Free An Affair To Remember: A Ludlow Hall Christmas by CC MacKenzie Page A

Ludlow Hall.
    "I am thinking we should remove the bugs. It is impossible to get any work done," Nico said.
    Nico was an impressive looking man, tall, lean and dark as befitted his Italian heritage. Marc was used to seeing Nico looking immaculate in hand-crafted suits from Savile Row. He rarely saw him dressed as he was today, in jeans tucked into boots and a cashmere sweater.
    "We still don't know who the mole is," Marc reminded him.
    " Si , I know this, but I try to keep my home and professional life separate."
    Family time was important to Nico, Marc understood that, admired it even.
    "We've managed to narrow down the list of suspects to two. One from the reception staff and one from housekeeping."
    Now Nico leaned across the desk, his grey eyes sharp.
    "Who?"
    Marc had been expecting this reaction.
    "I don't want to say until we have facts and proof. It's crucial that there is no change in your habits or demeanour towards the staff when you're working. The last thing we want to do is to scare him or her off. Just give us another few days. We've placed hidden cameras in your office, in reception's back office and in housekeeping."
    Nico scratched his chin and didn't look happy.
    "It is a great pity we cannot think of a way to flush them out."
    Marc ran his tongue inside his cheek and Nico spotted the tic.
    "Have you thought of something?"
    Actually, he had.
    But it was very risky and might cause more trouble than it was worth.
    He also needed to come clean about a personal matter.
    "I'm seeing Elena Kennedy, in a personal capacity."
    Nico blinked.
    "She is a lovely girl. Is it serious?"
    "Yep."
    Now Nico grinned, wiggled his dark brows.
    "How serious?"
    Marc didn't flinch from telling him the truth.
    Nico Ferranti was not only his employer, he was also his very good friend.
    "Marriage, babies, the whole happy ever after."
     
    Marc rose as Nico got to his feet, strolled around the desk to envelope him in a Nico Ferranti speciality, the man hug. He was kissed once on each cheek, hugged tight and given a back slap that would fell a bull elephant.
    " Congratulazioni ! I am happy, happy, for you and Elena. She comes from a large famiglia of good men. Un momento !" Nico strode to the door, opened it and yelled, "Bronte, bella !"
    "What's up, babe?" came the response from the vast family kitchen, living room
    "Bring champagne and three glasses. We have a celebrazioni !"
    "Oooooooh! Coming right up."
    Nico rubbed his hands as he strolled back to sit behind his desk, his handsome face split with a wide grin, his grey eyes dancing with delight. His friend's sincere pleasure in Marc's personal happiness was a gift that he never took for granted.
    Bronte Ferranti entered carrying a bottle of the very best champagne wrapped in a folded white napkin and three champagne glasses. She kissed her husband on the mouth, handed him the champagne, placed the glasses on the desk and turned to Marc.
    "Hey, Marc."
    She held out her arms and Marc was only too delighted to give her a hug.
    Bronte was willow slim and as tall as Elena.
    But where Elena was dark, Bronte was light.
    She was a natural ash blonde with wide emerald eyes, creamy skin, high cheekbones and a full mouth. The only jewellery she wore was a slim wedding band of white gold set with tiny diamonds. The Ferranti's did not flash the cash. Today she wore black skinny jeans, a pale grey polo neck sweater of fine cashmere and her shining head of hair was tied back in a complicated plait. Bronte Ferranti was drop dead gorgeous. And she had a heart of solid gold, something else she shared with Elena.
    Nico popped the cork.
    "Hey, yourself," Marc said. "I hope we haven't put you out. Where are the kids?"
    Bronte shook her head, patted his cheek and accepted a glass from her husband before settling herself into the chair next to Marc and crossed endless legs.
    "The twins are attending a birthday party and nanny's bathing Eve. Anyway, you could never put me out." Bronte grinned at the two men.