Читать книгу Modern Romance Collection: April 2018 Books 5 - 8 - Andie Brock, Heidi Rice - Страница 19

CHAPTER NINE

THE NEXT TWO weeks passed in a dizzying daze. Preparations for the wedding were rapidly organised, Vieri taking charge, the way he always did. And even though he did consult her, asking her opinion over some of the details, the flowers for the chapel, the food for the wedding breakfast, Harper didn’t have the heart to get involved. So in the end she left it all to him.

A small guest list was drawn up, mostly comprising a few of Alfonso’s trusted colleagues associated with his charities and a handful of old friends. ‘There are so few of us left,’ he had mournfully stated as he had turned the pages of his address book. ‘That’s what comes of being so ancient.’

Vieri had only invited one guest, a Sicilian friend called Jaco Valentino, someone he had known since childhood, apparently. Even that had been Alfonso’s doing, casually mentioning that it would be nice to see Jaco again and why didn’t Vieri see if he was free that day. Vieri had been left with no option but to agree.

Harper, herself, had no intention of inviting anybody, despite Alfonso’s obvious surprise and concern that her father wouldn’t be attending. She had explained, as best she could, that it would be too difficult for Angus to get away at such short notice. This, at least, was partly true. His job as gamekeeper on the Craigmore estate did make it very difficult for him to take any time off. The fact that he had absolutely no idea that his daughter was actually getting married, she kept to herself.

And now the day of their wedding had arrived. Gazing out of the window at the sparkling sunshine, Harper tried to swallow down the nerves inside her. These were not the normal jitters a bride might feel on her big day, those of anticipation and excitement. No, Harper’s nerves were of the more sinister kind, sitting like a leaden weight in her stomach.

Never had she imagined her wedding day would be like this—that she would be facing it so completely alone, without even Leah by her side. Vieri had offered to pay her flight, insisting that her being here wouldn’t be a problem for him, that whatever had gone on between them was all in the past. But Harper had declined. She had no intention of even telling Leah that she was marrying Vieri. What was the point? It wasn’t real. In a few months the marriage would be annulled and it would be as if it had never happened. And besides, if she told Leah it would be all round Glenruie before you could say capercaillie. Leah couldn’t keep a secret to save her life.

Taking her dress from the wardrobe, Harper unzipped it from its garment bag and laid it over her arm. It was made of fine cream silk, with a loose cowl neck and a low back. This was the first time she had actually held it in her hands, and she was taken aback by just how lovely it was.

She had bought it online, having no intention of going to any of the bridal boutiques in Palermo and running into another of Vieri’s admirers. Instead she had chosen it from the vast array of wedding dresses available, rapidly scrolling through them, refusing to spend too much time deliberating over the seductive creations because what did it matter what she looked like anyway? It wasn’t as if she had a lover waiting for her at the altar, desperate to see his beautiful bride. Vieri would probably barely even notice what she was wearing.

Taking off her robe, she slipped the dress over her head. It slithered down over her body, pooling in a perfect circle at her feet. It was almost laughable the way it was such a perfect fit, as if it had been made for her. The slippery silk encased her slender body, showcasing her bare arms, her décolletage, the gentle swell of her hips, her long legs. Allowing herself only the briefest of glances in the mirror, she sat herself down at the dressing table and set about taming her curls into some sort of order, sweeping them up into a loose chignon. She would do this, she would put on some make-up, then she would make her way to the chapel and she would marry Vieri Romano. What she wouldn’t do was think. Because thinking about what she was doing had the capacity to break her heart.

* * *

‘This is all very sudden, mio amico.’

Vieri glanced across at his oldest friend. He and Jaco had been raised together in the children’s home but, unlike him, Jaco had been adopted at the age of eleven and whisked away to a shiny new life. At the time they had pretty much lost touch, but years later, when Jaco was living in New York, they had renewed their acquaintance. By then they were both highly successful businessmen and both enjoying the playboy lifestyle. Standing well over six feet tall but having lost none of his boyish charm, Jaco had rivalled Vieri for the affections of the city’s most beautiful women, or so he liked to keep telling him. But there was no doubting that the two of them had been a formidable force when they had hit the town together.

‘Well, you know how it is, Jac.’ Deliberately vague, Vieri shifted his weight from one leg to the other, checking his watch again.

The two men were standing beside the altar of the chapel, waiting for the bride to appear. The small congregation was chattering amongst themselves, the priest bending down to talk to Alfonso, who had had his wheelchair positioned right at the front so that he would miss nothing.

‘I’m not sure I do.’ Jaco gave his friend a sideways glance. ‘I thought we had both agreed that the whole marriage thing wasn’t for us.’

‘Well, yes.’ Vieri tugged at the sleeve of his shirt. ‘But things change, don’t they?’

‘And would this sudden change be anything to do with your godfather?’ Jaco narrowed his eyes. ‘I understand he doesn’t have a lot longer on this earth.’

‘I want to make him happy, Jac. It’s the least I can do.’

‘Even so, getting married... Isn’t that a bit extreme?’

Vieri shrugged and Jaco followed his gaze in the direction of Alfonso, who looked up and gave them a beaming smile.

‘There’s your answer.’ Vieri returned his eyes to the front. ‘That look has got to be worth a bit of self-sacrifice.’

‘If you say so, old friend.’ Jaco patted Vieri on the shoulder. ‘If you say so.’

With a low rumble and a couple of hollow squeaks, the organ music started up and the congregation fell silent. Moving into position in front of the altar, Vieri stood tall and straight, pushing back his shoulders, gazing up at the arched stained-glass window. As the slightly wheezy strains of Vivaldi’s Primavera filled the intimate but echoing space he found himself saying a silent prayer, asking for guidance, or absolution, or at least some sort of indication that he really was doing the right thing. For suddenly this wedding felt terrifyingly real.

A sharp dig in the ribs from his friend interrupted his thoughts. ‘Self-sacrifice, eh?’ With a low laugh, Jaco, who had been looking over his shoulder, returned to face the front. ‘I’m not sure that’s what I’d call it. She’s a stunner Vieri.’

But Vieri had no time to reply. With a swish of silk Harper had come to stand beside him and finally he turned to look at her, only for the breath to be sucked from his lungs. Because she looked exquisite. The simple dress sheathed her gentle curves and slithered to the floor. She carried a small bouquet of white gardenia, with a single bloom tucked into her hair behind one ear, and as he stared at her a shaft of coloured light flickered over her face and down her body, giving her an ethereal, almost other-worldly appearance.

Vieri forced himself to drag in some air. He had never expected this, to have such a visceral reaction to his bride, so strong that it threatened to undo him completely. He told himself that it had to be guilt, for what he was making her do, what he was putting her through. But the way his mind was already slipping the silky garment down her body, his fingers itching to explore the exposed skin beneath, had nothing to do with guilt. Neither did the inexplicable surge of emotion that had suddenly consumed him, coming out of nowhere, so strong that it burned behind his eyes, held his muscles taut. It was a wave of tenderness, of possessiveness. The feeling, no, the certainty that Harper would be his and his alone. From this day forth.

They held each other’s gaze and for a split second Vieri saw all the torment and confusion he was experiencing reflected in Harper’s remarkable hazel eyes. And the desire. Yes, she felt it too, no matter how much she might try and deny it. That, at least, gave salve to his masculine pride.

The priest gave a small cough, opening the heavy bible in his hands, preparing to start the ceremony. But he had barely uttered more than a few words from the opening address before the door at the rear of the chapel squeaked open, then closed again, followed by footsteps hastening down the aisle that defied all but the most stoic not to turn and see who this latecomer might be.

‘Sorry, sorry.’ There was no mistaking that accent or who it belonged to as the apologies continued and the guests shuffled along to make room for her at the end of a pew.

‘Leah!’ Harper had turned to look at her sister, whispering her name in astonishment before frantically mouthing, What are you doing here?

Seated now, Leah gave her an apologetic grin, followed by a little wave, which turned into a dismissive gesture to get on with it.

Harper turned back to the front. ‘Your doing, I take it?’ she whispered under her breath, her eyes fixed straight ahead, but there was a smile in her voice.

Vieri shrugged in admission. It was true he had ignored Harper’s instructions not to invite her sister, going behind her back and sending Leah the money for her flight here. He wasn’t even sure why he’d done it, except that he had strongly felt that it was time Harper’s family supported her, instead of it always being the other way round. It was time they realised just how lucky they were to have her.

When Leah hadn’t shown this morning he had written her off, assumed she had just taken the money, ripped him off again. But it seemed he had been wrong.

‘There are two of them?’ To his right he heard Jaco utter his astonishment but Vieri wasn’t going to start explaining now. He would, however, put his friend right about that young woman the first chance he got. If ever anyone had trouble written through them like a stick of rock, she did.

* * *

As Harper took her seat at the head of the table she hardly recognised the ancient dining room that had been transformed for the wedding breakfast. The draughty, echoing room had had a serious makeover: colourful antique rugs covered the cold flagstone floor, red velvet chairs replaced the uncomfortable carved wooden ones, and the table had been beautifully laid with a white damask tablecloth set with silver gilt cutlery and sparkling crystal. Arrangements of winter flowers, interspersed with cream candles in gilt candlesticks, ran the length of the table. In fact there were candles everywhere, positioned on the polished wood furniture at the sides of the room and in the heavy iron candelabra above their heads. A roaring fire blazed in the enormous grate.

‘The wedding planners have done a good job.’ Vieri eased himself into the seat beside her. ‘I’ll have to remember to use them again.’

‘For your next wedding, do you mean?’ Avoiding his eyes, Harper smiled sweetly at the assembled guests as she shook out her napkin and placed it on her lap.

‘I actually meant commercially—my hotels host a lot of weddings.’ Vieri gave her a dark stare. ‘I have no intention of marrying again.’

‘Oh, my mistake.’ Accepting a glass of wine from the waiter, Harper let her shoulders drop from where they had been hovering up around her ears. They were married now, deed was done, there was no point in being all prickly with Vieri. That would solve nothing. She might just as well relax and enjoy the meal as best she could.

She cast her eyes down the long table. Leah was sitting about halfway down, next to Vieri’s friend, Jaco. Harper had to admit it was lovely to have her here, and secretly she was touched that Vieri had gone to the trouble of arranging it. She couldn’t hear what they were saying but under Jaco’s instruction Leah was swilling the wine around in her glass, then holding it to her nose to inhale the bouquet. Jaco was laughing.

At the far end of the table, Alfonso was holding court with a couple of elderly friends. Feeling Harper’s eyes on him, he looked up and smiled, raising his glass.

‘Look at him.’ Vieri leant in closer and immediately Harper’s senses leapt about in response. ‘I can’t remember the last time I saw him so happy.’ Raising his own glass in return, he waited for Harper to do the same. ‘We did the right thing, you know.’

Harper nodded. For the first time this whole crazy venture made sense. For the first time she could see why they had done it. To give pleasure to a kind and generous man who deserved happiness at the very end of his life. For the first time it felt as if they had done something good.

‘Yes, we did, didn’t we?’ She turned and smiled at Vieri, clinking her glass against his, and as their eyes met Harper felt her stomach somersault inside her.

‘I’m glad you agree.’ Holding her gaze, Vieri studied her face intently before covering her hand with his own. ‘You have a lovely smile, by the way. You should use it more often.’

Harper quickly looked away, battling against the crippling effect of the unexpected compliment. Gripping the stem of her glass, she took a sip of the velvety wine. If her smile was lovely, his was deadly, used for the sole purpose of killing his prey.

She had been fighting his devastating attraction all day, since the moment she had come to stand beside him in the chapel. Dressed in an immaculate grey suit, with matching waistcoat, and a blue silk tie that mirrored his ultramarine eyes, Vieri was the embodiment of sheer masculine perfection. His dark hair was pushed back from his forehead, curling behind his ears. When he was clean-shaven, his thick sideburns appeared more obvious, as did his square jaw and that oh-so-sensuous pink mouth. A mouth that brought back the memory of how it had felt against her own. That begged to be felt there again.

Setting down her glass, Harper took a shaky breath. Today, more than any day, she needed to be careful. She had to be on her guard, protect herself from the deadly onslaught of Vieri’s charm. And step one was to try and steady the traitorous thump of her heart right now.

In true Sicilian style, the meal went on for hours. Course after course of delicious food was served, accompanied by freely flowing wine that ensured all the guests had a good time. Day soon turned to night, and as the more elderly guests started to leave Alfonso eventually announced that he was going to retire. Calling Vieri and Harper over, he embraced them warmly as they bent to kiss his cheek, taking hold of Harper’s hand as she straightened up and patting it affectionately.

‘Thank you so much, both of you. This has been wonderful.’ He smiled up at them but as the smile faded a seriousness crept into his eyes. ‘I hope you know how much it means to me.’

‘We do, padrino.’ Vieri squeezed his shoulder. ‘And we are very glad that you have enjoyed the day.’

‘I don’t just mean the day.’ A hint of impatience crept in as Alfonso gripped Harper’s hand with surprising force. ‘I’m talking about the two of you being officially married.’ He paused and Harper could see just how tired he was. ‘I must admit, I had my doubts. You might even call them suspicions.’ His bushy eyebrows lowered over eyes that flicked between Harper and Vieri. ‘In fact I did wonder at first if the two of you had cooked this up between you. A well-intentioned but misguided plan to fool an old man.’ Harper froze, her gaze locked on Alfonso’s hand so that she wouldn’t have to meet Vieri’s eye.

‘But then I saw the two of you together and my mind was put at rest. Because I could see it in your eyes, feel it here, in my heart.’ He banged his chest with his fist. ‘I could see that you loved each other. And that was all that mattered. Which was why I hurried things along a bit.’ He gave a low chuckle.

‘You mean it wasn’t because you are dying!’ With a leap of hope, Harper blurted out the words.

‘Oh, bless you, my dear. I’m dying all right.’ Alfonso kissed her hand. ‘But now, I can die in peace, safe in the knowledge that my godson has finally found the happiness he deserves.’

Harper forced down the lump in her throat, fighting the tears that pricked the backs of her eyes.

‘Anyway, enough of my old-man ramblings. I hope that you young people will continue to celebrate long into the night. Oh, I nearly forgot.’ Reaching into his inside jacket pocket, he withdrew an envelope and passed it to Vieri. ‘A wedding present. Open it later.’

‘Thank you, padrino.’ Vieri put the envelope into his pocket. ‘You are very kind.’

‘And you are very dear to me, both of you, I want you to know that. Come, one last embrace.’ Holding out his arms, he pulled them down into a long hug before kissing them in turn on the cheek. ‘Now it is time to say goodbye.’ His voice wavered. ‘Addio, miei cari!’

He signalled to Maria, who had returned to the castello just in time for the wedding. Taking hold of the handles of his wheelchair, she waited for Alfonso to release the brake before slowly wheeling him out of the room. As Harper and Vieri watched him go, he raised a shaky hand of farewell above his head.