Tell Me Something Good Read Free Page A

they embraced.
    Felice took off her sunglasses. She glanced
at the ex-pensive watch on her slim brown wrist. “My God! It’s ten
in the morning and you’re not hard at work conquering the business
world,” she teased.
    “I manage to stumble out into the sunshine
now and then,” he said with a soft laugh.
    Lyrissa felt another shiver at the sound.
Then reality bit hard. The haze she’d been in dissipated and she
saw clearly. Felice Gerard was from another old Creole family. As
she and Noel exchanged pleasantries and referred to a party they’d
both attended, Lyrissa felt the familiar feeling. It was as though
she stood looking through the window of an exclusive club she could
never join. Felice threw her head back and let out a silvery
laugh.
    “Oh, Noel! You’re so funny,” she trilled, a
delighted expression on her face.
    “Actually the party wasn’t so bad. At least
no one got drunk and fell into the fountain this time,” he said
with a devilish glint in his eyes.
    “I’ll be in my office if either of you needs
assistance,” Lyrissa said and nodded to her small office. It was
located right near the entrance. A glass wall allowed her to see
the front door and into the main gallery.
    Noel turned to her. “I’m sorry, Lyrissa. This
is Felice Gerard. This is—”
    “I come here all the time. Hello.” Felice
waved a hand at Lyrissa as though her name wasn’t important.
    “Good morning,” Lyrissa said stiffly. She
fought to maintain a smile.
    “I’m going to rent art for our annual
sorority charity function. You know, it dresses up the club
ballroom,” Felice went on.
    “Then Ms. Rideau will be able to help you.
She’s an ex-pert,” Noel said and moved to stand beside Lyrissa.
    Felice raised one delicately arched eyebrow
as she looked at them. “Ye-es, 1'11 bet.”
    That was the last dash of cold water Lyrissa
needed. The mystique of Noel St. Denis had been effectively doused.
“Excuse me,” Lyrissa said in a flat tone and headed to her office,
leaving the door open. Once inside, she opened a folder without
reading its contents. Instead she listened carefully to Noel’s and
Felice’s conversation.
    Mr. Taylor came out of his office with Mrs.
St. Denis. He held the elderly woman’s elbow lightly. “I’m
certainly looking forward to seeing the famous St. Denis
collection. To think I’ll be the one that will unite it under one
roof.” Mrs. St. Denis patted her gray hair. “We might even arrange
an exhibit at a local museum.”
    Mr. Taylor’s eyes widened with pure joy.
“That’s a fantastic idea! I could contact the New Orleans Museum of
Art right now. I know the curator and she’ll be downright ecstatic
at the prospect.”
    “First things first, Mr. Taylor,” Mrs. St.
Denis said. “We need an appraisal. We’re considering a limited sale
at some point.”
    Lyrissa’s head snapped up at that. A sale?
She had to move fast, then. In today’s market, a Jules Joubert
painting would bring on serious high bidding from collectors. Yet
the painting was not theirs to sell.
    “Hello, Mrs. St. Denis,” Felice called out
gaily. “Did I hear you say something about an art auction? Why,
that would be a wonderful fundraiser for the St. Mary’s Academy
booster committee. We could—”
    “Hello, Felice,” Mrs. St. Denis cut in with a
dry tone.
    “How is your grandmother? I hope Charlotte is
feeling better after her fall.”
    “Grandmother is a resilient lady. She didn’t
even break a bone. Remarkable, for a woman her age. But then, we’re
a strong breed.” Felice flashed a toothy smile.
    “Charlotte was always a tough old bird,” Mrs.
St. Denis tossed back.
    “Er, yes.” Felice blinked at her rapidly.
    “Goodbye, Mr. Taylor,” Mrs. St. Denis said.
“We’ll be in touch soon.” She glanced at Felice without affection.
“Goodbye, Felice. Noel, I’ve kept you away from the office too
long. I’m ready,” she added before Felice could answer.
    Noel shot a significant look at