A Proposal from the Italian Count

by Lucy Gordon

  ‘I didn’t fight—’

  ‘Didn’t you? Isn’t that we do?’

  ‘Only when there’s no choice!’ she cried. ‘Why did you try to make me accept that money again?’

  ‘Because it’s the right thing to do.’

  ‘The right thing? To ignore my feelings and make me accept something that hurts me? That’s the right thing to do?’

  ‘I didn’t mean to hurt you—’

  ‘No, you just don’t care whether you hurt me or not.’

  ‘I’d hoped to help you understand that you’re making a fuss about something that doesn’t matter.’

  ‘My feelings don’t matter? Thanks. I was beginning to understand that anyway.’

  ‘Jackie, please talk sense. Why has this issue of money become so important to us?’

  ‘It’s not the money itself. It’s what it means. You want me to take it for your father’s sake, and to comfort you, but it wouldn’t comfort me. The pain would stay with me. And if you had any feeling for me you would understand that. But you don’t, and if we stayed together this would be with us all our lives, spoiling everything we might have had. I love you, but I’m beginning to think I could never be happy with you, and I could never make you happy.’

  ‘How can you say that? How would you know what makes me happy?’

  ‘Look ahead down the years, Vittorio. Can you really see happiness when we feel so differently about the things that matter?’

  ‘We can make it happen. We don’t have to give in just because we have a disagreement.’

  ‘This isn’t just a disagreement. It’s more important than that. It’s a difference that could last all our lives, poisoning everything. It was only because of a disaster that we met in the first place. Perhaps we were never meant to.’

  ‘Stop it!’ he said savagely. ‘Don’t talk like that. Stop it.’

  ‘Yes. There’s no point in talking, is there?’ she said.

  She fled the room, desperate to get away from a conversation that was breaking her heart. Against all likelihood Vittorio had claimed her love. Now, before her loomed a vision of a future without him.

  He still didn’t understand. He thought it was about money, but it wasn’t. How could they ever be united as one when they saw life so differently?

  In her own room she switched on her laptop, seeking the distraction it could sometimes give. She forced herself to concentrate on the emotionless screen, hoping to control all feeling before she yielded helplessly.

  An email had arrived. Opening it, she read it.

  Things are chaos at the shop without you. Rik has managed to sell it and the new owner is desperate for staff who understands the place. Gary.

  This was it. The sign she’d been waiting for—her chance to put the past behind her. Vittorio, Rome—everything she wanted to forget.

  It had to happen. They weren’t right together. She’d thought she could make it work because she loved him, but maybe sometimes love wasn’t enough.

  Going downstairs, she found Vittorio, as she’d expected, in his office, buried in paperwork.

  ‘I have something to tell you,’ she said. ‘I’m going back to England.’

  ‘Will you be away long?’

  ‘I’ll be away for ever. I’m saying goodbye, Vittorio.’

  ‘Goodbye? So you really think we no longer have a chance?’

  ‘Did we ever have a chance? We thought we’d got things right at last, but it was an illusion. Let’s be honest. We need to forget that we met—and especially forget how we met. That has always been a kind of poison between us. Now it’s time for us to face the truth and part. And you need never worry that I’ll start any legal action. I promise I never will.’

  ‘Is that what you imagine has been troubling me all this time?’ he demanded angrily.

  ‘I don’t know what’s been troubling you. I don’t think I’ll ever understand you any more than you will understand me. It’s best that we say goodbye now.’

  He gave a bitter laugh. ‘Perhaps I should have expected this. You’ve meant more to me than any other woman because the others were after my title and my money. I valued you because I thought you wanted only me. But you don’t want me. So you’re right. Let’s call it a day.’

  His words were like a blow to her heart. If he had said he loved her everything would have changed. But he wanted her only for reasons of pride.

  ‘Yes, let’s,’ she said. ‘I’ll call the airport now.’

  ‘Let me do it for you.’

  He immediately got on the phone.

  After making a few notes he said, ‘There’s a flight at midday tomorrow. I’ll book you on it.’

  A few minutes were enough to do the job. Then all was settled.

  ‘I’ll print your ticket off for you,’ Vittorio said. ‘And I’ll arrange a taxi to get you there in good time.’

  ‘Will you see me off?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll come to the airport and make sure you get on the right plane. We don’t want you to get lost, do we? Don’t worry. Everything will go well.’

  But nothing was going well, she thought sadly. They were parting, and all he cared about was arranging things properly. His insistence that she’d meant more to him than any other woman had been just empty words. She meant nothing to him.

  But as she lay in bed that night she managed to find a little hope. There had been times when he’d treated her with something that might have been affection. Perhaps when they were at the airport tomorrow he might show some feeling. Perhaps he’d ask her to change her mind and come back. She would kiss him goodbye and then—oh, please—let him kiss her back. Let him discover that they really loved each other. Surely she could make him want her?

  Still clinging to hope, she finally fell asleep.

  She awoke early, dressed quickly and hurried downstairs, full of hope and determination. She would not give in. Today she would open her heart to Vittorio and persuade him to open his heart to her. It would be a day of victory.

  She was smiling as she went into the kitchen.

  But there a shock awaited her. There was no sign of Vittorio.

  Tania was sitting alone at the table. She looked up and smiled at Jackie.

  ‘Have a good breakfast,’ she said. ‘Vittorio said you’d be leaving early for the airport. He asked me to tell you goodbye for him.’

  ‘He—what?’

  ‘He got called away to an important meeting. He says he’s sorry, but he couldn’t help it.’

  Jackie drew a sharp breath, fighting back the desire to cry out.

  It was over.

  He had abandoned her without a word of goodbye, and in doing so he’d made plain his indifference to her.

  ‘I’ll leave at once,’ she said. ‘Goodbye.’

  ‘Must you go?’ Tania asked. ‘I’ve so liked having you here.’

  ‘Thank you, but the sooner I go the better. I’ve turned into a different person here—one I’d better get rid of.’

  ‘But why? It’s true you’ve become another person, but she’s very attractive. She’s bright and witty, always ready to join in the fun.’ Tania smiled fondly, adding, ‘She’s a true Roman.’

  ‘That’s very kind, but my other self is actually rather stupid. She’s easily taken in because she believes what she wants to believe. Now it’s time for her to face facts.’

  ‘But does she know which are the right facts to face?’ Tania asked, regarding her curiously. ‘Sometimes one makes mistakes about these things.’

  ‘Not this time,’ Jackie said with a sigh. ‘I got it wrong at first, but now I’ve seen the light and—well, that’s all that matters.’

  ‘But there might still be things you should know.’

  Jackie managed a smile. ‘If there are, I think I�
��ll discover them at the right moment. Now, I must go and finish my packing.’

  She made a quick escape. Tania’s unease told its own story. Vittorio’s aunt knew that he was up to something that would hurt Jackie badly, and she was unsure what to reveal.

  But Tania didn’t need to tell her, Jackie thought. Vittorio was angry with her for daring to leave him.

  Jackie hurried upstairs. The sooner she was out of here the better.

  Tania waited until she was out of earshot, then picked up the phone and dialled a number.

  ‘Vittorio? Is that you? Oh, good. Listen—she’s just been down here. I told her that you’d been called away early—no, I didn’t tell here where you’ve really gone. I kept quiet about that, as we agreed. My dear boy, are you sure you’re going about this the right way? I know she’s an attractive young woman, but she can also be very difficult—All right, I suppose you’re right to take the chance, but you might have to duck for safety when she finds out what you’ve actually been up to today.’

  * * *

  The flight to London seemed to take for ever. Jackie tried to tell herself that one stage in her life was finished and she must prepare for the next. But no common sense thoughts could heal the pain in her heart.

  Her love was over—which meant that her life was effectively over. And she didn’t know how she would endure it.

  Arriving in London, she headed straight for the shop. It seemed strange when she arrived—more restricted, less interesting.

  Perhaps she could find a job here. The place apparently needed her.

  Going inside, she saw nobody—until a man appeared from the back.

  ‘Can I help you?’

  ‘I’m looking for a job,’ she said. ‘Are you short-staffed? Do you need anyone?’

  He shook his head.

  ‘I’m afraid I can’t give you a job. Only the owner can do that.’

  ‘Then can I talk to the owner?’

  ‘I’ll fetch him.’

  He went deep into the back of the shop and she heard him call, ‘Can you come here, sir?’

  After a moment a man appeared, the sight of whom made Jackie gasp.

  ‘Vittorio!’

  Smiling, he came towards her and laid his hands gently on her shoulders.

  ‘But what are you—?’ she gasped. ‘How did you get here?’

  ‘I booked you on the midday flight, but I booked myself on the flight at six in the morning. That’s why I’d already gone when you woke up. I needed to get here well ahead of you.’

  ‘So you’re the new owner?’ she said, stunned.

  ‘No. You’ll find the owner’s name here.’

  He drew out a piece of paper bearing the owner’s name, and showed it to her.

  ‘But that—it’s my name there.’

  ‘That’s because you’re the owner,’ he said simply. ‘Just as your father would have wanted.’

  ‘But Rik—’

  ‘I contacted Rik from Italy and persuaded him to sell to me. A lawyer here finished the formalities, and when I arrived I went straight to the lawyer and transferred the property to you. That’s why I needed to get here well ahead of you.’

  ‘But—how am I going to run this place? Are you telling me that it’s all right for me to move back to London?’

  ‘No, I’m telling you that you’re coming home with me, because I’m not letting you go—now or ever. I hope you agree to that, or I’ll be forced to bring my bullying side to the surface.’

  There was a gleam of humour in his eyes, but also something else that might have been an anxious plea.

  She gave him a warm smile, saying, ‘Perhaps you should beware. I might have to bring my bullying side to the surface.’

  ‘And we both know I don’t cope with that very well. But it’s lucky you’re a great businesswoman, because you can organise this place while living with me in Rome. Please, Jackie. Please.’

  She touched his face. ‘I guess it would be heartless of me to refuse. We’ll do it your way.’

  He smiled and kissed her hand.

  ‘I’ve taken over the apartment upstairs, where you used to live. Come up with me. I’ve got something to show you.’

  It felt strange to be climbing the stairs to her old home—like moving back in time. Inside she found it much the same as she remembered: plain and basic.

  While he made her a cup of tea she studied the papers that made her the owner of the shop.

  ‘However did you do this? And how can I accept it?’

  ‘You can because I’ve got something else for you—something that will solve the great problem that has always come between us. I mean the money. We will never be at peace over that until we find a final decision that feels good to us both.’

  ‘But is there such a thing? How could there be?’

  ‘I think I’ve found it. Look at this.’

  He handed her a letter that she read with mounting astonishment. It came from a charity and was addressed to her father.

  ‘It says he’s donated a quarter of a million pounds,’ she gasped. ‘But how could he?’

  ‘Easily—with a little help.’ Vittorio handed her several more letters. ‘Look at these.’

  The letters were from three more of her father’s favourite charities, each one thanking him for the gift of a quarter of a million pounds.

  ‘You did this?’ she breathed.

  ‘Let’s say I was your father’s messenger boy. I told you I’d find a way of handing over the money in a manner that you couldn’t resist, and I’ve done it. It’s really just a way of forcing you to do what I want, selfish bully that I am. You said I couldn’t understand why this was so important to you, and at first you were right. But then I started to fall for you and the more I came to love you the more I saw it through your eyes.’

  ‘You can do that?’ she cried joyfully. ‘You really understand now?’

  ‘I knew you didn’t want the money yourself, but it was painful to you to know that I had it. You told me that we needed a way to return it to him without involving you, but that didn’t seem possible.’

  ‘You found one,’ she breathed. ‘You found it. Look what it says about him.’

  She read from one of the letters. ‘“After his magnificent gift George Benton will be celebrated as one of our greatest benefactors—a man whose generosity knew no bounds and for whom no admiration and respect would be enough.”’ She looked quickly through the other letters. ‘All four of them say something like that. Look!’

  He took the papers from her, gazing with a pleasure that matched her own.

  ‘They do him justice,’ he said. ‘That’s the best we could hope for.’

  We. The joyful word echoed through her brain. They were together in this.

  ‘We,’ she breathed. ‘You said “we”.’

  ‘It’s “we” because now everything matters the same to both of us. We’re a team, and we always will be. Forgive me, my darling, for taking so long to see the light, but now I have seen it. I was desperate for a way to reach out to you and prove that my heart understood yours. I knew nothing else would ever make you love me.’

  ‘And you’re right,’ she breathed. ‘I thought you’d never understand the truth about what was keeping us apart, but you do. And now you’ve actually found a way—’ She seized the letters. ‘This is brilliant. I’ve never been so happy in my life.’

  ‘Then why are you crying?’ he asked anxiously, for tears had begun to pour down her cheeks.

  ‘I can’t help it,’ she wept. ‘Suddenly—’

  Suddenly she was invaded by an emotion more powerful than any she had ever known.

  Vittorio put his arms around her. ‘Hold on to me,’ he said. ‘You’re safe now. I’ll never let you go.’

 
‘Never? Promise me?’

  ‘I promise. What greater tribute could I pay to your late father than by promising to love, protect and care for his daughter for the rest of her life?’

  He kissed her. She returned the kiss joyfully, then rested against him, feeling the warmth and sweetness of knowing he was hers for ever.

  ‘Did you always mean to give me the shop?’

  ‘Of course. A man should give his bride a wedding gift. And this is mine to you.’

  ‘A wedding gift?’

  ‘We’re getting married. You promised to marry me ages ago and I’m holding you to that promise. I won’t take no for an answer. Say yes. Say you’ll marry me and accept the shop.’

  The words sounded forceful, but he said them with a gentle smile that ended all her fears. Now she could only do what her heart urged.

  ‘All right,’ she said softly. ‘I’ll marry you. And I’ll accept the shop.’

  Now that they understood each other perfectly she could sense that everything was different. They had reached their destination at last and there was no more to fear.

  They spent the night together—not making love, but lying peacefully in each other’s arms.

  In the darkness of the night Jackie awoke to find Vittorio standing at the open window, looking up into the sky.

  She went to stand beside him. ‘I think our fathers would be overjoyed that we’ve found each other. They’d be even more delighted that we’ve finally begun to love and understand each other in the way they always wanted.’

  He put an arm around her. With the other he reached up to the heavens. She followed his gaze to where the stars glittered and the moon glowed.

  ‘They’re up there too,’ he said. ‘Can’t you tell?’

  ‘Yes,’ she breathed. ‘And I think—I think they’re shaking hands to congratulate each other.’

  ‘That’s what I think too,’ Vittorio said.

  Then he drew her closer, enfolding her in an embrace that would protect them all their lives.

  * * * * *

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