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CHAPTER ONE

‘AND this is my executive assistant, Mina Carroll’

Mina shook hands and smiled as yet another introduction was antly attired in an Arolden hair swept up into a loose Edwardian knot, she could easily have been anisers of the charity benefit Nobody would have guessed that this was the first time she had been invited to play such a prominent role or that she was a last minute stand-in for her immediate superior, who had come doith the flu

A hand curved round her elbow, drawing her aside ‘Where on earth did you get that suit?’ Jean, their junior PR officer, hissed ‘Did you rob a bank?’

‘My sister’s wardrobe,’ Mina whispered with dancing amethyst eyes

‘I e could swap sisters Mine’s into Doc Martens and vah to want to borrow soel’

Mina laughed ‘Not quite’ She frowned at the untouched buffet and the hovering waiters ‘Why isn’t the food being served?’

‘Our VIP’s flight has been held up’ Jean grinned ‘Of course, I forgot You’ve been on holiday You won’t have met our newest sponsor yet What a treat you have in store!’

‘He must be some VIP if Mr Haland won’t start without him’

‘Socially proround of fa undertone ‘Manna fro but kiss his feet The uished—even Polly, ourtea lady’

Mina’s beautiful face reathed with a?’

‘Polly went out and bought a cream cake for him——’

‘You’re kidding me!’

‘I’eous I was in the lift with hi it would break down…not that I expect he would have done anything with the opportunity’ Jean sighed, s her hands over her ample hips ‘But you never know Italians are supposed to like women well-stacked, and you can’t say I’m not that’

‘He’s Italian?’ Mina had stiffened slightly