Harlequin Romance Bundle: Brides and Babies

by Liz Fielding

  ‘And then we were on the train, and Mamma was sort of-jumpy. When I said things, she didn’t seem to hear me. A man came and talked to us. I’d never met him before, and I didn’t like him much.

  ‘Suddenly there was a loud noise and the train turned over and over. Mamma put her arms about me, and I remember a terrible pain. I clung on to her because I knew she’d keep me safe, and I kept calling Poppa because if he was there he’d look after us both. I cried for him again and again but he didn’t come.

  ‘Then I went to sleep and when I woke up I was in hospital, and Mamma was dead. I cried and cried, but I never saw her again.’

  ‘You poor little thing,’ Holly murmured.

  ‘If I’d known-I could have said lots of things to her first. I could have told her that I loved her.’

  ‘But she would have known that without words.’

  ‘Maybe. But we had a squabble. I didn’t want to go without Poppa and I cried and said I wouldn’t go. I was nasty to her on the train. Now I can’t ever tell her that I’m sorry.’

  ‘Oh, piccina,’ Holly said, struck to the heart by the burden the child was carrying. ‘None of that matters. People fight but it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. She knew that.’

  ‘But I want to tell her.’

  ‘And you can. You can still talk to her in your heart. She knew how much you loved her, and that was more important than any argument. You didn’t need to say it, because your love for her was part of her love for you. And when it’s like that, it’s always there.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Really.’

  Liza nodded. She seemed satisfied, as though anything her new friend said could always be trusted. Holly knew a slight qualm. This appealing child was laying too many expectations on her, and it might lead to her getting even more hurt.

  ‘What was your mamma like?’ Liza wanted to know.

  ‘She was brave. In spite of what was happening to her, she always found something to laugh about. That’s what I remember most-how she laughed.’

  Something caught in her throat as the memories of that laughter came back to her, frail, growing shakier but more defiant, until at last it was gone forever. She turned her head to hide the sudden rush of tears, but Liza was too quick for her. In a moment her arms were about Holly’s neck, the comforter, not the comforted.

  Holly tried to speak but the ache in her throat was too much. At last she gave up and hugged the little girl back, accepting the consolation she offered.

  ‘Perhaps we should go back to the house now,’ Holly said at last. ‘Aren’t you supposed to have a nap?’

  ‘Berta says so,’ Liza grumbled, making a face. ‘She wants me to use my wheelchair all the time, but I don’t need it.’

  ‘I think you need it sometimes. And if you don’t rest enough you’ll delay your recovery. And then I’ll be in trouble,’ she added lightly.

  Liza scowled but got back into the wheelchair. As they headed home they saw Anna approaching them.

  ‘There’s a parcel for you,’ she called.

  ‘Already?’ Holly said. ‘I thought it would be several days.’

  ‘What is it?’ Liza asked eagerly.

  ‘My new clothes. Your father made me order some last night because all mine were left on the train.’

  ‘Let’s go and see them.’

  Back in the house she almost dragged Holly into the tiny lift that had been installed for her, and then into her room, where Anna had laid out the parcel. The child plunged into the delightful business of unpacking, sighing over the lovely clothes.

  ‘This is the best store in all Rome,’ she enthused. ‘Mamma shopped there all the time. Poppa complained she was always going over the limit of his account, but he didn’t really mind because he said she looked so lovely.’

  ‘Well, these clothes aren’t to make me look nice,’ Holly said firmly, lifting out sweaters, followed by a coat. ‘They’re practical.’

  But then she discovered something that made her frown. Conscious that she was spending the judge’s money, she had placed only a modest order of underwear. But there were three times as many panties, bras and slips as she had specified.

  Perhaps she had made a mistake, and asked for more than she’d intended. But inwardly she knew this was Signor Fallucci’s doing. Before finalising matters, he had reviewed her order and increased it.

  But only the underwear. Nothing else had been changed.

  She wanted to laugh wildly. He, a judge, had saved her from the police, and within a few hours he was dictating to her in the matter of underwear. There was a surreal quality to it that made her dizzy.

  He’d been right. She hadn’t ordered enough and he’d known it, but there was an intimacy about such knowledge that gave her an uncomfortable suspicion that she was blushing.

  Then she noticed something on the accompanying paperwork that she’d missed before:

  ‘First part of order. Second part to follow soon.’

  First part? But everything she’d ordered was here.

  The sooner she spoke to him the better.

  He didn’t appear at supper that evening, and Anna explained that the judge had called to say he was detained by urgent business.

  Berta had returned, glowing from her day out, and the three of them had supper together.

  ‘Did you do all the shopping you wanted?’ Holly asked.

  ‘Yes, I bought lots of lovely new clothes.’ Berta sighed happily.

  ‘Will Alfio like them?’ Liza asked cheekily.

  ‘I don’t know what you mean,’ Berta said, trying to sound airy.

  ‘Alfio’s her sweetheart,’ Liza confided to Holly. ‘He works in the hospital and-’

  ‘And that’s enough out of you,’ Berta said, going pink. ‘Besides, he’s not my sweetheart. He’s-’ her happiness came bursting out ‘-he’s my fiancé.’

  The rest of the meal was taken up with a detailed description of the proposal she had received a few hours earlier, a conversation which they all enjoyed.

  That night Holly donned one of her new nightgowns. It was flimsy and delicate, with a feel of such luxury that it seemed almost criminal to wear it in solitude. She thought of the plain cotton pyjamas that had always suited her before, and wondered if she would ever be satisfied with them again.

  Sleeping in such luxury was a new, sensual experience. So was waking up in it. There was another sensual experience when she put on the new underwear, feeling it move softly against her skin. It was designed for sexual enticement, to persuade a man to remove it, and Holly could feel it mysteriously transforming her. Only a certain kind of woman could wear this underwear. She was wearing it. Therefore she was that woman. The logic of it was perfect.

  ‘I’m going crazy,’ she murmured, trying to clear her head. ‘This place is getting to me. Or perhaps it’s the heat.’

  Already at this early hour, she could sense the promise of the searing-hot day to come. It hadn’t been like that before she got into the train. In the little town that she’d fled the weather had been warm but benign. It was only now that the heatwave had descended, so that even the early hours glowed with the anticipation of the furnace to come.

  The judge made only a brief appearance at breakfast, but when he left the table she followed him to his study. He was putting papers into his briefcase.

  ‘I’m in a hurry,’ he said, without looking up. ‘Is it urgent?’

  ‘It is to me,’ she said firmly, advancing into the room. ‘I received my clothes from the store but…’

  It had been so easy when she’d rehearsed the speech, but face to face with this cool, ruthless man, her nerve gave way. How could she ever have imagined she could discuss her underwear with him?

  ‘It contains more than I ordered,’ she managed to say.

  He shrugged. ‘You didn’t order enough. I appreciate your attempt at economy but it was needless.’

  ‘But I can’t allow you to-’

  ‘Signorina, the question of yo
u allowing me to do anything does not arise, since you’re in no position to stop me.’

  ‘That’s right, rub my nose in it.’

  ‘Scusi? Rub your nose?’

  ‘It’s an English expression. It means that you’re making me feel helpless. I don’t like it.’

  ‘Most women don’t object when a man buys them clothes,’ he said, sounding a little bored.

  ‘That depends on the clothes. I do object to you buying me underwear. We don’t have the kind of relationship that…’

  Seething, she fell silent. He was regarding her with eyebrows raised satirically.

  ‘There’s more than one kind of relationship,’ he said. ‘If you’re afraid that I shall try to “take advantage” I believe is the term, you need not be.’

  He said the last few words with a slow, savage emphasis that chilled her. He was reminding her of his recent bereavement, saying that if she thought she could interest him she flattered herself. Embarrassment held her silent.

  ‘If there’s nothing more…’ he said.

  ‘I also think you should return my passport. Being without it makes me feel like a prisoner.’

  ‘That is nonsense,’ he said calmly. ‘If you want to leave you have only to contact the British Consul and ask for their help. You’ll be provided with an identity card that will get you back to England. Here’s the address.’

  He scribbled on a sheet of paper and handed it to her.

  ‘If you wish I can call them now and use all my influence to ensure that things are made smooth for you.’

  It was all true, Holly realised. She could do exactly what he had described. But all this reasonableness didn’t dispel her suspicions. The reference to his influence sounded helpful but was actually a subtle reminder that he was in control here, even when it didn’t look like it.

  The time had come to stand up for herself.

  ‘Well, maybe I’ll go to the consulate today,’ she said firmly.

  ‘I’ll order the car for you.’

  ‘No, thank you, I’ll make my own way there.’

  ‘Then I’ll call a taxi.’ With a touch of exasperation he added, ‘Or would you prefer to walk several miles?’

  ‘If necessary,’ she retorted, in a fury.

  He groaned. ‘Enough of this. Must we have these trials of strength?’

  ‘Maybe your strength alarms me.’

  ‘Have the honesty to admit that I’ve exercised it in your defence.’

  ‘Because I’m useful to you.’

  ‘Certainly you are, just as I am useful to you. The best bargains are those where both sides gain.’

  Everything he said made perfect sense, and she would have liked to thump him for it.

  ‘But I wouldn’t dream of detaining you against your will,’ he added. ‘Go if you want to.’

  She was saved from having to answer by the door opening and a small head peering round.

  ‘Can I come in, Poppa?’

  ‘Of course.’ He rose and went to the door, giving his arm to help Liza walk.

  ‘I was looking for Holly.’

  ‘Well, here she is.’

  Liza pulled herself free from her father to limp forward at a run.

  ‘You vanished,’ she said in a tense voice. ‘I thought you’d gone away for ever and ever.’

  And that was her nightmare, Holly realised, conscience-stricken.

  ‘No, darling,’ she said, dropping to her knees so that she could meet Liza’s eyes on a level. ‘I just came to talk to your father. I’m sorry, I should have told you first, so that you didn’t worry. I haven’t gone away.’

  She pulled Liza towards her in a bear hug, and found herself almost suffocated in the returning embrace.

  ‘And you won’t, will you?’ Liza begged.

  The decision was already made. Liza was the one who had first championed her, and now she owed the little girl a debt. Going to the consulate would have to wait.

  She looked up at the judge, expecting to see an expression of cool triumph, or even indifference at a victory he would have taken for granted.

  But there was something else there. Instead of assurance, there was apprehension. Instead of authority, she saw pleading.

  That must be a mistake. Not pleading. Not this man who had her in his power.

  But it was in his eyes and the taut lines of his whole body. Her decision mattered to him desperately, and he was full of terrible tension waiting for it.

  ‘No, I won’t go away,’ she said. ‘I’ll stay as long as you want me.’

  ‘For ever and ever?’ Liza asked.

  ‘For ever and ever.’

  ‘I think it’s time I was leaving for work,’ he said in a voice that sounded strained.

  ‘Come on,’ Holly said, laying a hand on Liza’s shoulder and shepherding her out of the room.

  There were still battles to be fought, but this wasn’t the time or place.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  DESPITE her troubles, Holly found it easy to settle into the life of the villa, which seemed to open its arms to welcome her. Everything was done for her comfort. The maid cleaned her room and made her bed, leaving her free to spend her time with Liza.

  Nothing mattered but the little girl who had clung to her so desperately on the train, weeping as though her heart would break. As she had guessed, Liza’s spirits were volatile. She could be happy one minute and tearful the next. Even worse were the fits of screaming that would overtake her without warning.

  ‘I nursed her in hospital,’ Berta explained. ‘When she was ready to leave she still needed care at home, and they thought I’d be best because she was used to me. She’s a sweet child, but I can’t cope with her outbursts. They’re alarming because they seem to come out of nowhere.’

  ‘But really they come out of her tragedy,’ Holly suggested. ‘To lose her mother like that-the train crash, her injury…She must still be suffering a lot.’

  ‘To be sure. I understand it well enough,’ Berta agreed. ‘I just don’t seem to be any help to her. I put my arms round her and try to console her, but it doesn’t make any difference. I’m not the one she wants.’

  ‘It’s her mother that she wants, poor little soul,’ Holly sighed.

  ‘Yes, but, failing that, someone like her. Someone English, like her mamma. You.’

  This seemed to be the answer. Only that morning Liza had become violently upset about some trivial matter that had arisen over breakfast. But then the mood had passed so quickly that Holly had barely understood what had brought it on. She’d asked no more questions, unwilling to prolong what was best forgotten.

  Holly studied the child constantly to discern more about her needs, but almost equally useful were the talks she had with Berta and Anna during the afternoons, when Liza took her nap.

  Since the judge often left early and came home late it was almost as though he wasn’t there at all, so they talked freely.

  ‘When he is here he shuts himself away,’ Anna observed one day in the kitchen as she poured coffee for the three of them. ‘He didn’t used to be like that, before his wife died. But now it’s like living with a ghost.’

  ‘What was she like?’ Holly asked.

  ‘Beautiful,’ Anna said enviously. ‘Like a model. It was easy to see why he was mad about her.’

  ‘Mad about her?’ Holly queried. Such a picture didn’t sort with the harsh, unyielding man she knew.

  ‘Mad, insane, crazy,’ Anna said firmly. ‘I know it’s hard to believe if you’ve only seen him now, but in those days he was all smiles, all happiness. I came to work here soon after they married and I tell you, you never saw a man so much in love. He would have died for her. Instead…’ she sighed.

  ‘I was on duty in the hospital the day of the accident,’ Berta recalled. ‘I saw him walk in, and he showed nothing. No emotion, nothing at all. His face was blank.’

  ‘Did he know his wife was already dead?’ Holly asked.

  ‘Yes. The first thing he said to the doctor was, �
��Even if she’s dead, I want to see her”, and the doctor didn’t like that because she looked very bad, all smashed up. He tried to make him wait a while, and I saw his face become even colder and harder as he said, “I want to see her, do you understand?”’

  ‘He can be scary when he’s enraged,’ Anna mused. ‘Did the doctor give way?’

  ‘Not at once. He said that the little girl was still alive and perhaps he’d like to see his daughter first. And Signor Fallucci said, ‘I demand to see my wife, and if you don’t get out of my way you’ll be sorry.’

  ‘So the doctor showed him into the room. The judge ordered everyone out so that he’d be alone with her, but when we were outside the doctor told me to stay close, and fetch him when Signor Fallucci came out, or if “anything happened” as he put it.’

  ‘So you went and listened at the door,’ Anna said wryly.

  ‘Well-yes, all right, I did.’

  ‘And what did you hear?’

  ‘Nothing. There wasn’t a sound from inside that room. I’ve seen people visiting the dead. They cry, or call out the person’s name, but all I heard was silence. When he came out-his face-I’ll never forget it. You’d have thought he was the dead one.’

  ‘Did he go to see Liza then?’ Holly asked curiously.

  ‘Yes, I took him in. She looked terrible, attached to all those machines. I was going to tell him not to touch her, but I didn’t have to. He never moved, just stood staring at her as though he didn’t know who she was. Then he turned and walked out.’

  ‘I don’t understand that,’ Anna said. ‘He’s always adored her, almost as much as his wife. I heard someone make a joke with him once, about how he’d feel differently when he had a son. And he said, “Who needs a son? No child could mean more to me than my Liza.” I’ll never forget the way he said that, or his face as he looked at her.’

  ‘Well, he wasn’t like that in the hospital,’ Berta said. ‘Mind you, men can’t cope with that sort of thing as we do. Even the strongest of them get scared and freeze up.’

  It might be true, yet somehow Holly wasn’t satisfied with this facile explanation. There was a mystery here, the same mystery as the one that made Signor Matteo Fallucci, a judge with a career and a reputation at stake, harbour a suspicious character for the sake of a child he seldom saw.