The Blackmailed Bridegroom. Miranda Lee

      ‘You only flew into town this morning,’ her father went on a little testily. ‘I would have thought you’d be too tired to go out.’

      ‘I slept on the plane,’ Antonio explained coolly. ‘I’m only home for two weeks, as you know. Terrible to waste my holiday sleeping it away, don’t you think? There are much better ways to spend one’s leisure time. What say you, Paige? Should we make our escape now, before Evelyn returns and force-feeds us both?’

      Paige didn’t need any encouragement. She was on her feet in a flash. Too late, however. Evelyn was already coming into the room, carrying a tray of desserts towards the table.

      Paige hesitated. Not so Antonio, who strode around the table towards her.

      ‘Our apologies, Evelyn,’ he said smoothly as he took Paige’s elbow and steered her towards the doorway. ‘Paige and I are going out and haven’t time for dessert right now.’

      Paige expected the woman to look put out. Instead, she smiled oh, so sweetly at them both as they passed. ‘That’s quite all right, Antonio. Dessert will keep. It’s nice to see you and Paige are friends at long last.’

      Paige’s mouth dropped open at Evelyn’s hypocrisy. There was no level to which that woman would not stoop!