Rivals [antikvár]

SoMEONE WAS watching her. She could feel die weight of a pair of eyes on her. It was hardly surprising in a room füll of people - yet she had the strongest sensation Twenty minutes earlier, Flame Bennett had arrived at the DeBorgs' twelve-room eyrie high atop one of the gleaming towers on San Francisco's Telegraph Hill. Pausing in the marble foyer with her friend and associate Ellery Dorn, she'd hastily begun tugging off her black Fendi gloves, one finger at a time, as she turned to the waiting maid in her starched uniform. 'Has Miss Colton arrived?''About fifteen minutes ago, Ms Bennett.*The reply confirmed Flame's suspicion. They were late, later than even fashion allowed. Tonight's party was more than just an exclusive gathering of the San Francisco opera committee; it was a formal reception for the internationally acclaimed coloratura soprano, Lucianna Colton, the guest diva in the fall season's opening production of Ii Trovatore. Not being on hand to welcome her was the equivalent of being late for an audience with the Queen. It simply wasn't done.'What a pity we missed her entrance,' Ellery mnrmured dryly as he handed his topcoat and white silk scarf to the maid, then