Turn Back the Dawn by Nell Kincaid Read Free Book Online Page B

made her tremble. And this, she realized, was what was sending bolts of fear through her. For her feelings for Ben were so strong—physically and emotionally—that she felt she had lost control.
    She had thought of her answer as an act of strength, as an aspect of being a woman who could make choices and decisions and take actions others might consider premature or impetuous. She was her own woman, beholden to one, and she could do what she wanted. But underneath this confidence and self-determination, underneath the wonderful feeling she'd had when she had breathed yes against Ben's lips was the fear that she wasn't really in control, and now she was swept with doubt.
    Kate tried to concentrate on the auditions. As they went on with faltering lines, misinterpreted inflections, halting movements, Kate's heart went out to the auditioners; but she was viewing it all dispassionately as well, interested more in the performances than in the actors' hopeful, tentative smiles and gentle looks of disappointment as they left the stage.
    And she was amazed that her initial intuition about Alexandra Dayton had turned out to be correct: she was
    a shining star among amateurs, someone who made her otherwise unremarkable partner shine as well. Within moments this rather dull young man had a sparkle in his eye and a verve in his voice that had been absent only seconds before. Alexandra Dayton was clearly one of those performers who could imbue her partner, if only temporarily, with the same magic she possessed herself. And Kate wanted her for the campaign. Yet she had questions and qualms. Alexandra Dayton was Dick Dayton's niece. What if there were problems, and they had to fire the young woman from the campaign? Kate had an instinct: right now, freedom in the campaign was of the utmost importance. Yet, as she looked at Alexandra, at the young woman's obvious beauty and presence, she wondered whether she wasn't in fact being too cautious; taking chances was what success in business was all about. She simply didn't know. . . .
    After Alexandra and her partner had finished, Ben leaned over to Kate and whispered, "No question—she's the one."
    "I have some questions," she said quietly. "We'll talk about it later."
    Kate watched the rest of the auditions carefully, trying to keep an open mind about the rest of the performers. But it didn't take much eifort or discernment; there were two different leagues at work—amateur and professional— and Alexandra Dayton was the only member of the latter group. Which meant that Kate had to make a tough decision.
    After all the auditioners had left, Ben and Kate moved to the front of the room and sat down with Coates and his assistant.
    Ben lit his pipe, leaned back, and looked at Kate and Andrew. "No question in my mind. We have one call-back and one call-back only. Alexandra Dayton. The rest we can forget about for now."
    Andrew Coates nodded. "Agreed by me. That girl was spectacular." The young woman at his side nodded. Ben looked at Kate. "Kate?"
    She sighed. "I agree, except for the fact that she's Dick Dayton's niece. It makes me nervous."
    "She was perfect, Kate," Ben said.
    "I agree," she said. "There was no comparison—and I'm sure that would be true in future auditions. But I just have a feeling. An intuition."
    Ben looked at her carefully. "Perhaps we'd better discuss this ourselves, Kate," he said coldly, "and let Andrew and Laura get back to their other work." He stood up. "Andrew, Laura, I'll talk to you before the day is out." And he motioned for Kate to come with him.
    She said good-bye to Andrew and Laura and followed Ben out, furious that he had ended the meeting so abruptly, she was furious at herself for not having said anything.
    They went into his office, now flooded with midmorning sun, and Ben closed the door.
    "Is something wrong?" he asked, coming over to where she stood by the window. He smiled. "Did I detect waves of anger coming from you as we walked down the hall, or was