She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘There must be something very valuable in that bag to make you want it so much.’
‘Right now, I want you far more than anything in that damned bag.’
Willow giggled, feeling a sudden heady rush of excitement which had more to do with the way he was making her feel than the glass of punch she’d drunk. ‘Which was a very neat way of avoiding my question.’
‘I don’t remember you actually asking a question and it’s the only answer you’re going to get. So when can we leave?’
‘After the cake has been cut,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Look, there are the main players getting ready to speak and I’m supposed to be up at the top table. I’ll see you in a while.’
She tore herself away from his arms, aware of his gaze burning into her as she walked across the garden, but at that moment she was on such a high that she felt as if she could have floated over the candlelit lawn.
It didn’t take Flora long to bring her right back down to earth as she joined her in the throng of Hamiltons at the top table.
‘I’ve looked him up on the internet,’ she said as soon as Willow was in earshot.
‘Who?’
‘Who do you think? The man who drove you here today in his flashy red sports car,’ replied her sister. ‘Mr Macho.’
Willow reached for a glass of champagne from a passing waitress and took a sip as her gaze drifted over towards Dante’s statuesque form, which seemed to stand out from the milling crowd. ‘He’s gorgeous, isn’t he?’ she said, without really thinking.
‘Nobody’s denying that,’ said Flora slowly. ‘And I’m guessing that if you’ve brought him here, it must be serious?’
‘Well, I suppose so,’ said Willow evasively.
Flora lowered her voice. ‘So you’re aware that he’s an international playboy with lovers in every major city in the world who is also known as a complete maverick in the world of business?’
Willow took a mouthful of fizz. ‘So what? I’m not planning some kind of corporate takeover with him.’
‘He’s way out of your league, love,’ said Flora gently. ‘He’s a wolf and you’re an innocent little lamb. You haven’t exactly had a lot of experience with the opposite sex, have you?’
‘Only because my family is too busy mounting an armed guard around me!’
Flora frowned. ‘So what exactly is going on between you?’
There was a pause. ‘I like him,’ said Willow truthfully. ‘I like him a lot.’
It was perhaps unfortunate that Great-aunt Maud should have chosen just that moment to drift past in a cloud of magenta chiffon and gardenia perfume, blinking rapidly as she caught the tail end of their conversation. ‘So does that mean you’re going to be next up the aisle, Willow?’ She beamed, without waiting for an answer. ‘I must say I’m not surprised. He is quite something, that young man of yours. Quite something.’
* * *
Dante listened to the formal speeches which always bored the hell out of him and steadfastly ignored the redhead who was flashing him an eager smile. But for once the sentiments expressed went beyond the usual gags about mothers-in-law and shotguns. The groom thanked all the bridesmaids and told them how beautiful they looked, but he left Willow until last, and suddenly his voi
ce grew serious.
‘I’d just like to say how much it meant to Clover, having Willow’s support. But much more than that is having her here today, looking so lovely. It means...well, it means everything to us.’
Dante frowned as people began to cheer, wondering why the atmosphere had grown distinctly poignant and why Willow’s mother was suddenly groping in her bag for a handkerchief.
But then Willow’s father began speaking and after he had waxed long and lyrical about the bride, he paused before resuming—his eyes resting affectionately on the slender blonde in the bridesmaid dress who was twisting the peachy satin around her fingers and looking slightly awkward.
‘I just want to echo Dominic’s words and say how happy we are to see Willow here today looking, if I might add, positively radiant. We just want her to know how proud we are of her, and the way she handled her illness, when all her peers were running around without a care in the world. And how her recovery has made us all feel very, very grateful.’
The applause which followed was deafening and Dante’s lips froze as suddenly it all made sense.
Of course.
That’s why she looked so fragile and that’s why her family fussed around her and were so protective of her.