‘You’re looking a little peaky, darling. You’re not coming down with something, are you?’
‘A headache, Mamma.’ It wasn’t too far from the truth.
Teresa frowned with concern. ‘Take some tablets, and get some rest.’
As if rest was the panacea for everything! ‘Carlo and I are attending the sculpture exhibition at the Gallery tonight.’
‘It’s just as well Carlo is whisking you away to the Coast for the weekend. The break will do you good.’
Somehow Aysha doubted it.
The Gallery held a diverse mix of invited guests, some of whom attended solely to be seen and hopefully make the social pages. Others came to admire, with a view to adding to their collection.
Carlo and Aysha fell into a separate category. A close friend was one of the exhibiting artists and they wanted to add their support.
‘Ciao, bella,’ a male voice greeted, and Aysha turned to face the extraordinarily handsome young man who’d sent his personal invitation.
‘Bruno!’ She flung her arms wide and gave him an enthusiastic hug. ‘How are you?’
‘The better for seeing you.’ He lowered his head and bestowed a kiss to each cheek in turn. ‘Damn Carlo for snaring you first.’ He withdrew gently and looked deeply into those smoky grey eyes, then he turned towards Carlo and lifted one eyebrow in silent query. ‘Carlo, amici. Come stai?’
Something passed between both men. Aysha glimpsed it, and sought to avert any swing in the territorial parameters by tucking one hand through Carlo’s arm.
‘Come show us your exhibits.’
For the next half-hour they wandered the large room, pausing to examine and comment, or converse with a few of the fellow guests.
Aysha moved towards a neighbouring exhibit as Carlo was temporarily waylaid by a business acquaintance.
‘Your lips curve wide with a generous smile, yet your eyes are sad,’ said Bruno. ‘Why?’
The wedding is a week tomorrow.’ She gave a graceful shrug. ‘Teresa and I have been shopping together every day, and nearly every night Carlo and I have been out.’
‘Sad, cara,’ Bruno reiterated. ‘I didn’t say tired. If Carlo isn’t taking care of you, he will answer to me.’
She summoned a wicked smile and her eyes sparkled with hidden laughter. ‘Swords at dawn? Or should that be pistols?’
‘I would take pleasure in breaking his nose.’
She turned to check on the subject of their discussion, and stiffened. Bruno, acutely perceptive, shifted his head and followed her gaze. ‘Ah, the infamous Nina.’
The statuesque brunette looked stunning in red, the soft material hugging every curve like a well-fitting glove.
Bruno leant down and said close to Aysha’s ear, ‘Shall we go break it up?’
‘Let’s do that.’ The smile she proffered didn’t reach her eyes, and her heart hammered a little in her chest as she drew close.
Nina’s tapered red-lacquered nails rested on Carlo’s forearm, and Aysha watched those nails conduct a gentle caressing movement back and forth over a small area of his tailored jacket.
Nina’s make-up was superb, her mouth a perfect glossy red bow.
‘Want me to charm her?’ Bruno murmured, and Aysha responded equally quietly.
‘Thanks, but I can fight my own battles.’
‘Take care, cara. You’re dealing with a dangerous cat.’ He paused as they reached Carlo’s side. ‘Your most precious possession,’ Bruno said lightly, and inclined his head with deliberate mockery, ‘Nina.’ Then he smiled, and moved through the crowd.
Wise man, Aysha accorded silently, wishing she could do the same.
‘Darling, do get me a drink. You know what I like.’
Aysha began a mental countdown the moment Carlo left to find a waitress.
‘I imagine you’ve checked the photographs?’ Nina raised one eyebrow and raked Aysha’s slender frame. ‘Caused a little grief, did they?’
‘Wasn’t that your purpose?’ Aysha was cold, despite the warmth of the summer evening.
‘How clever of you,’ Nina approved. ‘Have you decided to condone his transgressions? I do hope so.’ Her smile was seductively sultry. ‘I would hate to have to give him up.’
Her heart felt as if it was encased in ice. ‘You’ve missed your vocation,’ she said steadily.
‘What makes you say that, darling?’
She needed the might of a sword, but a verbal punch-line was better than nothing. ‘You should have been an actress.’ A smile cost her almost every resource she had, but she managed one beautifully, then she turned and threaded her way towards one of Bruno’s sculptures.
‘Who won?’
Bruno could always be counted on, and she cast him a wry smile. ‘You noticed.’
‘Ah, but I was looking out for you.’ He curved an arm around the back of her waist. ‘Now, tell me what you think about this piece.’
She examined it carefully. ‘Interesting,’ she conceded. ‘If I say it resembles my idea of an African fertility god, would it offend you?’
‘Not at all, because that’s exactly what it is.’
‘You’re just saying that to make me feel good.’
He placed a hand over his heart. ‘I swear.’
She began to laugh, and he smiled down at her. ‘Why not me, cara?’ he queried softly, and hugged her close. ‘I’d treat you like the finest porcelain.’
‘I know,’ she said gently, and with a degree of very real regret.
‘You love him, don’t you?’
‘Is it that obvious?’
‘Only to me,’ he assured her quietly. ‘I just hope Carlo knows how fortunate he is to have you.’
‘He does.’
Aysha heard that deep musing drawl, glimpsed the latent darkness in his eyes, and gently extricated herself from Bruno’s grasp. ‘I was admiring Bruno’s sculpture.’
Carlo cast her a glittering look that set her nerves on edge. How dared he look at her like that when he’d been playing up close and personal with Nina?
‘Don’t play games, cara,’ Carlo warned as soon as Bruno was out of earshot.
‘Practise what you preach, darling,’ she said sweetly. ‘And please get me a drink. It’ll give Nina another opportunity to waylay you.’
He bit off a husky oath. ‘We can leave peaceably, or not,’ he said with deceptive quietness. ‘Your choice.’ He meant every word.
‘Bruno will be disappointed.’
‘He’ll get over it.’
‘I could make a scene,’ Aysha threatened, and his expression hardened.
‘It wouldn’t make any difference.’
It would, however, give Nina the utmost pleasure to witness their dissension. ‘I guess we get to say goodnight,’ she capitulated with minimum grace.
Ten minutes later she was seated in the Mercedes as it