The Mistress of His Manor

Next day Jo played with Kitty for most of the morning, as planned, then ate the sandwich lunch Kate made for them. When Jack and her grandfather arrived, Jo put up with more teasing about her date, then drove off to do some food shopping, and took a detour on the way home to have a word with Molly. The restaurant was ideally situated, halfway along a sidestreet of exclusive shops, with a solitary initial ‘M‘ in gold on the glass door. Having timed her visit until well after the lunchtime rush, Jo smiled at the handsome man who came hurrying to greet her.

‘Molly in the back?’

‘As always.’ Angelo kissed her on both cheeks. ‘You are very beautiful today, Joanna.’

‘Thank you, Angelo. So are you.’

He grinned and kissed his fingers to her as she went through to the spotless kitchen, where Molly Carter was directing her minions through preparations for the evening’s menu like a general readying troops for battle. She looked up with a broad smile.

‘Hi! So who are you bringing here tonight, then, love? Is it a celebration? Don’t tell me you’re marrying one of the twins!’

Jo shook her head, grinning. ‘I’d have to marry both of them, and I don’t think that’s allowed. It’s not a celebration tonight. Just dinner for two.’

‘I know that!’ said Molly impatiently. ‘But is your date a man?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good. Do I know him?’

‘I shouldn’t think so. I don’t know him that well myself.’

Molly checked the stock one of her crew was making, then looked up at Jo, her eyes narrowed. ‘Nice?’

‘Very. So I want something special. What have you got?’

‘All my food is special,’ retorted Molly. ‘But the sea bass is exceptional, and the saddle of lamb had such a good slug of gin in the marinade the meat will melt in the mouth.’ She frowned. ‘Why don’t you cook a meal for him yourself? Lord knows I taught you well enough.’

‘I did that last week. Beef Wellington.’

‘Showy, but reliable. Did he like it?’

‘He certainly ate a lot of it.’ Jo hesitated. ‘The thing is, Moll, he thinks my name is Sutton, and for now I want him to keep thinking that. So has Angelo booked me down as Logan?’

Molly eyed her quizzically. ‘What are you playing at, my girl?’

‘I’d just rather my date didn’t know I was Jack’s daughter—for a while, anyway.’

‘Ah! You want to be loved for yourself, not Daddy’s cash. All right. I’ll brief Angelo and ask him to reserve one of the parking spaces outside. Now, tell me, how’s Kate?’

By the time the doorbell rang that evening, prompt to the minute at seven, Jo had changed her dress once, her earrings twice, and persuaded herself that she would be happy in the redsoled black shoes which added five inches to her height and a touch of glamour to last year’s little black dress. She took in a deep breath, then opened it to smile at March, who was even browner of face than before, but with hair newly trimmed, and impressive in a formal dark suit.

‘Good evening, Miss Sutton.’ He gave her a comprehensive look from head to toe and bent to kiss her on both cheeks. ‘You look delectable.’

‘Thank you,’ she said, and closed the door. ‘I really must thank you again for the flowers. They were very extravagant, but I won’t scold you this time.’

He frowned as he followed her into the parlour. ‘You don’t like flowers?’

‘Of course I do, but you shouldn’t have gone to such expense. A text to say thank you would have been quite enough.’

He looked down his nose at her with hauteur, which was not, she saw with dismay, meant as a joke. ‘Enough for you, possibly, but not for me. I was simply expressing my appreciation.’

‘Oh, dear, I’ve offended you again.’

‘Yes.’ He moved closer, the hauteur heating to a predatory gleam. ‘So what are you going to do about it?’

She backed away. ‘If I kiss you better I’ll ruin all my hard work!’

‘Which would be a shame.’ He ran a finger down her cheek. ‘Apply the necessary balm later. When I bring you home.’

‘I’ll consider it. Would you like a drink?’

He shook his head. ‘I’ll save myself for a glass of wine over dinner. Does your friend Molly keep a good cellar?’

‘Her front-of-house man sees to that side of the business. The restaurant has quite a name for its wine list.’

‘Then, if my lady is ready, shall we?’ March smiled at her, and Jo smiled back, amazed, now, that she had even thought of cancelling their evening.

Outside, March handed Jo into an E-type Jaguar so far from its first youth it was almost a museum piece.

‘You’ve had this a long time?’ she commented as they headed for town.

‘Since I was old enough to drive.’ He patted the steering wheel. ‘Temperamental sometimes, but I love her just the same. Now, give me directions, please.’

March was impressed when he saw the reserved sign in a parking place right outside the restaurant.

‘So you’ll be able to keep an eye on her all evening,’ teased Jo as March helped her out.

‘Certainly not. I shall be keeping my eye—both eyes—on you,’ he assured her as they entered to a warm welcome from Angelo.

‘Joanna, cara!’ He gave her his usual double kiss.

‘Hi, Angelo, this is March Aubrey.’

‘Good to meet you,’ said March, holding out his hand.

‘Piacere,’ said Angelo, shaking it enthusiastically. ‘Welcome.’ He led them to one of the twin bay windows, and seated Joanna with a flourish at the last unoccupied table in the buzzing restaurant.

‘I shall send someone to give you menus, but do not order drinks. Champagne waits ready chilled for you. On the house, with Molly’s compliments,’ he added.

‘How lovely—do thank her for us,’ said Joanna.

‘VIP treatment,’ commented March, impressed, as Angelo went off to summon a waiter.

‘Partly because I used to work here,’ Jo informed him. ‘And partly to impress the first-time customer who’s paying tonight.’

‘Is that still worrying you, Joanna?’

‘No. So stop looking down your nose at me.’