Page 48 of Wife After Wife

Harry glanced at Lesley before continuing. “We’ve been very impressed with your work, Ana. As part of our restructuring, we’re moving Tonya Teague across toFoodie, and we’d like you to take over the art director position atHooray!We feel it’s in need of a redesign. Do you think this is something you could successfully manage?”

Ana tried to hide the elation threatening to burst out of her. This was huge. Only months ago she’d been a trainee designer on a new magazine no one had heard of. Now they wanted her to head up the design team of one of Britain’s most popular weeklies.

“I’d love to freshen upHooray!I’ve had some thoughts about it for a while, in fact. So yes, I know I’d be able to come up with ideas you’d be excited about.”

“Excellent. Well, I’m sure I won’t be popular with Nate and Terri, but this is what Rose is all about—bringing through people who show great promise, giving them the opportunity to...” He grimaced. “Bloom.”

Ana couldn’t help a smile.

“Yes, I did just say that. I suggest after the current issue of theRackhas been put to bed, you move across toHooray!with the aim of a softrelaunch early next year. Mia’s on board and I’m sure will welcome the opportunity to work with fresh new talent.”

Ana wasn’t so sure. Mia had a reputation for being devious as a snake, and her venom was legendary.

“I’ll be mostly hands-off,” said Harry, “but I do want to have input, asHooray!is one of our flagship magazines.”

“Thank you for the opportunity. I’m very much looking forward to getting started.”

Harry nodded to Lesley, then sat back in his chair and ran his eyes over Ana as Lesley spoke.

“There will of course be a substantial increase in your salary and benefits,” she said. “You may discuss the move with your team on theRack, but it would be inappropriate to talk to anyone else at Rose about your promotion today, given the sensitivity of the situation.”

“I’ll be discreet,” said Ana.

“Then congratulations,” said Lesley.

Harry stood up and held out his hand. “May I add my congratulations, Ana. My secretary will arrange a meeting next week, as I’d like to get the ball rolling on the relaunch.”

She took his hand and was mortified when a thrill ran through her as he squeezed it. It must have been the excitement of the moment.

“I know how important this will be to Rose,” she said, hoping he hadn’t noticed her discomfort. “I’m keen to get started.”

Harry smiled, still holding her hand—and her gaze—for far longer than was necessary. His eyes really were an incredible shade of blue.

As she left the room, Ana’s elation subsided a little as a suspicion crept into her mind. Had Harry just engineered a way for them to work closely together? Regular meetings with an art director would raise far fewer eyebrows than if he were paying attention to a lowly design assistant.

She put the thought aside. Even if he did have a passing fancy for her, he knew she was engaged. And if it were true that he had a rovingeye, well, then it could rove somewhere else. There was plenty to choose from at Totty Tower, an awful lot of it going groupie every time he made an appearance in their departments.

She remembered she was seeing Merry for a catch-up tonight, and wondered again if there was something between Harry and her sister. As well as her own suspicions, she’d caught wind of rumors via Megan.

There was always gossip about Merry. No doubt that had something to do with what their mother had once called “far too much of the come-hither.” But there had been too many whispers now for Ana to reject them out of hand.

Maybe she should do a little digging.

“Ana!” called Terri as she walked past her office.

Ana backtracked.

“What did Harry say?”

She went in and shut the door. “What do you know—what has he said about me?”

“Why the cloak-and-dagger? He just said you wouldn’t be leaving. But then I never thought you would, seeing as you’re his personal protégée. Just as well you do a bloody good job, otherwise I’d have found a reason to sack you on principle.”

“Even if I had help getting my foot in the door, I knew I was up to the job. It was just harder for me to prove it than most.”

“Fair point.”

“OK, well, I’m allowed to discuss it with theRackteam only, but Harry wants me to move toHooray!as, um, art director. Tonya Teague’s going toFoodie.”