The Arranged Marriage (15 page)

The
Coral Reef Lounge was packed, much to Peter Owen’s satisfaction. Friday nights were always good business, but he’d plugged this evening’s special performance on local radio this morning, organised the billboard to catch the interest of passers-by, and the response was even better than he’d hoped. The greatest songs from favourite musicals appealed to all ages—a sure drawcard—and he’d given Gina Terlizzi’s voice a big wrap, as well. A star of the future.

He hoped Gina wasn’t having an attack of nerves in the dressing-room. They’d rehearsed most of the afternoon and she’d been on fire, ready to sock the songs to the audience with all the voice power she had. Now all geared up in the bronze evening dress she’d worn for the wedding duets last week, she looked every bit a star.

The question was whether to tell her that the King family was here in force, Isabella herself with her three grandsons, notably Alex looking moody and magnificent.

Would it put Gina off or turn her on?

Once she was on stage and in the spotlight, she might not see them. The audience could remain a blur to her. It might be better to keep her focused on the songs— no distraction. On the other hand, the urge to
show
Alex King she could be a star in her own right might just push her to that extra edge of performance that created magic.

Alex King checked his watch again. Time was crawling. Gina’s debut on stage here was scheduled for nine o’clock and there were still six minutes to go. Peter Owen was doing his thing on the grand piano, warming up the audience, but Alex was incapable of appreciating the man’s talent in these circumstances. His whole mind was bent on projecting to Gina that he was here for her.

Very publicly
here for her,
with his entire family in tow to witness where his heart lay, and it sure as hell wasn’t with Michelle Banks. As far as he was concerned, Michelle had ceased to exist. He’d told her so in unequivocal terms last night. And threatened her with legal consequences if she used his ring to make false claims again. His fury over that deceit put an even finer edge on his taut nerves as he waited for Gina’s appearance.

She had to realise he didn’t view her as a bit on the side. Nor would he treat her as one. He’d introduce her to his brothers, make sure she understood that his grandmother was aware and approved of a relationship between them. Surely such a public statement, would have its impact on the sleazy doubts Michelle had planted in her mind.

Isabella Valeri King sat very comfortably, listening to Peter Owen’s virtuoso performance. He really was an excellent pianist. She was looking forward to the act he’d worked out with Gina Terlizzi. Though, of course, the highlight of the evening would come after the performance.

She was very aware of Alessandro’s tension. And her other grandsons’ curiosity. Their older brother’s request for their support on such a personal matter was extraordinary. And the sheaf of red roses he’d brought with him had certainly raised their eyebrows.

Although both Antonio and Matteo had heard Gina Terlizzi sing last week, neither of them had known of any attachment formed between the wedding singer and their brother. The news of his broken engagement to Michelle Banks had come as a thunderclap, let alone this sudden piece of family stage management to impress a woman they hadn’t even been introduced to. Tonight was certainly shaping up as of prime interest to all of them.

It gave Isabella intense satisfaction to know that Michelle Banks had completely obliterated any chance she might have had of retrieving a relationship with Alessandro. And her malicious meddling yesterday had vindicated Isabella’s own meddling in this affair. It had also fired up so much feeling in Alessandro, Isabella could only hope now she’d done right in bringing Gina Terlizzi to his attention.

What if Gina was persuaded to pursue a career in singing?

Would she still be a good wife for Alessandro?

Marriage...children...it was still a worry, but not as big a worry as it had been with Michelle Banks. Tonight, Isabella was content to count that blessing, and hope for more.

*
*
*

Gina stood in the wings, waiting for her cue from Peter. She took deep breaths, needing to calm the tremulous state of her nerves. Her parents were out in the audience. Her older brother and his wife had come, too. The whole family was excited about this chance for her, and she was determined they should be proud of her singing tonight. No mistakes. No going blank on the lyrics or wavering off the note. Total focus on delivering the best she could give.

Applause followed Peter’s last flourish on the piano. He stood and bowed, then strolled to the apron of the stage, carrying his microphone with him, ready to woo the audience with words which she had to live up to. With an ease Gina envied he jollied them into a buzz of anticipation, then held out his hand to her and with an encouraging smile, called her on-stage.

Her heart was pounding but she managed to reach his side without any mishap. Peter gave her waist a squeeze as they waited through another round of applause. “Isabella King is here with her three grandsons,” he whispered in her ear, electrifying every nerve in Gina’s body.

Alex...with his family?

“That’s hefty support, Gina, so break a leg!” Peter urged.

The old theatrical expression for good luck barely penetrated the daze of shock. No way in the world could she have anticipated such a move from Alex—such a
public
move! What did it mean?

Or had Isabella King commanded her grandsons’ presence here?

But why?

Why?

“One of the great musicals of recent times is
West Side Story,
” Peter announced. “And what more fitting song to begin our program than Maria’s and Tony’s heart-lifting duet. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you... ‘Tonight!’”

Heart-lifting.

No time to sort out the chaos in her own heart. Somehow she had to rise above it. Peter was moving back to the piano. He’d handed her the microphone she was to use. This was the kind of moment that separated amateurs from professionals.
The show must go on!
Never mind Alex and the King family. Her own family was out there, willing her to pull this off.

Pretend she was Maria in
West Side Story
—the modern remake of
Romeo and Juliet.

Pretend Alex was Tony.

Pretend they’d just met and it was wonderful...a dream come true...before it was destroyed.

Peter played the introduction and Gina didn’t have to pretend. She remembered how it had felt with Alex before it was destroyed and she poured all that feeling into her voice as she lifted it to sing, to soar to that ecstatic place where for a little time, everything had been perfect.

It worked.

She was fine.

Better than fine if the audience response was anything to measure by.

They moved on to the duet, “All I Ask of You” from
The Phantom of the Opera,
then two of the most poignant songs from
Les Miserables:
“On My Own” and “A Little Fall of Rain.” There was absolute silence throughout the lounge while these were sung, which was surely some kind of tribute to the touching lyrics and how they were interpreted. Even Gina thought her voice had never been so true and powerful in its delivery.

Maybe it was the spur of having Alex listening, or maybe it was the need to prove to herself that Peter’s faith in her talent was justified. Whatever was driving her, she knew she was giving the performance of her life as they followed through the program Peter had plotted. Her last solo, “Love Changes Everything” from
Aspects of Love,
was an absolute show-stopper, much of the audience rising to their feet and even calling out “Bravo!”

Peter grinned at her, giving her an exultant thumbs-up signal as he waited for the acclaim to die down. Clearly his ego wasn’t on the line here. He was delighted with the reception they were getting. He literally purred into the microphone as he acknowledged it.

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. To complete our very special program tonight, we take you back to
West Side Story,
to the song that encompasses what we most want from life. It’s entitled “Somewhere”—that mythical place where even impossible dreams become possible. And so, I would like to invite you all to join Gina Terlizzi and myself in spirit on the magical journey that takes us... ‘Somewhere.’”

It was amazing how quickly the audience quietened to listen, and their expectation was well and truly met when Peter started with no musical accompaniment, his voice crooning the words with such husky emotion, a lump rose in Gina’s throat. She had to swallow hard before following his lines with hers, echoing the yearning and building on it. The piano came in, adding its spine-tingling notes. Then together, and in thrilling harmony, they drove the song to its soul-stirring climax.

For several moments after all sound ceased, the silence held, as though everyone in the lounge had been gripped by the song’s heart-wrenching impact and didn’t want to let it go. But it was over. The whole performance was over.

A single hand-clap started a storm of applause. Peter rose from his piano stool and joined Gina at centre stage. It was like being bathed in waves of pleasure. People called for encores but they had no more to give tonight.

“Let them remember the high and they’ll come back,” Peter murmured. “Just smile and nod.”

“Is it always like this?” she whispered.

“No. You were superb. And it looks like Alex King thought so, too. Accept the gift gracefully, Gina. You’re on show.”

Gift?

She’d been trying to search out her parents from the crowd, deliberately evading any glance at the King group, not wanting to appear as though she was asking for anything from them. Her heart leapt skittishly at Peter’s prompt. Before she could begin to monitor her response, her gaze zeroed in on the man who should have no business approaching her unless...unless...had she hopelessly misread the situation between them?

He was in a formal black dinner suit, commandingly tall and stunningly handsome. As in the ballroom at the castle, people automatically moved aside for him, giving a clear passage to the stage. She could feel the power of his presence coming at her, squeezing her heart, raising flutters in her stomach, sending quivers of weakness down her legs.

Too frightened to let herself believe everything between them would ever be happily resolved, Gina couldn’t bring herself to look directly into his eyes. She fastened her gaze on the sheaf of flowers he carried across his arm. The gift...it was the kind of tribute people gave to a singer at the end of a show, yet he must have thought of it beforehand, must have anticipated... what?

That her performance would be worthy of it?

Or had he intended to seize this opportunity to get close to her again anyway?

Glittering gold cellophane encased the flowers. A satin red and gold ribbon made a bouquet of them. As he mounted the steps at the side of the stage, she saw that he was bringing her roses—masses of red roses!

Her mind dizzied with feverish thoughts. The songs she and Peter had sung had been about love. Did Alex think red roses were appropriate for the occasion? Or could they possibly represent a more personal statement from him?
Love changes everything.
The words of that song were so true in so many ways...but she mustn’t let herself get confused by wild hopes.

Somewhere a time and place for us...
That was a hope, a dream. The impossible didn’t really become possible. She had to accept the gift gracefully. That was all. Smile. Nod a thank-you. She was on show. No need to look directly at Alex. She didn’t want him to see what her eyes might tell him.

“For you,” Alex said in a deep velvet voice, presenting the roses to her.

She smiled and nodded. “They’re lovely. Thank you,” she murmured, keeping her gaze fixed on the perfect blooms. Dozens of them.

“May I invite you both to our table?” he went on smoothly. “My grandmother would like to congratulate you personally on a truly marvellous performance.”

“For Isabella, anything,” Peter declared. “I have always admired her judgement of quality and she certainly picked it in Gina. If you’ll wait a moment while I deliver our exit line...”

“Of course.”

“Thank you, ladies and gentleman, and goodnight. We hope to see you here again next Friday evening... for the encores,” he added with that touch of wicked promise he did so well.

Laughter and more applause. Peter tucked Gina’s free arm around his, gestured for Alex to lead the way and they followed him across the stage to the steps leading down to the lounge.

“Does my little sister want protection from the big bad wolf?” Peter murmured in her ear. “I can run interference for you.”

She threw him a startled glance.

His mouth tilted ironically. “Alex King is not here to give you accolades, darling girl.”

“What then?”

“To win you.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you winnable?”

“I don’t know. It depends...”

“
Shall I step aside and let him have his chance with her?”
he half-sung from
My Fair Lady.

“Yes,” she decided in a wild rush.