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‘Why have you got Ariana so involved in the preparations for the ball?’ Angela complained.
‘She does have a degree in hospitality.’
‘It’s her excuse all the time, and I’ve barely seen her in recent weeks. I am sure she is seeing someone.’
‘And?’
‘The only function she should be preparing for is her wedding,’ Angela sighed.
It was a familiar complaint. While Dante was frequently pressured by the board to marry and settle down, he was confident enough to shrug it off. For Ariana, he knew the pressure to marry from her mother was both relentless and intense, although Angela had more than her daughter on her mind. ‘Ariana said you are thinking of putting the Luctano property on the market?’
Dante nodded then checked again if his mother wanted it. ‘Have you changed your mind?’
‘No, no,’ Angela said. ‘I just wondered what was going on. You’re very quiet, Dante. I haven’t seen you since the funeral.’
‘Because I’ve been busy with work.’
But Angela was sure there was more to his pensive mood. ‘I know it might seem a little insensitive that I am going on a cruise so soon after your father is gone, but it was booked some time ago.’
Dante said nothing rather than lie. Privately he thought it was too soon for her to be kicking up her heels, even if they had been divorced. He also found it no coincidence that she was leaving two weeks before the ball, and not arriving back until the day after. When his parents had been married, his mother had loved nothing more than the preparations and the heightened press interest as the date of the lavish event approached.
‘Isshegoing to the ball?’ Angela suddenly asked, and Dante knew his mother referred to Mia.
‘I am not sure.’
‘Really,’ Angela said, ‘Mia should have the decency to stay away. And who would escort her? If she goes it will just make everyone feel uncomfortable.’
‘My father was specific in his request that all of his family attend. Technically, Mia is the hostess of the event.’
‘You haven’t put that on the invitations?’
‘No.’
Dante was in little doubt that his mother was envisioning her own return as hostess at future events so he moved to change the subject. ‘So, who are you going on the cruise with?’
‘Just a friend.’ Angela shrugged.
‘More than a friend perhaps?’ Dante probed.
‘Iamseeing someone,’ she finally admitted. ‘You might even remember him. Mr Thomas, your old—’
‘My English tutor.’ Dante pushed out a smile.
‘How do you know it was him?’
‘I saw you together,’ Dante said. ‘And I thought I recognised him. He’s a nice man, from what I remember.’
‘Yes, we ran into each other a few months ago. He asked how you were and we got talking...’ She looked worried. ‘You’re not cross?’
‘Why would I be cross? It’s time for you to be happy.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, and stood up. ‘Is Stefano here?’
‘He’s at a very long lunch with Eloa,’ Dante said, and rolled his eyes. ‘I doubt he’ll be back.’
When his mother left he sat a while and, despite the smile he had given, Dante wasn’t sure he believed that they had only bumped into each other a few months ago.
He’d always felt lied to and, since his father’s death, more and more he was starting to see why.
