Australia: Gorgeous Grooms: The Andreou Marriage Arrangement / His Prisoner in Paradise / Wedding Night with a Stranger. HELEN BIANCHIN

curled round her heartstrings and tugged a little. ‘Damned with faint praise.’

      Together they descended the staircase and moved to the front entrance where Cristos waited with the limousine.

      ‘Anything more and you’ll get a swelled head,’ she said solemnly as she slid into the rear passenger seat. Her pulse leapt as he captured her hand and held it for the duration of the drive into the city.

      The hotel hosting the event had to be one of the city’s finest, Alesha perceived as she stood at Loukas’ side amongst the mingling guests sipping champagne.

      Men of varying ages wore formal evening wear while the women sparkled … literally, in jewellery worth a fortune.

      She became aware her presence garnered speculative interest, and she tilted her head a little, kept a smile in place, and maintained an expected pretence.

      It was something of a relief when Constantine, Angelina, Daria and Lexi joined them.

      ‘The rescue team,’ Lexi enlightened her quietly as she leant forward to brush her lips to Alesha’s cheek. ‘You look gorgeous.’

      ‘Same goes.’ A genuine compliment as Loukas’ sister wore a stunning gown in fire-engine red that showcased her figure with breathtaking style.

      Daria looked regal in black, while Angelina had opted for delicate shades of lilac.

      ‘Would you like a rundown on some of the guests?’ Lexi queried lightly. ‘Or would you prefer to form your own impression?’

      ‘You think it’ll make a difference?’

      ‘Not in the slightest,’ Lexi assured her. ‘Although I shall warn you of any impending danger.’

      She couldn’t help a faint laugh. ‘Loukas’ ex-girlfriends?’

      ‘Plural? You’re quick. One in particular.’

      ‘Do I get a name?’

      ‘Iliana,’ Lexi informed her with droll humour. ‘Model, filthy rich, and hunting Loukas. Expect a cat-fight when she discovers he’s taken.’

      ‘As she will?’

      ‘Darling Alesha. News travels fast.’

      So it did, in any city in the world. Why should Athens be any different?

      ‘Approaching from the right,’ Lexi voiced softly several minutes later. ‘Wearing black and white.’

      Stunning, tall, incredibly slender, with exquisitely assembled facial features, luminous dark eyes and a mouth that promised much.

      Oh, my. Perfection personified, Alesha conceded as Iliana drew close.

      ‘Kalispera.’

      The greeting included each of them, but the model’s attention rested solely on Loukas.

      ‘Iliana.’ His voice held a coolness that was ignored.

      ‘You have a relative join you tonight?’ The assumption held a teasing lightness that wasn’t reflected in her eyes, and Alesha was willing to swear all three Andreou women drew in their collective breaths.

      ‘My wife, Alesha,’ Loukas relayed in a silky drawl, and merely compounded the situation by taking hold of Alesha’s hand and raising it to his lips.

      ‘How … adventurous of you, darling,’ Iliana arched, ‘when a legal commitment was never on your agenda.’ She paused to summon a slight, deliberately fake smile. ‘Although there is the duty to produce an Andreou heir.’

      The woman was all feline with vicious claws, Alesha perceived, and doubtless ate unsuspecting men for breakfast.

      It posed the question as to how deeply involved she’d been with Loukas.

      Even the thought of the model’s sinuous body wrapping itself around him made Alesha feel slightly nauseous.

      She gave herself a mental shake. Get real. He’s no celibate. It’s a given there have been women … probably scads of them. So what?

      But Iliana?

      How could she hope to compete?

      ‘Do you not speak?’ the model posed with the glitter of revenge momentarily apparent in her dark eyes.

      ‘When I have something to say.’

      She sensed Lexi’s faint smile, and mentally braced herself for Iliana’s next verbal parry.

      ‘It doesn’t bother you that Loukas and I are intimate friends?’

      ‘Should it?’

      ‘Enough.’ One word, quietly delivered, but only a fool would ignore the steel beneath Loukas’ silky voice.

      Daria offered a comment in her own language … words Alesha had no difficulty in comprehending.

      The evening didn’t improve as Iliana boldly took her place at their table, ignored Daria and Angelina’s telling looks as she proceeded to stake a claim for Loukas’ attention.

      To his credit he mostly ignored her, adhering only to polite civility as the occasion demanded.

      Yet it made for unnecessary awkwardness, and doubtless aroused speculation amongst many of the guests present.

      Alesha recalled the words of a famed socialite who advised … ‘Don’t get mad, darling—get even.’

      So she smiled, conducted animated conversation with their table companions, and managed to cast Loukas an adoring look or three during the meal.

      It helped that he played a similar part, although there was a bad moment when Alesha and Lexi used the powder room, and Iliana entered as they were about to exit.

      Alesha witnessed the gleam of satisfaction in the model’s eyes, and mentally prayed a verbal war could be avoided.

      ‘Very clever of you, darling, to land a fish of Loukas’ calibre. What bait did you use?’

      ‘Public displays are a trifle tacky,’ she ventured as Iliana initiated a confrontation. ‘Don’t you think?’

      ‘Are you pregnant?’

      ‘Iliana,’ Lexi said quietly. ‘You’re in danger of making a fool of yourself.’

      Alesha placed a placating hand on Lexi’s arm and held the model’s gaze as she asked evenly, ‘Is there a point to this conversation?’

      Hard eyes raked a damning appraisal. ‘You’re quite pretty. But don’t think your marriage will last. Loukas is an intensely sexual animal. I doubt you’ll satisfy him for long.’

      ‘You think? Perhaps I should thank you for the advice and suggest more creative positions …’ she paused deliberately ‘… in places other than the bedroom.’