A Proposal from the Italian Count

by Lucy Gordon

  Vittorio ground his teeth and spoke quietly, hoping Jackie would hear little and understand less. ‘There was only one room available. We had no choice.’

  ‘Can you assure me you haven’t lost control?’

  ‘I’m not even tempted. She doesn’t like me, and our relationship is strictly business.’

  ‘So she hasn’t even tried to put her arms around you?’

  Vittorio ground his teeth. ‘No,’ he said. ‘She hasn’t. Goodbye, Aunt.’

  He slammed down the phone.

  ‘What’s she so upset about?’ Jackie demanded. ‘I could hear her yelling even over the phone.’

  ‘She’s shocked because we’re in the same room. She’s concerned for your virtue.’

  ‘Concerned for yours, you mean. Does she think I lured you into a double room because I have a scheme in mind?’

  ‘We both know that you didn’t want to share my room, disliking me as you do. I’ve reassured her that you don’t want me.’

  ‘But can she believe that any woman wouldn’t seize the chance to seduce you and perhaps become a countess?’

  ‘I guess not.’

  Jackie began to chuckle. ‘I can’t believe this is happening. The idea of me acting the role of femme fatale is ludicrous.’

  ‘Don’t put yourself down,’ he told her. ‘You’ve got your attractions.’

  ‘Not the kind likely to appeal to a man who can have any woman he wants,’ she said cheerfully. ‘I’m a realist. How much did you tell your aunt about what happened?’

  ‘Nothing. She asked if you’d put your arms around me. I told her you hadn’t.’

  ‘Well, that’s true. It was you who put your arms around me.’

  He stared. ‘Did I?’

  ‘Don’t worry. You didn’t know what you were doing. I came over to the bed because you were close to the edge and I was afraid you’d fall. You were flailing wildly about and suddenly you grabbed hold of me. I couldn’t get away.’

  ‘Didn’t you thump me hard enough?’

  ‘Damn! I never thought of thumping you. Stupid of me.’

  ‘Want to try now?’

  ‘No, I’ll save it and get some practice first. When I finally thump you—oh, boy, will you know you’ve been thumped!’

  He grinned, but it soon faded.

  ‘So we just lay there all night? Did I do anything? Say anything?’

  She was tempted to ask him about Elena, but she backed away from the thought. Some deep instinct told her that she would be better not knowing.

  ‘You muttered a load of nonsense,’ she told him cheerfully.

  ‘In other words typical me?’

  ‘I didn’t say that.’

  ‘You didn’t have to. What about you? Did you talk to me?’

  ‘A little. You seemed so agitated that I told you it was all right.’

  Suddenly he could hear exactly what she had said then. ‘It’s all right. I’m here.’ Again he felt the peaceful sensation that had overcome him earlier, as he’d lain in her arms. Everything had been all right because she was there.

  So she knew that they had clung to each other by chance, but not how they had lain together so gently. It was a relief that she didn’t recall the moment and blame him for it, but also disappointing that she didn’t share the memory of it with him.

  He rose and went to the door. ‘I’ll go and sort the bill downstairs,’ he said. ‘Then we can leave.’

  ‘Let’s have some breakfast first,’ she said. ‘We don’t want you falling asleep at the wheel.’

  Turning to leave, he gave her a wry grin. ‘I’ll forget you said that.’

  He closed the door softly behind him.

  Somehow she must banish from her mind the sweet memory of lying in his arms. A shared memory would have been lovely, but he seemed not to know everything that had happened between them. So it would be dangerous for her to brood on it lest her feelings riot out of control.

  After that it seemed best to be businesslike. Downstairs they ate breakfast, discussed sensible matters and left the hotel.

  Vittorio’s headache had gone and he was relieved to find himself driving at the height of his ability. That was what a restful night did. It was a reason to thank Jackie, but he mustn’t tell her, he warned himself wryly. She would be sure to turn it against him in a cheeky challenge. There was just no way of coping with this infuriating woman.

  But she was more than infuriating. Alarming, troublesome, teasing, tempting, alluring. And never more than one of them for five minutes at a time.

  They were almost home before Vittorio broke the comfortable silence between them. ‘I hope we haven’t got another problem waiting for us.’

  ‘What kind of problem?’

  ‘Tania. How do we cope with her suspicions about last night?’

  ‘That’s easy,’ Jackie said. ‘We assume indifference.’

  ‘You mean we don’t speak to each other? As if we’ve quarrelled?’

  ‘No, that would only convince her she’s right. When we get there, just follow my lead.’

  As he’d been doing for the last few days, he reflected ruefully.

  At last the car drew up outside the castle—and there was Tania, standing by the door.

  As they headed towards her Jackie said, loudly enough to be heard, ‘You’re quite wrong about this, Vittorio. It would be a very poor purchase and not worth the money.’

  Catching on quickly, Vittorio enthusiastically joined the conversation. ‘Of course I respect your opinion, Jackie, but I think that item would be a good buy.’

  They continued this back and forth until they were at the front door, where Tania was still waiting to greet them.

  ‘What are you two arguing about now?’

  ‘Ask her—she’s the expert,’ Vittorio said. ‘I don’t even understand.’

  ‘Do you ever understand?’ Jackie demanded. ‘That thing looked good, but you’re too easily fooled.’

  ‘What thing?’ Tania asked.

  ‘Let her tell you,’ Vittorio said. ‘I’m going to get a drink.’

  He vanished, leaving the two women regarding each other.

  ‘What thing are you arguing about?’ Tania asked.

  ‘I can’t even remember. We’ve seen so many things that he might buy, but he’s being awkward.’

  ‘Has he been misbehaving?’ Tania asked.

  ‘Only in one sense. He thinks he knows everything about business, but he doesn’t understand as much as he thinks he does. And if you dare tell him he’s got it wrong he gets insulted.’

  ‘Then perhaps you shouldn’t tell him.’

  ‘Oh, I think I should,’ Jackie declared. ‘It’s not good to let a person think they’re always right about everything. Of course, certain people are always going to be convinced of that, no matter what.’

  ‘It’s lucky he can’t hear you saying that,’ Tania observed.

  ‘He’s heard me say worse. He knows I’m not afraid to condemn him. Luckily he doesn’t care about my opinion any more than I care about his.’

  ‘I was rather worried about you two being in the same bedroom last night.’

  ‘Don’t be. Nothing happened.’

  Tania still looked unconvinced.

  ‘Look, Vittorio doesn’t want anything from me except efficiency in business. And I don’t want anything from him either. So don’t worry. I’m not trying to drag him up the aisle.’

  Tania gave her an amused look. ‘Am I supposed to believe that?’

  ‘Believe it. All the others may yearn to be a countess, but I don’t. He’s quite safe from me.’

  ‘Has he told you about how lively things are going to get soon?’

  ‘No. Why? What’s going to happen?’


  ‘Every June we give a ball. Everyone comes from miles around. It’s a huge, exciting event. You’ll have great fun choosing something to wear.’

  ‘Do people wear fancy dress?

  ‘Some of them. Some wear conventional ball gowns and some wear historical costumes. We even have a Lady Nanetta costume you could wear.’

  ‘I’ll really look forward to this ball.’

  ‘And I want you to enjoy it. Ah, there’s Gina. Please excuse me, Jackie, but I must get on.’

  After Tania had left Jackie headed up to her room, intending to type up the notes she’d made in Rome. But after a few minutes there came a soft knock on the door. She found Vittorio standing there, and stood back to let him in.

  ‘That was a brilliant idea of yours,’ he said. ‘If we’re arguing about business there can’t be anything else between us.’

  ‘I promised her I wasn’t trying to drag you up the aisle.’

  ‘I know. I heard you.’

  ‘You—? You were listening?’

  ‘Of course. Just behind the door. You’re more fun to eavesdrop on than anyone I know. Nobody else complains about me with as much imagination as you do. But I seem to have improved in your estimation. Saying I always think I’m right isn’t as bad as saying I’m cold and arrogant.’

  ‘All right—enjoy your laugh. I have to be tough on you in front of Aunt Tania so that she knows I’m not one of the crowd chasing you. That way you can use me as a defence.’

  He nodded. ‘And you’re the perfect defence.’ He hesitated before saying, ‘Are you all right after what happened last night?’

  ‘Nothing happened last night,’ she said firmly.

  ‘No—of course nothing did. I only meant—Well, it was nice to be in your arms.’

  So he did know, she thought.

  ‘Yes,’ she agreed. ‘It was nice and friendly.’

  He regarded her for a moment before saying softly, ‘Just friendly?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she murmured. ‘It’s hard to say.’

  He didn’t answer at first. Then he placed his fingers under her chin and raised it, before dropping his head to brush her lips with his own.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered. ‘I shouldn’t have done that. I just wanted to know—’

  ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘But it’s not possible. We can’t know.’

  ‘Can’t we?’

  ‘It’s too soon.’

  ‘Too soon can be the best time—when you’re learning about each other and want to know more. Am I offending you? Do you want to push me away?’

  ‘No—no—’

  He lowered his head again, placing his mouth on hers more intensely than before, although not enough to alarm her. She responded with pleasure, moving her lips gently against his and relishing his instant reaction. She felt his arms tighten and a tremor go through his body.

  Where was this leading? Control was slipping away from both of them.

  And then—‘I’m sorry,’ Vittorio said, releasing her. ‘That was thoughtless and selfish of me.’

  He stepped back, leaving a clear gap between them.

  ‘Was it?’ she asked, bewildered.

  ‘You’re vulnerable. I should have remembered—’

  ‘But—’

  ‘Forgive me, Jackie. I didn’t mean to—Just forget it ever happened.’

  ‘Forget what? How can I forget something that didn’t happen?’ she said in a freezing voice.

  He backed further away. ‘You’re right—it didn’t. It couldn’t happen because we have to understand—I’d better go.’

  He turned and abruptly left the room.

  Jackie stood motionless, possessed by such a fury that she was tempted to hurl something at the door. She restrained the impulse, lest he hear and realise how he had affected her.

  She could hardly believe how intensely she had responded to him. The touch of his lips, the feel of his embrace had started an excitement that had spread swiftly through her, igniting a fierce response.

  The best part of it had been her awareness of a response in him. In one blazing, beautiful moment she’d known that he wanted her as much as he’d managed to make her want him. But then, in an assertion of strength, he’d silenced his own desire, rejecting her with a pretence of chivalry that didn’t fool her for a moment.

  Did he know that he’d inflamed her passion before rejecting her? Or didn’t he care about her feelings while he was protecting his own?

  No, she thought bitterly. He didn’t care. He didn’t care about her at all. To yield to his own needs would have meant letting her know that she had a kind of power over him. And that was something that he wouldn’t risk.

  All the power had to be on his side. He’d left to protect himself, not her.

  Well, two could play the power game!

  * * *

  The next morning Jackie went downstairs to find only Tania waiting for her in the breakfast room.

  ‘Your argument must have been fiercer than it seemed,’ she said. ‘Vittorio’s gone away on estate business.’

  ‘Doesn’t he often have to do that?’

  ‘Sometimes. There’s a tiny village on the far side of his land, and he needs to stay there for a couple of days.’

  Before Jackie could reply her cell phone rang. Answering it, she found herself talking to Gary, a salesman who had frequently called in to the shop in London, usually with good products to offer. They were on friendly terms.

  ‘Hello, Gary,’ she said cheerfully.

  ‘It was quite a shock to find you missing. Are you going to be over there long?’

  ‘Hard to say.’

  ‘Well if you return to England, don’t forget me.’

  ‘Not a chance. It’ll be nice to see you again.’

  She hung up.

  Tania was arranging things on the breakfast table.

  ‘That looks lovely,’ Jackie said, regarding the food. ‘When I’ve had breakfast it’s time I started attending to some business.’

  ‘What business?’

  ‘Vittorio has left me in charge of a new department in his store. There’s a lot to do, and I must go into Rome and get to work.’

  ‘You don’t have to if you don’t want to,’ Tania said.

  ‘But I do want to. He’s paying me well and I’m going to work hard and earn it. I’m really looking forward to it.’

  It was true. Taking charge of the new department could be exactly the kind of pleasure she would most enjoy. But instinct warned her of another aspect.

  After what had happened in the hotel Vittorio had gone away in order to avoid her. Well, if he thought she was going to play the rejected woman—watching for his return, wondering when he would find time for her—he was mistaken.

  Tania called her a taxi and she was soon on her way to Rome. Entering the store, she wondered what reaction would greet her. Had Vittorio really declared her authority as definitely as she’d believed he had?

  Her fears were eased at once. The staff in her department greeted her respectfully—especially Lisa, the chief assistant.

  ‘We have some new stock just delivered,’ she said eagerly. ‘We were about to start unpacking it.’

  ‘Splendid. Let’s get going.’

  The next few hours were delightful. The new arrivals were glass items, elegant and expensive, not just dishes but also small statues of animals.

  ‘These are incredible,’ Jackie said, lifting one up to study it. ‘I think this is a lion...’

  ‘Yes, and this one is a tiger,’ Lisa said. ‘Over here we have a horse and a bear.’

  ‘All made of glass and so lovely. Where shall we put them?’

  ‘I think we already have buyers,’ Lisa said suddenly.

  Jacki
e looked up to find a husband and wife descending on them. They were entranced by the statues and insisted on buying every one.

  ‘I can’t believe that really happened,’ Jackie said in a daze. ‘One minute we’d unpacked them—the next moment they were gone.’

  ‘You must have bought the right thing,’ Lisa said brightly. ‘We’d better replace them quickly.’

  In a moment Jackie was back on the computer, contacting the manufacturer and concluding another purchase.

  ‘I’ve ordered three times as many,’ she said. ‘And they’ll be delivered tomorrow.’

  Her staff cheered. Jackie wondered if she had ever known a happier occasion in her life. To be in charge, to see everything work out so well, to know that she was more than capable of handling the situation—all this inspired a pleasure and a satisfaction that was almost beyond her understanding.

  She plunged back into work, loving every moment. When the time came to leave she was almost reluctant.

  ‘I know the store’s closing, but I’ve got so much I want to do,’ she said, indicating the computer.

  ‘You could stay the night,’ Lisa told her. ‘Signor Vittorio has a place where he sleeps.’

  ‘Then I’ll use that.’

  Jackie called Tania, wondering if Vittorio had arrived home yet. But she told her he wasn’t expected for another day.

  ‘I’m staying here at the store tonight,’ she said.

  ‘But are you sure?’ Tania asked. ‘I can arrange a taxi—’

  ‘I must stay. There’s so much work to do that I can’t leave. Vittorio gave me this job so that I can make money for him, and I mustn’t neglect it.’

  ‘Very well. I’ll explain to him when he returns.’

  A tiny bedroom, almost as small as a cupboard, was attached to Vittorio’s office. Clearly this was an emergency refuge, for use only when he was so submerged in work that nothing else mattered.

  The bed was narrow, but comfortable. Jackie had worked late before retiring for the night. Now it felt good to brood over the success of the day. She looked forward to displaying everything to Vittorio.

  She was up early next morning, greeting the staff, watching closely as their work got under way.