Tessa wrinkled her nose. “Well, they didn’t know what they were missing.” She gazed around the room, glancing down at the polished oak floors and the priceless Aubusson carpet that covered them, before looking over towards the bay window. Her eyes were alight with mischief as she pointed in that direction.

“That window seat looks very sturdy,” she reasoned. “And when the shutters are closed, no one can see inside. What do you think?”

He nuzzled the side of her neck again before whispering, “I think it’s a very good thing that the Italians have a tradition of taking a long afternoon siesta. In fact, we might start ours a bit early today to test out your theory about the window seat.”

And then he laughed out loud when she made a little noise deep in her throat - one that sounded almost exactly like a cat’s purr.

Chapter Two

London

“You didn’t tell me that your brother lived in a - a palace!” hissed Tessa urgently.

Ian patted her arm reassuringly. “It’s far from a palace, darling. Just a country estate is all. And this place is about half the size of my parents’ residence in Kent. You’ll get to see that, of course, when we visit in December for the holidays.”

Her mouth gaped open in shock. “Half the size?” she asked in disbelief. “Ian, how could it possibly be any bigger than all of this?”

“All of this” was Hugh and Victoria’s home in Surrey, roughly a half hour’s drive from London, and easily the largest and grandest residence Tessa had ever seen up close. The main house alone was twice the size of Ian’s home - correction, their home - back in San Francisco. And that didn’t include the guest house, staff quarters, a workshop/shed, greenhouse, and a playhouse for the children. Driving in through the gated entrance of the estate, Tessa had also glimpsed a tennis court, gigantic swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, a croquet lawn, and a large pond with its own waterfall. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how much larger and grander the elder Gregsons’ home in Kent was in comparison. Though the word home was a gross understatement to describe the grandeur of Ian’s brother’s country estate.

“I told you this dress wasn’t fancy enough for dinner tonight,” she fretted. “I should have worn the gray lace one instead. What I have on is -”

“Perfect,” interrupted Ian, placing a quick kiss on her lips. “I told you at least three times that this evening’s dinner is very informal. Despite how it might appear, Hugh and Victoria don’t live like royalty. Far from it, in fact, especially considering what hellions my four nephews can be.”

“You look wonderful, dear,” assured Joanna as she turned slightly to face them from the front passenger’s seat. “And Ian’s quite right. With four boys all under the age of twelve living under this roof, my son and daughter-in-law rarely hold formal events here. So relax a bit, hmm? You look lovely, Tessa. As always.”

Tessa gave her future mother-in-law a grateful smile. “Thank you. I suppose I’m just a bit nervous to meet the rest of the family.”

“Nonsense, my dear,” called out Edward from the driver’s seat. “Hugh and Victoria are going to love you as much as the rest of us already do. Ah, here we are.”

Ian’s father pulled his luxury Audi sedan up to the wide driveway that fronted the grand house. Edward had insisted on driving this evening, claiming that Ian was out of practice navigating the crowded roads in and around London, though Ian had whispered to Tessa in amusement that he would most likely be driving home, given his father’s fondness for Hugh’s impressive collection of single malt Scotches.

Tessa placed her hand in Ian’s as he helped her out of the back seat, smoothing down the skirt of the mint green Roland Mouret sheath dress she’d finally decided on wearing this evening. It had simple lines, little cap sleeves, and a modest neckline. She’d paired it with cream Louboutin peep-toe stilettos, and wore the diamond pendant and earrings Ian had given to her soon after they’d begun dating. Both Ian and Joanna had assured her numerous times that she looked both beautiful and classy, and that her ensemble was perfect for tonight’s family gathering.

Upon learning of their engagement, Joanna had immediately begun launching plans to throw them a lavish party to celebrate, insisting that she could throw such an event together in less than a week with the help of the staff at the Gregson Hotel in London. But Ian had set his foot down, especially when he’d noticed the panic stricken look on Tessa’s face at the mere thought of having to meet so many family members and friends at one time.

“There’s no time for that, Mother,” he’d argued. “I know your intentions are good, but Tessa and I don’t want that sort of fuss right now. Don’t forget that she’s still recovering from her surgery, and even though she denies it, I know she isn’t completely back to normal. And we’re only going to have three days in London. I don’t want to spend half of that time organizing a big party.”

But when Hugh and Victoria had learned of his engagement, there had been no polite way to refuse this invitation to dinner at their home. Ian had insisted, however, that just immediate family be invited - their parents, Hugh, Ian, Colin, and their families. Joanna had argued at first that her three brothers and their families also be invited, until Ian had once again set his foot down.

“Time enough for all of that at the holidays, Mother,” he’d pointed out. And had then added more gently, “I don’t want to overwhelm Tessa with all of this. As you’ve no doubt noticed, she’s very shy and it isn’t easy for her to make friends or meet new people. Let’s do this a little at a time, shall we?”

Joanna had acquiesced to his wishes, especially since she was nearly as over-protective of Tessa as he was. It warmed his heart to observe how kindly his mother treated his fiancée, as though she was her own daughter, and how well the two women got along together.

He and Tessa were staying with his parents during their brief time in London, occupying a suite of rooms on the uppermost floor of their Belgravia townhouse - a suite that blissfully afforded them a great deal more privacy than their room at the villa in Italy had done. Ian was relishing the moment when they could finally be alone tonight, and hoped that this dinner party didn’t drag on for hours.