Too Much Too Soon Read Free Page A

expression on Imogene’s face that he was engaged in the same kind of insulting banter that she had found exhilarating.
    She was bleakly staring at them when a gray-haired maid clumped in to tell her that the car was waiting.

3
    As the limousine eased from under the glass-encased porte cochere, Crystal rubbed a hand across the luxurious seat. “Oh, lovely, lovely, the leather’s like silk. Honora, how good of Uncle Gideon to send us home in style—though I must say I don’t see generosity as his line.”
    “Crystal!” Honora murmured, staring meaningfully at the opened glass between them and the elderly Filipino, who had donned a peaked cap for his role as chauffeur.
    “He’s all business.” Crystal refused to be silenced, but she did lower her voice. “Talk about being overcome by grief! I found out that Aunt Matilda was housebound for ages. I’m positive Uncle Gideon has a mistress.”
    Honora, praying that the hum of the motor covered their voices, pinched Crystal’s wrist.
    Crystal rubbed at the skin, too pleased with herself to pinch back. “He was married to an invalid,” she continued. “And everybody knows rich men need ‘it’ more. The drive.”
    “He’s not the type at all.” Honora whispered her defense of her uncle.
    “He does have a poker up his bottom, doesn’t he?” Crystal stroked the seat again, her beautiful mouth smug. “If he was angry that we showed up, he’s obviously forgiven us.”
    “He just doesn’t want his friends to see ustramping about San Francisco. Mr. Ivory as much as said so.”
    Crystal turned in surprise.
“Mr. Ivory?”
    “Curt Ivory. He works for Uncle Gideon.”
    “That most fearfully divine man in the gorgeous pale gray suit that you snagged off alone into the music room, is
Curt Ivory?
Of course he’s at Talbott’s. He’s Uncle Gideon’s right-hand man. That skinny Imogene was playing up to him like mad. Her dress, it’s the New Look. Maybe a Dior original—can you imagine how divine it’d be to wear originals? Well, why not? With her family.”
    “Are they so important?”
    “Oh, honestly, Honora. How you can be so clever at literature and books and such an idiot at remembering every single thing that counts in real life? Remember? Daddy told us that Mr. Burdetts and Uncle Gideon are involved in something called a joint venture to build that freeway in Oakland. What’s he like, Curt Ivory?”
    “He’s Imogene Burdett’s young man.”
    “You sound disappointed. I’ll bet anything she’s not a virgin.”
    “Crystal, this whole conversation is so—”
    “I know, I know. Daddy would say it’s common and Sylvanders don’t giggle over young men like scullery maids. But what’s so wonderful about being a Sylvander? Do you suppose any of those rich old cows has an attractive, eligible son?”
    “You’re only seventeen.”
    “They get serious much younger here. Rememberwhat they said in the war? Yanks are oversexed.”
    “We’re going home to England the minute Daddy’s on his feet again.”
    “Which means, Honora dear, that we’re staying here forever and ever, amen.”
    Honora forgot the aged chauffeur and her voice rose, shaking. “What a filthy thing to say!”
    “I love Daddy as much as you do, Honora, but you’re just not realistic about him. He’s not cut out to be a business success. So we have to look out for ourselves.” The energy and determination in Crystal’s expression, rather than tarnishing her beauty, made her yet more irresistible. “We have to find rich husbands.”
    “I could never get married like that, for money.”
    Shrugging, Crystal said, “At least we have Uncle Gideon behind us.”
    “Now who isn’t being realistic? He didn’t even remember our names.”
    “Well, we’ve met him and that’s the first step.” Crystal’s eyes turned a darker blue. “He
has
to take an interest in us. I’ll be meeting the right kind of young men. And if you aren’t so keen on marriage, at least you won’t