no way of knowing. Stopping the sale, as he suggested, required a cheeky daring that certainly appealed to her, but it also called for a confidence in the popularity of her work that, up to now, was completely unwarranted.
    What to do?
    She scrutinized Garrett. “You really believe there will be that kind of demand for these paintings?”
    Without hesitation, he answered, “I do.”
    She glanced back at the dealer, who was ushering in the waiting crowd. “Falconier will have an apoplexy.”
    Garrett arched a brow. She detected a challenge lurking in his amused smile. “Would you like me to do it for you?”
    There was something hidden in the smoky depths of his eyes that captivated her, beckoned her, told her she could…What? Trust him?
    In that moment she made her decision. “Thank you. I’ll do it myself.”
    She swiveled on her feet, marched over to Falconier, and announced, “I’m stopping the sale.”
    He wheeled in alarm. “Stopping the sale!”
    â€œJust until we can better assess the real value of the paintings. There’s just more interest here than I know how to deal with.”
    â€œ Mais c’est impossible! It cannot be done, Mademoiselle! As you see—”
    â€œI know. But think about it. If we wait, and the interest continues to build, you might end up with three or four times the commission you’d get today.”
    A thoughtful look crossed the dealer’s pasty face. “It would be unprecedented, to be sure, and yet…They are your paintings now, so…” He gave a Gallic shrug. “So I suppose I must do as you wish.” He lowered his voice and shook his head in appreciation. “You Americans. So shrewd at business, n’est pas ?”
    He clicked his heels together and gave a crisp clap of his hands. “ Messieurs et mesdames, ” he called. “Gentlemen and ladies, you are welcome to view the paintings, but for the time being, they are no longer for sale.”
    The announcement was met by a roar of protest.
    â€œNot for sale! I’ve been waiting in line for three hours!”
    â€œBut this is an outrage!”
    â€œHow can this be? The paintings are not for sale?”
    In that instant, Dargelos the