by Lucy Gordon
‘You are lucky, signorina,’ she said. ‘You have a slim figure. That is a blessing.’
‘Slim?’ Jackie brooded. ‘That’s one way of putting it. In England I’ve been called skinny—even scrawny.’
‘Scusami, signorina. Scrawny?’
‘In English it’s a way of telling someone they’re too thin.’
‘No, no,’ Gina protested passionately. ‘You cannot be too thin for fashion. Rome is a city of great fashion. Everything will be fine for you here—especially when you’ve bought some new clothes.’
‘Oh—well—I don’t think I’ll be buying new clothes,’ Jackie said uneasily.
The maid’s words were like a blow, reminding her how little cash she had.
‘But you must. Everyone will want to meet you.’
‘That’s true,’ said Vittorio from the doorway.
How long had he been standing there? Jackie wondered. How much had he seen and heard?
‘My new business associate will make quite an entrance,’ he said.
With a slight gesture of his head he dismissed Gina, who left the room.
‘New clothes,’ he said. ‘You do need them. We can make arrangements tomorrow.’
‘But I can’t. I haven’t got any money to buy clothes.’
‘You crazy woman! I offered you a million pounds and you chucked it back in my face. Now you’re complaining about poverty.’
‘I’m not complaining,’ she said defiantly. ‘I’m being practical.’
‘So be practical and accept my offer.’
‘No! Not that. You don’t understand, do you?’
‘No—and I don’t think you understand your own actions.’
He was wrong, she thought. She completely understood the reasons for her stubborn refusal to yield.
If she accepted the money he would consider the debt settled. And that idea was agony to her. For the sake of her father’s memory she would never allow him to do that—however much she might need the money.
‘Oh, you really are contrary, woman,’ he growled.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘You’ve hardly got a penny to your name but you turn down the best financial offer you’ll ever have and treat me as a villain for making it. That’s carrying illogicality to new heights.’
‘Not illogicality. Pride. Memory of my father’s suffering.’
‘You think your father would want you to refuse?’
‘Yes, because accepting would be like saying what happened to him doesn’t matter.’
‘I think he loved you too much for that. I think he’d have been glad to see things get better for you.’
‘You—How dare you speak of him like that?’
‘I only said he loved you. Didn’t he?’
‘Yes—with all his heart. But you have no right to make use of him like that.’
‘All right, I’ll say no more. But think about it, Jackie. What sort of future would he have wanted for you? Prosperous? Or living on the edge of poverty? If he was here now, listening to us, what do you think he’d say to you? Take every penny and live well. Or, Tell him to keep his money and get stuffed. Give yourself the pleasure of kicking him in the teeth. Then live on the edge of poverty.’
‘Stop it!’ she cried, backing away from him, hands over her ears. ‘Stop it!’
He reached out and for a moment she thought he would take hold of her. But then he dropped his hand, moving quickly away.
‘I’ll see you at supper,’ he said, and left without another word.
As he closed the door she struggled with the desire to hurl something at it. It was shocking for him to put words into her father’s mouth just to suit himself. But there was no doubt that he was baffled by her refusal to take his money, and she reckoned the reason was plain. A man so wealthy was used to being able to buy whatever he wanted.
Not just wealthy, she mused. He was handsome also. Too handsome. He must be used to women collapsing at his feet and promising to do anything he wanted.
But not me, Vittorio. You’ve met the one woman who’ll gladly tell you exactly where to go.
She wondered if she’d been wise to come here when their hostility was still acute. But he’d saved her from Rik. She would just have to cope as best she could.
To distract herself, she began going through her possessions.
She soon realised that Gina had put her finger on an unexpected problem when she’d spoken of Rome as being a city of great fashion. None of her clothes were fashionable. At best they might be described as serviceable, with several pairs of jeans and dresses that were plain.
Hurriedly she went through the clothes and found something that might do for the evening meal. It was pale grey, neat and slightly elegant. A few moments in front of the mirror gave her a chance to work on her hair, but she wasn’t pleased with the result. Drawn back tightly it merely looked dreary. Left to fall around her face it seemed neglected.
There was a knock at the door and Gina appeared.
‘Ah, signorina, I know what I can do for you. It will soon be time for supper, so I will take care of your hair.’
She had come prepared with hair tongs, and Jackie watched in awe as Gina turned her severe locks into a bundle of delightful curls.
‘Thank you,’ she said with feeling. ‘It’s so nice of you to take so much trouble for me.’
‘Signor Vittorio said I was to do everything you needed to help you be at your best. He wants you to be happy.’
‘How kind of him.’
Was he being kind, or did he just want to keep her quiet and uncomplaining? she wondered.
A moment later there came a knock on her door, and Vittorio entered.
‘Excellent,’ he said, regarding her. ‘Our guests will be impressed.’
‘Guests? Are there many coming?’
‘Yes, we’ve had a few phone calls from friends who want to drop in. It’s going to be quite a busy party. Shall we go?’
He held out his arm to her and she took it. Together they left the room and headed along the corridor to the top of the stairs. As they arrived she saw a little crowd gathered in the hall below. There were three middle-aged men and several young women. Most notable among them was Marisa, who stood looking up as they descended.
‘Our guests are here already,’ Vittorio observed.
When he began the introductions Jackie could hardly believe her ears. Every man seemed to have a title. She managed to pick up the words duca, visconte, barone... They exchanged greetings with them, their wives and their elegant young daughters.
Wow, she thought. Cinderella certainly had come to the ball tonight.
She wondered why they were all here. But when she saw how she was being regarded by the younger women a suspicion came over her. It was no accident that they were here. Marisa had clearly spread the word of her arrival, alarming all those who aimed to be the next Contessa.
‘Let’s go and have something to eat,’ Tania said, leading the way into the dining room.
A long table dominated the centre of the room, with twenty places laid out. Vittorio escorted Jackie to a chair and sat beside her. She had the impression there was a faint disagreement on his other side, as two young women sought the chair beside him. But it was over in a moment.
The other seat beside Jackie was occupied by Aunt Tania, who was clearly still regarding her with interest. She had a thin, sharp face, which had a disconcerting habit of flashing into a brilliant smile.
‘You must tell me all about yourself,’ she said now. ‘I’d never heard of you until Vittorio called me this morning to say he was bringing you. You’re obviously a very significant business associate.’
‘I’m afraid he makes me sound too important.’
‘Jackie is
too modest about her abilities,’ Vittorio said. ‘When I expand my English business in Rome I’ll be doing everything she says.’
Tania raised her coffee cup in salute.
‘Congratulations, signorina. If you knew how rarely he follows anyone else’s advice—or even listens to it—you’d realise what a unique position you hold. Believe me, I’ll do all I can to make you feel welcome here.’ She smiled. ‘My nephew would be very annoyed with me if I didn’t.’
‘Of course. I’m here to help him make a profit. That’s what really matters.’
The two women shared a laugh. Vittorio noticed and nodded with pleasure.
Servants appeared with the supper. Between the excellent food and the friendly talk Jackie had an enjoyable evening.
At last the younger women began to leave the table and settle on sofas. Two of them seized Vittorio and playfully forced him to join them. He was immediately surrounded by admirers.
‘I look forward to showing you our house,’ Tania said. ‘There has been much history here—many notable people. Sometimes we have even opened it to tourists.’
‘That sound fascinating,’ Jackie said. ‘I love history. In England I used to like visiting great historical buildings where dramatic things had happened in the past.’
‘Then you’ll enjoy Castello Martelli. We’ve had our fair share of excitement there.’
‘Lovely. I even—’
She was checked by a shriek of laughter that came from a nearby sofa.
Glancing over, she saw that Vittorio was deep in conversation with Marisa and the other young women who crowded round him. All of them were rocking with laughter.
‘Some more wine?’ Tania asked.
‘No, thank you,’ Jackie said. ‘Would you mind if I went to bed? It’s been a long day. It was my first flight and it’s left me a bit shaken.’
‘Yes. It can take it out of you, can’t it? Especially if you’re nervous.’
‘That’s very true.’
‘You look as if you’ve got a headache. Go to bed now. I’ll send Gina up with something to drink.’
‘Thank you.’
At the door Jackie looked back to wave goodnight to Vittorio, but he was still enjoying himself with his female companions, managing to be enfolded in three pairs of arms at once. He seemed to have forgotten that she existed.
As she watched Marisa intervened, pulling the others away but doing it with laughter, as though claiming Vittorio as her property was no more than a joke to her.
Vittorio looked up, noticed Jackie in the doorway and waved. She gave him a slight wave back and departed.
As promised, Gina brought something up to her room.
‘English tea,’ she said. ‘My mistress said you were to have the best.’
‘She’s being very kind to me.’
‘She likes you. She doesn’t like that other one, but if the Count marries her—well, what can we do? Goodnight, signorina.’
Gina slipped away, leaving Jackie to brood. And there was a great deal to brood about. However she had thought this visit would work out, it was happening very differently, and somehow she would need to find a way to deal with it.
She tensed suddenly, alerted by a noise from the corridor outside. There was the sound of a door being opened, and then Marisa’s voice.
‘Perché non si può solo ascoltare me?’
Jackie just managed to make out the meaning. ‘Why can’t you just listen to me?’
Vittorio’s reply was also in Italian, but his meaning was blindingly clear. ‘Because there’s no point. We talk too much and it gets us nowhere. You won’t listen to what I say.’
‘Because I don’t believe you really mean it. Listen to your heart, Vittorio—’
‘I am listening to it, and it’s saying no. There’s nothing there. Goodbye, Marisa.’
Quietly Jackie looked out, just in time to see Marisa storming away down the corridor as the door opposite was closed.
So that was his room, she thought.
Glancing around to make sure Marisa was no longer there, she went and knocked at his door.
He opened it at once. ‘Marisa, per favore—Oh, it’s you.’
Looking shocked, he checked himself and drew back to let her in.
‘Yes, it’s only me,’ she said, following him. ‘I reckon it’s time for you to come clean, Vittorio. You’ve concealed the truth for long enough.’
‘What truth? What are you talking about?’
‘I mean the reason you brought me here. You played the gallant knight, rescuing me from Rik, but it was actually about Marisa, wasn’t it? You wanted to stop her troubling you and I’m a handy excuse.’
Vittorio closed his eyes like a man wondering how to cope with another disaster.
‘It’s a bit more than that...’ He groaned. ‘It’s not just Marisa.’
‘So it’s all the others who hunted you down today?’
‘I don’t think it’s an accident that so many people—women—turned up. They came to see you.’
‘You think they’re all competing for you? I’ve heard of conceit, but that takes the biscuit.’
‘You’re wrong. I’m not vain enough to think girls are after me for myself. It’s the title they want, and they’re not the only ones. My father tried to arrange a marriage between myself and Marisa. I told him I wasn’t keen, but he wouldn’t listen. He was so certain he could persuade me that he let her think it was all arranged. She reckons I’m her property, and if I so much as look at another woman she acts like a betrayed wife. It’s getting more than I can stand. Why do you think they came today? Marisa spread the word that I’d arrived with you and they all descended on us to get a look at you. So, yes, I thought your presence here might help me, and I seized the chance because I’m going crazy with this situation.’
‘But you didn’t think to tell me?’
‘I was going to but—well—I just lost my nerve. Suppose I had told you? What would you have done? Agreed to help me? I don’t think so.’
‘You’re wrong. After the way you helped me deal with Rik I’ll do anything I can for you.’
His eyes gleamed. ‘Anything?’
‘Anything at all.’
‘You’ll help save me from Marisa?’
She smiled. ‘I’ll go into battle against her and you’ll be quite safe.’
‘That would be wonderful. Just keeping her thinking we’re an item. It may just work.’
‘But why does it have to be me? Why couldn’t you pick someone else?’
‘Because you have one great advantage that makes you a better choice than anyone else.’
‘What could that possibly be?’
‘You’ve made it plain you don’t like me or trust me. Another woman might take my attentions seriously, think I meant them, and then be hurt when she learned the truth. But you see me as a cold and arrogant—mercenary, even. That’s fine. There’s no danger that you’ll ever fall in love with me. I know we’ve decided to be friends, but it’s a cautious friendship with suspicion on both sides, and that makes us both safe.’
She regarded him ironically.
‘So you chose me because you knew I’d never embarrass you by indulging in romantic thoughts about you? Oh, were you right about that!’
‘That’s what I reckoned. You’d sooner swoon over a slimy octopus than me.’
‘I wouldn’t go so far as to say that.’
‘But you were thinking it?’
She regarded him with her head on one side. ‘Maybe. Sometimes it’s best to keep your thoughts to yourself. I’m sure you know all about that.’
‘It’s been useful. Let’s shake on it.’
They clasped hands.
‘Your aunt doesn’t like Marisa, does she?’ she
observed.
‘No, but she’s my father’s sister, and as such she feels bound by his wishes.’
‘Nonsense. The only wishes that matter are yours.’
His face brightened. ‘That’s what I like to hear a woman say.’
‘Aha! You think it shows I have a submissive nature? She rubbed her hands. ‘I could have a nasty shock waiting for you.’
‘I’m sure you will. And I’m equally sure it will be interesting.’
From outside the building came the sound of voices. Vittorio opened the window and looked down.
‘They’re leaving,’ he said. ‘Come here.’
She went to stand beside him and he put his arm around her. Down below, Marisa was approaching her car while the other guests streamed out around her. Suddenly Marisa turned her head, gazing up at them.
‘Shall we try to convince her now?’ Vittorio murmured.
‘Yes—what shall we do?’
‘Rest your head on my shoulder.’
She did so, and he tightened his arm about her.
‘Look up at me,’ he murmured.
As soon as she did he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Jackie drew a slow breath, waiting for him to drift lower until his lips touched hers. But he stayed as he was.
‘She’s there...watching us,’ he said. Let’s make this look good.’
His arms tightened, drawing her closer. His free hand caressed her cheek before drifting down, briefly touching her breasts. Jackie trembled, longing fiercely to take things further.
‘You said you wanted me to help you...’ she whispered.
‘Yes—what are you going to do?’
‘This,’ she said, and reached up so that her arms went around his neck, drawing his head down so that she could caress his mouth with her own.
She could sense the surprise that shook him, then felt his grip on her tighten as he took control, moving his mouth against hers with growing urgency.
Caution told her that she shouldn’t do this, but she couldn’t make herself be cautious. Desire stormed through her, destroying everything but the need to be his and make him hers.
At last he spoke, his voice shaking. ‘I think—I think we’ve done almost enough to convince her.’