Read Online Chaste Kiss by Jo Barrett - Free Book Online Page B

and brown tones served to make her soft pastel dress stand out, as she always did, no matter where she went.
    "Thanks for your concern, but as you can see, there was no real damage done,” Isabel replied.
    Susan glided around the corner of the desk and flounced into the nearest chair. “Oh, your accident. Yes, Isabel, you look nice as always, but I was referring to your falling out with Chad. I hope you didn't suffer too much. He's such a dear, really."
    William growled.
    "Do you have a dog?” Susan asked.
    "Hmm, no. That was my stomach. What exactly did Chad tell you?"
    "Why, that he had thought things over and decided your relationship wasn't going in the right direction. He's feeling so guilty for breaking things off with you. I just had to console him. Then I realized how devastated you must be and rushed right over."
    "Really.” It was difficult hiding her skepticism, but Isabel managed—barely. “And when did you see Chad?"
    "At Mary Beth's party the other night. We both happened to show up without an escort, and he was kind enough to see me home. It was just one of those little coincidences.” Susan twittered annoyingly as she displayed her perfect, white teeth.
    "Not bloody likely,” William grumbled.
    "What?” Susan asked.
    "I said, that is so like him,” Isabel hurried to say.
    William tensed. “Do not dare to defend him, mistress."
    "I'm sorry, darling, but you keep mumbling,” Susan said. “What did you say?"
    "Oh, it wasn't me. My uncle probably has the television on or something. The sound carries oddly in a house this size.” Isabel couldn't figure out why William was allowing Susan to hear him. Whatever his reason, she wish he'd stop. “You, um, don't need to worry about me, Susan. I'm holding up just fine. Chad and I had a nice thing going for a while, but it's over."
    William fidgeted.
    "Really? Well, I'm glad to hear it.” Susan dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I never said anything, but I always thought the two of you weren't right for each other."
    "Maybe the witch has some sense after all,” William mumbled.
    "Would you be quiet?” Isabel whispered out of the corner of her mouth. How was she supposed to carry on a conversation with him making comments like that? Susan was bound to think she'd hit the windshield hard enough to make her daft.
    "Perhaps we could ask your uncle to turn down the volume? It's very distracting,” Susan said.
    "Just try and ignore it.” Or him . She certainly was.
    "Very well.” Susan sighed dramatically. “Isabel, I have to ask you. Would it bother you terribly if Chad and I started seeing each other? If it would, you just say the word and that's that, but since you don't seem to want him back, I thought perhaps..."
    "Go for it, Susan. You two are perfect for each other.” Boy, were they ever. Both superficial and self-centered, neither had a caring bone in their bodies.
    "Marvelous. I knew you'd be sensible about this.” Susan jumped up from her chair and whirled around the room, rambling on about the goings on in High Point.
    "She seems to be absent her broom,” William muttered.
    "If you don't shut-up, I'll send you to Purgatory myself."
    He chuckled and moved away. Although relieved the scathing remarks had stopped, Isabel still couldn't understand why he allowed Susan to hear him. Had he just stopped caring who heard him, or was he trying to frighten her off?
    She looked back at Susan, prepared to continue her useless conversation, when she found William doing more than just allowing her to hear him.
    The rake blew out the flame of Susan's lighter each time she brought it to her cigarette. After about the tenth time, she gave up, mumbling something about the lighter being defective, then strolled to the bar to fix a drink. Isabel thought she could use one herself when William decided to lend Susan a hand.
    The devilish look on his face as he knocked the ice cube from the tongs each time she lifted one from the crystal bucket made