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“I’d heard a little rumour you were engaged to Marco DeAngelis. It can’t be true, can it?”
He was still smiling, but a little worry line had formed on his forehead.
I glanced down at my ring. “It is,” I said brightly, keeping to the story, despite my sudden urge to tell him the truth.
It felt sordid to be lying to him, a man who had kindly offered me a job I was barely qualified for. I knew he was doing me a favour for Dad’s sake. My Fine Arts degree had not equipped me for a future in accounting, but he had assured me a bright girl like me would learn the ropes quickly.
“He’s a wonderful man,” I added, because of the look of dismay that had crossed his face.
Jonathan looked taken aback. “Ah, er…” He looked like he was trying to think of a gentle way to tell me that Marco was a mobster.
“I’ve heard the rumours,” I said cheerfully, “but Marco tells me there’s nothing to worry about.”
And then it struck me that maybe Jonathan didn’t want someone associated with a mobster working for him. And I felt a surge of panic. I needed this job.
“But I’m determined to keep my independence,” I added hastily. “It’ll be a long engagement, just to make sure it really is the right choice. Though I couldn’t help but say yes when he asked.”
He looked relieved. “Ah good. Your father would approve of caution. He’s a good-looking lad. I’m not surprised a young lady might fall head over heels so quickly. It’s good you’ll have some time to think it through. But please don’t tell him I said such a thing!” he added, holding up his hands as if fending off trouble.
I chuckled. “Don’t worry. It’ll be our secret. I’m still excited about starting my job next month.”
“Wonderful. In that case, would you care to dance?” He offered me his arm, and I became aware that the live band had struck up a jaunty tune.
Knowing it would be churlish to refuse, I said, “Of course.” And let him lead me on to the dance floor, casting a discreet glance as I went, making sure to keep Toby in my sights.
As Jonathan whirled me a bit stiffly and carefully around the floor, I glimpsed Marco frowning at me. Probably annoyed I was dancing with some older man instead of spreading his little rumour.
I waggled my fingers at him over Jonathan’s shoulder, and Jonathan glanced back. “What a look like thunder on his face,” he observed. “Should I be worried?”
“No, he’s a kitten, really.” It amused me to tarnish Marco’s fearsome reputation this way. “I’ll introduce you to him later.”
“No need for that,” said Jonathan hastily. He seemed merry, and rather tipsier than I had realised.
“What brings you here tonight, Jonathan?”
“These people are all potential clients. Some are clients. Got to keep networking to grow the old business.”
“And what do you know about Arjun Lakshmi?” I asked lightly, trying not to betray my curiosity too much. It was more Arjun Lakshmi’s pretty daughter Maya that I was curious about.
Jonathan had been looking across the ballroom, and when we turned, I saw Marco was now asking Maya to dance, his hand outstretched in her direction. She graciously accepted.
“That’s his daughter, isn’t it?” I added.
Jonathan nodded. “I had thought they had been courting for some months now, and I imagine you appearing on the scene has been quite the surprise for everybody.”
He cast me a questioning glance.
I shrugged. “It was a bit of a whirlwind romance.”
“Ah.”
“You think it won’t last?” I said.
“I can’t speak to that. I am surprised that Vittoria DeAngelis is not here tonight. I hear she’s the one who was pushing her son towards Maya Lakshmi. It would be a brilliant coup for her to have one of her children marry into that family.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Legitimacy, I suppose. Influence. It would make them untouchable in a whole different kind of way.”
