Dangerous Masquerade Read online

  The article in the newspaper had come flooding back to her, touting the news that Rian Montgomery was in town after opening one of his hotels in Mexico and in the process of negotiating the construction of another in some resort area in South America. Laurie also remembered that he was known for his ruthless manipulation of people, as well as the ongoing string of beauties photographed at his side.

  When Laurie had realized it was Rian Montgomery her cousin was trying to steer to the altar, she hadn't given her cousin two pins for her chances. During the weeks succeeding Laurie's meeting with him, there had been more presents, each more expensive than the previous, more dates with LaRaine, one more casual meeting with Laurie where Rian Montgomery practically ignored her existence, and finally the stunning news almost a week ago that LaRaine was engaged to Rian Montgomery.

  Her cousin could take care of herself, but Laurie still thought she was making a grievous mistake. The very day after her engagement LaRaine had been in a temper that not even the sapphire flanked by diamonds in her engagement ring could assuage, because Rian Montgomery refused any publicity regarding their engagement. And more than anything else, LaRaine wanted to be in the spotlight. Laurie had known that he wasn't the type of man to be swayed by stormy scenes or a woman's tears. LaRaine had been forced to comply with his wishes.

  The only other tantrum that her cousin had thrown had been when Rian was not present. The day before yesterday he had decreed that LaRaine was to visit his aunt in Mobile, Alabama while he flew to South America on business. Laurie had a sneaking suspicion that Rian Montgomery knew that without his presence LaRaine would flaunt her engagement to the press and public. In front of him, LaRaine had meekly agreed to the trip, only to storm in anger at the injustice of it after he had gone and Laurie had entered the room.

  Rian had left for South America yesterday. LaRaine had her airline ticket for Mobile verifying her reservation for tomorrow afternoon. Laurie stared at the haphazard array of clothes to be sorted and packed for her cousin's journey. She sighed at the wrinkled piles, knowing most of them would need pressing, and LaRaine's ineptitude with an iron was notorious; she scorched nearly everything she touched.

  Carefully Laurie began folding the scattered pieces of lingerie and stacking them into a neat pile in preparation of packing one of the smaller scarlet cases. She knew her selection of dresses, trouser suits, and gowns would not be her cousin's. There was no choice but to leave them until LaRaine returned.

  The front door to the apartment swung open and LaRaine glided into the front room, her dark eyes dancing with barely suppressed excitement and her crimson lips spreading into a wide, joyous smile. Laurie always felt so colourless when her cousin entered a room, so vibrantly alive and stunningly sensuous. The room could be crowded, yet all eyes would be turned towards LaRaine, like moths dancing worshipfully about a flame.

  “I have the most glorious news!” LaRaine bubbled, spinning and pivoting about the room like a captivating gypsy, beautiful dark hair floating around her neck while her flared skirt whirled to allow a glimpse of shapely thighs. “It's fantastic! Absolutely magnificent!"

  “What is it?” Laurie asked, fascinated by this sirenlike creature who was her cousin.

  After being in constant motion since entering the room, LaRaine stopped, enjoying the suspense that was building around her before she announced, “I'm going to be in a movie!"

  Laurie's mouth opened and closed several times as her curious blue eyes stared unbelievingly at the smug expression. “What are you talking about? What movie? How?” she breathed at last.

  “Ted Lambert, the producer, cast me today.” Her eyes gleamed with diamond brilliance. “I met him at a party last week with Rian and he called me today to test for a part in his new picture. And I got it!” For one fleeting moment, all sophistication was cast aside as LaRaine hugged herself with childish glee. “I have almost twenty pages of dialogue. I always dreamed about this."

  “When does it happen?” Laurie was so stunned by the news she couldn't think straight. “Where will you film? When do you start?"

  “I have fittings for my costumes tomorrow.” A graceful hand caressed the smooth column of her throat as her cousin became again the self-assured young woman. “I'll be a princess in Czarist Russia. They're going on location somewhere in Europe, but all of my scenes will be shot at the studio. Worse luck!” she finished with a dismissive grimace.

  Laurie looked down at the dress in her hand, the congratulatory expression receding from her face. She glanced apprehensively at her cousin. “You're supposed to leave tomorrow to visit Rian's aunt in Mobile."

  The back of LaRaine's dark head was turned towards her. “I know,” her cousin murmured, her enthusiasm dying as quickly as a flame being extinguished. She spun around quickly, her brown eyes dark and imploring. “Laurie, what am I going to do? It's what I've wanted since I was a child. The chance of a lifetime! Mr. Lambert said I was a natural for the part."

  Silently Laurie agreed, seeing the regal fire of a princess in her tempestuous cousin. “Call Rian and explain what happened. Persuade him to postpone your visit to his aunt's.” It was beyond Laurie's power to resist this sudden desire of LaRaine's for her help.

  There was a petulant droop to her cousin's mouth. “I don't know where he's staying. Even if I did...” She left the thought-unfinished as she gazed earnestly at Laurie, seeming to beg for her understanding. “You see, Rian...” LaRaine's sudden loss for words touched Laurie's heart more than any eloquence could have done. “I don't think ... he would approve. You know how autocratic he is at times. I ... I'm sure he wouldn't like it if I appeared in a film. But, Laurie, I want it so much.” Diamond tears hovered on the edge of her lashes. “If ... if only there was some way I could do it as one last fling before I ... I get married, fulfilling one little dream I've always had."

  “Surely there is some way,” Laurie murmured, confusion deepening her brilliant blue eyes.

  “Ted ... Mr. Lambert said they would probably shoot my scenes right away since they're filming that sequence first. He doubted whether it would last longer than three weeks at the outside,” LaRaine mused aloud, sinking forlornly on the sofa. A tight laugh tinkled out with bitter notes. “Not much longer than my visit to Rian's aunt."

  “Perhaps you could call her and explain the circumstances,” Laurie suggested practically, missing the speculative gleam bestowed on her by her cousin.

  “And have her tell Rian? Then he really would be angry with me,” LaRaine sighed, looking suddenly like a shadow of her former self. “I couldn't feign illness and plead a cold or the flu. Rian might find out and come flying back to see that I was cared for adequately."

  A measure of her cousin's sadness transferred itself to Laurie. “It seems the only solution is to turn down the part and carry out your original intention of visiting Rian's aunt,” she concluded sombrely.

  “The only problem with that is I've already signed a contract to appear in the film.” The rustle of the chiffon dress lying beside LaRaine sounded like electricity crackling in the sudden silence of the room. “If I don't fulfil the terms, the studio can sue me and Daddy."

  “Oh, LaRaine, no!” Laurie gasped. “Why did you do it? Why did you sign it without at least thinking over what you were doing? You've placed yourself and your family in a terrible position!"

  “You have to understand,” LaRaine pleaded, leaning forward to gaze with tear-clouded eyes into Laurie's expression of displeasure. “It happened in an impulsive moment when I was still pinching myself that I'd actually been offered the part. Before I knew what I was doing, I saw my signature on the contract. Now do you understand my dilemma? I don't want to risk my engagement to Rian, nor do I want to hurt my parents."

  As if the whole thing was more than LaRaine could bear, she burst into tears, amazingly looking more beautiful and feminine than before. Tears had no more than dampened her cheeks than they stopped, a look of determination spreading over her cousin's face.

 
“I mustn't feel sorry for myself,” LaRaine declared firmly. “I know I got myself into this mess and it's not fair to ask you to help me out of it. But surely the two of us can think of some solution."

  Laurie smiled tentatively in sympathy with her cousin while her shoulders and head moved indicating the blankness of her mind to find a way out of the intolerable situation. LaRaine rose to her feet and walked to the large picture window that dominated the apartment's living room.

  “What I need to do is split myself in half,” LaRaine tossed the words half-humorously over her shoulder. “One half could go to Mobile and the other half could do the picture."

  “An ideal solution if you could do it,” Laurie laughed lightly, needing the levity to break the heavy tension in the air.

  Her cousin turned around, staring at her raven-haired relative while a light radiated with increasing brilliance from LaRaine's face. “I think I know how we can do it,” she breathed. “I know we can!"

  “What is it?” Laurie demanded as LaRaine raced from the window to clasp her hands, transmitting the excitement from LaRaine to her.

  “You take my place.” Mischief danced brightly out of dark eyes at the aghast expression emanating from the blue ones. “I know it sounds outrageous and impossible, but it could work! I just know it will work!”

  “You mean, I should go to Mobile,” Laurie swallowed, feeling herself drawn into a whirlpool of her cousin's enthusiasm, “instead of you?"

  “It's so simple!” LaRaine exclaimed. “Why didn't we think of it before? His aunt has no idea what I look like, except that I'm a brunette and so are you. Rian told me himself that he hardly ever sees her, so the chance of running into her after we're married will be very slim. She won't be coming to the wedding, which is why I'm visiting her now."

  “But Rian will find out about the film,” Laurie protested half-heartedly.

  “I can convince him that I did it before we were engaged. You know how long it takes to make a film, edit it, and get it out to the theatres. By the time he finds out about it, it will all be in the past. Over and done with,” LaRaine declared. “Please, Laurie, you must do it—if not for me, then for Daddy."

  Laurie could feel herself giving in, surrendering to the habit of sacrificing her desires to show her gratitude for the people who had brought her up. But the prospect of masquerading as LaRaine frightened her into raising another objection, however weak it might seem.

  “I could never remember to answer if his aunt addressed me as LaRaine. I would constantly be looking around for you."

  “There isn't that much difference between Laurie and LaRaine,” her cousin answered sharply before tempering her irritation. “Tell her Laurie is your nickname. She'll believe you."

  “I don't like it."

  “Do you have a better suggestion?"

  Laurie was forced to admit that she didn't. Except for the deception involved, she could find nothing wrong with the mechanics of LaRaine's plan. Laurie never actually said she would do it, but the agreement was in her silence. And LaRaine was quick to put the plan into action, keeping up a steady stream of chatter about the clothes Laurie would have to pack, trying to convince her what an adventure she would have. The chilling thought kept returning to Laurie that there would be hell to pay if Rian Montgomery ever found out about this masquerade.

  CHAPTER TWO

  RIGHT up to the minute she had boarded the plane Laurie kept hoping some other solution would present itself, but the doors had closed and she had been on her way to Mobile, Alabama, masquerading as her cousin LaRaine Evans.

  The waters of the Gulf of Mexico were a shimmering deep turquoise in the late afternoon sun as the plane made its approach to land. After checking her seat belt to be sure it was securely fastened, Louise put a reassuring hand to her black hair, verifying that no loose strand had escaped the shining coil around her head. She had chosen the more sophisticated style to give her the poise she needed to carry out this daring charade. There was barely a crease in her warm apricot travelling suit, but she loosened the knotted neckscarf that matched the apricot and yellow flowered silk blouse. The soft features of her oval face looked serene and composed except for the deep blue of her eyes mirroring the anxiety that brought a dryness to her throat.

  Laurie knew she was to be met at the airport. As the passengers disembarked, she listened intently for her cousin's name to be announced over the loudspeaker. She kept assuring herself that nothing could go wrong. Vera Manning, Rian's aunt, had no picture of LaRaine and, at best, only the sketchiest details of what she looked like. With only the slightest stretch of the imagination, Laurie could fit the description.

  The palms of her hand became filmed with a nervous sweat as Laurie watched her fellow passengers being met by friends and relatives. She followed the mainstream of travellers to the baggage area, keeping her ear attuned to the loudspeaker. The more time that went by without hearing her cousin's name, the stronger the urge became to take the first plane back to Los Angeles. Tricking an old woman into believing she was Rian's fiancée seemed so deceitfully wrong, regardless of the motives.

  Minutes later the assorted sizes of LaRaine's scarlet suitcases were gathered around Laurie's feet. The sapphire ring on her finger felt as cold as ice, condemning her part in this charade. What was she to do now? she wondered anxiously. No one had come forward to meet her. Laurie had no address for Rian's aunt, only the name Vera Manning. The whole plan was becoming more hopeless with each heart-pounding second.

  “Pardon me."

  A hand touched her shoulder and she turned with a convulsive jerk. A tall bronzed young man with golden blond hair was smiling down at her. Her blue eyes were wide and frightened as she stared into his handsome face.

  “Are you by any chance LaRaine Evans?"

  Paralysing fear robbed Laurie of her speech. His searching hazel eyes seemed to unmask her even as she nodded a hesitant assertion that she was LaRaine.

  “What a relief!” he laughed shortly, extending his hand towards her in greeting. “I'm Colin Hartford. Vera Manning asked me to meet you, but I got caught up in traffic and your plane was already in when I arrived.” His manner was apologetic, but matter-of-factly courteous. He was a man quite used to charming his way out of a situation. “I was just going to have you paged when I saw you standing here looking so...” his gaze roamed admiringly over her, “so lost."

  High colour rose in her cheeks, her guilty conscience knowing that if she had truly been LaRaine she would not have looked lost, but impatiently angry at being kept waiting. A glint of amusement gleamed from Colin Hartford's eyes at the delicate blush in her cheeks. He appreciated rare and beautiful objects and knew he was looking at one.

  “Are these your cases?” He politely redirected her thoughts, allowing her to compose herself.

  “Yes,” Laurie answered breathlessly, wondering if he thought their numbers too many for only a fortnight's visit, but LaRaine had directed the packing, supplementing Laurie's scant wardrobe with her own. “I came prepared for any contingency,” she explained with a nervous smile.

  “You'll find the Gulf Coast climate is quite mild in the middle of February with a few cool, rainy days thrown in so one can appreciate the sunshine,” Colin smiled, motioning to a porter to take the luggage. “My car is right outside."

  A gentle hand on the back of her waist urged her towards the doors leading out of the airport. Colin ushered her towards a gold Thunderbird parked near the kerb. Laurie watched as he supervised the loading of her suitcase in the boot, idly thinking a golden boy should have a golden car. Now that she was truly committed to carrying out the masquerade some of her tension eased. She was able to smile quite naturally when Colin helped her into the passenger side of the car before he slipped behind the wheel.

  “Is Mrs. Manning's home very far?” she asked.

  “A few miles outside of the city proper,” he answered smoothly, putting the car into gear and driving out of the parking area. He slid a twinkling glance her w
ay. “You'll learn very quickly that she's addressed as Vera and not Mrs. Manning. Any reference to age is a very touchy subject. A person either knows her well enough to call her Vera or he doesn't know her at all."

  It sounded as if this aunt was as formidable as Rian Montgomery—not a comforting thought. “Have you known her long?” Laurie inquired.

  “My father's estate adjoins hers, which is why I was deputised to meet you at the airport,” he explained. “Vera doesn't care for crowds or she would have met you herself. She's quite anxious to meet you, LaRaine. I may call you LaRaine?"

  Laurie liked the soft way his eyes regarded her, mildly caressive without being objectionable, and his slow, drawling voice that was a balm to her jangled nerves. "My friends call me Laurie,” she said with a quick breath, wishing she could so easily divorce herself from LaRaine's plans as she did from her name.

  “I would be pleased to call you Laurie, too, if you call me Colin."

  “Thank you ... Colin.” A genuine smile lighting her face for the first time.

  “I must confess,” his attention returned to the road ahead of them, “the Judge—my father—and I had a bet as to what you would look like.” At Laurie's wide-eyed look of surprise, Colin laughed. “You've been the subject of many curious speculations since the great Rian Montgomery announced that he was engaged. Vera had decided he would never marry."

  Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap as she tried to appear only mildly interested in the subject, unconsciously twisting the snug sapphire ring on her finger. She must remain calm, she told herself, and not let Rian Montgomery's name upset her. Her name was going to be coupled with his quite often in these next weeks and she must become accustomed to it.

  “How do I measure up to your expectations?” forcing a lightness to her voice that she didn't feel.

  “I thought you would be a beautiful, temperamental woman with a sensual allure that no man could resist.” The brilliant gold flecks in his hazel eyes glinted with amusement, while Laurie thought what an accurate description that was of LaRaine. “The Judge, on the other hand, thought you would be a quiet and retiring woman, submitting yourself quite meekly to the pressure of Rian's thumb."