Blame It on the Champagne

Blame It on the Champagne
Nina Harrington

English rose Saskia Elwood has slaved for years to turn her family estate into London’s most exclusive venue. She's not going to do anything to jeopardise its success! So considering wine magnate Rick Burgess’s business proposition would be nothing short of madness…But, before she can catch her breath, her heart-stoppingly gorgeous new business partner has swept her off to Europe for intimate champagne tastings and once in a lifetime experiences.Saskia won’t be able to blame the sparks flying between them on the champagne for much longer!

NINA HARRINGTON grew up in rural Northumberland and decided at the age of eleven that she was going to be a librarian—because then she could read all of the books in the public library whenever she wanted! Since then she has been a shop assistant, community pharmacist, technical writer, university lecturer, volcano walker and industrial scientist, before taking a career break to realise her dream of being a fiction writer. When she is not creating stories which make her readers smile her hobbies are cooking, eating, enjoying good wine—and talking, for which she has had specialist training.

This and other titles by Nina Harrington are available in eBook format—check out www.millsandboon.co.uk

Blame It on the

Champagne

Nina Harrington

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Table of Contents

Cover (#ucc3cb4f0-6d9f-5470-8241-5576c5d22fbe)

About the Author (#uf8b39e32-fc5b-540e-b9d2-fd8a62197eb0)

Title Page (#u257406aa-664f-579b-a02c-c3d8896e98b4)

Chapter One (#uc68630c5-9919-5899-92e6-7568eef0683b)

Chapter Two (#ud3944f38-ea1a-501c-a630-8fea49e40960)

Chapter Three (#uc1befc34-aa6c-55d0-96eb-51f699a567fa)

Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_e5b79e81-96c3-5a87-91b0-8206cb7de1ae)

Elwood House: Must-Do list—Monday

• Meet up with Kate and Amber to finalise Amber’s wedding—do NOT let Kate talk you into fuchsia or satin—walk away from the satin.

• Decide on classical music pieces for the bathrooms.

• Be ready to fend off that very persistent new wine merchant.

• Stay in for the garden centre delivery of the spiral box trees for the front porch.

‘SNOW. I AM going to need lots of snow. And tiny white fairy lights sparkling in the trees and over the pergola. Can you do fairy lights?’ Amber’s voice tailed off into a dreamy whisper. ‘It would be so magical and romantic.’

Saskia Elwood rolled her eyes and grinned at her best friend Amber, then clicked in the box next to the garden lighting option on her wedding planner spreadsheet.

‘Of course I can do white fairy lights. As for the snow? That shouldn’t be too difficult for New Year’s Day in London. But, you know me, if you want it to snow on your wedding day, then snow you shall have, even if I have to track down a snow gun machine and make you some. Although… Won’t it be a bit cold? From the designs I have seen, that dress Kate is making for you would be perfect for a tropical beach wedding—but London in January? Brr…’

Amber giggled and flicked her long straight blonde hair over one shoulder in a move she had perfected in fashion shoots and as years performing as a concert pianist. ‘I know,’ she replied, wrinkling up her nose in delight. ‘It is so perfect. Sam is going to love it.’ Then she sighed out loud and strolled out past Saskia and through the conservatory into the garden with a faraway expression on her face. ‘Just love it.’

‘She’s off again,’ a cheery voice sounded from behind Saskia’s shoulder as Kate Lovat bounced into the room with a bundle of wedding magazines in her arms. ‘Dreaming of the fabulous Sam. If I wasn’t so smitten with my Heath I would find it a bit sickening. In fact, sometimes I’m surprised you put up with the two of us. Always talking about the lucky men who we have agreed to marry one day.’

‘Right now,’ Saskia replied with a snort, ‘I am more worried about Amber getting frostbite in that skimpy, mostly backless dress you are planning for a winter wedding. Any chance of a jacket? Thermal vest? The poor girl is going to be blue, which is not a good look for any bride.’

Kate replied by playfully hitting Saskia on the head with a rolled up bridal magazine and sat down next to her at the conservatory table. ‘Blue? With that fabulous suntan? No chance.’ Then she relaxed and rested her elbows on the table. ‘Relax. There is a beautiful full-length quilted ivory coat to go on top of that slinky dress for any outdoor photos. Fear not. The girl shall not freeze. When the dancing starts she will be glad of that layered silk gown, even if the beads will be flying everywhere.’

Kate arched her eyebrows and peered at Saskia’s computer screen, her green eyes bright with amusement. ‘Does that say dinner and reception for twenty-six? I thought this was just going to be a small family wedding. As in no professional musicians, fashion models or anybody else in Amber’s world who will make us feel totally inadequate as human beings.’

Saskia laughed out loud and started counting out on her fingers. ‘How could you forget Amber’s first dad and his huge new stepfamily, her second dad Charles Sheridan—’ she pointed towards Kate, who waved a magazine in the air ‘—with Heath and his new family. Her third dad might bring his new wife but she is having some “freshening up” surgery post-Christmas and might not have the stitches out in time. Oh, and her mum, of course. Julia is bringing the latest beau plus entourage, including her aunt and three American cousins and…’ the air whooshed out of Saskia’s lungs ‘… twenty-six hungry, cold people are going to celebrate the best wedding they have ever been to. Amber’s friend Parvita and her husband are looking after the music and I booked the waiting staff last week. All I have to do is enjoy myself.’

‘Um. Yeah. Right,’ Kate replied and looked over the top of her spectacles at her. ‘And exhaust yourself in the process of getting everything ready up front so it looks easy on the day. Who is kidding who here? We know you far too well, girl.’ Kate smiled and gave her a one-armed hug. ‘Now, let me see that list again. Aha. Thought so. You have missed out a crucial item. Tut tut.’

‘What?’ Saskia glanced at the screen in disbelief and then back to Kate. ‘I spent most of my Sunday double-checking the plan. Out with it. What have I missed?’

Kate slid out of her chair and came around to stand in front of Saskia. ‘Wedding date for a very picky hostess to be provided by her pals. Tall, dark and handsome. Dancing skills an advantage but will settle for extra hot. And you’re not typing that in.’

Saskia sat back in her chair and lifted both hands into the air. ‘Trust you to find me a date? Oh no. I still remember that graphic designer who offered to paint my portrait if I stripped down to earrings and a cheeky grin.’

Kate fluttered her eyelashes and tugged down the hem of her perfectly fitted jacket over her petite curves. ‘We do such good work.’

Saskia snorted and turned back to the laptop. ‘Thank you for the offer but the last thing I want is a boyfriend. You do know that this is the first wedding that Elwood House has ever seen, so no pressure at all.’

Kate waved her arms around and then cocked her head on one side and pushed out her lips. ‘This house is gorgeous and that curvy staircase was made for a bride to walk down on her father’s arm. It is going to be fabulous, even if we do feel guilty about leaving you to do most of the work.’

Saskia took a breath then shrugged off the lingering disquiet by tapping her wristwatch with her home-manicured fingertip.

‘And I feel bad that I am making you late for your sexy lingerie fitting appointment. You know, the one that you booked three weeks ago.’ She waggled her fingertips at Kate. ‘Go. A new wine merchant and his sales team will be here soon and the last thing they want to see are you two drooling over wedding brochures. Scoot. And have a great time!’