Vieri's Convenient Vows. Andie Brock

a dangerous thing. But on the other hand, what did it matter? People were bound to find out sooner or later and frankly the temptation to try and shock that supercilious face out of its Botoxed grimace was too great to resist. She took in a breath.

      ‘I am Vieri’s fiancée.’

      The look of total astonishment on Donatella’s face was so great that Harper wasn’t sure she had actually taken the information in. She decided to clarify, just for good measure. ‘We are engaged to be married.’

      ‘Mio Dio!’ The words rasped from her throat before Donatella had time to stop them. But she quickly recovered herself. ‘How simply wonderful. Come, let me embrace you.’ She tugged Harper against her again, speaking over her shoulder. ‘Why, that means we are almost family.’

      Harper suppressed a shudder. If she had thought her own family was bad enough, this woman was on another level altogether.

      Pulling away, Donatella held her at arm’s length, gripping her shoulders that bit too hard with bony hands that felt more like claws. ‘To think that Vieri is finally to marry. You must tell me simply everything, my dear, where you met, how you came to fall in love, although Vieri of course has always been totally irresistible and you...you are such a pretty young thing. When is the wedding to be? This is all so romantic!’ She was babbling now, the words coming out in a rabid torrent. ‘We must have lunch.’ Fishing in her bag, she produced a diary, hurriedly flicking through the pages. ‘Now, let me see—’

      ‘That’s very kind of you,’ Harper interrupted, ‘but I can’t give you a date right now. I’m not really sure what my plans are.’

      This brought Donatella’s head back up. ‘Your plans?’ Immediately she pounced on Harper’s mistake. ‘I’m sure Vieri will have everything mapped out for you both. He has always been so frightfully organised. When did you say the wedding was?’

      ‘I didn’t,’ Harper replied firmly. ‘We haven’t fixed a date yet.’

      ‘So this is all quite sudden?’ Cold blue eyes drilled into her. ‘You haven’t known Vieri very long?’