by Sara Craven
Cory got to her feet, her face very white. She said, ‘Just what are you implying? That Rome stole it?’
‘Or won it at cards, perhaps.’ There was an odd urgency in his tone.
‘Then you’re wrong. It’s a family ring,’ she said huskily. ‘Does that satisfy you?’
‘A family ring,’ he repeated slowly. ‘But from which member of the family, I wonder?’
‘Does it matter?’ Cory shook her head. ‘I can’t believe I’m taking part in this—interrogation. You’ve always claimed you wanted me to fall in love. I didn’t realise you intended to investigate my lover.’
‘You seem to think I’m doing him an injustice.’ Arnold seemed to rouse himself, looking at her with eyes that hardly seemed to see her. ‘And perhaps I am. But, until we meet, I’m having to rely on hearsay. Maybe you should allow him to speak for himself.’
There was a silence, then she said, ‘I love him, Grandfather. I can’t live without him.’
‘You think that now, child.’ There was a note of appeal in his voice. ‘But you’ll probably fall in and out of love several times before you meet the right man for you.’
She said, ‘Would you have got over Gran so easily—and gone on to someone else? I don’t think so. And with Rome and I there’s no one else involved either.’
There was a wild look in his eyes. ‘You don’t think so? How can you know?’
‘Because I trust him—just as Gran trusted you. You knew she was the only one, and so did she. And I’m your granddaughter, so maybe it’s in my genes.’
She went to the door. Turned. ‘And please don’t call me “child” again. I’m a woman now—Rome’s woman.’
His glance was heavy. ‘For good or ill?’
She said, ‘Yes,’ and went out, closing the door behind her.
Arnold Grant sat very still for a moment. Then, moving slowly and stiffly, he reached for the telephone.
CHAPTER TWELVE
‘THIS,’ Cory said passionately, ‘has to rank as one of the worst days of my life.’
‘Thanks,’ Rome said drily. ‘Shall I get dressed and leave?’
‘I’m sorry.’ She kissed him repentantly. ‘I mean apart from the last couple of hours—which is evening anyway, so it doesn’t count.’
I’m relieved to hear it. And I told you not to let your mother get to you, sweetheart. You should have listened.’
‘Oh, it wasn’t Ma,’ Cory said bitterly. ‘She cleared out to the beauty parlour and left me to the Spanish Inquisition.’ She moved restlessly. ‘It was awful. Gramps was like a stranger, staring me down, behaving as if I was on trial—or you were.’
‘What did he say?’ Rome asked curiously.
‘Oh, nothing much. Just that you were a liar, and a conman, and possibly a thief. Usual stuff.’ She shook her head. ‘In the end I slammed out of the house. I spent the afternoon in Hyde Park, just walking, trying to clear my head.’
Rome was silent for a moment. ‘Darling, I think it’s time your grandfather and I had a serious talk.’
‘It seems he does, too,’ Cory admitted reluctantly. ‘When I got home there was a message on the machine. Apparently, he wants us to go to dinner tomorrow night.’
‘Did you accept?’
‘I haven’t replied yet. He doesn’t deserve it. Besides, I don’t know if I can stand it. More questions over the soup. Final arguments with the main course. Sentence of death pronounced during dessert.’
‘I think we should go,’ Rome told her. ‘It could be an olive branch.’
Cory pulled a face. ‘All the better to beat us with.’
‘I really need to see him.’ His voice was gentle. ‘Get a few things straight.’
‘Then I’ll tell him yes.’ She sighed. ‘We didn’t have our secret very long, did we?’
‘It’s not always good,’ Rome said, his face suddenly brooding, ‘to keep things from people you love. The longer it goes on, the harder they are to explain.’
‘You sound very old and wise.’ There was sudden laughter in her voice.
‘I haven’t been very wise at all,’ he said. ‘Not from the start of all this. As for being old…’ The hand that had been curled round the curve of her hip moved without haste and to devastating effect. ‘Let’s see about that—shall we?’
‘Yes,’ she managed dry-mouthed. ‘Oh, yes, Rome. Rome…’
She didn’t go to work the following day, and Arnold did not ring to enquire where she was, so it seemed he was not expecting her.
In spite of the harsh words between them, Cory hated being on bad terms with him.
But after tonight, she told herself, everything will be fine.
She put on a new dress for the occasion, a silky jersey in a subtle aubergine shade. And she put her ring on her left hand.
Rome said, ‘You look beautiful.’
He was smiling as he looked at her in the mirror, but his face was strained.
‘And so do you.’ She had never seen him in a formal dark suit before. ‘Gramps will be swept off his feet.’
On their way out, she snapped off one of the crimson roses that was still in bud, and tucked it into his buttonhole.
He was on edge all the way to Chelsea, his hands gripping the wheel as if he was drowning.
Cory stole a troubled look at him. ‘Rome—are you sure you want to go through with this—seeking his blessing?’
‘I’ve never been so sure of anything.’ His voice was husky. ‘But, Cory—there’s something I should tell you.’
She said, ‘I hope this isn’t the moment you reveal you’re already married. Because Grandfather would not take that in good part. Other than that, we’re home and dry.’ She paused. ‘We’re also here.’
As she rang the bell, she said. ‘So, what was it you wanted to tell me?’
He shook his head. ‘I can’t talk to you about it now. I think I should see your grandfather first.’ He put his hands on her shoulders. His voice was serious. ‘The only thing that matters, Cory, is that I love you. Never lose sight of that—please.’
‘Well, it all seems relatively civilised,’ she murmured as the housekeeper conducted them to the drawing room. ‘No paid assassins lurking. After the way he was talking the other day, I did wonder.’
‘He’s quite right to be cautious,’ Rome said soberly. ‘But everything’s going to be fine. You’ll see.’
And it seemed they had indeed been worrying unnecessarily. When they entered the drawing room Arnold came to meet them, smiling affably as Cory performed the necessary introductions.
As they shook hands, the two men exchanged overtly measuring glances.
‘My daughter-in-law I believe you’ve met,’ Arnold said.
‘Oh, yes.’ Sonia was smiling from one of the sofas. She was elegant in black, with magnificent diamonds in her ears and on her wrists. ‘We’re quite old friends. I’m glad to see you dress for dinner if not for breakfast, Mr d’Angelo.’
‘I haven’t invited any other guests to meet you,’ Arnold went on. ‘I thought we’d have a quiet family party. Sherry?’
‘Thank you.’ Rome accepted with a smile, but he wasn’t fooled. His sixth sense was warning him that the knives were out for him here in this luxurious room, with its wall sconces and brocaded furniture.
He said quietly, ‘I hope I can have a private talk with you during the evening, Mr Grant.’
‘Oh, there’s no need for that,’ Arnold said. ‘We can say all that needs to be said here, in the open. Among friends.’ He handed Rome his sherry. ‘I take it there’s something you want to ask me? Something of a personal nature?’
Rome’s brows drew together sharply, but he kept his voice cool. ‘Yes, there is, although I hadn’t planned to do it in quite this way.’
‘It was to be over the brandy and cigars, perhaps? When I was feeling mellow.’ There was a faint smile playing round the older man’s mouth. A smile that held neither humour nor warmth. ‘Well, say what you came here to say, Mr d’Angelo. I’m list
ening.’
‘Very well.’ Rome spoke levelly. ‘The truth is, Mr Grant, that Cory and I love each other. I’ve come to ask formally for your blessing to marry her.’
‘The truth?’ Arnold said meditatively. ‘As in the whole truth—and nothing but the truth?’ He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘Grandfather,’ Cory protested angrily.
‘Sit down, my dear.’ His voice was marginally kinder. ‘I’m afraid I have an unpleasant shock for you. You see, your suitor is not quite what he seems. I’m sure you already know that he’s not Italian, but are you aware that d’Angelo isn’t his real name—just the one he took from his stepfather?’
‘Yes,’ Cory said. ‘Yes, I am.’
‘But did he tell what he is really called—the name he was born to? I think not. Perhaps you’d like to enlighten us now—Mr d’Angelo.’
There was real venom in the older man’s voice.
Groaning inwardly, Rome met his gaze, then turned to Cory, who was looking bewildered.
He said gently, ‘It’s Sansom, mia cara. My mother was Sarah Sansom, Matt’s younger daughter.’ He glanced at Arnold, his mouth hard. ‘Is that what you wanted to hear?’
‘Part of it.’ Arnold nodded. ‘And please believe this gives me no pleasure. My grandchild is very dear to me—as of course you know already. I never wanted her to be hurt, but I fear it’s unavoidable now.’
The room was overheated, to suit Sonia’s taste, but Cory suddenly felt icy cold.
She said, ‘I don’t understand any of this. What are you talking about?’
‘About an illusion,’ Arnold said heavily. ‘An illusion created by a vengeful man and carried out by his grandson. Your lover was bribed, Cory, to set you up. Matt Sansom gave him a loan for that vineyard of his, and then threatened to foreclose unless he managed to seduce you. And I was supposed to pay him to go away. Isn’t that the way of it, Mr Rome Sansom? Wasn’t that the unholy bargain you made with that old devil?’
Rome stiffened, but his glance didn’t waver. ‘Yes.’
‘No.’ Cory’s cry of pain and disbelief pierced the room. ‘No, Rome, it’s not true. It can’t be.’
‘Yes,’ he said steadily. ‘It was true, every word of it, in the beginning. But not any more. Not for a long time. Not after I fell in love with you. You have to believe that.’
‘Believe it?’ Her voice broke. ‘When you’ve lied to me from the start? When it was just money—all over again? How can I believe anything about you—now?’
She turned away, her body rigid, covering her face with her hands, and Sonia jumped up, placing a protective arm round her.
‘Why don’t you go?’ she hurled at Rome. ‘Why don’t you just get out?’
Rome turned back to Arnold Grant. ‘I’d intended to tell you all this myself tonight, but not in front of Cory. Not like this. You could have spared her.’
‘She has the right to know the kind of man you are. The filthy deception you’ve practised.’
Rome said quietly, ‘You can’t call me anything I haven’t called myself. But it makes no difference, because the deception stopped a long time ago—and my grandfather knows it. I’m still going to marry Cory—with or without your permission.’
‘Over my dead body,’ Arnold said with a sneer. ‘You’ll have to look for another heiress to bale out your sinking vineyard.’ His smile was thin. ‘You gambled heavily on tonight, I think. You’d won my girl. You hope to do the same with me. To use my affection for her to persuade me to trust you. Only the deck was stacked against you in a way you could never have imagined.’
He walked across the room and opened a door. He said curtly, ‘You’d better come in now.’
Matt Sansom walked slowly into the room, leaning on a cane.
Rome stood motionless, his attention totally arrested.
Then he said softly, ‘So that was how Mr Grant was so well informed. Congratulations, Grandfather. You’ve actually managed to surprise me. And had your moment of triumph into the bargain.’
Matt looked at him with contempt. ‘Did you really think I’d let the fact that you’ve gone soft spoil that for me? I wanted to see the look on his damned face when I told him I’d offered my bastard grandson money to seduce his precious girl, and I did.’ He laughed hoarsely. ‘And it was worth every penny I’ve got to see all his worst fears confirmed.’
Cory said very quietly, ‘Why do you hate me so much, Mr Sansom?’
He swung round, looking for the source of the intervention. She was very white, and there were tears glistening on her eyelashes, but she was in control again, standing straight, her head high. Rome’s amethyst glittered on her hand and Matt’s eyes went straight to it, and then, sharply, to her face.
He gasped harshly and took a step back, his own face blanching. ‘That ring,’ he said hoarsely. ‘Where did you get it?’
‘Aunt Kit gave it to me,’ Rome said. ‘For the woman I love.’
‘She had no right.’ Matt was ashen, fighting for control. ‘I gave that ring to my Elizabeth.’
‘And she gave it back,’ Rome said quietly. ‘When she decided to marry someone else.’
‘It was the ring that gave you away,’ Arnold said grimly. ‘Beth was wearing it when I met her, and I’ve never forgotten it. As soon as I saw it I guessed who was behind all this.’ He sent Matt a look of frank loathing. ‘And he was only too happy to confirm it.’
‘But he misjudged his man. You can tell who you damn well please about this filthy plot of yours—if you dare—but you’ll not see a penny of my money. And you’ll never have anything to do with my granddaughter again. She’s going to Miami with her mother.’
Rome was looking at Matt, too. He said slowly, ‘You gave the ring to your wife—to my grandmother—but she hated it, didn’t she? Because she guessed it had belonged to someone else—someone you’d loved in a way you’d never cared for her.’
‘There was never anyone else in the world for me.’ Matt’s voice cracked. He took a step forward, putting out a shaking hand to where Cory stood, pale and straight in her aubergine dress. ‘It could be her,’ he muttered. ‘Her eyes—her gentle mouth. Beth—oh, my Beth…’
‘No,’ Rome said, his voice like ice. ‘My Cory—the girl I love.’
‘You dare to say that?’ Arnold almost exploded. ‘After what you’ve done. The way you’ve treated her.’
‘I’m not proud of the way I’ve behaved,’ Rome said curtly. ‘When I first saw her I was obeying instructions, and I admit it. But after that I was following my heart, because, with her, I put out my hand and touched paradise.’
He threw his head back. ‘I agreed to do what my grandfather wanted in order to keep Montedoro, because it was all that mattered to me then. But everything’s changed now. Cory changed it. She means more to me than a thousand Montedoros, and she always will, because my life is empty without her.’
He looked at Arnold. ‘I came here tonight in good faith, to ask you for her. To announce our engagement. In spite of everything, I still want to do that.’
Matt sank heavily on to a chair. He said, ‘Well, you can forget that. It’s over—finished with. You’ll get nothing from him—and when I’m done with you you’ll hardly be able to support yourself, let alone a wife.’ He laughed again, the sound grating. ‘I’ll strip you of everything. You’ll regret the day that you crossed me.’ He glared round. ‘You’ll all be sorry, damn you.’
Cory shook off her mother’s restraining hand and walked across the room. She faced Rome.
She said, ‘Is this what you were trying to say in the car?’
He met her gaze unflinchingly. ‘Yes. But I thought it would be better to confess my real identity to your grandfather first. Try and explain. Only, I was pre-empted.’
Her eyes were grave. Questioning. ‘Why didn’t you tell me before? In Suffolk, or when we came back?’
He said huskily, ‘Ironically, because I was afraid I’d lose you. And I couldn’t bear it. Couldn’t take t
he risk. And now I’ve ruined everything.’
She drew a deep breath. ‘And the rest of it—is that true? Can your grandfather really take Montedoro away from you?’
Rome put out a hand and gently brushed a tearstain from her cheek. ‘He can try.’
She nodded. Her voice was quiet. ‘Do you love me?’
‘Cory,’ Sonia almost shrieked. ‘The guy set you up. Tried to rip off your grandfather. He’ll tell you anything because he’s broke and you’re an heiress. Where’s your pride?’ Her tone became cajoling. ‘Forget him, honey, and walk away. If you don’t want to go to Miami, I’ll take you to the Bahamas and show you such a good time. In a month, I guarantee you won’t give him a second thought.’
Cory’s tired mouth smiled faintly. ‘Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m that shallow.’ She looked into Rome’s eyes. ‘Please answer me.’
‘Yes,’ he said roughly. ‘Yes, I love you, heart of my heart, and I always will. You’re part of me, and nothing can change that. And I want to go on my knees and beg you to forgive me. Only that’s impossible now. We can never be together, because for the rest of your life you might look at me and wonder if your mother was right.’
‘That will never happen anyway.’ Arnold spoke roughly. ‘Because I’m telling you now that if she dares to go with you—if she even gives you a second glance—I’ll change my will and leave the whole lot to charity. She’ll get nothing. See how she likes that. And see how long true love lasts at that rate.’ And he laughed scornfully, triumphantly.
Sonia shrieked faintly, and fell back on the sofa.
There was a long tingling silence, then Rome took Cory’s hands in his. He said softly, almost wonderingly, ‘My God, carissima. Do you realise what he’s just said? He’s set us free. They both have. They’ve taken everything and left us with each other.’
His voice became urgent. ‘Leave with me now, my sweetest love. Come with me. Because if you stay, they’ll have won.’ He looked into her eyes, deeply, gravely. ‘These bigoted, greedy, selfish old men will have won. And the precious thing we’ve been building together will be lost for ever.’