Read Online The Charlton Affair by MJ Doherty - Free Book Online Page A

replied smugly.
    Charlie rolled her eyes and wiped her lips delicately with the napkin he provided.
    “Lead on, Macduff,” she said wryly.
    Roman complied, extremely satisfied with himself.
     
    *****
     
    Phoebe was halfway through her third glass of champagne when Charlie joined the other guests in the outdoor room. The wind gently rustled the palms by the pool. Highlighted by the up-lights, they formed the perfect backdrop to the gathering. Phoebe didn’t care about the scenery. Focusing on Charlie, being escorted by Roman directly over to an attractive thirty-something across the room, she could think of nothing else.
    Jessica stood near Phoebe and noticed the direction of her stare.
    She remarked, “Gorgeous little thing, isn’t she?”
    Jolted out of her observation of Charlie, Phoebe blushed and replied, “That dress suits her perfectly.”
    Phoebe gulped down more champagne, beginning to feel a little light-headed. They watched as Charlie eventually drifted away from the attractive woman and headed over to peruse the cheeses.
    Phoebe’s reaction to Charlie was not lost on Jessica. Leaning over, she said softly, “Go on. Go and speak to her.”
    Nodding mutely, Phoebe clutched her glass nervously. Her feet moved of their own volition as almost involuntarily, she headed over to where Charlie was standing. She hoped the alcohol would turn her into the vivacious creature she was not, someone with the courage to speak confidently and with charm.
     
    *****
     
    Charlie escaped from Roman’s idea of her perfect partner as soon as possible. Roman had introduced her to a lovely and engaging woman but Charlie stubbornly preferred to make her own choices.
    As she examined the cheeses with interest, she spotted Phoebe Rawlins heading toward her. Phoebe was about five feet five in heels. Her perfectly proportioned frame was dynamite in the pale green dress she wore. Even though, her dress was a flyaway style, it hugged her figure in all the right spots.
    Charlie moved to go, but then something stopped her. Phoebe’s grace and reserved beauty had gotten to her. However inappropriate, she would take the chance to get to know this lovely woman a little better. Just this once. Most of all, she wanted to solve the mystery of Phoebe’s extreme nervousness around her. Phoebe had already started to blush, and they hadn’t even spoken yet.
    “Nice to see you again,” Charlie said warmly when Phoebe approached.
    Phoebe looked as though she was about to faint, but somehow managed to stammer, “You too…. You look great! Amazing dress.”
    Charlie couldn’t believe how nervous Phoebe was. What can I do to make this easier for her? Smiling, she thought, I hope it’s not contagious!
    “Thanks. I was just thinking the same thing about yours. That color is perfect for you.” Nodding toward at the cheese display, she added, “Roman and Mark have outdone themselves. These cheeses are amazing.”
    Phoebe’s blush was not subsiding. If anything, it was spreading. A stray wisp of auburn hair fell across her pale cheek. Charlie fought off the urge to reach up and gently tuck it back behind Phoebe’s ear.
    Phoebe replied, smiling shyly, her voice a little more confident now, “Yes, Roman just lives for these parties. He’s been filling me in on all the planning over the last week.”
    Looking at Phoebe’s lovely face, she couldn’t help noticing what a captivating smile she had. All of a sudden, she found herself staring into Phoebe’s eyes. At that moment, Phoebe’s nervousness became contagious. The two women stood, lost in each other’s gaze.
    Finally collecting herself, Charlie broke the stare and looked away awkwardly. As she struggled to come up with something to say, Charlie was consumed by an urge to take Phoebe into her arms and kiss her passionately. She had to speak, if only to distract herself from her inappropriate thoughts. She reminded herself that it was definitely against the Bar Association ethics to