Page 225 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

Wistfully she imagined coming here on a honeymoon, then quickly scotched the thought. Once before she’d been carried away by attraction and romantic imaginings.

She needed to remember that, while Panos wasn’t the monster she’d labelled him, their relationship wasn’t about hearts and roses. They had a little girl and Dido owed it to her to keep her feet on the ground.

They’d arrived in Vienna with enough time for her to be pampered in the hotel’s spa. When she returned to their suite it was to discover a couturier waiting to dress her.

It was like stepping into another world, where nothing was impossible. A one-off designer gown at the drop of a hat. More than one in fact, for while the designer had brought an evening gown tailored to her measurements and colouring, she’d brought several others in case the first didn’t meet with Dido’s approval.

But the other dresses weren’t needed. As soon as she saw herself in the full-length dress, Dido was bewitched. A vibrant colour between bronze and tangerine, it made her skin glow warm and the sleek cut complemented her curves. It was effortlessly graceful and elegant and the colour was unique.

Now, standing with her hand tucked through Panos’ arm, about to enter the grand ballroom of an actual palace, excitement fizzed like champagne in her blood.

They’d driven out of the city centre and the sight of Schonbrunn Palace, once an imperial residence and now a national treasure, had taken away her breath. The grand baroque palace sprawled, floodlit and splendid against the night sky.

She’d known tonight would be a stellar event but this was on another scale altogether.

Even though the palace stood well back in its own grounds, their limousine didn’t pull up to the main entrance where cars and even a few horse-drawn carriages were depositing guests. True to his word, Panos had arranged for them to use a smaller private entrance to avoid the photographers who’d been allowed to snap those entering on the red carpet.

Walking down a chilly corridor and up a private set of stairs, holding her long skirts in her hands, Dido couldn’t help but feel like a modern-day Cinderella.

Especially since her companion, austerely handsome in formal evening dress, could easily double for Prince Charming.

Their usher paused outside decoratively gilded double doors.

‘We’ll take it from here.’ Panos thanked the man and, when he’d left, turned to her, taking both her hands in his. ‘Ready?’

She nodded. She didn’t feel ready. Despite his assurances, coming here as his companion in public was a monumental step. An acknowledgement that she was considering his plan to stay together.

But she needed to be here. The thought of him bringing some other woman instead actually made her stomach lurch sickeningly, her fingers tightening in his. ‘Absolutely.’

Instead of reaching for the door he stepped closer. ‘You look beautiful, Dido. You steal my breath.’

Did she look as spellbound as she felt? When he looked at her that way all her doubts about the future fled. ‘Thank you. The dress—’

‘The dress is lovely, but I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about you.’ He paused as if to let her absorb what he said. ‘You’re gorgeous. I’m…glad you’re here with me.’

Glad was an ordinary little word. But when Panos said it like that, looking at her in that way, it felt anything but ordinary. He made her feel extraordinary.

No one else had ever made her feel that.

Her lips parted on the realisation but before she could say anything, the gilded handle before them turned and the door opened from the other side.

Panos pulled her closer and they entered the most amazing room she’d ever seen.

The noise reached her first, the sound of hundreds of well-dressed people talking, glasses clinking, occasional bursts of laughter. Then the shifting throng of bodies. Men in formal black, women in every colour under the sun, long skirts swishing as they moved, jewels glinting, even a few tiaras sparkling.

The vast room was designed for a resplendent throng. From the elaborately painted scenes on the ceiling, to the geometric designs in the parquet floor, the ivory walls decorated with gold detailing and wall sconces, everything proclaimed this had been the ballroom of an emperor. Mirrors lined one wall and windows another and the space was lit by the biggest, most splendid chandeliers she’d ever seen.

Dido’s breath caught. For an instant she wobbled on her high heels, then caught herself. She was an events planner. She may not frequent places like this but these were just people and her business was people.

Feeling Panos’ gaze, she turned and offered a smile. ‘Shall we?’

Hours later she sat on a gilded chair enjoying a peaceful moment, slipping off her shoes beneath her gleaming skirt. Panos had just delivered an impressive speech on behalf of the children’s charity and, while his gaze held hers from across the room, he’d been waylaid by guests wanting his attention.

‘Have you found out yet which hotel he’s staying in?’

The whisper came from behind Dido and she swung around, but no one was there. The woman must be in the next room, close to the open door between them.

‘No luck so far,’ said another female voice. ‘But you can’t expect them to tell just anyone that Panos Diamandis is staying with them.’