Playboy's Lesson

by MELANIE MILBURNE

  Following that call, Belle was in an infinitely more excitable state. After all, it was now or never. She couldn’t introduce herself as Mary’s daughter and then change her mind. Either she pretended to be her mother or she went up to Mayhill and told Cristo Ravelli that his father’s former housekeeper/lover was dead. But when she thought of the influence she could potentially wield for the children’s benefit by acting as their mother, her doubts fell away and she hurried upstairs, frantically wondering how she could best make herself look more mature.

  The first thing she did was take off her shorts and top. Rustling through her wardrobe, she found a short stretchy skirt and a long-sleeved tee. Her mother had never ever worn flat heels or jeans and Belle owned only one skirt. Clinging to those Mary Brophy habits as if they might prove to be a good-luck talisman, Belle pulled out a pair of high heels and hurriedly got dressed. That achieved, she went into the bathroom, pushed her hair back from her face and grimaced at her porcelain-pale complexion, which she had often suspected made her look even younger than her years. Surely if she put her hair up and went heavy on the make-up it would make her look older? Brows pleating, she recalled the smoky eye treatment that a friend had persuaded her to try on a night out and she dug deep into her make-up bag for the necessary tools.

  She stroked on the different shadows with a liberal hand, blurred the edges with an anxious fingertip and added heaps of eyeliner. Well, she certainly looked different, she acknowledged uneasily, layering on the mascara before adding blush to her cheeks and outlining her mouth with bright pink gloss.

  ‘I was about to call you down for supper...’ Isa Kelly froze in the tiny hall to watch her granddaughter come downstairs. ‘Where on earth are you going got up like that?’

  Belle stiffened. ‘Why? Do I look odd?’

  ‘Well, if you bent over you could probably treat me to a view of your underwear,’ Isa commented disapprovingly.

  An awkward silence fell, interrupted within seconds by the noisy sound of the back door opening and closing. Children’s voices raised in shrill argument broke the silence and a dark-haired boy and girl of eight years of age hurtled into the hall still engaged in hurling insults.

  ‘If you don’t stop fighting, it will be early to bed tonight,’ Belle warned the twins, Pietro and Lucia.

  The twins closed their mouths, ducked their tousled heads and surged up the stairs past their eldest sister.

  ‘You can tell me now why you’re wearing a skirt,’ Isa pressed Belle.

  ‘Cristo Ravelli phoned...in need of a housekeeper.’ Belle quickly explained what had transpired on the phone. ‘I need to look at least ten years older.’

  As Belle spoke, Isa studied the younger woman in consternation. ‘You can’t possibly pretend to be Mary... It’s an insane idea. You’ll never get away with it.’

  Belle lifted her chin. ‘But it’s worth a try if it means that Cristo Ravelli has to listen to what I have to say. He obviously knows nothing about Mum. I don’t think he even realises that she was his father’s housekeeper.’

  ‘I doubt if he’s that ignorant,’ Isa opined thoughtfully. ‘It could be a shrewd move. Naturally he’s going to want to meet the children’s mother as soon as possible. But I don’t want you going up there to run after the man, doing his shopping and cooking and making up his bed, especially dressed like that!’

  ‘What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?’

  ‘It might give the man the wrong idea.’

  ‘I seriously doubt that,’ Belle responded, smoothing her stretchy skirt carefully down over her slim hips. ‘As far as I’m aware he’s not sex-mad like his father.’

  Isa compressed her lips. ‘That kind of comment is so disrespectful, Belle.’

  ‘It’s a fact, not a nasty rumour.’

  ‘Gaetano was the children’s father. He may not have been much of a father but you still shouldn’t talk about him like that where you could be overheard,’ her grandmother rebuked her firmly.

  Aware that the older woman was making a fair point, Belle reddened with discomfiture. ‘May I borrow your car, Gran?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Belatedly aware that Belle had successfully sidetracked her concern about the deception she was preparing to spring on Cristo Ravelli, Isa planted a staying hand on the front door before Belle could open it. ‘Think about what you’re about to do, Belle. Once you try to deceive this man, there’s no going back and he’ll have every right to be very angry with us all when he discovers the truth...as eventually he must,’ she reasoned anxiously.

  ‘Cristo is a Ravelli, Gran...shrewd, tricky and unscrupulous. I need an advantage to deal with him and the only way I can get that advantage is by pretending to be Mum.’

  Copyright © 2014 by Lynne Graham

  CHATSFIELD AUTHOR Q&A

  The Chatsfield Uncovered!

  Read on for an exclusive interview with Melanie Milburne.

  Creating a world as large as The Chatsfield must be very exciting—did you discuss the hotels with the other authors?

  We had a great time discussing rooms, layouts, cocktails and even smells! Aromatic oils and body lotions and soaps exclusive to the hotel. In fact, we had so much fun discussing stuff, we had to remind ourselves to get on and write the books!

  What was the most fun bit about creating this luxurious, scandalous world?

  The Chatsfield hotel world is top-end luxury so it was great fun indulging in the fantasy of living the high life. After all, that’s what the Presents series is all about.

  Did you do any extra-special research for writing this book? A sneaky cocktail at an exclusive hotel perhaps?

  Of course! It’s a tough gig but someone’s got to do it. I’m always willing to make sacrifices for the sake of my art!

  What did you most love about writing your story?

  I loved Lucca because he was such a bad boy. He was so unapologetic about it and relished shocking people whenever and wherever he could. I am such a Goody Two-shoes, I had to channel my evil twin to get into his character. So much fun!

  When writing your hero and heroine’s story, did they surprise you in any way?

  The first thing that surprised me when I read the outline of my story was that I felt Charlotte didn’t want to be called by her full name. She insisted on close friends and family calling her Lottie. I really felt she was speaking to me right from the start. Lucca was leaping off the page as soon as I put my fingers to the keyboard. I had to put my skates on to keep up with him!

  To your mind, who is the most scandalous Chatsfield?

  Definitely Lucca. Even though he is happily settled with Lottie he will still continue to shock and stir. The only difference now is he won’t let anything or anyone hurt Lottie.

  If you could have given your hero or heroine a piece of advice before they started on their journey in your story, what would it have been?

  For Lottie I would have said, ‘You are perfect as you are, you’re not second best or the spare part no one wants.’

  For Lucca: ‘You don’t have to hide your talents behind that brash façade. Show your sensitivity to the world. Don’t be ashamed of it.’

  Name five things on your table when you write.

  A cup of tea

  A make-up brush that I use to brush cookie crumbs off my keyboard. (I know, I know. I shouldn’t eat at the computer but writing makes me hungry!)

  A sheet of paper with notes on my characters as well as chapter numbers and pages

  Flowers of some sort

  My mobile phone, which I try to ignore when I’m writing as Facebook and Twitter can be very time consuming.

  Do you listen to music when you write?

  Sometimes I do, especially if someone else is in the house as I can find that distracting. I love classical music, in particular Mozart or Beethoven,
but I never listen to anything with lyrics while I’m writing (other than choral music in Italian or Latin) so I don’t get pulled out of my story by singing along!

  What is your worst habit when writing?

  I’m quite possibly the most restless writer on the planet. I write a few sentences and then go downstairs for a cup of tea, bring it back up, drink half of it while I tap away and then I head off to the bathroom next to my office to check on my eyebrows or put on some lipstick or fuss with my hair, including the ones I keep finding on my chin—argh! Then I go back and write a bit more lines until I finally get on a roll and write for a couple of hours with numerous trips downstairs for more tea. Crazy, I know, but it works for me.

  Do you have a writing routine? If so, could you share a bit about it with us?

  I’m a morning person but I hardly ever write in the morning. I do all the other stuff first. I get my emails sorted and anything business-like out of the way. A quick trip to Facebook and Twitter and then I’m off for a swim and walking my dogs. All of this activity is my way of getting into the zone for writing. A lot of processing goes on that is deeply subconscious so I let it all happen before I get in front of the computer so my time there is productive. Looking at the bottom of the pool is much more inspiring than a blank screen. Trust me, it works!

  CHATSFIELD CHARACTER Q&A

  Under the microscope:

  Read on for an exclusive interview with Lucca Chatsfield.

  If you had to pick your most pulic scandalous moment, what would it be?

  Definitely the one that got me hauled into Christos’s office. Being photographed wearing nothing but a leather codpiece is right up there when it comes to scandals. It was a good photo—one of my best angles in my opinion.

  Was there an even more scandalous event that didn’t make it into the press?

  Nope. I made sure all my big ones got the attention they deserved. Although, there was that one little feel up I had a few years ago with that hot middle-aged housemaid back at my father’s house.…

  What is your biggest secret?

  I’m good at painting. It’s not such a secret anymore but I’m cool with it.

  What do you love most about Lottie?

  Lottie is so darn cute when she purses her lips and frowns at me in that schoolmarm-ish way. Gets me every time. She pretends she’s cross with me but I know how to make her laugh.

  What were your first thoughts when you saw Lottie?

  That she was uptight and buttoned up but churning with passion below the surface. I couldn’t wait to press her buttons.

  If your house was on fire and you could only save one thing, what would it be?

  Lottie, but if she wasn’t in danger then my art portfolio. I have every drawing I’ve done since I was a kid.

  What is the naughtiest thing you did at school?

  I sprayed weed killer on the school lawn in front of the headmaster’s office. I won’t tell you what it said. He never knew who did it. They didn’t have CCTV back then.

  What is your guiltiest pleasure?

  I like a dry martini, shaken not stirred.

  What is your worst habit?

  I joke around when others expect me to be serious. I can’t help it. I like to have fun.

  What is your favourite film?

  Anything by Quentin Tarantino. He’s one cool but seriously twisted dude.

  What present would you put beneath the Christmas tree for Lottie?

  A miniature painting of her favourite place in the palace gardens where we kissed for the first time. I’m working on it as we speak. I want to surprise her with it. Don’t tell!

  How will you spend your first anniversary as a couple?

  In bed making smoking-hot love. We want to have kids one day but for now we want to enjoy each other. Besides, there are a couple of Kama Sutra positions we haven’t nailed yet.

  THE CHATSFIELD MR & MRS QUIZ

  When the hens come out to play, we get the real scoop on the inner workings of The Chatsfield’s most notorious couple!

  What in your opinion is Lottie’s best body part?

  Lottie: Um, my hair?

  Lucca: You want me to answer that truthfully or politely? Go figure.

  Do you have a nickname for Lottie and if so what?

  Lottie: Angel cake.

  Lucca: Angel cake because she’s so good and so sweet.

  What is Lottie’s favourite alcoholic drink?

  Lottie: I hardly ever used to drink but I love champagne cocktails now.

  Lucca: Champagne cocktails, but don’t let her have more than one. [Rolls eyes] Trust me. It’s not worth it.

  How many days have you been engaged for (at the time of the hen party)?

  Lottie: 55.

  Lucca: I thought it was 45. [Shrugs and grins] Time flies when you’re having fun.

  What has been your favourite holiday ever?

  Lottie: [Sighs dreamily] When we went to Monte Carlo together.

  Lucca: Monte Carlo, even though I was sick as a dog for some of it.

  What is Lottie’s worst habit?

  Lottie: I chew my nails—well, I used to. I’m growing them for the wedding.

  Lucca: She picks at her cuticles.

  Forfeit. Say the naughtiest word you know. Out loud.

  Lucca, if you could dress Lottie for an evening on the town what would you dress her in?

  Lottie: [Blushes] He wouldn’t dress me in anything.

  Lucca: [Wicked grin] Cling film.

  What would you say is Lottie’s favourite drink?

  Lottie: Tea

  Lucca: Tea in a fine bone china cup, not a mug.

  What one thing would Lucca save if the house was on fire (apart from Lottie)?

  Lottie: His art portfolio

  Lucca: My mobile phone with all my booty contacts on it. [Grins] Only kidding! My art portfolio.

  If you could have a superhero power what would you want?

  Lottie: To make everyone in the world happy

  Lucca: To make everyone happy and bring about world peace. Lottie would have made a great beauty-pageant contestant. She knows the drill. She makes me happy and I feel pretty chilled out when I’m with her.

  What is Lucca’s all-time favourite movie?

  Lottie: [Reproachful frown] Anything with blood and guts and totally inappropriate humour in it.

  Lucca: Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino

  What has been the most embarrassing thing Lottie’s ever done?

  Lottie: [Fiery blush] I’d rather not talk about it.

  Lucca: The photo scandal when she was at finishing school, but she’d rather not talk about it. If you mention it again I’ll have to kill you.

  What does Lottie think your most annoying habit is, Lucca?

  Lottie: Making a joke out of everything but really I love him for it.

  Lucca: I never take things seriously but I think she kind of likes that about me.

  If Lottie was stuck on a desert island what three things would she take?

  Lottie: Lucca, of course, sunscreen and a towel.

  Lucca: Me. What else would she need?

  Forfeit. Sing Happy Birthday backwards.

  What is the most memorable day for you together since you met?

  Lottie: The day of my sister’s wedding when he asked me to marry him.

  Lucca: Her sister’s wedding day. She didn’t believe me when I told her I loved her. I should have been offended but I guess she thought I was joking.

  NEWSPAPER CLIPPING

  Headline: Chatsfield Bad Boy Caught with Trousers Down!

  Lucca Chatsfield has brought new shame and disgrace on the Chatsfield brand after images of him ly
ing handcuffed to a bed in the London Chatsfield hotel wearing nothing but a black leather studded codpiece went viral.

  Neither Lucca nor his father, Gene, were available for comment but newly appointed CEO Christos Giatrakos, the spokesperson for the high-end hotel chain, issued a brief statement to the press informing the public that the matter of Lucca’s indiscretion has been dealt with internally and there would be no further comment.

  EMAILS

  Christos.Giatrakos@chatsfield.co.uk

  To Lucca.Chatsfield@chatsfield.co.uk

  Subject: Meeting at 10 am.

  Dear Lucca,

  Unless you are in my office by 10 am today, you are without a trust fund. Got it?

  C. Giatrakos

  To: Christos.Giatrakos@chatsfield.co.uk

  From: Lucca.Chatsfield@chatsfield.co.uk

  Subject: Meeting at 10 am.

  Cool it, dude. It was just a photo. No big deal. You should’ve seen the ones with the whip and the chains. WTG!

  Cheers,

  Lucca

  P.S. Can we make it 11 am?

  To: Lucca.Chatsfield@chatsfield.co.uk

  From: Christos.Giatrakos@chatsfield.co.uk

  Cc: Gene.Chatsfield.co.uk

  Subject. Meeting at 10 am.

  10 am. Sharp. No show. No trust fund.

  C.G.

  TEXT MESSAGES

  Lottie to Madeleine: R U CRZ?

  Madeleine: Lol! He’s a QT. Enjoy!

  Lottie: Not :) Wot r u up to?

  Madeleine: It’s only 4 a month It could B worse.