Starlight Read Free

hand impatiently in an attempt to gain the conductor’s attention.
    “Here you are.”
    The voice startled Karen, and she jerked around to see her godfather. “Uncle Evan.” She placed a trembling hand over her heart to dramatize her fright. “You’re worse than a thief in the night.”
    Evan Forsyth’s eyes twinkled. “Your father’s looking for you.”
    Karen lowered her gaze, a little ashamed of her ploy. As much as Matthew irritated her, she loved him and realized he had only her best interests at heart.
    “I suppose he’s still angry?” she asked.
    “Let’s put it this way,” Evan said, chuckling. “He hasn’t had a free second sinceyou spoke with Mabel. He’s hiding in the men’s room. I think we’d better dance before he decides it’s safe to return.”
    “Oh, dear, I’m in for it now,” she mumbled as her godfather led her to the dance floor. It was a waltz, which gave her the opportunity to speak. “I’m afraid I made a blunder with one of your guests.”
    Evan’s eyes rounded, feigning shock. “You seem to be making a night of it, my dear. Want to talk about it?” His position with the university and in the community made him a ready listener to the troubles of others.
    Karen felt uneasy. “I’m afraid I literally bumped into Randall Prescott—”
    “Ah,” Evan interrupted her. “I imagine he was rude. He tends to be the prickly sort. Damn good professor, though, the finest. We offer the best business program in the state due to him. Prescott could teach anywhere. The university is lucky to have him.” He hesitated, his thick brows knitting his forehead. “Was Cora with him?”
    “Cora? No. Who’s she?” It hadn’t occurred to Karen that Rand was married. The thought deflated her.
    “That’s unusual. Rand rarely attends any social functions without her.”
    “Is Cora his wife?” Karen hoped to hide any telltale inflection of curiosity from her voice.
    “No, she’s a business associate. They’ve collaborated together, books and the like.”
    Karen felt herself relax, an excitement flowing through her limbs.
    Sensing her interest, Evan felt obliged to add, “I wouldn’t discourage you, Karen, but Randall Prescott is a bit of a cynic. A difficult man to get to know. He’s independent and proud, highly defensive of his blindness. He’s not your normal chivalrous hero … tread carefully.”
    “Who says I’m interested?” Karen asked defensively.
    Evan chuckled. “Karen, I’ve known you all your life. Certainly I know you well enough to recognize that gleam in your eye.”
    Several minutes later, Karen saw Rand sitting unobtrusively in the rear of the hall. She had been waiting for his appearance, silently searching faces. Now she wondered how to gain his attention. In answer to her problem, the orchestra conductor turned to face his audience and announced the first ladies’ choice of the evening.
    Mabel Jackson, with a satisfied smirk, made a beeline for Matthew, who had recently reappeared. Karen groaned in sympathy and walked toward the back of the reception room and the mystifying Randall Prescott.
    Without introduction or preamble, she curtsied. “May I have the pleasure of thisdance?”
    Rand sat up abruptly and stiffened. “Miss McAlister?”
    “Karen,” she corrected impishly.
    “All right,
Karen
. Let’s not go through that again.” A smile threatened the stiff line of his mouth.
    He hesitated so long, Karen grew uncomfortable. “You did hear them mention it was ladies’ choice, didn’t you?”
    He held his shoulders stiff and formal. “I’m honored, but no.” His mouth remained inflexible.
    Karen would have been surprised if he’d accepted. “Well, that’s fine; my feet are beginning to ache, anyway. New shoes,” she explained before taking the seat beside him.
    If he was surprised, he didn’t show it. “Have a seat,” he offered sarcastically.
    Karen ignored his derision. “Thank you, I have.”
    Apparently, he felt no inclination