Angel in the Shadows Read Free Page A

Nervously, she reached up to smooth her windblown tresses only to remember her hasty attempt to finesse her impossibly straight hair.
    Unable to resist the urge to check her reflection once more, Madison pulled the silver compact from Robert’s camera case. She had tossed it into the black bag at the last minute, a momentary show of weakness on her part. Vanity had never been one of her faults but she was going to be surrounded by extremely prosperous people and she desperately needed some semblance of sophistication and poise.
    Despite her best efforts to achieve a polished look, in her eyes, her image fell far short of the intended mark. Brown eyes, the same ones she’d always had, were lightly lined and smudged but in no way remarkable. Eyes she desperately wished were blue. Who ever heard of a blond with brown eyes? Her thick blond mane, usually settling loosely below her shoulders, now lay close to her neck in a simple chignon. As she watched, rose-painted lips smirked back at her cynically. She was never going to be the envy of anyone at this party. Not even in the beautiful lace dress she wore. With its thin spaghetti straps and short hemline falling just above her knees, it was a little more revealing than something she would have chosen for herself. Although she had to admit that the dress, paired with the strappy heels she wore, did wonders for her legs, making them appear sleek and endless.
    She closed the compact with a definite snap as the ferry pulled into the harbor. Really, there was no reason for her to be worried about the way she looked. Certainly nobody else was going to be. She was here to be behind the camera, not in front of it.
    Vance’s estate was only a short ride from the ferry, lasting no more than ten minutes. But by the time the taxi arrived, the late-afternoon sunlight was quickly giving way to dusky shadows and ominous clouds. Stepping from the car, she paid the driver, shivering at the distinct chill in the air and drew her coat tighter around her.
    Well, here I go.
    She turned, getting her first real look at Vance Goldstons’ home. Poised high on the hill, it towered over everything below. A modern-day castle made of dark-gray stone, the mansion was striking, formidable, and in the fading light, it loomed tall against the cold December sky. Framed by dark, leaden clouds, heavy with unfallen snow, it was a light from top to bottom, welcoming her with the lure of warmth. Beautiful, dark, and powerful were the words that came to her mind as she climbed the wide front steps and rang the doorbell. The chime was an extravagant melody that resounded throughout the massive house.
    The door didn’t open immediately so she turned her back to the intricately carved door and admired the view of the Hudson River. Absolutely beautiful. Peaceful and serene as the lights from the surrounding buildings reflected on the rippling black water, making it appear to dance minutely.
    “Ahem,” a deep, gravelly voice said from behind her, causing her to jump in surprise.
    Spinning around quickly, Madison lost her balance and nearly fell.
    Damn high heels , she thought angrily, forgetting her earlier admiration of what they did for her legs. The rush of blood to her face made her cheeks burn. But the tall gray-haired man at the door appeared not to have noticed her clumsiness as his dull brown eyes slid over her blandly and without interest.
    “Hello. I’m Madison Sinclair, the photographer,” she stated.
    The solemn man continued to stare down at her expectantly and she realized she wasn’t wearing her identification badge.
    Double damn. Why in the hell hadn’t she put that on?
    She opened the side pocket of the camera bag, feeling around for it. Her fingers slid over the objects in the bag quickly. There was the compact, cell phone, her keys, but where was the badge? She was extremely aware of the doorman’s watchful gaze as she searched, almost frantically now, for her identification card. Finally her