of my loves, which is why I will never marry again. Mariella, she is not happy about this, but I will not do it again. She is cared for; lots of denora, nice home, expensive clothes. She has no worries, but I will never marry her. My heart belongs to Zaria, this she knows.” Sandra accepted the man’s kiss to her hand when the song ended and watched him walk over the attractive woman, wrapping his arm around her waist and leading her toward the buffet tent.
Sandra sat next to Mary and James feeling like her feet were blistered from all the dancing; her legs aching enough that she was now regretting the run she had earlier, but she wasn’t about to let Creighton know that; she’d much rather he think the sore muscles were from his intense lovemaking. She sat looking around at the people who danced, ate or laughed. It was a pleasant enough evening, but it seemed like it was never going to end. She smiled at the people who passed them, certain her face was going to freeze in this position. She felt hot and in desperate need of the water she asked the waiter to bring her, when she spied her husband in a small group of cousins. He was a very gallant man, paying attention to those gathered around him, smiling, laughing and swapping stories. He was a proficient host and seemed relaxed and under control, even the few times Andrew or Clark came over to speak with him.
New Hope’s publicity department release a short statement earlier that afternoon, thanking everyone for their thoughtful gifts and asking that anyone wishing to send more make a donation instead, so they had managed to ward off the majority of gifts or money. So far there were only about fifty presents received from those who had either already purchased a present or had not heard the press release. Perhaps another toaster sat among the wrapped presents, she thought with an amused grin.
Two young women stood by the chocolate fountain eying the bride with a mixture of anger and envy. They were family members of William and Emma’s neighbors and Sandra heard them accusing her of marrying Creighton for his money; in their opinion it was impossible for an American to marry a wealthy Englishman and not want to spend his millions. Then they debated how they would spend it and what they would do if they were in her shoes. It was more humorous than irritating and she couldn’t help but smile as she diverted her eyes.
Daniel found her still sitting next to her grandparents and asked her to dance; she felt like she was on display in a glass window for all to examine and criticize, but this young man was easy to speak with and she was eager to know what happened after he and Aryana left them in Italy.
“So how are things going with the new father-in-law?” she asked the young man as they twirled around the floor while the band began to play Sapore di Sale,
“He’s getting used to me I think. It’s much easier now that we are back in Paris; he only calls two or three times a day. Aryana is upset with me though; I won’t allow her father to shower her with money like she’s been used to. I am trying to break her of her shopping habit.”
“Good luck,” Sandra said. “My grandparents spent many years trying to curb my sister’s spending, with very little success. Maybe once the baby is here and she realizes that money doesn’t grow on trees, she’ll slow down.”
“I hope so. She’s already talking about having another baby and this one isn’t even here yet.” The two laughed, glancing to the girl in question as she stood beside Kristen, rubbing her tummy and speaking with great enthusiasm. Kristen was smiling, but Sandra could tell she was listening out of politeness more than interest.
“I have to tell you,” Daniel said a few moments later as Creighton slowly made his way toward them. “Silvano is really hacked off with you; he spent the two days we were in Italy calling you more dirty names than I have ever heard. The Don finally gave him a
Sandra sat next to Mary and James feeling like her feet were blistered from all the dancing; her legs aching enough that she was now regretting the run she had earlier, but she wasn’t about to let Creighton know that; she’d much rather he think the sore muscles were from his intense lovemaking. She sat looking around at the people who danced, ate or laughed. It was a pleasant enough evening, but it seemed like it was never going to end. She smiled at the people who passed them, certain her face was going to freeze in this position. She felt hot and in desperate need of the water she asked the waiter to bring her, when she spied her husband in a small group of cousins. He was a very gallant man, paying attention to those gathered around him, smiling, laughing and swapping stories. He was a proficient host and seemed relaxed and under control, even the few times Andrew or Clark came over to speak with him.
New Hope’s publicity department release a short statement earlier that afternoon, thanking everyone for their thoughtful gifts and asking that anyone wishing to send more make a donation instead, so they had managed to ward off the majority of gifts or money. So far there were only about fifty presents received from those who had either already purchased a present or had not heard the press release. Perhaps another toaster sat among the wrapped presents, she thought with an amused grin.
Two young women stood by the chocolate fountain eying the bride with a mixture of anger and envy. They were family members of William and Emma’s neighbors and Sandra heard them accusing her of marrying Creighton for his money; in their opinion it was impossible for an American to marry a wealthy Englishman and not want to spend his millions. Then they debated how they would spend it and what they would do if they were in her shoes. It was more humorous than irritating and she couldn’t help but smile as she diverted her eyes.
Daniel found her still sitting next to her grandparents and asked her to dance; she felt like she was on display in a glass window for all to examine and criticize, but this young man was easy to speak with and she was eager to know what happened after he and Aryana left them in Italy.
“So how are things going with the new father-in-law?” she asked the young man as they twirled around the floor while the band began to play Sapore di Sale,
“He’s getting used to me I think. It’s much easier now that we are back in Paris; he only calls two or three times a day. Aryana is upset with me though; I won’t allow her father to shower her with money like she’s been used to. I am trying to break her of her shopping habit.”
“Good luck,” Sandra said. “My grandparents spent many years trying to curb my sister’s spending, with very little success. Maybe once the baby is here and she realizes that money doesn’t grow on trees, she’ll slow down.”
“I hope so. She’s already talking about having another baby and this one isn’t even here yet.” The two laughed, glancing to the girl in question as she stood beside Kristen, rubbing her tummy and speaking with great enthusiasm. Kristen was smiling, but Sandra could tell she was listening out of politeness more than interest.
“I have to tell you,” Daniel said a few moments later as Creighton slowly made his way toward them. “Silvano is really hacked off with you; he spent the two days we were in Italy calling you more dirty names than I have ever heard. The Don finally gave him a
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