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“They already seem untouchable to me.”
I had been watching Marco dancing every time we turned. He and Maya seemed entirely comfortable with each other. She was stunningly elegant in her pale gold watered silk sheath dress that swept the floor. I had half expected her to be tense and accusing, to be demanding explanations of him. But she was smiling up at him, making pleasant chatter that made him laugh.
“Oh, I will bet she is more put out by this whole thing than she’s letting on,” Jonathan reassured me. “A girl like her would have been on display her whole life. She is used to keeping her feelings to herself.”
My eyes darted up to his face and I couldn’t help but feel touched. It was the sort of thing my dad would have said.
“And anyway,” he added. “You’re looking exquisite in that gown. Far too grown-up. I’m sure no man with any sense in his head would look away from you tonight.”
His eyes lingered on me a little as he twirled me out and then twirled me back in, catching me around my waist. I laughed his flirtatiousness off, putting it down to the drinks he’d had.
“I heard a little rumour there was an incident at one of DeAngelis’s properties last night?” he asked.
I nodded. “One of the girls from the club I work at was murdered.”
I had been honest with Jonathan about my current employment, knowing he would likely find out, anyway.
His eyes widened, then his mouth tightened a little in dismay. “Your mother must have been very worried about you.”
I nodded. “She is fine. But yes, she was always scared that I’d be in danger.”
“How is your mother?”
“Marco has checked her into a hospital to make sure she can be looked after properly.”
His brows flew up. “He really must be infatuated. The girl who was killed—did you know her?”
I nodded. My voice choked over slightly. “We were quite close. I still can’t believe what has happened.”
He patted my back. “Are you alright?”
I was hanging my head, trying to will my tears away because I couldn’t bear for these people to see them.
He put his arm around my shoulder and hurried me out of the crowd, and through some doors onto a cool patio area overlooking the London street below.
It was dark here, lit by one small lamp, but very pleasant, with small trees and shrubs in pots.
I accepted the white handkerchief Jonathan handed me and blew my nose. I gripped the stone balustrade and gasped the cool clear air.
“Sorry,” I said. “I can’t believe Dolly is dead. I can’t believe that some awful person has killed her. I keep thinking over in my head all the things that she said to me recently, and could she have mentioned to me whatever it was that got her killed? She was really cheeky, you know. Up to all sorts of mad schemes. You wouldn’t believe some of them.”
“Like what?” he asked.
I shook my head. Dolly would never want me to talk about her private life. Even now, the idea of doing so felt like a betrayal.
“I have some trusted friends in the police,” he said with concern. “I could pass on anything you’re reluctant to tell them anonymously if you think it would help?”
“There you are,carissima,” said a voice, making me jump.
Marco had arrived through the door quietly behind us, and was looking very annoyed indeed.
Seeing me looking upset, he shot Jonathan a menacing look, making Jonathan hastily step away from me.
“We were just talking about Dolly,” I said defensively.
Marco looked only a tad appeased and came to put his arm around my shoulder. I leaned my head against his chest.
Marco gave Jonathan a look that could have petrified stone, making Jonathan wish me goodbye, and beat a hasty retreat.
