Unexpected hazard

"You can't marry an engineering firm!"

Perdita's godmother had said in shocked tones. "Good heavens, the whole idea is preposterous!"

Yet Perdita had been quite content to fall in with her grandfather's wishes. He had arranged her marriage to Carlo Verdi for two good reasons: to provide for her future, and to merge his floundering engineering business with the Verdi firm in Italy.

And then Perdita met Nico, who mocked her completely submissive attitude. But why should she care whether or not he approved of her?