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of You.’”
    Alex found himself tensing as the seasoned performer put his arm around Gina to draw her closer to the piano. The man was altogether too smooth with the liberties he took.
    “Wonder if he’s got her into bed yet,” Michelle said snidely.
    Alex frowned at her.
    She returned a knowing little smile. “Give Peter Owen a week...” Her eyes mocked any other result.
    It was what Alex had been thinking himself, though he hoped Gina had more sense than to fall victim to a flattering seduction. The guy was in his late thirties, not much more than average height yet with a lean elegant air, raffish good looks, longish dark hair with enough curl to flop around when he performed with the charismatic energy that captivated audiences. Gossip had it he never went home to a lonely bed. There was always someone willing—wanting—to share it.
    He oozed charm from every pore and Gina was getting a liberal dose of it as he positioned her by the piano, handed her the microphone, held her gaze with a stream of smiling banter while reseating himself at the piano, flicking his tails theatrically. A showman, Alex thought savagely, willing Gina not to be taken in by tricks of his trade.
    There was a flourish of notes on the piano, then Peter Owen was leaning forward, crooning up at Gina, pouring an all too believable sincerity into the words he sang, maintaining eye contact as he softly pleaded his cause. Alex’s teeth clenched. It was an act...only an act, he fiercely told himself.
    Gina’s voice came in, soaring with a yearning that eclipsed everything else. There was absolute silence in the ballroom, the whole audience captivated by a purity of sound that projected a high charge of emotion. Of course, the act demanded she aim the words at her duet partner. It didn’t mean she was asking anything of him. They were simply performing together. She couldn’t possibly feel these feelings for Peter Owen.
    Despite this forceful reasoning, Alex could not relax and simply enjoy the duet for what it was. In fact, it took all the pleasure out of the evening for him. He was even annoyed with his brother afterwards when Matt commented, “Wow! What a find!”
    And Michelle for adding, “Peter did provide the perfect foil for her. They worked extremely well together.”
    Fortunately the duet was the lead-in to the formal speeches so Alex didn’t have to listen to much more on the successful pairing of the singers. He was grateful for the distraction since it took his attention away from the stage, though he found it a struggle to focus his concentration on what was being said.
    Tony did himself proud as best man. He’d always had the gift of the gab and he had everyone laughing with droll little stories about the groom and the changes to his life wrought by his beautiful bride.
    It gave Alex pause to think about the changes he’d made in his life to fit in with Michelle, spending less time at the plantations and more on financial management in town, taking an interest in how the fashion business worked. Impossible not to since Michelle was so committed to it. And it was a different and intriguing slice of life—colourful people, exciting activity around the creative process. He’d been quite dazzled by it, dazzled by Michelle.
    The speeches over, Peter Owen announced another duet—”From This Moment On”—which covered the cake-cutting ceremony. This time Alex deliberately kept his gaze away from the stage, smiling at the happy bride and groom and their posing for photographs. The singing finally came to a halt and conversation picked up again.
    “Just a few more months, Alex, and we’ll be seeing you and Michelle cutting the cake,” Matt commented.
    Michelle laughed. “I want at least a triple-decker.”
    I want...
    She wanted to wait at least three years before thinking of having children, too. That had come out during their row last week. In fact, Alex wasn’t convinced about Michelle wanting a family at all.
    He did. He