The Velvet Glove by Mary Williams Read Free Book Online Page A

Rick at the head and his wife facing him from the opposite end. The guests sat on either side, and Kate noticed with satisfaction that Linda Wade ’s cheeks shone slightly damp despite her liberal coating of rouge. Probably she had a poor skin beneath the make-up. Her shoulders and arms were too plump for her dimpled small hands, and her fair fussed hair was far too yellow to be natural. Nevertheless her eyes were very blue and must once have been striking. Now they were small, peering from tiny networked wrinkles. But wary – oh, yes. They were shrewd watchful eyes, Kate decided. Was she jealous? The thought was stimulating and gave power to her performance as hostess. Her innate ability to put on an act pushed all other considerations aside; she became graciousness personified, listening attentively to any remark made by the other woman – with just a suggestion of an encouraging half-smile on her tilted mouth. What hidden rivalry there might be between the two was admirably concealed, except perhaps to Rick whose eyes at intervals glanced at Kate enigmatically, but with a whimsical knowledge that didn’t escape her.
    Still, on the whole, the evening was a success; outer politeness was never allowed to flag, even when the two men had retired to the smoking-room for a discussion of male topics and a brief business interval, leaving the women, following a session of adjusting their toilet, to get to know each other – Rick’s phrase – in the drawing-room.
    ‘ My dear!’ Linda said. ‘I’m so delighted at having the opportunity to meet my old friend’s new wife in her home at such an early date following the marriage. Most women envy you, of course, but at the wedding when I saw you looking so beautiful I almost envied Rick.’ She paused, then continued with a touch of acid ambiguity, ‘Not entirely , of course. Marriage is such a lottery, is it not? And, of course, you are very young. And Rick – well, naturally he’s already had quite a deal of experience in life – which makes him a connoisseur in his way—’
    ‘ Of what, Mrs Wade?’ Kate interrupted pertly. ‘Are you referring to women?’
    ‘ Good gracious, darling! What a question. As if I’d dream of sticking my neck out in such a way. I was thinking of values.’
    ‘ I see.’
    ‘ Of people, and things. You’ll have such a lot to discover – about matters in his life that are tremendously important to him.’
    ‘ I’m aware of that.’
    ‘ Oh, yes. I can well believe it,’ Linda said drily. ‘I’m sure you’re a very intelligent young woman.’
    Not qu ite knowing whether this observation was meant to be complimentary or otherwise, Kate changed the conversation into more impersonal channels, including theatrical gossip and plays currently being performed in London.
    ‘ I understand you were once – an actress yourself, Mrs Wade?’ Kate ventured to ask at what she considered a tactful point.
    Linda ’s eyes narrowed slightly; her voice was brittle bright, when she answered, ‘You understand perfectly correctly, my dear. I certainly was. But then’ – there was a short pause before she continued – ‘we women are all actresses at heart, are we not? Which is why we contrive so cleverly to enchant our men.’
    Kate ’s tell-tale flush tinged her cheeks. She forced a little laugh and answered, ‘When we need to, I suppose, but thank goodness it isn’t always necessary.’
    ‘ In youth, no. But as the years pass, believe me, when the first glamour of beauty is fading a clever brain is generally required to keep a certain type of man faithful.’
    ‘ By a certain type of man you mean men like my husband, Mrs Wade?’ Kate retorted boldly. ‘Oh, I’m certainly not bothered about such problems at the moment. Please don’t worry about my future. Rick and I understand each other. And now’ – with acid sweetness – ‘your cup is empty. Will you have more coffee?’
    ‘ Thank you.’
    A highly charged frisson of anger seemed