The Arranged Marriage. Emma Darcy
“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.
CHAPTER FIVE
“LADIES and gentlemen…”
The formal call on their attention reduced the buzz of conversation in the ballroom. Heads turned to look at Peter Owen who commanded the stage, along with the white grand piano which was currently adorned with an elaborate candelabra reminiscent of Liberace’s style. A deliberate affectation, Alex thought, as were the white tails Peter Owen wore. Still he was certainly a consummate showman, and much liked by the ladies.
“Tonight we have a very special performance for the bride and groom…” He made an expansive gesture towards the bridal table where Tony, Alex’s youngest brother was also seated—best man to the groom. “…courtesy of our wonderful hostess, Isabella King.”
His other brother, Matt, was sharing a table with him and the rest of their party further down the ballroom. Matt instantly leaned over and whispered, “So what has Nonna cooked up?”
“I don’t know,” Alex answered, curious himself as he watched his grandmother give Peter Owen a nod and a smile.
“May I introduce to you…” The singer/pianist stepped back, his arm swinging out to one side of the stage, his head turned in the same direction. “…Gina Terlizzi.”
“Well, well, your little songbird, Alex,” Michelle drawled, causing the hair on the back of his neck to prickle.
They’d had a blazing row last Sunday over Gina Terlizzi and Alex didn’t want one provoked tonight. The trouble was, Michelle’s arguments had tapped a guilt in him he couldn’t deny. He wasn’t sure what to do about it, either.
“Your songbird?” Matt picked up teasingly.
“Nonna’s,” he answered with a curt, dismissive gesture.
Gina was coming out on stage, her hand reaching for Peter Owen’s. He took it, pulling her to his side, making a cosy pairing that instantly raised Alex’s hackles. What was his grandmother thinking of, coupling Gina with a well-known womaniser of highly dubious charm? The man was already twice divorced, and putting a woman as attractive and as vulnerable as Gina Terlizzi in his path could easily bring her grief.
“Gina and I have been rehearsing all week…”
All week!
And she was positively glowing beside him, a big smile lighting her face, the amber eyes very sparkly, her toffee-coloured hair swinging loose around her bare shoulders, her curvy figure shown to stunning advantage in a bronze, body-moulding lace top, sashed at her waist with a piece of the darker bronze filmy fabric that formed a long skirt featuring a rather provocative side ruffle.
“Hmm…very sultry and sexy,” Matt murmured.
Alex found himself thinking the same thing and was extremely discomforted by the bolt of desire that was sizzling through his system. Michelle was sitting right beside him, dressed in a slinky, metallic-red gown that was braless and virtually backless, so blatantly sexy she’d had every male eye at the wedding giving her the once-over. And she was his! Why on earth would he suddenly feel even a trace of lust for another woman?
The thought struck him that Michelle’s sexiness was artful.
Gina’s was…something else…like a celebration of the woman she was. And Peter Owen was basking in it. No…gloating in it!
“I warn you, this lovely lady’s voice will grab your heart,” he announced fatuously. “So sit back and enjoy the beautiful duet from Phantom of the Opera, a song that strikes every emotional chord there is between a man and a woman—‘All I Ask of You.’”
Alex found himself tensing as the seasoned performer put his arm around Gina to draw her closer to the piano. The man was altogether too smooth with the liberties he took.
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