Brushing her lips with an affectionate kiss, Seth caught her hand and led her into the store, and Imogen loved him all the more for his insistence that she was as deserving as anybody else to shop there...
* * *
La Scala was an unbelievable experience from the moment their car dropped them off at the square.
The deceptively unprepossessing building turned out to contain an Aladdin’s cave of wonder and delight. Inside the auditorium, with its six perfect ‘doll’s house’ tiers, the atmosphere was somehow imbued with the echoes of all the magnificent voices that had ever sung there...indeed, that sang there still. The members of the audience who had started to fill the seats were immaculately dressed and important looking. The men wore flawless suits and the women were dressed in an array of classic and fashionable gowns practically dripping with jewels.
Although she and Seth talked amongst themselves Imogen was so mesmerised by the fact that she was there at all that she hardly knew what she said. And when they finally took their seats in one of the most desirable boxes in the theatre, she honestly attested to feeling like the fairy tale Cinderella must have done when she went to the ball.
Seth held her hand and every now and then discreetly pointed out an important official or celebrity that he’d spotted, adding an amusing anecdote or two if it was someone he had met personally.
One of the best things of all about that magical day was the sensational scarlet gown that Seth had helped her choose. It was simply glamour personified, and she couldn’t deny that she felt like a different woman wearing it—a woman who was confident and assured. And adding to that rare sense of confidence was the fact that she was with Seth.
Her handsome husband had caused a small sensation when he’d stepped out of their car, because he looked so amazing in yet another classy Armani suit. The owners of the high-lens cameras that had pointed in their direction attested that it hadn’t gone unnoticed who he was. Coupled with that, there had been several times when some of the most stunning women Imogen had ever seen had glanced admiringly his way. But she didn’t let it disturb her. After all, she was the one he’d made his wife.
The opera that evening was La Bohème, by Puccini, and the powerful emotive music stayed with her long after they’d returned to their hotel. In truth, neither of them wanted the magic to end, and that night Seth took his time making slow, sweet love to her. It was the icing on the cake in an extraordinarily happy day that would be etched in her memory forever.
* * *
The following few days saw them touring several art galleries and other places of interest, but Imogen’s favourite thing was their visit to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, to see Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Although she could see that the incredible painting had faded down the years, it was still powerfully moving. Seth was right. There was so much about Italy that was utterly compelling.
On their return to the hotel the day after their final lunch in town Seth took himself off to the bathroom for a shower. Contentedly lying on the bed, browsing through a magazine, she was finally distracted by the persistent message tone of his phone. He’d left it on the bed, down by Imogen’s feet, and although she wouldn’t normally dream of looking at it, it came to her that it might be something urgent.
Gathering up the smartphone, she stared down at the name that had appeared on the screen. Not recognising it as anyone he’d mentioned, she scrolled further down to read the message.
Well, my friend, have you found your trophy wife yet? My father the sheikh is anxious to meet you with a view to making you his new supplier. I’m sure you know what an amazing opportunity this is. We’re talking about entry into the ‘elite of the elite’ classic-car fraternity and you need to have a wife to make you eligible. Don’t let your reticence about making this marriage one of convenience deter you much longer! You know it makes sense. Ring me. Ash.
In those horrific few moments as the words seeped into her brain Imogen felt as if time had chillingly slowed down in order to manifest the nightmarish realisation that now seized her.
Her husband had been lying to her all along about his reasons for marrying her.
Tightening her hold on the mobile, she reread the message. She hadn’t made a mistake... The words were writ clear in black and white.
The glossy magazine she’d been so avidly perusing just a moment ago slid off the bed and landed on the floor. Shock, dizziness and sickness infiltrated her insides all at once. Dear God, what was going on? Had Seth just pretended that he loved her? Had their marriage been forged purely out of his desire to become a member of this so-called ‘elite of the elite’ fraternity, and was she the ‘trophy wife’ his friend had suggested he find?