Secretary Mistress, Convenient Wife. Maggie Cox

exactly be averse to Laura flirting a little with him. It was definitely time to divert his thoughts away from such dangerous ground.

      ‘Carmela tells me that you taught music in England? What ages were your pupils?’

      ‘Six and seven.’

      ‘So young!’

      ‘You are never too young to enjoy music.’

      ‘And clearly, by the look on your face, you enjoyed teaching the subject to them?’

      ‘I loved it, as a matter of fact.’ Her blush was in evidence again, and Fabian couldn’t help but derive pleasure from the sight of it. ‘That’s why I was pretty devastated when I lost my job,’ she admitted.

      ‘What happened?’

      ‘I was in an accident.’ Appearing as though she’d inadvertently taken a road she would clearly prefer not to go down, Laura grimaced. ‘Consequently I had to take a long period of time off, recuperating. When it was time for me to go back, the school principal told me that the authorities had decided to close down the music department due to lack of funding, and therefore there was no longer a position for me. Music wasn’t exactly a high priority in the school curriculum, but knowing how much the kids loved my classes, I think it’s a crying shame that they took that view.’

      Remembering how passionate she’d sounded on the drive home last night when talking about children, Fabian felt an undeniable tug of profound interest.

      ‘Some educational establishments can be very shortsighted where the arts are concerned…but perhaps that will change in time, with enthusiastic teachers like you to point out the benefits?’ he suggested.

      ‘It would be nice to think so.’

      About to enquire further about her work experience, and curious about the accident that had robbed her of her job, Fabian found his attention suddenly claimed by Aurelia Visconti.

      Laying a smoothly plump hand bedecked with diamond rings possessively over his, her ruby-red lips forming a definite pout, ‘Darling!’ she exclaimed dramatically. ‘You are making me feel quite left out, talking to your little English friend over there instead of me! I am sure she has plenty to do, helping to arrange the concert, without monopolising your valuable free time as well!’