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

"Okay, don't keep me in suspense, guys. What are we celebrating?"
    "Marc is in love."
    Bronte's eyes grew as wide as her smile as she turned to Marc.
    "Really?" she asked, rolling the 'r' in a way that made him look to heaven. "Who is she? Anyone we know?"
    "Elena Kennedy," Marc said before Nico could beat him to it.
    If anything Bronte's smile went even wider.
    "I adore Elena. She's full of fun. I'm so pleased for both of you. When did this happen?"
    "Friday night. Although I've had my eye on her for a while."
    "You must bring her to dinner," Nico said. "We will make a plan."
    "How are you settling in?" Bronte wanted to know, referring to the A frame cottage he'd been given. The place was stunning. And with five bedrooms was probably too big for one man. But that was Nico Ferranti for you, generous to a fault.
    "Love it," he said, sincerely.
    "I've been thinking," Bronte said. "Why don't you bring your mother and Nina up to stay with you over the holiday season? And beyond if you want to. I know that the first Christmas after I lost my parents was incredibly hard. Maybe the change of scene is just what your mother needs."
    Actually Marc had been thinking of doing just that. His adopted parents had been married for over forty years. It was only natural that Mary Jones was struggling to come to terms with her loss. However, Nina was worried that her mother was sinking into depression. Losing a loved one was a time when family pulled together. Closing the large house in Devon wouldn't be a problem either.
    "Do you need a bigger cottage?" Nico wanted to know.
    Marc didn't think so, but Bronte jumped in.
    "What about Heron's Rest? It's fully completed and tested and looking amazing." She turned to Marc. "It would be perfect because it's a double A frame with a single story kitchen living space with covered deck linking the two frames. It would mean Nina and Mary would have their own private living space and you would have yours."
    Marc shook his head.
    "It has eight bedrooms."
    But Bronte was not to be deterred.
    "Yes, but you'll need office space to do your spook stuff. Nina needs a place to study, too. And it's the perfect place for a Christmas party. Don't forget Elena has a large family. It's perfect!"
    Marc felt as if he was being run over by a gentle steamroller. He looked helplessly at Nico for assistance, but his friend was grinning from ear to ear.
    " Si , it is sorted."
    The sound of a child's wail from upstairs had Bronte springing to her feet.
    "Time for a feed before bed. No, please don't get up," she said, when Marc went to rise. "Tell Elena I'll be in touch. See you later." And she was gone.
    Nico couldn't stop grinning at Marc's shell-shocked face.
    "She is weaning Eve, the bambino still needs to be close to her mama ."
    "You have a beautiful family, Nico."
    Now the big Italian's grey eyes went soft.
    " Si , we are lucky men. People like us, people who have known hunger, pain. It is not often we are given a chance to have a life like this. Evviva , Marc. You have done well with your life, for your sister and now for your mama . I am proud to be your friend."
    And that was Nico Ferranti all over.
    The Italian wore his heart on his sleeve and could make a grown man weep.
    As Nico topped up their glasses, Marc sat forward, prepared to lay out his idea to catch a betrayer in the act.
    "So, about the mole," he said, and sat back to enjoy his wine. "I have a plan."
     
     
     
     

Chapter Twelve
     
    It was one week until Christmas and Elena was supervising the large reception area at Ludlow Hall. And she'd never been happier.
    Was it possible that being madly in love with the man of her dreams made a woman skinny? More than one person had mentioned that she looked different and that she looked as if she'd lost weight. She grinned, probably all the multiple orgasms she was having. A wall in her office had one way glass so that she could keep an eye on the comings and goings. Now she moved to a long wall mirror and made