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COURTING TROUBLE
KIMBERLY DEAN
Copyright
Mischief
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
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Copyright © Kimberly Dean 2014
Kimberly Dean asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
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Ebook Edition © 2014 ISBN: 9780007579549
Version: 2014–11–25
Contents
Blue was the colour of the evening. Nina was awash in it the moment she stepped off the elevator onto the first floor of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Sky-blue, azure, sapphire and teal filled the expansive wing. The Portraits of Planet Ocean exhibit had been running at the museum since the fall, but the event planners had done a quick makeover for the private after-hours event.
Special lighting had been brought in, dimming the harshness of the normal fluorescent glare. The indigo rays gave the event a more intimate and calming feel. Sensual, although she doubted the party organisers realised that.
Blue tablecloths covered the tables that had been set up, and huge blue ribbons hung from the ceiling. She didn’t see one dress in the room that wasn’t in the appropriate range of the colour spectrum. She brushed her fingers over the turquoise silk that clung to her own curves. She fitted right in – although the mischievous side of her wondered what responses she might have received if she’d shown up wearing fuchsia.
Then again, it never paid well to be mischievous with this crowd.
She stepped further into the room. She couldn’t think of a more appropriate setting for Aquamarine’s charity fundraiser, although the parking situation wasn’t ideal. This part of DC was clogged with tourists all hours of the day. Fortunately, most of the attendees had drivers.
They could afford them.
‘Would you like a drink, miss?’
Nina turned her attention to the waitress who’d quietly slipped up to her. Even she was dressed in the colour of the evening. The female staff wore iridescent blue-green sheath dresses, while the men wore matching ties. The material was patterned to look like fish scales, but in an attractive way. Blonde, graceful and gorgeous, this young lady could have pulled off the full mermaid ensemble, seashell bra and all, if needed.
Nina smiled. She liked how the girl looked her in the eye, rather than fading into the background, and she appreciated being addressed as ‘miss’. The title of ‘ma’am’ still rankled. ‘You read my mind.’
She took a refreshing sip of the expensive champagne. ‘Very nice.’
The blonde nodded before moving on. ‘Enjoy your evening.’
Nina would, although she wasn’t here for pleasure. She supported the organisation’s cause. Aquamarine was working hard to save both drinking water and the world’s oceans. She’d drop off a generous donation before she left, but she was here to socialise.
After all, it was her line of work.
She meandered about the room, eyeing the displays and the guests. It was a virtual who’s who of the Washington scene. She saw politicians everywhere, mingling with celebrities and sports stars. The high-powered business types might be more difficult for some to spot, but she could call out their industry, net worth and drink preferences if tested. It was her job to know such things.
She waved at Congressman Williams. His wife Eleanor looked lovely tonight, as did the auburn-tressed beauty who was with Salvatore Paul, tennis star extraordinaire.
The