The Arranged Marriage. Emma Darcy

to serve her purpose. “To return to business…” She let the words linger for a few moments to give Gina time to get her mind on track. “…are you free next Saturday night?”

      Surprise at the early date, but eagerness to clutch at it, too. “Yes, I am, Mrs. King.”

      “I’ve been thinking…a friend of my grandson, Antonio, is holding his wedding here next Saturday. I would like to do something special for him. It has been arranged for Peter Owen to play and sing. You know him?”

      “Not exactly know. But I have seen him perform. He’s quite brilliant on the piano and a very professional crooner. He really sells his songs.”

      “Yes. He’s very popular. But it would, I think, offer a very interesting variety if you sang a few duets with him.”

      “Duets?”

      “You must know ‘All I Ask of You’ from Phantom of the Opera.”

      “Yes…”

      “I’m sure the two of you could do that song justice. Peter could also do the backing and harmony for your ‘Because You Loved Me.’ And ‘From This Moment On’ can also be sung as a duet.”

      “But…” Gina frowned uncertainly “…would he want to share his spotlight with me?”

      “Peter Owen will do what I ask of him.” Whatever the financial persuader was, Isabella would pay it. “You would need to make time to rehearse with him during the week.”

      “If you’re sure he…I mean, compared to him, I’m an amateur, Mrs. King.”

      “Oh, I don’t think he’ll find you so.” She smiled her confidence. “Leave the arrangements to me. I’ll call you after I’ve contacted Peter. Are we agreed?”

      “Yes. Thank you.”

      She looked somewhat dazed but determined to pursue the opportunity. She had grit, this girl. Give her the chance and she’d go the full mile on what she believed in. At the present moment, she thought Alessandro was out of her reach, but put him within reach…

      More importantly, put her within his reach.

      Proximity, natural attraction, the continual contrast between what he had and what he could have, temptation…

      “Peter Owen always wears white tails for his act. You would need a formal evening dress,” Isabella cautioned, hoping Gina’s wardrobe extended to something…fetching. A woman with a fine bosom could afford to show some cleavage.

      “I do have one I think would be suitable,” Gina assured her.

      “Good!” Isabella smiled. “All three of my grandsons will be at the wedding. I must confess I like showing off my finds to them.”

      She flushed, her thick lashes sweeping down to veil a rush of anguished emotion in her eyes, but not before Isabella had glimpsed it.

      “I’ll do my best to make you proud of me, Mrs. King.”

      “I’m sure you will, my dear.”

      And not least because Gina now knew Alessandro would be there.

      Probably Michelle, too…unfortunately.

      Though Isabella was counting on Gina outshining Michelle next Saturday night…in her own very appealing and extremely suitable way.