Moth to the Flame Read Free Page A

eyes fringed by
    incredibly long artificially darkened lashes were fixed candidly on
    Juliet's face, and why Juliet should be suddenly and certainly aware
    that she was lying, she didn't know. But she had always since
    childhood had this awareness when Jan was not telling her the truth,
    and she felt herself frowning slightly. Then she pulled herself
    together. They were not children any more. Jan was grown-up now,
    and entitled to a life of her own, and secrets in that life. All that
    mattered was that Mim was kept in blissful ignorance, and all Juliet
    had to do was telephone her and assure her that Jan was well and
    happy. Any doubts and uncertainties she might privately have she
    would keep to herself.
    'What's the matter?' Jan tilted her head back. 'You look very
    solemn, sister dear. Did the flight upset you? Are you tired?'
    'A little, perhaps.' Juliet shook out the dress she had unpacked from
    her case and hung it away in one of the wardrobes. 'A shower
    would be nice, I think.'
    'Make yourself at home.' Jan got up restlessly. 'I'll go and see about
    that coffee. Come back to the salotto when you're ready.'.
    Juliet was thoughtful, as she allowed the water to trickle its blissful
    coolness over her body. There was something definitely odd in Jan's
    manner. Her welcome had been warm enough, more so in fact than
    Juliet had expected, but there was something guarded in her
    attitude.
    'She's obviously afraid that I'm going to start prying,' she told herself
    resignedly as she wrapped herself in one of the enormous fluffy
    bathsheets. 'I'll just have to try and make it clear to her that I'm not
    interested in her private life.'
    She dressed, choosing a classic shirtwaister in cool green cotton,
    and sliding her feet into heelless sandals. She scooped her coppery
    hair back from her face and secured it at the nape of her neck with a
    scarf that matched her dress. When she had finished, she decided
    that she looked presentable enough, although she could not compete
    at Jan's level of sophistication. She grinned rather ruefully at the
    idea of even attempting to wear the cream silky trousers and the
    daringly cut black halter top that so became her sister. She left the
    bedroom and walked along the gallery towards the salotto, her feet
    making little sound on the thickly carpeted floor. She could hear Jan
    talking somewhere in a low voice and checked momentarily,
    thinking that other visitors might have arrived while she was having
    her shower, but then she told herself she was being quite ridiculous.
    She was also Jan's guest, after all, and she walked forward with
    determination. But Jan was alone in the salotto, speaking on the
    telephone. She was smoking a cigarette in quick, jerky puffs and as
    Juliet watched she leaned forward suddenly, crushing the stub out
    in a black onyx ashtray that stood by the telephone. As she did so,
    she glanced up and saw Juliet on the gallery. She smiled and lifted a
    hand in greeting, and her voice was pitched a little more loudly as
    she went on talking. Finally with a gay 'Ciao, caro,' she replaced
    the receiver in its rest.
    'I'm sorry.' Juliet came rather awkwardly down the steps into the
    salotto. 'Did I interrupt anything?'
    Jan gave a smiling shrug. 'Just a phone call,' she said lightly. 'It
    wasn't important. Now come and soak Up some of this sunshine
    and tell me everything that's been happening at home.'
    For the remainder of the afternoon, and the evening that followed,
    Jan put herself out to be charming, and Juliet found herself
    beginning to relax and lose that sense of intrusion that had
    bedevilled her. They ate in the dining alcove which opened off the
    salotto —cool slices of melon, followed by pasta in a rich sauce.
    'Your cooking has improved beyond recognition.' Juliet took an
    appreciative sip of the wine, and leaned back in her chair.
    'I always loved Italian food. Fortunately it seems to love me too.'
    Jan glanced down at her slim hips with satisfaction. 'If ever I