Chapter Fourteen
DESPITE PANOS’ DESCRIPTIONS, she wasn’t fully prepared for the event. She’d known it would be spectacular but it exceeded her wildest expectations.
Their suite in a grand hotel near the historic heart of the city had taken her breath away. Everything about it was discreetly luxurious and welcoming. It would have been perfect for a romantic escape.
Wistfully she imagined coming here on a honeymoon, then quickly scotched the thought. Once before she’d been carried away by attraction and romantic imaginings.
She needed to remember that, while Panos wasn’t the monster she’d labelled him, their relationship wasn’t about hearts and roses. They had a little girl and Dido owed it to her to keep her feet on the ground.
They’d arrived in Vienna with enough time for her to be pampered in the hotel’s spa. When she returned to their suite it was to discover a couturier waiting to dress her.
It was like stepping into another world, where nothing was impossible.
A one-off designer gown at the drop of a hat.
More than one in fact, for while the designer had brought an evening gown tailored to her measurements and colouring, she’d brought several others in case the first didn’t meet with Dido’s approval.
But the other dresses weren’t needed. As soon as she saw herself in the full-length dress, Dido was bewitched. A vibrant colour between bronze and tangerine, it made her skin glow warm and the sleek cut complemented her curves. It was effortlessly graceful and elegant and the colour was unique.
Now, standing with her hand tucked through Panos’ arm, about to enter the grand ballroom of an actual palace, excitement fizzed like champagne in her blood.
They’d driven out of the city centre and the sight of Schonbrunn Palace, once an imperial residence and now a national treasure, had taken away her breath. The grand baroque palace sprawled, floodlit and splendid against the night sky.
She’d known tonight would be a stellar event but this was on another scale altogether.
Even though the palace stood well back in its own grounds, their limousine didn’t pull up to the main entrance where cars and even a few horse-drawn carriages were depositing guests.
True to his word, Panos had arranged for them to use a smaller private entrance to avoid the photographers who’d been allowed to snap those entering on the red carpet.
Walking down a chilly corridor and up a private set of stairs, holding her long skirts in her hands, Dido couldn’t help but feel like a modern-day Cinderella.
Especially since her companion, austerely handsome in formal evening dress, could easily double for Prince Charming.
Their usher paused outside decoratively gilded double doors.
‘We’ll take it from here.’ Panos thanked the man and, when he’d left, turned to her, taking both her hands in his. ‘Ready?’
She nodded. She didn’t feel ready. Despite his assurances, coming here as his companion in public was a monumental step. An acknowledgement that she was considering his plan to stay together.
But she needed to be here. The thought of him bringing some other woman instead actually made her stomach lurch sickeningly, her fingers tightening in his. ‘Absolutely.’
Instead of reaching for the door he stepped closer. ‘You look beautiful, Dido. You steal my breath.’
Did she look as spellbound as she felt? When he looked at her that way all her doubts about the future fled. ‘Thank you. The dress—’
‘The dress is lovely, but I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about you.’ He paused as if to let her absorb what he said. ‘You’re gorgeous. I’m…glad you’re here with me.’
Glad was an ordinary little word. But when Panos said it like that, looking at her in that way, it felt anything but ordinary. He made her feel extraordinary.
No one else had ever made her feel that.
Her lips parted on the realisation but before she could say anything, the gilded handle before them turned and the door opened from the other side.
Panos pulled her closer and they entered the most amazing room she’d ever seen.
The noise reached her first, the sound of hundreds of well-dressed people talking, glasses clinking, occasional bursts of laughter.
Then the shifting throng of bodies. Men in formal black, women in every colour under the sun, long skirts swishing as they moved, jewels glinting, even a few tiaras sparkling.
The vast room was designed for a resplendent throng.
From the elaborately painted scenes on the ceiling, to the geometric designs in the parquet floor, the ivory walls decorated with gold detailing and wall sconces, everything proclaimed this had been the ballroom of an emperor.
Mirrors lined one wall and windows another and the space was lit by the biggest, most splendid chandeliers she’d ever seen.
Dido’s breath caught. For an instant she wobbled on her high heels, then caught herself. She was an events planner. She may not frequent places like this but these were just people and her business was people.
Feeling Panos’ gaze, she turned and offered a smile. ‘Shall we?’
Hours later she sat on a gilded chair enjoying a peaceful moment, slipping off her shoes beneath her gleaming skirt.
Panos had just delivered an impressive speech on behalf of the children’s charity and, while his gaze held hers from across the room, he’d been waylaid by guests wanting his attention.
‘Have you found out yet which hotel he’s staying in?’
The whisper came from behind Dido and she swung around, but no one was there. The woman must be in the next room, close to the open door between them.
‘No luck so far,’ said another female voice. ‘But you can’t expect them to tell just anyone that Panos Diamandis is staying with them.’
Dido sat straighter, ears pricking. These women were trying to discover their hotel?
‘But your contact’s a paparazzo. He said he had contacts to uncover this stuff. How am I going to get into Diamandis’s hotel, much less his room, if I don’t know where he’s staying?’
Dido stiffened. Panos’ room? She fought the urge to leap up and demand an explanation. They’d only clam up if challenged. But if they were plotting against him…
‘I don’t think your plan to seduce him will work even if you could get into his room. Did you see the way he looks at that English bitch? She’s been glued to his side all night.’
The voices became a murmur too low for her to decipher and Dido was grateful. She felt as if someone had smacked her in the chest. Stunned, she pressed her hand there where her pulse thrummed too fast.
Seduce Panos? They couldn’t be serious.
‘If we could separate them that might work. Just long enough for him to see me in this dress. I’ll have him eating from the palm of my hand.’
‘I’m not sure. He seemed totally rapt in her. I think it’ll have to be Plan B. A clinch on the red carpet as he leaves. Peter’s waiting downstairs with his camera. If I can distract her,’ the voice turned venomous, ‘you can home in on him. I’ve been promised good money for a clinch shot.’
‘Let’s see if Peter can come up with the goods first. I really fancy a night in the Greek’s bed. He’s very sexy. Even better than in his photos. That would be more lucrative than a red carpet photo. But if that doesn’t work—’
‘Neither is going to work.’
By a miracle, Dido’s voice was cool and even, not betraying the indignation writhing inside her. Mentally she’d understood Panos’ revelations about people wanting to use him. Now she felt the ugly truth of it.
Imagine living with that your whole life. Not being able to trust anyone. She began to appreciate a little of how Panos had become the man he was.
Two startled faces whipped around to meet her scathing stare. The women were in their twenties. One was stunningly beautiful and dressed to catch the eye with a plunging décolletage. Dido heard her swear under her breath.
The red-haired beauty lifted her chin while her companion looked away, blushing. ‘Are you talking to us? I don’t know what you think you’re—’
‘I know exactly what to think.’ Dido’s stare was razor sharp. She could barely believe the ruthless way this pair had plotted. ‘I thought I’d warn you before you embarrass yourselves. Neither of your schemes will work.’
She watched their eyes widen as they realised she’d heard them. Still the redhead stood her ground. ‘Afraid of competition?’ She sneered.
Dido shook her head. ‘There is no competition.’ Her voice was low but deliberate. ‘Because I’ll be the only woman sharing Panos’ bed.’
For a minute there was no response, then a deep voice murmured, ‘Well said.’ A warm hand closed around her elbow. ‘If you’ve finished here, I’m eager to leave, agape mou.’
Dido met Panos’ solemn brown eyes and melted. He looked so convincing, and the way he lingered over the Greek endearment made her toes curl. She told herself his expression was for show but it didn’t feel that way. It felt real.
Through the pounding of her pulse she was vaguely aware of a breathless female voice nearby but Panos gave no indication he noticed. His eyes were locked on hers and it felt like they were the only people there. How could she notice anything else when he looked at her that way?
His arm came around her, pulling her to his side and they turned away. ‘I need to be alone with you. Now.’
* * *
Neither spoke as they returned to the hotel. Yet in the back of the limo his hand clasped hers, as if to reassure himself she was real.
He hadn’t heard all that conversation, but enough to guess the gist. He kept going over Dido’s words, her tone, her stance. Her air of quiet determination and cool contempt.
He’d been stunned.
Never had anyone tried to save him from predatory gold-diggers. It felt good. More than good.