Enemies at the Altar Read Free Page B

fiancé Emilio had believed Gisele had betrayed him, and it had only been the discovery of the truth about Sienna’s existence that had finally set things right. Their upcoming marriage in Rome was something she was looking forward to with bittersweet feelings. Her behaviour had almost wrecked Gisele and Emilio’s lives. They had lost two precious years together and a baby. What could she ever do to make it up to them?
    But Kate had made a very good point. She had to find a source of income and find it soon. Before he had become ill, Sienna had worked in the office of Brian’s antiques business, but the family had stepped in after he had died and promptly sacked her. The trust fund Brian had left her had been just about gobbled up by the ongoing instability of the economy. Her dream of purchasing a home of her own had slipped out of hergrasp, and there was no way—short of a miracle—for her to get it back.
    Or was there?
    Sienna thought of the money Guido Ferrante had bequeathed her. It was more than enough to buy a decent piece of real estate. The rest of it, invested sensibly, would set her up for life. She would be able to pursue her hobby of photography, perhaps even take it a step further and make a proper career out of it. How wonderful to be known for her talent instead of her mistakes and social blunders. How wonderful to be on the other side of the lens for a change, to be the one taking the pictures instead of being the subject.
    She chewed at her lip as she thought of the conditions put on the will. Six months married to her worst enemy. It was a high price to pay, but then the reward at the end surely compensated for it?
    It wasn’t as if it had to be a
real
marriage.
    An involuntary shiver rippled over her skin at the thought of lying in Andreas’s strongly muscled arms, with his long hair-roughened legs entangled with hers, with his …
    Sienna dried her hands on a fresh tea towel before she picked up her bag and keys. ‘I’m going away,’ she said. ‘I’m not sure when I’ll be back. I’ll send you the money for the rent.’
    Kate swung around with the empty milk carton in one hand and a wet dishcloth in the other. ‘Away where?’
    ‘To Florence.’
    Kate’s eyes bulged. ‘You’re going to say yes?’
    Sienna gave her a grim look. ‘This could turn out to be the longest six months of my life.’
    ‘Six months?’ Kate frowned in confusion. ‘Isn’t marriage meant to be until death us do part?’
    ‘Not this one,’ Sienna said.
    ‘Aren’t you going to pack?’ Kate asked, eyes still out on stalks. ‘You can’t just turn up dressed in torn jeans and a T-shirt. You’ll need clothes, lots and lots of clothes and shoes and make-up and stuff.’
    Sienna flung her handbag strap over her shoulder. ‘If Andreas Ferrante wants me to dress like one of his mistresses he can damn well pay for it. Ciao.’
    ‘Signor Ferrante is in a design team meeting and cannot be disturbed,’ the receptionist informed Sienna.
    ‘Tell him his fiancée is here,’ Sienna said with a guileless smile.
    The receptionist’s eyes widened as they took in Sienna’s travel-worn appearance. ‘I’m not sure …’ she began uncertainly.
    ‘Tell him if he doesn’t see me right now the wedding won’t go ahead,’ Sienna said with a don’t-mess-with-me look.
    The receptionist reached for the intercom and spoke in Italian to Andreas. ‘There’s a young woman here who claims to be your fiancée. Do you want me to call Security?’
    Andreas’s deep mellifluous voice sounded over the system. ‘Tell her to wait in Reception.’
    Sienna leaned over the desk and swung the speaker her way. ‘Get your butt out here, Andreas. We have things to discuss.’
    ‘The boardroom,’ he said. ‘Ten minutes.’
    ‘Out here
now
,’ Sienna said through gritted teeth.
    ‘Cara,’
he drawled, ‘such impatience fires my blood. Have you missed me terribly?’
    Sienna pasted a false smile on her face for the sake of the