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that he’s terribly rich. They don’t even know where he comes from. People say he’s from somewhere out West, but nobody knows for sure.”
    “Is that all?” Corinne was disappointed. “Just that he’s rich and from somewhere out West?”
    “Well, it’s been rumored that he’s here to invest a few of his millions.”
    “That would explain why my father is interested in him. What other rumors have you heard?”
    “Only that he throws money around as though he had it to burn. It must be nice to be that rich.”
    “I wouldn’t know,” Corinne remarked bitterly. Someday she would have money to burn, but it wasn’t fair that she had to wait.
    They left Corinne’s bedroom and stopped at the top of the stairs to view the brightly lit hall below. The room was filled with richly dressed people of all ages. Most had drinks in their hands, and had formed small groups. As usual, the matrons had taken to the padded benches against the walls to watch the younger people and to gossip without being overheard.
    The attractive tall stranger in white evening attire stood out. “Do you think that’s him?” Lauren asked.
    “I don’t know,” Corinne admitted. “I can’t see his face.”
    “Well, who do you know who is that tall?”
    “I guess you’re right. Who is he talking to?”
    Lauren moved off to the left, “It’s Cynthia Hamill,” she called softly, returning to Corinne’s side. “You should see her face. She’s positively glowing.”
    “You know Cynthia,” Corinne said drily. “She’s at her most charming whenever she meets a new man.”
    Lauren replied with distaste, “If you ask me, she’s a bit too flighty. And she flirts outrageously.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you know what you’re doing. It’s fun. After all, it doesn’t go any further than a few innocent kisses.”
    “Really, Corinne!”
    Corinne smiled. She didn’t really like Cynthia, either.
    “Give yourself another year or two, Cousin, and you’ll see there’s nothing wrong with a little flirting.”
    But Lauren wasn’t listening anymore. “Look! He’s turning around.” And then she added breathlessly, “Good heavens! Have you ever seen such a good-looking man?”
    Corinne was equally surprised, not by the stranger’s striking handsomeness, but by his youth. “If you like that rugged, outdoor type, I suppose not. He’s younger than I imagined he would be.”
    “Yes. Young and rich and gorgeous!”
    “Lauren, honestly! He’s just another man.”
    Lauren couldn’t take her eyes off the stranger. “Look how dark he is. He must have spent most of his life under a hot sun to get that dark.”
    “Not necessarily. Maybe he’s a foreigner.”
    “A rancher, probably. They have lots of cattle ranches out West. Or maybe he’s a ship’s captain, oreven—even a pirate! He does look like a pirate, doesn’t he?”
    Corinne was getting annoyed. The stranger wasn’t her type. She had found that all men with superb, powerful bodies generally had strong wills to match. You couldn’t dominate such a man.
    “Why don’t you go ask him, Lauren. Then you can stop guessing and—”
    Corinne stopped abruptly and caught her breath. The stranger was looking directly up at her. His stare was magnetic, and Corinne felt a chill race down her back. His eyes penetrated hers as if he were reading her thoughts, and for a moment she couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.
    She finally managed to turn away. What on earth was the matter with her? She signaled to Lauren that it was time to join the party.
    Jared watched with keen observation as the two young women moved languidly down the stairs in the manner of a grand entrance. The smaller, brown-haired girl with the pink complexion was pretty, but too young. Obviously shy, she kept her eyes downcast. The dark blonde was exquisite, though, an outstanding beauty. She seemed quite self-assured. Tall and stately, she was superbly proportioned, more perfect than a finely