At her side, Markos said something foreboding in Greek.
‘What’s happening?’ asked Vanessa, a look of anxiety on her face. ‘Is it the air ambulance?’
‘Worse,’ said her bridegroom grimly.
The helicopter descended onto the cleared area, with the infernal noise of the rotors finally decreasing, and from of the interior a tall, lithe man in a hand-made suit jumped down, then gave a hand to a woman in a brilliant scarlet couture outfit and a hat with a cascade of crimson feathers in it.
‘Oh, my God, it’s Anna,’ said Vanessa faintly.
‘And Leo,’ added Markos.
‘But this was going to be a very quiet wedding!’
‘Not any more,’ said Markos. ‘We’ve been rumbled.’
With an air of resignation he watched Leo and Anna pause only to thank the policeman and bid farewell to the pilot, then charge across the road towards them. Greek burst from Leo, and he wrapped his arms around Markos in a huge bear hug. Anna came striding up to Vanessa and stopped dead in front of her.
‘Don’t you dare marry him if he hasn’t grovelled to you yet!’ she ordered. Then, without waiting for an answer, she lavished two huge air-kisses on each of Vanessa’s cheeks. ‘I can’t kiss you properly because of this stupid lipstick,’ she said, then stepped back, looking straight at her. ‘He does love you, doesn’t he? And he’s said so, hasn’t he?’
Vanessa nodded. ‘Yes, he does, and he has, and he keeps on doing it. I can’t seem to stop him.’
‘Good!’ said Anna fiercely, and turned on Markos. ‘You just be good to her, all right?’
‘All my life,’ he said quietly. ‘And beyond.’
‘Good!’ said Anna again, and then blinked rapidly. ‘Oh, rats, I’m going to cry. And my make-up took ages!’
Silently, her husband handed her a large silk monogrammed handkerchief from his suit pocket.
‘We’re attracting the local paparazzi,’ he announced laconically.
Around them a small crowd was gathering, and some were taking photos.
‘That one in red is on the telly,’ one woman remarked to another knowingly, if inaccurately. ‘She’s in one of the afternoon soaps.’
‘Better get on with the wedding, love, or you’ll be in the maternity ward before he gets the ring on you!’ called another cheerfully to Vanessa.
‘Smile, please—local press—Teymouth Times,’ yet another voice said, and a flash went off.
With a benign smile all round, Leo ushered his wife and the bridal couple indoors.
‘How the hell did you find out?’ demanded Markos in Greek, in an undertone.
‘Don’t be dense, little cousin,’ returned Leo scornfully. ‘Taki’s sister’s married to my pilot—you hadn’t a hope in hell of keeping it quiet. Just as well, anyway.’
He paused in the entrance hall and plunged his hand into his inside jacket pocket, drawing out a jewellery case. He turned to Vanessa.
‘I’m cutting it a bit fine, I know, but this is for you. It’s compensation for having to marry my idiot of a cousin.’
He flicked open the case. Green fire flashed in the light. Vanessa’s breath caught.
‘Oh, no, I couldn’t—it’s from the Levantsky collection!’
‘I told Anna it would look perfect on you at your wedding. And it will, too.’ He lifted out the necklace, handed the case to his wife, and moved to loop the emeralds around Vanessa’s neck.
‘I’ll drape my bride in jewels, thank you!’ said Markos, and took the necklace. ‘And, what’s more, I’ll buy them for her myself.’
Leo shrugged nonchalantly. ‘I’ll take a banker’s draft from you then. You can have them at cost, seeing as you’re family.’