Which was saying something as Marian Best was known as exactly that, the best in the business. That was how she commanded such high commissions and could afford this gracious house in one of London’s most expensive suburbs.
Rosanna breathed a sigh of relief at the acknowledgement that she wasn’t stressing over nothing. She was used to working in a high-pressure environment with tight deadlines and sometimes unreasonable demands, but this was way out of the ordinary.
‘I can’t imagine anyone describing this contract as average. Not when the client is so incredibly high profile—’
‘Which is something we don’t discuss in public,’ her aunt said crisply, as if fearing a hospital orderly or a nurse passing her room might overhear.
Rosanna drew herself up straighter. ‘It’s okay, Marian. You can count on me to be completely discreet.’
That at least was something shecouldpromise. Absolute confidentiality was second nature to her given her previous work as a corporate headhunter. She’d found the right people for jobs that were often sensitive or high profile and absolute discretion was essential.
It was the rest of this task she wondered about.
‘I know, Rose. And I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have you on board for this.’
Rosanna heard her aunt’s voice soften and realised it was concern that had sharpened it earlier.
She was probably as worried as Rosanna about her new-to-the-business niece handling such an extraordinary job. But there was no other choice. Marian’s business was very, very exclusive and discreet. So exclusive and discreet it consisted of her and her part-time secretary. And now Rosanna, still learning the ropes. But this was a commission that couldn’t be passed up.
And if it didn’t work out...
Rosanna shivered and clutched the phone tighter. It wasn’t just her reputation and career that would be at risk if she failed, but her aunt’s business.
If she failed and their powerful client was displeased, a few dismissive words from him to other, potential clients could wreak destruction.
She drew a careful breath, working to slow her pulse.
‘I’ll do whatever you want, Marian, but I’ll need guidance.’
Was that a sigh of relief from the other end of the line?
Rosanna wished she could sit with her aunt while she waited for surgery but Marian had insisted there was no time to waste. She’d vetoed a hospital visit and ordered her straight to Chelsea and her home office.
‘Of course, and I’ll be here, on the other end of the line.’ There was a pause. ‘Remember everything I’ve taught you, and that I wouldn’t have brought you in to join me if I didn’t have faith in you.’
Before Rosanna could thank her for that vote of confidence, Marian went on. ‘The stakes may be higher in this case, given the remarkably high profile of our client, but the principles are the same. Now, make a note. These are the files I want you to load to your laptop...’
Twenty minutes later the list of instructions had grown but that was good. Because having specific tasks to do meant there was no time to fret. Until Marian mentioned one last thing.
‘The car will collect you at ten o’clock this morning from my front door.’
‘Ten?’ Rosanna stared at the time, calculating how long it would take her to race to her tiny flat and pack.
‘Precisely. So don’t dawdle. And good luck.’
Rosanna would need all the luck she could get. For the first time she’d take the lead role in her aunt’s phenomenally successful matchmaking business.
If that wasn’t tough enough, her first solo job was to find the perfect bride for a sheikh.
A royal sheikh!
It was a long, long way from working in corporate Sydney. Or even helping Marian with her discreet research.
After Phil’s duplicity Rosanna’s world had fallen apart. Marian’s offer of work in Britain had been a lifeline, one she’d grabbed with both hands to escape the gossip and sidelong looks at home. Even her family’s sympathy and outrage had felt like a burden.
But she’d only worked in her aunt’s firm a little over six months and corporate recruitment wasn’t the same as helping a king choose a bride.
Rosanna had left Australia under a cloud, albeit not of her making, and that weighed heavily. She couldn’t squash the self-doubt that had plagued her since she’d been taken in by her ex. She should have seen through Phil. So much for her vaunted skills in assessing people! It was no excuse to admit she’d been more focused on her career than their wedding. That maybe she hadn’t been as much in love as she’d first thought.