Between The Sheets (3 page)

She nodded.

'Nice to meet you.'

She took his hand and stood back to let him in and then led him into the sitting room. 'Like I said on the phone, I'm afraid there's no possibility of you seeing Dana today.'

'That's fine,' he said easily, folding his tall frame into an armchair. 'I just thought you could give me a bit of background information.'

'Is there any point? She hardly leaves her room these days so I can't see her agreeing to do any interviews, can you?' Sylvie sat down opposite him and crossed one long leg over the other. 'You've had a wasted journey.'

Ian's eyes rested appreciatively on her legs. 'Oh, I wouldn't say that.'

Sylvie rolled her eyes. 'You are very forward, you know that?'

He grinned. 'Well, I do work in publicity.'

'And what exactly does that involve?'

'I make sure that everyone knows who Dana is, what she does, and then, hopefully, they buy her books.'

'She's already known; her dad's a poet, you know.'

'Conall O'Carroll, yes, I know. But I'm going to make her famous in her own right not just because she's somebody's daughter.'

'And how do you do that?'

He shrugged. 'Get her lots of interviews, make sure she goes to all the right parties, is seen with the right people — that sort of thing.'

Sylvie's eyes widened. 'And you do that for a living?'

He laughed. 'It's not quite as easy as it sounds. So, tell me, what's wrong with Dana, or is she the kind of diva that regularly takes to her bed?'

'No way, she's usually a very hard worker but her husband walked out on her three weeks ago and she hasn't written a word since.'

Ian's lips twitched. 'I hope you're not as frank and open with everyone.'

Sylvie's eyes narrowed. 'I'm not stupid. Walter told me that I should tell you everything.'

'Quite right too. So why did the husband leave?'

'I've no idea. I don't even know where he's gone, although he might be staying in their home in Cork. He loves it there.'

'With his business in Dublin, that's unlikely. He's probably shacked up with a new girlfriend.'

'Why do you assume that there's another woman?'

He shrugged. 'There usually is.'

Sylvie sighed. 'I hope you're wrong. Whatever the reason, she's devastated. I can't remember her going so long without writing before. Gretta will not be impressed.'

'Gretta?'

'She's Dana's editor in New York,' Sylvie explained.

'Ah yes, Peyton Publishing. Walter's told me all about them. So does this Gretta know what's going on?'

'No. She's been calling every couple of days but Dana won't take her calls and it's hardly my place to tell her.'

Ian frowned. 'Walter needs to have a word with your boss. This is no time to make your publisher nervous.'

Sylvie rolled her eyes. 'She won't talk to Walter either and, honestly, you'd think it was my fault the way he goes on. He can be such a bitch sometimes.'

'He has his moments. And she hasn't told you any-thing about what happened?' Ian pressed. He hadn't counted on having to deal with a recently separated author, but maybe he could turn it to their advantage. Journalists got bored publicizing new books but they loved a good human interest story, especially if it involved rich, attractive and flawed individuals.

Walter had given him a short, potted history on Dana and Gus and was pleased when Ian told him that he had already heard of the couple. Anyone who read the property and financial pages in the newspapers had heard of Gus Johnson and Tom Cleary. Their partnership was one of the leaders in Irish architecture and they were usually involved in all the most lucrative contracts. Dana wrote cheap chick-lit but was only published in the States and her main claim to fame had always been the fact that she was the estranged daughter of Conall O'Carroll. Once she got together with Gus, however, that had changed. They made a very attractive couple and were usually photographed when they attended charity events. Of course the caption would still say 'Dana De Lacey, daughter of Conall O'Carroll'. It was his job to change that.

'Are you listening to me?' Sylvie asked crossly.

He smiled apologetically. 'Sorry, what was that?'

'I was saying that Dana isn't talking to me or anyone else. Mind you,' she frowned, 'Iris seems to have her ear.'

'Iris?'

'The housekeeper,' Sylvie explained. 'She's worked here for years.'

Ian brightened. 'Is she here today?'

'In the kitchen, but you're wasting your time, she won't tell you a thing.'

'You underestimate the Wilson power of persuasion.' And with a wink, he was gone.

'Iris?'

The woman with the straight grey hair and equally straight back looked up from her ironing. 'Yes, can I help you?'

Ian stretched out his hand and smiled. 'Ian Wilson. How do you do?'

Iris watched him with sharp eyes as she briefly put her hand in his.

'I came to see Ms De Lacey but apparently she's not receiving visitors at the moment.'

Iris said nothing and returned to her ironing.

'I wouldn't trouble her only Walter Grimes asked me to look in; it's about increasing her publicity in Ireland. That's my job, you see.'

'Indeed.' The housekeeper didn't look up.

He bit his lip; she was a tough nut, this one. 'I hear she and Mr Johnson have separated. I was very sorry to hear that. They made a lovely couple.'

The iron paused briefly but Iris remained silent.

'I'm sure the last thing that Dana wants at the moment is to discuss her private life so if I could just get a few facts about the break-up, I could issue a press release.'

Iris set the iron down and looked up at him. 'Why? What's it got to do with her work?'

'Not a lot,' he agreed, 'but the public always want to know the details of celebrities' lives.'

'I'd say it's the reporters that want to know that information, not the public.'

'Yes, perhaps you're right,' he said, his smile growing more forced. 'Nevertheless—'

'Are you asking me for information about Mr and Mrs Johnson?'

'Well, yes, some background would be great—'

'I can't help you, Mr Wilson.'

'But, Iris—'

'Please see yourself out. I need to finish my work.'

'Told you,' Sylvie said, seeing his defeated expression.

'Don't worry, I don't give up that easily.'

'What else can you do?' Sylvie retorted.

'Oh, I don't know, take her out on the town and get her photographed in one of those classy nightclubs.'

Sylvie smirked. 'You haven't even managed to get her out of her room yet.'

'No, but you will.'

'Me?'

'Yes. You're going to go up there and talk her into going out and I'll make sure that her picture appears in the paper the next day.'

'And why on earth would she agree to that?' Sylvie stared at him as if he'd lost his mind.

'Because it would be a wonderful way to make her husband jealous.'

'Maybe, but I doubt she'd agree.'

'You doubt I'd agree to what?'

The two whirled around to see Dana standing in the doorway.

'Dana!' Sylvie jumped guiltily to her feet. 'This is the PR consultant, Ian Wilson.'

He smiled and reached out to shake her hand. 'It's an absolute pleasure to meet you, Ms De Lacey.'

She nodded curtly and then turned a questioning gaze on her personal assistant. 'So what were you saying?'

'We weren't gossiping, Dana, honest,' Sylvie said hurriedly.

'I was just saying that I thought a night out on the town was probably what you needed after your, er, break-up and it would kick-start our publicity campaign.'

'How?' Dana asked.

'I'd make sure that you were photographed and that your picture appeared in one of the tabloids.'

'I told him you weren't in the mood for socializing,' Sylvie chipped in.

Dana looked from her back to Ian and smiled slowly. 'I don't know. Maybe it's not such a bad idea. It's been ages since I went out without ...' Dana faltered for a second, 'since I had a night out. Where do you suggest we go?' she asked Ian.

'Lobo,' he said without hesitation.

'Where?' Dana frowned.

'It's the club to go to if you want to be seen,' Ian explained. "There are always photographers hanging around.'

'That sounds perfect.'

Ian grinned delightedly. 'Really?'

Dana shrugged. 'What have I got to lose?'

'You may be quizzed about Mr Johnson,' he warned.

Dana stiffened. 'What do you mean?'

'Well, they probably don't know that you've split up yet but they may, so you should be prepared.'

Dana's face fell. 'Maybe it's not such a good idea.'

'It's only a matter of time before the press find out you're separated,' Ian said gently. 'If you tell them up front it will be easier. If they think there's more to it than that, they'll be nosing around both you and your husband until they get some kind of a story.'

'But why would they be interested in us?' Dana protested, tearfully.

Ian smiled sadly. "This is Dublin. You know how tiny the celebrity circle is. The press are always looking for someone or something to talk about, and you and Mr Johnson are a very attractive and successful couple. Like it or not, Dana, you're news. You also have to remember that we're going to need the media if — no, when — we start to promote your book. We really can't afford to alienate them.'

'Make the most of it,' Sylvie urged, as doubt clouded Dana's face. 'Just imagine Gus's reaction if he saw a photograph in the paper of you looking gorgeous and happy; that would show him.'

Dana smiled. 'Okay, then. You will come with me, won't you, Sylvie?'

'Try stopping me,' her PA said eagerly.

'Thanks. Let's do dinner first; I'm going to need a couple of drinks going to face reporters.'

'Make sure it's only a couple,' Ian warned.

Dana's eyes narrowed. 'I'm not stupid. I'm going upstairs for a bath, Sylvie. No calls.'

'Walter really needs to talk to you,' the girl called after her, 'and Gretta was on again.'

Dana, already halfway out of the door, didn't stop. 'They'll just have to wait. I can't deal with them right now.'

Ian rushed out into the hall after her. 'I need to talk to you about some engagements I have lined up over the next few weeks.'

'What?' Dana stopped.

'Walter said I should get started without you,' he apologized.

She shook her head, her eyes sad. 'I'm sorry, not now.' And she hurried upstairs, leaving him to stare after her.

Still, at least he'd convinced her to go out tonight, that was something. Now he'd have to make sure that she was photographed. He stuck his head back into the office. 'Nice to meet you, Sylvie.'

'And you.' Sylvie smiled happily.

'Make sure you go to Lobo, okay?'

'We'll be there,' she promised, already wondering if there was an outfit in her wardrobe that would help land her a millionaire rock star or property developer.

Dana shut the bedroom door and leaned her head against it with a weary sigh. She'd rather stick pins in her eyes than go out tonight but she couldn't stay in her room forever and she did like the idea of showing Gus that she wasn't a crumbling heap without him — except, of course, that she was. She walked over to the mirror and stared at her reflection. She barely recognized the dejected, mournful character that stared back at her. This wouldn't do. It wouldn't get her man back. Tonight she would go out and she would smile and look happy if it killed her. And tomorrow she would get back to work.

Striding purposefully into her wardrobe, Dana began to flick through the rails looking for something that would tell the world she was doing just fine without Gus Johnson. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked at dresses that reminded her of happier times. Tonight, she realized, was going to involve the performance of a lifetime.

'This is a great place, isn't it?' Sylvie said, looking around her, wide-eyed.

'The food is good too, you should try some.' Dana looked pointedly at Sylvie's smoked-chicken salad that she had been pushing around her plate for the last ten minutes.

'I had a big lunch.'

Dana sighed. 'Sylvie, I know you want a man, but you really don't have to starve yourself to get him.'

Sylvie reddened. 'I just don't have a big appetite. I never have.'

Dana was about to pursue the matter but she didn't really have the energy. Anyway, there was no point in trying to talk sense to Sylvie, she never listened.

An intelligent and pretty girl, Sylvie's only real flaw was that she was intent on finding a rich husband and seemed to think being incredibly skinny was the only way to reach her goal. Dana, who had never run after a man in her life, couldn't begin to understand it. She had dated lots of guys before Gus came along, men from all walks of life, but always on her terms. She'd had to be more discerning, of course, when she became rich as there were a lot of fortune-hunters around. She watched as Sylvie scanned the room with a calculating eye. Sadly, her PA might well be one of them.

Dana snuck a look at her watch. She was finding this evening hard going. Keeping a radiant smile on her face at all times was exhausting. A few acquaintances had already stopped by their table, some of them asking after Gus. 'Aren't I allowed to have a girls' night out?' she'd trilled and changed the subject.

She forced a last piece of the delicious monkfish into her mouth and put down her knife and fork. 'Shall we go?' she asked Sylvie, as it was clear that the girl wasn't planning to eat her meal and there was no point in even suggesting dessert.

'Sure—'

'Good evening, ladies, hope I'm not interrupting anything.'

'Wally, what on earth are you doing in Dublin?' Dana smiled as her agent bent to kiss both her cheeks and then sat down beside her. Walter always let her know when he was coming to Dublin so it made her feel slightly uneasy that he'd just dropped in like this. Anyway, how the hell did he know she'd be here?

'Go and powder your nose, Sylvie, there's a good girl,' he said sweetly, before telling a hovering waiter to bring him a gin and tonic. He waited until the PA had flounced off before turning back to his author. 'Well, you don't look too bad, considering,' he commented.