第14部分(第3/9 頁)

ht　there；〃　she　called；　looking　at　the　sunset　again；　gathering

posure。　When　she　felt　in　control；　she　returned　to　the　house。　She

caught　a　trace　of　cologne　when　she　moved　past　him；　but　moved　steadily　on

until　she　was　safe　in　her　room。

Promptly　at　eight　she　descended　the　stairs；　wearing　a　pale　blue　sheath

of　lightweight　wool　appropriate　to　the　fast…cooling　night　air。　Its　lines

were　simple；　it　was　nipped　in　at　the　waist　and　wrists；　lightly　flared　at

the　sleeves　and　skirt；　and　deeply　slashed　into　a　vee　at　the　throat。

She　worried　about　that　low　vee。　The　dress　was　simple；　but　provocative。

She　had　bought　it　the　year　before　for　one　of　those　blundered　attempts　at

a　date；　and　would　have　avoided　it　for　that　reason。　Unfortunately；　it　was

the　only　dressy　dress　in　her　wardrobe　that　was　of　recent　vintage。

In　other　respects　she　felt　confident。　Her　hair　was　brushed　to　a　fine

sheen；　swept　back　behind　either　ear；　and　held　in　place　with　buds　of　pale

blue　silk。　The　single　pearl　at　each　ear　matched　the　strand　around　her

throat。　And　her　eyes　were　luminescent。　From　her　makeup；　perhaps？

Whatever；　she　felt　like　a　porcelain　princess　descending　the　stairs。

Ross　was　clearly　pleased。　〃You　look　lovely；〃　he　said；　gently　taking　her

arm。

She　felt　suddenly　shy。　〃Where　are　we　going？〃

〃Farmington　Court。〃

She　caught　her　breath。　〃In　Newport？　How　did　you　ever　get　reservati