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Which didn’t surprise Harriet Nothing would surprise Harriet about Jereht hi at the mother of the bride, as still attractive and possibly younger than Claudia The only other guests were Sergio’s housekeeper, Maria, and her husband, Carlo, who obviously thought theby the wide smiles on their faces

By the time the celebrant—a portly and loquacious Italian naio and Bella husband and wife, Claudia and the h not enough to spoil their make-up

Harriet felt teary herself, partly because she always cried at weddings, but mostly because she knew she would never marry the man she loved Oh, dear God She did love Alex, didn’t she? There was no longer any doubt in her mind She’d suspected as ht away When her eyes automatically went to him, more tears threatened Fortunately, he didn’t notice; the official photographer—a tall, thin woman in her forties—had pounced on the bridal party forHarriet to battle her emotions in private

Ti her phone back into her black clutch bag Go talk to the countess Or Bella’s , and for pity’s sake, no !

Alex felt impatient for the reception luncheon to be over, despite the happiness of the occasion and the quality of the food They were sitting at the suiven course after ht side and Jere the lavish meal a lot aze drifting over the table to Sergio and Bella, who didn’t seely into each other’s eyes Alex finally agreed with Jereio; the way she looked at hiio abandoning the family business in order to move to New York with her

They were actually flying there later this evening, which was the reason for thethis, Alex had booked a hire car to pick both himself and Harriet up at her hotel later that afternoon and take theht to Venice, where he’d booked them into one of the city’s most luxurious hotels The suite he’d picked had cost a bomb, but he didn’t care He worked hard Why shouldn’t he spoil himself? Alex suspected, however, that it was Harriet whom he wanted to spoil

He watched her out of the corner of his eye, thinking how lovely she looked today She earing the same red cocktail dress she’d worn to the charity dinner earlier this year, the one which had given hiht Or had they been jealous thoughts? He certainly hadn’t liked the thought of her going home with that dullard Dwayne She’d always deserved someone better

But you’re not better, that annoying voice piped up once again Except perhaps in bed You’re selfish and ruthless, and a total waste of time She’d be better off without you in her life Really, your behaviour has been quite shaet hoo

But he didn’t want to let her go He couldn’t Not yet

Harriet tried to pretend she was having a wonderful time, but she wasn’t The food was marvellous, yes, but there ay toowas that she didn’t want to offend the countess, who’d obviously gone to a lot of trouble to et out of there and be alone with Alex once o to Venice Lake Co married here today had temporarily spoiled the place for her Venice would be ht was out of mind, or so they said She didn’t want to think about love and et hera strictly sexual affair with Alex Nothing more

Before she’d left Sydney to come to Italy, Harriet had vowed to enjoy the trip for what it was But soer of disintegrating Which was a shae

‘None of that infernal sighing,’ he muttered under his breath

Harriet gave him a rueful smile ‘It’s just that I’m full,’ she whispered ‘I can’t eat another bite’