Read Online Gift of Gold by Jayne Ann Krentz - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jayne Ann Krentz
Tags: Contemporary Romance
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that both he and his wife were very proud to be escorting their important client this evening, but it was equally obvious that they were finding the honor somewhat wearing.
Jonas had to admit that Caitlin Evanger was impressive. Definitely not the kind of woman who would be overlooked in a crowd. There was a sense of drama about her that made itself felt instantly.
She was tall, almost as tall as Jonas, with short, silvery blond hair that she wore slicked straight back from her high forehead. Physically, she appeared to be about thirty, but there was something in her face, a hard, weary cynicism, that gave Jonas the impression she was a lot older in some ways.
Her features would have been riveting at any age. Her stark hairstyle focused attention on her high, aristocratic cheekbones and small, perfectly shaped mouth. Jonas wondered idly if that mouth had ever been shaped into a genuine smile. He seriously doubted it.
He didn't notice the jagged scar that marred her left cheek until she turned her head. The contrast between her beautifully classic profile and the savage line of ruined flesh was startling, but not nearly as startling as the cold gray stare that met his polite glance.
It was the kind of look that chilled a man straight to the bone. Caitlin Evanger's gaze took in everything around her and made it clear that she would never be impressed by anything the world had to offer, let alone what a mere male could provide.
This was one cold lady, Jonas decided. Not the kind of woman a man imagined curling up with on a winter's night. Verity had a few thorns on which a man could cut himself, and she also had a sharp tongue and a certain feminine arrogance, but there was no doubt about the fire inside. Caitlin Evanger was a glacier right to the core.
The artist wore a steel brace on one leg, which showed beneath the hem of her severe black silk shift.
She used an ebony cane to make her way toward the table Verity had carefully chosen earlier. It was the one nearest the fireplace. Her movements were slow and deliberate because of the brace and the cane, but there was a regal quality about them. Everyone around her instinctively slowed down to match her stately pace.
"I'll tell Verity you're here," Jonas said as he finished seating the Griswalds and their guest. Laura smiled gratefully, her eyes tense. "Thanks, Jonas."
Jonas walked into the kitchen, aware that Caitlin Evanger was watching him the whole distance. He could feel those icy gray eyes on his back. It was enough to make him shiver from the chill.
He found Verity looking disheveled and flushed from the heat of the stove. The sight of her warmed him instantly. A few curling tendrils had come loose from the knot at the back of her head. She was concentrating intently as she arranged a picture-perfect salad of endive, blue cheese, and roasted walnuts. He smiled at the image she made.
"Your star guest has arrived," he announced.
Verity's head came up quickly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "She's here? Where did you put her?" "At that little table near the hall that leads to the rest-rooms," Jonas said carelessly, "Jonas!"
"Relax. I put her and Rick and Laura exactly where you told me to—near the fireplace."
"Thank God. This is not a joking matter, you know," she lectured severely. "I can't wait to meet her. What's she like?"
"You can't miss her. She's the one who looks like she should be wearing a brass brassiere and carrying a spear."
Verity glowered at him and shoved the salad plate into his hands. "Very funny. Here, take this out to table number three. I'm going to say hello to our new guests."
"Sure, boss lady."
She ignored that, brushing past him into the dining room. Jonas shook his head in amusement and strolled out to table number three with the salad. One cold greeting from Caitlin Evanger would no doubt wash that silly excited sparkle out of Verity's eyes. It never paid to get thrilled by a
Jonas had to admit that Caitlin Evanger was impressive. Definitely not the kind of woman who would be overlooked in a crowd. There was a sense of drama about her that made itself felt instantly.
She was tall, almost as tall as Jonas, with short, silvery blond hair that she wore slicked straight back from her high forehead. Physically, she appeared to be about thirty, but there was something in her face, a hard, weary cynicism, that gave Jonas the impression she was a lot older in some ways.
Her features would have been riveting at any age. Her stark hairstyle focused attention on her high, aristocratic cheekbones and small, perfectly shaped mouth. Jonas wondered idly if that mouth had ever been shaped into a genuine smile. He seriously doubted it.
He didn't notice the jagged scar that marred her left cheek until she turned her head. The contrast between her beautifully classic profile and the savage line of ruined flesh was startling, but not nearly as startling as the cold gray stare that met his polite glance.
It was the kind of look that chilled a man straight to the bone. Caitlin Evanger's gaze took in everything around her and made it clear that she would never be impressed by anything the world had to offer, let alone what a mere male could provide.
This was one cold lady, Jonas decided. Not the kind of woman a man imagined curling up with on a winter's night. Verity had a few thorns on which a man could cut himself, and she also had a sharp tongue and a certain feminine arrogance, but there was no doubt about the fire inside. Caitlin Evanger was a glacier right to the core.
The artist wore a steel brace on one leg, which showed beneath the hem of her severe black silk shift.
She used an ebony cane to make her way toward the table Verity had carefully chosen earlier. It was the one nearest the fireplace. Her movements were slow and deliberate because of the brace and the cane, but there was a regal quality about them. Everyone around her instinctively slowed down to match her stately pace.
"I'll tell Verity you're here," Jonas said as he finished seating the Griswalds and their guest. Laura smiled gratefully, her eyes tense. "Thanks, Jonas."
Jonas walked into the kitchen, aware that Caitlin Evanger was watching him the whole distance. He could feel those icy gray eyes on his back. It was enough to make him shiver from the chill.
He found Verity looking disheveled and flushed from the heat of the stove. The sight of her warmed him instantly. A few curling tendrils had come loose from the knot at the back of her head. She was concentrating intently as she arranged a picture-perfect salad of endive, blue cheese, and roasted walnuts. He smiled at the image she made.
"Your star guest has arrived," he announced.
Verity's head came up quickly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "She's here? Where did you put her?" "At that little table near the hall that leads to the rest-rooms," Jonas said carelessly, "Jonas!"
"Relax. I put her and Rick and Laura exactly where you told me to—near the fireplace."
"Thank God. This is not a joking matter, you know," she lectured severely. "I can't wait to meet her. What's she like?"
"You can't miss her. She's the one who looks like she should be wearing a brass brassiere and carrying a spear."
Verity glowered at him and shoved the salad plate into his hands. "Very funny. Here, take this out to table number three. I'm going to say hello to our new guests."
"Sure, boss lady."
She ignored that, brushing past him into the dining room. Jonas shook his head in amusement and strolled out to table number three with the salad. One cold greeting from Caitlin Evanger would no doubt wash that silly excited sparkle out of Verity's eyes. It never paid to get thrilled by a
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