Sweet Revenge

is to keep them in line. But they will work cheap. Do let me know if you have any problem at all with the service. Christie darling, you look heavenly.” She sniffed as the leggy blonde strolled past. “What I could tell you about
her”
Lauren added.
    “I’m sure you must have a lot on your mind at the moment.” And if I don’t get away from you, Adrianne decided, I’m going to scream.
    “Oh, you’ve no idea. No idea at all. How I envy you your quiet life. Still, I’m certain this is going to be the biggest and splashiest hotel opening of the year.”
    Well aware that Lauren wouldn’t have understood her own pun, Adrianne nearly smiled.
    “I hope I didn’t make a mistake by planning this as an afternoon event rather than an evening. Afternoons are so … casual.”
    “Island life is casual.”
    “Mmmm.” Lauren watched a hot young film star stroll past, wearing brief trunks and a sheen of suntan oil. “There’s something to be said for casual wear. I’ve heard he’s got tremendous endurance.”
    “How’s Charlie?”
    “What?” Lauren kept her eye on the young stud, “Fine, just fine. I confess, I’m nervous as a cat. It’s so important that this event be a smash.”
    “It will be. You’re going to raise thousands of dollars for leukemia.”
    “Hmm? Oh, that too.” Lauren shrugged one slim bare shoulder. “But naturally people aren’t here to think about some nasty disease. Too damn depressing. The important thing is just
being
here. Did I mention that the Duchess of York sent her personal regrets?”
    “No.”
    “It was a pity she couldn’t make it, but we have you forroyalty.” She gave Adrianne’s arm an intimate squeeze. “Oh, I see Elizabeth. I must say hello. Enjoy, darling.”
    “I will,” Adrianne murmured. “More than you know.”
    People like the St. Johns didn’t change. Adrianne wandered behind a trumpet vine to sit in the sun and enjoy the music. A resort like El Grande certainly brought jobs to a troubled Mexican economy, just as the star-studded fashion show would earn funds for charity. For Lauren, and others like her, those benefits were accidental. Or worse, a springboard for their own ambitions.
    The St Johns were concerned first with the St. Johns—money, status, fame. Adrianne sipped her drink and watched Lauren flutter around poolside.
    She’d get her press, all right. More than she bargained for. Adrianne imagined the theft of Lauren’s diamond and ruby jewelry would make excellent copy.
    “Are you playing Greta Garbo, or would you like some company?”
    “Marjorie!” Flooded with genuine pleasure, Adrianne sprang up. The daughter of actor Michael Adams who’d been such a friend to her and Phoebe in Hollywood, Marjorie had become her friend after they had both broken away from the film world. “I had no idea you were coming.”
    “Impulse.” The slender California-style blonde returned Adrianne’s embrace.
    “Did Michael come with you? I haven’t seen him in over a year.”
    “I’m sorry. Daddy couldn’t make it. He’s on location in Ontario of all places.” She glanced around and grinned. “Give me palm trees any day.”
    “He never stops, does he? Give him my love when you see him.”
    “Day after tomorrow I’m going up to spend Christmas with him.” Marjorie shook her hair back as she settled onto a chaise. “Fruit juice,” she told a passing waiter. “A double.” She let out a long sigh. “Quite a zoo, isn’t it?”
    “Don’t start.” But Adrianne grinned too. “So what are you doing here? You’ve never been one for haute couture.”
    “A yen for the tropics—and for Keith Dixon.”
    “Keith Dixon?”
    “I know he’s an actor.” Marjorie lifted a hand. “That’s why I’ve been dragging my feet, but …”
    “Is it serious?”
    She turned the hand over to reveal a marquise-cut diamond. “You could say so.”
    “Engaged.” When Marjorie put a finger to her lips, Adrianne lifted a brow but lowered her voice. “A secret? Does Michael know?”
    “Knows and approves. The two of them get along so well, they hardly need me. It’s weird.”
    “Weird that they get along?”
    “Weird when I spent most of my life looking for friends and lovers Daddy wouldn’t approve of.”
    Adrianne settled back. “Must have been exhausting.”
    “It was. With Keith it’s been the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
    “So why the secret?”
    “To avoid the gossip columns for a while. Anyway, it’s a secret for only a