‘That diamond set suits the dress. They were my mother’s.’
Lili put a hand to her throat and looked at him, pale. ‘If I’d known I would have chosen something else, but the stylist suggested these from the collection. I wouldn’t really have a clue to be honest.’
‘Don’t be silly, they were hers but they in turn belonged to her mother-in-law, my nonna.’
Lili’s hand dropped to her lap and Cassian had to curb an urge to curl his hand around hers. She asked, ‘Did you know your nonna?’
He shook his head. ‘No, she died young. All my grandparents did.’ His mouth thinned. ‘Maybe my family is cursed.’
* * *
Lili was a little shocked at his bleak pronouncement but before she could respond he was asking her, ‘Are you ready for this?’
She looked out of the car and could see the venue ahead and a stream of glittering people walking up a red carpet to the entrance of one of Milan’s iconic museums where the charity ball was being hosted.
She gulped and her palms felt clammy. ‘I guess so. Now or never, right?’
‘I will take your hand when we get out but if you don’t want me to touch you, just let me know, okay?’
The thought of Cassian not touching her sent Lili into a paroxysm of anxiety. ‘It’s okay, I think I’ll need it.’ She looked at him, struck again by his consideration. ‘But thank you.’
‘And if it’s too overwhelming we’ll leave, no pressure.’
‘But I can’t ruin your night, if I can’t handle it, I’ll leave.’
‘We’llleave.’
Lili might have rolled her eyes at his insistence but deep inside it thrilled her. She’d never had an ally before. But now the car was pulling to a stop and her nerves took over.
Cassian got out and came around to her door and opened it. Immediately the sound was deafening. ‘Corti, Corti! Over here!’
Lili put her hand in his and let him help her out, praying she wouldn’t fall over in front of the baying mob of photographers. Cassian pulled her into his side and wrapped an arm around her and she’d never been so grateful for physical touch. Her hand was around his waist and gripping his jacket tight, in case they somehow might be wrenched apart.
He lowered his head to her ear and said, ‘Just another minute for them to get pictures and then we’ll go inside, okay?’
She nodded and somehow managed to force a smile to her face. Soon he was leading her up the steps and into the building where the shouts of the photographers was replaced by people chatting, laughing and melodic music coming from what appeared to be a small orchestra, all dressed in black.
Lili could see immediately that this was another level of the social sphere. A level that her grasping social-climbing family could never hope to aspire to. But it filled her with no satisfaction, only a sense of regret for a family who had let her down.
Cassian was being greeted by a steady line of people all vying for his attention. Thankfully he seemed to be engineering introducing her in such a way that a handshake wasn’t necessary. He was also careful to try and keep space around them and Lili noticed men in black suits at a discreet distance and wondered if they were security.
Lili had been handed a glass of sparkling wine and sipped it, needing the slight sense of Dutch courage it gave her.
Before long they were guided into an even larger ballroom where a charity auction was being held. Everyone was seated at round tables and small dishes of food were being served but Lili was too afraid to eat in case she dribbled something onto her dress or cleavage.
Cassian said into her ear, ‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ and then he was getting up and walking away. Lili felt a lurch of panic which dissipated when she saw he was only going to the podium to give a speech.
He was easily the most handsome man in the room, in his classic black tuxedo. Hair slightly less messy than usual. Dark hair hugging his jaw. Vital. Commanding.
He was also articulate and succinct and passionate, inspiring the crowd to dig deep into their pockets for the auction. His playboy reputation notwithstanding, he’d managed to retain the respect of his peers and Lili felt a little glow of pride, even though she was cynical enough to know that this world always protected their own, not to mention a sporting legend.
He said then, from the podium, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, you see before you a changed man.’
The crowd laughed and some heckled playfully. Cassian put his hand up. ‘No, really, I am joined here this evening by my beautiful wife and I am very happy to declare that my life in the fast lane is only going to exist on the track from now on.’
There was laughter and Cassian said a few more words before he came down from the podium to rejoin Lili. She felt eyes on her but she was surprised to find it didn’t bother her too much because she couldn’t take her eyes off her husband.
He said, ‘May I take your hand and kiss it?’
