Hidden Riches

an artist.”
    “I am. I—”
    “He does the most sensual life studies.” Ashley stroked Heathcliff’s arm, as a woman might a favored pet. “You simply must see them sometime.”
    “Top of my list.”
    “I don’t believe you’ve introduced us to your escort.”
    “I don’t have one. That’s an odd term, don’t you think? It sounds as though you’d need someone along because you couldn’t find where you were going yourself. Personally, I have an excellent sense of direction.”
    “Dora.” Ashley gave another quick, tinkling laugh. “You’re such a wit.”
    “Only half,” Jed said under his breath.
    Dora spared him even the mildest of glances. “Jed Skimmerhorn, Ashley Draper and Heathcliff.”
    “Oh, I recognized Captain Skimmerhorn.” Ashley held out a hand, waiting until Jed had juggled the plate back to Dora. “I should say, the elusive Captain Skimmerhorn.” Her fingers glided over his. “It’s so rare that we’re able to tempt you to one of our little affairs.”
    “I don’t find little affairs tempting.”
    This time Ashley’s laugh was low and throaty. “I prefer long, steamy ones myself. And how do you two know each other?”
    Dora picked up the ball to save Ashley from one of Jed’s nastier comments. “Jed and I share a passion,” she said, and took a slow, deliberate sip of champagne. “For pincushions.”
    Ashley’s avid eyes went blank. “For—”
    “Jed has the most incredible collection. We met at a flea market, when we both reached for the Victorian blue-satin-and-lace heart-shaped—pins included.” She gave a fluttery, romantic sigh.
    “You collect . . . pincushions?” Ashley asked Jed.
    “Since I was a child. It’s an obsession.”
    “And he’s such a tease.” Dora gave him an intimate look over the rim of her glass. “He keeps dangling his horse’s hoof with plated mounts under my nose. And he knowsperfectly well I’d do anything— anything —to have it.”
    “Negotiations . . .” He trailed a fingertip down the line of her throat. “Are open.”
    “How fascinating,” Ashley murmured.
    “Oh, it is,” Dora agreed. “Oh, there’s Magda and Carl. Excuse us, won’t you? I simply have to catch up.”
    “Pincushions?” Jed muttered against her ear as they lost themselves in the crowd.
    “I thought about sardine dishes, but they seemed so pretentious.”
    “You could have told her the truth.”
    “Why?”
    He thought about it. “Simplicity?”
    “Too boring. Besides, if she knew you lived across the hall from me, she’d start hanging around my apartment, hoping to seduce you. We wouldn’t want that, would we?”
    Lips pursed in consideration, Jed glanced over his shoulder to give Ashley a thorough study. “Well . . .”
    “She’d only use you and toss you aside,” Dora assured him. “I see your grandmother over there. Should you join her?”
    “Not if you’re going to grill her about candleholders.”
    That hadn’t been her intention—exactly. “You’re just afraid she’ll make you dance with me again. Tell you what, I really will go talk to Magda and Carl, and you can catch up with me later, if you like.”
    He took her arm, frowned down at his own hand and removed it. “Stick around.”
    “What a charming invitation. Why?”
    “Because if I’m going to be trapped in here for a couple more hours, it might as well be with you.”
    “Poetry, sheer poetry. How can I resist? Let’s go see if your grandmother wants some nibbles. I promise not to bring up candleholders unless it seems appropriate.”
    “Jed.”
    A hand clamped on his shoulder. Jed braced, turned. “Commissioner,” Jed said, both his face and voice neutral.
    “Good to see you.” Police Commissioner James Riker gave Jed a quick but thorough study. What he saw obviously pleased him as his thin, dark face creased in a smile. “You’re keeping fit, I see.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Well, you were overdue for a vacation, God knows. How was your Christmas?”
    “Fine.” Because he couldn’t ignore Riker’s pointed look toward Dora, Jed did his duty. “Commissioner Riker, Dora Conroy.”
    “Hello.” As both her hands were full, Dora beamed him a smile instead of a handshake. “So, you’re in charge of keeping the law and order in Philadelphia.”
    “I’m in charge of keeping men like Jed on the job.”
    If Riker couldn’t feel the tension shimmering off Jed, she could. The need to protect clicked in. Dora smoothly changed the course.