The Venetian Playboy's Bride (Counts of Calvani-1) by Lucy Gordon

Author:Lucy Gordon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

A last-minute phone call from an important customer meant that Guido was later reaching the palace than he’d meant to be, and arrived in jeans and sweater. Knowing this would incur his uncle’s censure he slipped into the garden by a small gate to which only the initiated had the key, and moved quietly through the growing shadows. With luck he could reach his own room and change quickly into what Francesco called ‘the proper attire’ and what he called ‘stuffed shirt.’

Through the trees he could discern the terrace overlooking the water, where the count would be entertaining their guest to pre-dinner drinks. Yes, he could see him now, also Leo and Marco, but the lady was still obscure. He could just make out that she was wearing an ice-blue dress, but not her face. It would be useful to discover more of her and know the worst that awaited him this evening. As he emerged from the trees he hugged the wall, flattening himself against it as he edged nearer the terrace.

There was a flash of pale blue as she turned to look outwards, and suddenly he saw her face clearly.

For a split second he froze with shock. Then he moved fast. It was too late to return to the trees. The only concealment lay directly under the terrace. A swift dash, and he just made it.

‘Is something the matter?’ he heard his uncle ask over his head.

Then Dulcie’s voice. ‘No, I just thought I saw someone move down there. I must have been mistaken.’

Guido’s brow was damp. This couldn’t be happening to him! What had become of his famous luck that had protected him through a thousand scrapes? Creditors—he’d paid them all eventually, but his early days in business had involved much tap-dancing—ladies with marriage in their eyes, husbands with shotguns, he’d sidestepped them all with wit and charm.

But where was his guardian angel now? Absent without leave, that was where. Another few minutes and he’d have walked in on Dulcie and his family, to be introduced in his true identity. It was no use saying that he’d meant to tell her soon anyway. He hadn’t meant it like this.

Muffled noises from above, Leo and Marco voices, then his uncle’s, irritated. ‘What’s happened to the fellow? My apologies for my nephew’s tardiness. Call him one of you and ask when he’ll be here.’

Guido moved fast to switch off his mobile before it could ring and reveal his location. He mopped his brow.

Marco spoke. ‘His phone is off.’

‘No matter,’ Francesco declared. ‘He’ll be here at any moment.’

Not on your life! Guido thought desperately.

‘I do hope so.’ That was Dulcie. ‘Because I’m really looking forward to meeting your third nephew, count…’

Their voices faded.

With calamity staring him in the face, Guido thought fast. Nobody had seen him. He could still get away. His mind was racing. Slip out the way he’d come in, call his uncle to apologise for the unexpected crisis that would prevent him having the pleasure of joining them tonight.

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