It was very late when they retired to bed, having sat sipping wine for some time out on the screened verandah in search of the cooler evening air. Six hundred-odd miles further north of Sydney, Brisbane enjoyed a measurably warmer climate that was par-ticularly noticeable in the height of summer.
As soon as the bedroom door was closed Sally turned to regard Luke warily, unsure of his intention from the mockery evident in his gaze.
'Unless you have any objection I'll take the bed nearest the window,' she stated, swivelling her eyes away as he began unbuttoning his shirt. He didn't answer, and she shed her top and quickly unfastened the clasp of her bra in an effort to don a nightgown before he had the opportunity to watch her actions, for despite two and a half weeks of shared intimacies she was painfully shy of disrobing in his presence.
As soon as she had slid the nightgown over" her head she turned to face him. 'If I plead tiredness and a— headache,' she began tentatively, 'would you——'
'Leave you alone?' One eyebrow arched as he surveyed her. 'Why, piccina, do you have a headache?'
'Would you believe me if I say yes?'
'Come here.' It was a softly-voiced command, but nonetheless there was hidden steel beneath the surface, and she crossed to stand in front of him, one hand sliding down the length of her hair in a defensive gesture.
Luke's hand reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, then he sought her chin and lifted it For timeless seconds he subjected her to an unwavering scrutiny, then the edges of his mouth lifted into a slight smile. 'For all that you think you hate me, I am not totally insensitive. Choose your bed, cara. You have your wish to sleep alone.' He bent his head and touched his lips to her forehead.
Sally fought against the desire to wind her arms up around his neck as his gentleness touched a chord deep inside, and rather shakily she stepped back, tinning away from him as she slid back the covers on the bed nearest her.
As soon as her head touched the pillow Luke switched off the light, and she waited with bated breath for him to occupy the other bed, consciously counting the seconds until she heard the rustle of linen and the slight sound of his weight depressing the mattress.
Sally awoke to the sound of excited children's voices, and she lifted a hand to glimpse the time from her wristwatch. Six o'clock! She rolled over and caught sight of Luke standing near the end of the bed tucking his shirt into his trousers.
'Good morning—Merry Christmas,' she greeted him with a slight smile. Today was not for arguments. It was Christmas, and there were presents and children, and the joy of watching gifts being unwrapped and exclaimed over; huge quantities of food to be eaten, wine to be drunk, and overall it was a time of peace and goodwill.
'Buon Natale, cara,' Luke answered gently. 'You slept well, eh? The headache is gone?'
'Yes—oh, listen to them!' she grinned widely, and couldn't help the laugh that bubbled to the surface. 'I think they're trying to guess what's in all the presents.'
'To be sure. Can you not remember the time when you did the same?'
'Is it too early for us to go out yet?'
Luke began to chuckle. 'I imagine Angelina is having quite a time trying to keep their noise to a minimum. She will be relieved when we make our appearance.'
'When are the children allowed to open their presents?' she queried, slipping out of bed. Quickly she donned her robe.
'Ah, your childhood is not so far behind you, hmm?' Luke mocked gently, coming to stand in front of her. 'First, we all have breakfast together, then we go to church. After we return home, it is then time for the presents.'
A little startled, she said slowly, 'I'm not of your faith '
'It matters little, Sally,' he answered gravely. 'I doubt He will mind from which house of worship you choose to celebrate the day of His birth.'
After they had breakfasted, they all slid into die station-wagon and Frank drove the short distance to church. Sally held Gianni on her lap while Luke balanced Luigi on one knee, and little Lisa snuggled close to Angelina on the front seat.
Their return home brought whoops of excitement from both boys, who tore from the station-wagon to the front porch where they hopped impatiently from one foot to the other waiting for their father to unlock the door.
Sally felt herself carried along with the fun of it all, and she helped the boys sort out the presents. It was almost like being a child all over again watching the children unwrap their gifts, and it was a sight not to be forgotten to witness their laughter and their joy.
There were three presents for her—an opal bracelet from Angelina and Frank, a box of toiletries from the children, and Luke's gift brought forth a gasp of admiration, for it was a gold medallion depicting the Madonna and Child on a delicate chain of gold.
Genuine tears shone in her eyes as she thanked them all, the boys giggling with delight as she hugged them, then Angelina and Frank, until she came to Luke. Without any pretence she reached up on tiptoe and kissed him.
Luke received a beautiful oil painting depicting an ocean liner on the high seas in the height of a storm which Angelina had taken several months to paint in her spare time.
'Something for you to remember of our voyage from Italy, mio fratello,'' Angelina murmured gently, and Sally could tell that he was touched by the gesture, for his expression assumed incredible gentleness as he looked across at his sister.
Sally's choice of gift for Luke had been difficult, for what could you buy for a man who appeared to have everything? In the end she had chosen an expensive cigarette lighter, and a large box of his favourite cheroots.
The main meal of the day was to be eaten at one o'clock, and Sally left Luke and Frank to entertain the boys with all their presents while she helped Angelina in the kitchen. Little Lisa was fractious with her first tooth, and she was passed from her mother to Sally in an effort to keep her happy, until at midday she was fed, changed and put down for her afternoon nap.
Angelina had excelled herself in the kitchen, for there was a starter of prawns in a nest of lettuce, roast turkey that melted in the mouth, sliced ham and chicken, and rice salad as well as coleslaw, beetroot and tomatoes. Dessert was a lemon ice, gelato, and to finish a slice of delicious cake. They all donned paper hats, pulled Christmas crackers with hilarious results, and drank champagne.
By the time the table was cleared and the dishes dealt with it was mid-afternoon, and they sought the relative coolness of the screened verandah to sit on cane chairs and relax with a cool drink. The boys, tired from rising so early that morning, collapsed and were lifted on to their beds for a nap.
In the evening, after a late meal of cold meats and a salad, they took the children for a swim in the pool, then after a shower the three little tots were settled down for the night.
The following day set a precedent for the days that followed. Sally and Luke both rose early to swim in the pool, then they showered and dressed in time for breakfast, after which together with Angelina, Frank and the children, they would set off for the day with a picnic lunch, returning late in the afternoon. The evenings after the children retired to bed were spent on the screened verandah, where with a cool drink in hand they talked far into the night. It was then that Sally learnt much about Luke and Angelina as children in post-war Italy, the hardships they had been forced to face, and the struggle to exist without parents or any close relatives on which to call. She saw with sudden clarity the youth Luke had been so many years before, burdened with responsibility and an irrepressible desire to ascend beyond poverty. She glimpsed a young man denied the joys of carefree living, the fun times, the laughter—until all too recently. And now his sweat-acquired wealth had failed to buy what he needed above all—a woman to love him.
There were no parties or social occasions during their stay, for Angelina confided to Sally that Luke preferred it this way.
'For much of the year we do not see one another,' she imparted, shrugging a little. 'When we do, we wish to spend the time in each other's company. Th
ere is plenty of time for friends.'
The children were a delight, and Sally found herself viewing each passing day with a tinge of regret, for it meant one day closer to her return to Sydney where once again she and Luke would undoubtedly resort to their former state of antipathy. As improbable as it seemed, they had scarcely exchanged a cross word while under Angelina's roof, and even the nights were magical as Luke's lovemaking took on a sensual, gently seducing quality that melted her resistance and made a traitor of her treacherous emotions. Long after she lay in his sleeping arms she would blush at the depth of feeling he was able to arouse, and the soul-searching she subjected herself to did little to resolve the many 'ifs', for it seemed none of them were likely to come to any account
On the day of their return, barely an hour before they were due to drive to Brisbane, Angelina took Sally aside, and her face betrayed a mixture of earnest concern.
'Look after my brother well—he needs someone like you, gentle and loving, with the ability to make him laugh.' She smiled, then gave Sally an affectionate hug. 'Love him as he deserves to be loved, I beg of you.'
Sally gave a strangled reply, although exactly what she couldn't recall, and it was perhaps fortunate that Lisa awoke crying from her morning nap at that precise moment.
The children came to the airport, and were surprisingly good during the drive from Surfers' Paradise to Brisbane, and their farewells were a trifle tearful as Sally followed Luke out from the departure lounge and on to the tarmac.
It had been a wonderful holiday, and one she looked forward to repeating. She waved until the plane taxied out of sight, and as it sped down the runway and lifted to ascend high above the clouds she hastily selected a magazine and buried her nose in the printed pages to hide the prick of tears that stung her eyes.
Sally didn't offer so much as a word during the short flight to Sydney, except for a monosyllabic acceptance or refusal of the refreshments offered by a hovering hostess. It was something of a relief when the jet landed at Kingsford-Smith airport, and she stood in reflective silence as Luke waited to collect their luggage. He refused her offer to carry one of the suitcases, and she walked at his side through the terminal building to the pavement outside where she was instructed to wait beside the luggage while he went to collect the car.
While he was. gone, she stood gazing silently into space as she thought of the house in Vaucluse that was now her home, of Carlo, and lastly of her father. It could be so different, if only
Luke brought the Alfa-Romeo to a smooth halt beside the kerb, and with a slight sigh Sally moved forward to open the passenger door. Once inside, she closed the door with a decisive click, watching from veiled lashes as he slid out from behind the wheel. She was aware that he stowed their suitcases into the boot, and she contrived a smile as he slipped back behind the wheel.
'What is occupying your thoughts?' Luke queried musingly as he set the car in motion, swinging it into the heavy flow of traffic vacating the airport. 'You have a particularly pensive air—in fact, during the entire flight you said scarcely a word.'
'We carried it off fairly well, didn't we?' Sally countered reflectively, and a hand lifted to smooth back a stray lock of hair behind one ear.
'I am positive my sister thinks we have an idyllic marriage,' he drawled, and his voice held an edge of mockery that stirred an all too familiar resentment.
'We, of course, know different.'
'Do not harbour any devious schemes now that we are home, piccina.'
At that slightly ruthless injunction she burst into angry speech, turning to face him with eyes that sparked with utter fury. 'What schemes could I devise? I'm irrevocably chained to you for as long as you choose. Even if I were to contemplate leaving you, the thought that you'd remove your financial backing from my father's business is a sufficient deterrent. The price is a son,' she choked, then looked away from him, for suddenly the sight of that harsh profile was too much to bear. 'Poor child,' she went on to mutter fervently. 'Its birth will probably be as hellish as its conception!'
'Dio potente!'
At his savage imprecation she rushed on heedlessly, 'What chance will it have with parents who hate each other? That's no way to raise children—they need love, and security——'
'That is enough! Cristo, must I be berated in the midst of negotiating city traffic?'
She subsided into angry silence, staring straight ahead for the remainder of the drive to Vaucluse, and the instant the car came to a halt in the garage she made to slide out, only to have her wrist caught in a bone-crushing grip.
'Oh no,' Luke declared with ominous softness. 'Before you escape into the house you will answer me one question.' His eyes gleamed with cold anger, and she felt a shiver of fear feather the length of her spine. 'What makes you think our children will be deprived of love—yours, mine?' The silky query was none the less dangerous for being quietly voiced, and she ran her tongue along her lips in a nervous gesture.
'Their lives will hardly be auspicious—we're always fighting,' she flung shakily, and he gave a sardonic smile.
'Can you not conceive of a time when we might not fight?'
His evasive response set her mind reeling, and blindly she slid out from the car and ran to the entrance foyer as if countless demons were in pursuit. At the top of the first flight of stairs she came to an abrupt halt.
'Mother!' Her voice came out as a barely audible squeak, and she uttered in shocked disbelief, 'Emily —what are you doing here?'
One eyebrow rose in faint humour. 'My dear daughter, I did declare my intention to come, and here I am. Why sound so surprised?' Elegantly dressed, her hair stylishly coiffured, Emily bore little resemblance to her daughter. .
Sally gathered her scattered wits together, completely unaware that Luke had ascended the stairs and was now standing behind her. 'I mean, how did you get in? We've been away—so has Carlo,' she explained hastily as Emily gave an expansive smile.
'Dearest Sally!' Emily spread her arms in welcome, and Sally moved forward to receive the maternal embrace. 'A call to your father revealed the expected date of your return, and I arranged my arrival accordingly. Your father met me at the airport, where he very graciously bought me lunch, then he deposited me here only two hours ago. I've unpacked my things into one of the guest rooms your manservant allotted me. Now,' she allowed her features to crease in a conciliatory smile as her gaze went beyond Sally's shoulder, 'let me meet my son-in-law.'
Sally stood in dazed silence as Luke moved forward, and she felt his arm settle about her waist as he took Emily's hand in a firm grip.
'You may call me Emily,' that good lady declared condescendingly. 'I am "Mother" only to my daughter, and even then I much prefer her to address me by name.' She looked up at him with a searching appraisal that would have daunted a lesser man. 'You look incredibly Italian, and as you're so tall, I venture to conclude you come from one of the northern provinces. Wealthy, undoubtedly,' she paused and moved a fluid hand to encompass the house and its furnishings. 'All this is scarcely the trappings of a poor man.'
'Shall we move into the lounge?' Luke suggested smoothly. 'Perhaps you would welcome a glass of sherry, Emily? If not, there is an ample selection of wines and spirits from which to choose.' His arm stayed firmly about Sally's waist as he propelled her forward.
'Bourbon with ice, no water,' Emily intimated, adding a charming, 'Thank you, Luke.'
'Sally, a sherry, or something stronger?'
Sally caught the glint of wry humour in his eyes, and directing him a stunning smile she said lightly, 'Sherry will be fine, thank you, darling.' Turning to her mother, she asked, 'Did you have a smooth flight over
'Of course,' Emily replied, and Sally hid a smile. Faced with Emily's singlemindedness she doubted either the Boeing jet or the elements would dare to create so much as a ripple of discord.
'How long do you expect to stay?'
Emily cast her daughter a direct look. 'With you, darling? Precisely eight days, altogether�
�five now, then I shall fly to Perth for a week, after which I will go on to Darwin for approximately the same length of time. The remaining three days before returning to New York I intend spending with you.'
'How is Hank?' Sally queried with interest of her mother's second husband, who was a nice man, tall, bluff and typically American.
'Well. Busy, of course,' Emily conceded. 'The wheels of big business can be time-consuming. What do you do?' she queried suddenly of Luke.
'I am a business consultant and financier,' Luke answered with a scarcely detectable drawl, and Emily cast him a speculative look.
'A very successful one, I gather.'
Luke inclined his head, and Sally elected to make her escape.
'Darling, you talk to Mother while I check with Carlo what we're having for dinner.' The glance she cast him was as loving as she could make it, but there was an angry gleam in the depths of her eyes that was met and matched by an answering glint in the dark eyes not too far from her own.
In the kitchen she greeted Carlo with a wide smile, and sniffed appreciatively. 'Mmm, that smells delicious. Is there anything I can do to help?'
Carlo shook his head. 'You are looking well. You enjoyed your holiday?'
'It was very relaxing,' she answered carefully. 'The children were a bundle of fun. Which room did you put my mother in?'
'The one nearest the stairs,' he informed her. 'She is a little——'
'Overpowering?'Sally laughed. 'She takes a bit of getting used to. The trick is not to let her daunt you. Shall I set the table?'
'If you wish,' Carlo agreed with a slight nod. 'However, I can do it if you want to join Luke and your mother.'
'Shh!' Sally murmured humorously. 'Besides, my being here will give Luke and Emily a chance to get acquainted.'
It was ten minutes before she threw Carlo an impish wave and departed back down the hallway to the lounge. I
'Dinner will be ready in five minutes,' she told them as she crossed the room to join them.
Emily looked up and smiled serenely. 'Luke has been filling me in with the details of how you met I each other.'
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