White Satin (10 page)

Luisa Kendall was absolutely gorgeous as usual. Her knee-length raccoon poncho was worn with her customary dash over designer jeans tucked into brown knee-length boots. Her long, dark hair was tumbling about her shoulders in stylish profusion, and her violet eyes, framed in long lashes that made them appear even larger, were sparkling with good nature as she waved at Dany from behind the barricade that surrounded the rink.

“Hi, Dany,” she called as she leaned her elbows on the balustrade. “I love your outfit. You look like a
très chic
skin diver or something.”

“How would you know?” Anthony asked, an indulgent smile curving his lips. “The closest you’ve ever come to any kind of aquatic undertaking is dipping your toes in the water to wash the sand off.”

Dany stopped in the middle of the figure she’d been tracing and with a bright smile carefully
masked the shock she was experiencing. She suddenly felt very naked and exposed alone out on the ice in the middle of the rink. Luisa’s appearance at Briarcliff with Anthony had come as a complete surprise and caught her off guard. After the remarks he’d made on the phone, the last thing she’d expected was to have him show up with his mistress in tow or to have him stand there gazing at her with cool detachment as if nothing had changed. Well, perhaps nothing
had
changed. Perhaps he’d thought over what she’d said and decided it made sense to go along with her way of thinking. Luisa’s appearance here certainly seemed to indicate that, Dany thought, simultaneously feeling an irrational burst of pain.

“Thanks, Luisa,” she called back. “But it’s not supposed to be fashionable, just functional. It’s specially insulated to keep out the cold.”

“Whatever.” Luisa shrugged her elegantly furred shoulders. “It’s still pretty, and that’s the bottom line.”

At least it was for Luisa, Dany thought as she skated over to the bench behind the balustrade that was across the rink from where they were
standing. Luisa loved pretty clothes with a passion. That was one of the reasons she’d chosen to become a photographer’s model. She was very successful at it, too, when she made the effort. Unfortunately most aspects of her career were too much effort for Luisa’s good-natured but indolent temperament. Not that she needed to work, Dany thought as she started to unlace her skates with feverish swiftness. Anthony, for over a year now, had kept her very well supplied with every luxury. An undemanding beauty like Luisa was exactly what he wanted in a mistress.

“Those skates are different from the other ones you usually wear, aren’t they?” Luisa’s eyes were bright with curiosity. She’d wandered around the rink and was standing by the bench. Beau and Anthony were still across the rink absorbed in discussion, and Luisa had no doubt become bored and was seeking distraction.

Dany nodded. “The blades have a wider radius. I use them only for compulsory figures. They make a clearer tracing for the judges.”

“I like the dancing better,” Luisa said. “That looks like you’re having a real ball.” Her eyes
went around the large rink, lingering on the arched, paneled skylight that covered most of the ceiling. “This is really very nice. Anthony says it’s relatively new, compared to the rest of the estate.”

“Anthony had it built about nine years ago,” Dany said quietly. “He said it would be more convenient for practice.”

“I can see that.” A puzzled frown suddenly knotted Luisa’s brow. “But you’ve not been here for almost six years, I understand.”

“That’s right,” she answered briefly. Most of the time she liked Luisa, but she was finding that eager curiosity a little hard to take today. “Is this the first time you’ve been to Briarcliff?”

The other woman nodded her fashionably tousled head. “I’ve been to Anthony’s apartment in town, naturally, but he’s never brought me here.” Long, dark hair spread over gray silk pillows. Why did the thought twist inside her like a knife? “It really surprised me last night when he asked me to come up here for a few days.”

Last night. He’d been with Luisa last night, she thought dully. He’d probably gone straight from talking to her to Luisa’s very willing arms.
“You’re staying overnight?” Well, why shouldn’t she? Briarcliff was Anthony’s to do with as he wished now. She had no right to resent any of his choice of guests. But she did, dammit. She
did
.

“Anthony thought I might find it entertaining.” Luisa made a face. “I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. I’m a city girl to begin with, and I can take just so much of this ice skating. It makes me tired just watching you.” She grinned appealingly. “No offense.”

“None taken,” Dany said lightly as she finished tying the laces of her tennis shoes. “Unless you’re involved, the mechanics can get pretty boring.”

“I’d think it would be easy to get involved with a coach like Beau.” Luisa’s eyes narrowed on Beau’s trim, powerful body and lean, good-looking face. “It must be very interesting being on the road with a hunk like that.”

“Beau?” Dany’s lips twisted in a grin. “You’ve got to be joking. I’m strictly business with our Confederate Don Juan. He’s got two or three lovely ladies in every city we visit.”

“So I’ve heard,” Luisa said lightly. “I can’t say
that I blame them. I’ve always been a pushover for a wicked, golden-eyed devil.”

“Wicked?” Dany’s eyes widened. “We can’t be talking about the same man. There’s nothing wicked about Beau.”

“No?” A quizzical smile tugged at Luisa’s lips. “That’s not what I hear from his discarded mistresses. Not that they were complaining, you understand. In fact, they’d have been very disappointed if he hadn’t lived up to their expectations.” Luisa unconsciously moistened her lips, narrowing her gaze on Beau’s face. “He’s reputed to be very generous with his farewell presents as well. How does it feel to have one of the richest men in America at your beck and call?”

“I never thought about it,” Dany said uncomfortably. She’d heard vague stories, of course, about Beau’s background. Everyone in the United States knew about the Lantry Trust and the orphaned heir who’d been the focus of any number of custody suits during his childhood. “And he’s not at my beck and call. We work together.”

“Still, it’s odd he’d take on a subservient position.” Luisa’s face was speculative. “Rumor has it
that he’s not a man to accept any kind of restraint meekly. I don’t suppose he has an unrequited passion for you or something like that?”

Dany’s glance followed hers to the man who’d been her anchor and security in a constantly changing world for the last six years. She tried to understand how anyone could see Beau as the devilish charmer of Luisa’s description. Yes, there
was
sensuality and a little recklessness to the cut of his lips, and, now that she thought about it, there had been moments when there’d been a wild, untamed glint in those gold-flecked eyes. She shook her head as if to clear it. No, Luisa had to be wrong. “Then the rumors are definitely in error,” she said firmly. “Beau’s one of the steadiest, most reliable men I’ve ever met, and we’re only very good friends.”

“Pity.” Luisa grinned. “An affair with your coach wouldn’t only be fun, it’d be very convenient. You know how I always favor the easiest way.”

Yes, Dany knew that. Luisa would always take exactly what Anthony wanted to give her and never ask for more. It was no doubt a very satisfying
relationship for both of them. She jumped lightly to her feet and smiled with an effort. “Beau and I are going to have a sandwich and soup for lunch before we begin working again. There’s a lounge and kitchenette in the back of the rink. Would you and Anthony like to join us?”

“No, thanks.” Luisa raised her chin in mock hauteur. “I’m not about to mingle with the hoi polloi. Anthony’s promised me a gourmet luncheon at the main house as my reward for journeying to the wilds of Connecticut. He said he’d recently hired a cook who was utterly superb. Is he really that good or have I been had?”

“What?” Dany tried desperately to remember the quality of the dinner she’d scarcely tasted last night. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it very much,” she said vaguely as she turned to leave. “Will you be coming back here after lunch?”

“And watch two sexy men give all their attention to another woman?” Luisa shook her head. “I’m too vain for that kind of punishment. I’ll settle in and find a good book to read in front of the fire. I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Right.” Dany waved casually and set off briskly
for the lounge, keeping her gaze turned studiously away from the two men across the rink. She wasn’t ready to meet those glacier-green eyes. She was still too shocked and raw from that first encounter.

She purposely blocked everything from her mind as she opened a can of bean and bacon soup, poured it into a saucepan, and put it on one of the burners of the stove. She was placing two ham-and-cheese sandwiches in the microwave oven to heat when Beau walked into the kitchenette. His hazel eyes were concerned. “Okay?” he asked quietly.

“You tell me,” she said, purposely misunderstanding him. “Did you get a chance to check those last tracings?”

He shook his head. “Anthony was too busy cross-examining me about your training sessions yesterday and today. The earlier ones looked fine though.” He paused. “Anthony wants you to go over your long routine for him this afternoon. Are you up to it?”

“Of course, I’m up to it,” she said, her tone brittle. Oh, what was the use? Dany told herself. She
abruptly dropped the facade. “Will you please stop looking at me as if you expected me to fall into a Victorian swoon? So what if Anthony’s brought Luisa with him today? It’s happened before, and it will probably happen again. I’m not about to let it affect my work.” She turned and took the saucepan from the burner. “After all, nothing’s really changed.” God, she wished that were true. She’d give anything if she could have turned back time and never known that night in Anthony’s apartment.

“If you say so,” Beau said slowly.

“I say so,” she answered firmly. “Now sit down and I’ll dish up the soup. It may not be the gourmet delight Luisa and Anthony are probably enjoying, but it’s hot. That’s enough for me after five hours on the ice.”

The afternoon proved easier than she’d expected, largely due to the fact that Anthony exhibited a cool professionalism that she could respond to with equal composure. He didn’t bother to put on his skates, but sat on one of the spectator chairs in the two tiers that surrounded the rink and quietly watched while Beau put her through her
paces. Occasionally he’d have her do something over or call out to Beau to keep an eye out for a slight flaw in style or technique. For the most part, however, he merely sat and watched, his eyes narrowed and thoughtful as he had her go over the freestyle program repeatedly until she was so tired, she could feel her muscles ache, then go numb with weariness. Once or twice she noticed a worried frown darken Beau’s face near the end of the grueling session, and she knew he would have protested if she hadn’t given him a fierce glance and shaken her head at him.

There was nothing vindictive in Anthony’s drive for perfection. He simply didn’t understand half-way measures and would have driven himself just as relentlessly to the point of exhaustion. In an odd way she was proud she had the stamina to keep up with his demands and that he had the confidence she could meet any test he set for her.

The last long rays of late afternoon were streaming through the skylight when he finally terminated the session and called Beau and Dany over to give them the rest of the notes he’d made on the afternoon’s workout. He hadn’t missed a thing;
his criticism was incisive and all-encompassing. But for every criticism, he offered a suggestion on its correction. At the end of the list he sat back in his chair. “But those are all little things,” he said, his expression suddenly grave. “What we’ve got to work on is the real reason you lost the championship, Dany. I think I’ve got a handle on that now. You’re not getting into the ice. There’s no affinity there. It’s an ephemeral element, but the judges will notice it every time. An ice skater has got to look as if she belongs out there, as if she belongs to the ice itself. If she doesn’t, it plays hell with her style.”

“I know that,” Dany said, brushing a loose tendril of hair away from her face. “You’ve told me often enough.” She tried to smile. “I’ll work on it.”

He shook his head. “I think that may be the problem.” His eyes were thoughtful. “It may be that you’re overtraining. You’re working so hard, you’re losing that fine edge. Perhaps it would be better to ease up a little.”

“Ease up?” He couldn’t be serious! With the Olympics less than a month away? “For heaven’s sake, you’ve just given me a list a mile long of all
the things I’m doing wrong and then tell me to take it easy?” She shook her head incredulously. “You know I can’t do that.”

His lips tightened. “I also know that your figures in the compulsories will probably leave a lot to be desired. You always get a little impatient and it’s reflected in your scores. You’re going to have to make up those points on the freestyle, and you can’t do it if you don’t get into the ice.” He stood up, his hands jammed in the pockets of his sheepskin jacket. “You’ve come a long way to get to Calgary, Dany. I’m not about to let you blow it now.”

“I won’t blow it,” she said hotly. “But I won’t sit around and fiddle while Rome burns either. I have to work, dammit.”

“You
will
work.” Anthony turned away, his face implacable. “But you won’t overtrain. Make up your mind to that, Dany.” Before she could speak he was walking rapidly away.

“Damn!” She drew a deep breath and her fists clenched in frustration. “He doesn’t understand, Beau. I still have so far to go, so much to perfect. I can’t relax now.”

“He may be right, you know,” Beau said, considering. “He usually is when it comes to skating. I’ve been conscious of something being wrong lately, but I haven’t been able to put my finger on it. You just may have lost the edge. Perhaps we’d better rethink your training regimen for the next few weeks.”

“No!” Her cry had an element of desperation in it. She needed to work, to concentrate on something other than the turbulent emotional state Anthony had thrown her into. She deliberately released her clenched fists and tried to speak with calm persuasion. “He’s wrong, Beau. You know I’d be a nervous wreck if I didn’t have enough work to keep me busy. We’ll keep on just as we have been.”