Adrienne Tambrey's blue gaze swept the room. Its modern furnishings contrasted with the Victorian aura of the old house, and she wondered if the decor had been the creation of the party's host, Tony Lane, or that of his wife, Maureen.

Probably a dual effort, she thought, her eyes following the intricate pattern of entwined flowers on the high ceiling. White walls were lined with multicolored abstract oil paintings. Sofas and chairs of soft purple leather, divided by chrome and glass tables and tall, tropical evergreens in white porcelain urns, were pushed to one side to make room for dancing on the polished parquet floor. White venetian blinds had been rolled up on the sash window and "Happy New Year" scrawled across the glass in spray-on snow.

Adrienne turned her wandering attention back to the avid chatter of Tony Lane. Tony was her British promoter, and the reason she was here in England. He was a funny little man. She could almost, in her high heels, look down on his bald spot that was edged by brown hair peppered with gray. His black velvet suit and frilled white evening shirt hugged a pudgy frame.

She had first met Tony after a gig in San Francisco, when he approached her, excited over her performance. He had risen through the ranks of rock and roll by promoting top U.S. groups in Great Britain. He was a self-made millionaire, one of the nouveau riche, and proud of the fact.

Tony apparently sensed her temporary withdrawal from their conversation. "Well, what do you think?" he asked.

Adrienne smiled a smile guaranteed to melt any man. "I'm sorry, Tony. I was thinking how beautiful your house is."

He glowed at that. "Maureen has the Midas touch. I'll forgive you for losing track of what I was saying."

Adrienne flashed him another wide smile. "It's the noise. I can hardly hear."

He sighed good-naturedly. "They say rock performers go deaf after a while. What I'm saying, love" ... he slipped an arm around Adrienne's slim waist ... "is that the southern tour has been so successful that I don't think you'll have any trouble in the North and Scotland. The shows are already sell-outs. Your opening act will be Backstreets, one of the best new groups in Britain."

"As long as they don't overshadow us." Adrienne raised dark eyebrows and sidled amiably from Tony's grip.

Tony shook his head, his fingers still resting on her hip. "Don't even think that. They're just starting out and need the exposure and experience. It'll be good for them to tour with a first-class band."

"Thanks for the compliment." Adrienne took another step backward and Tony's hand fell to his side.

"Now don't be modest." Tony's gray eyes twinkled. "You know that I think Radar is the best band on the circuit today. And I'm not talking about the musicianship, either. It's you. A beautiful body and a voice that's fresh and innocent, laced with a huskiness that hints at underlying passion." Tony moved forward once more. "That unconquered fire really turns me on."

Adrienne laughed easily at his dramatics and slipped a slim arm around his shoulders. She was taller than he and it gave her the upper hand. She had been dealing with come-ons like this all evening, but Tony was a slightly different proposition. Without him she wouldn't be in England in the midst of a successful British tour. "Now I know who's been writing my flowery publicity." She smiled. "But I'm really pleased you think that, Tony. This tour of England is just great."

Tony grinned. He knew when he'd been beaten, but he wasn't going to display any discomfort. "I'm glad, love. Besides being a very intriguing woman, I also think you're a damn good guitarist and lyricist. You're hot, Adrienne. Just keep it up there."

"I sure will," she said, and withdrew her arm from his shoulders. She could see Tony's wife giving them a good look from the corner where she stood with friends. Adrienne leaned down to Tony. "It looks like you're being paged."

He glanced in Maureen's direction. "So I am. If you'll excuse me, love."

Adrienne didn't show her relief. "Of course, and please make sure to tell her that I like the decor, in case I don't get a chance."

"I will, love. Don't get into mischief, and keep up the energy for the tour."

"I'm raring to go." Adrienne smiled once more, but the smile faded as soon as Tony moved away from her. Another escape. She was beginning to feel as if she were surrounded by octopuses. She supposed she could have stayed at her hotel, but who wanted to spend New Year's Eve in a London hotel room?