As Piper returned to his side, a genuine smile on her lips, he saw Capricia Conetta bearing down on them and winced inwardly. This would be a true test of Piper’s new confident self. Capricia was not a woman to hide behind pleasantries.
‘Ciao, Dante.’ The tall, willowy brunette embraced him, kissing him on both cheeks before turning her attention to Piper. ‘And you are the woman who has managed to persuade the notorious Dante Mancini to put a ring on her finger. Bravo, you. You are obviously a better woman than I am.’
‘It was more a case of him persuading me to wear it.’
The haughty reply Piper flung at her unknown adversary was unexpected, and Dante resisted the urge to laugh at Capricia’s expression.
‘Just don’t assume you can ever tame him. He is a ruthless man—in the boardroom as well as in the bedroom.’ With those spite-laden words hanging in the air, Capricia turned and waltzed off with great drama.
‘An ex-lover, by any chance?’ Piper turned her attention to him and he nodded, not at all proud to have been associated with such a woman, but before he could respond she quickly added, ‘Can we take our seats yet?’
He sensed that the bravado she was hiding behind was in danger of slipping. She wasn’t as unaffected by her confrontation with Capricia as she wanted him to think, and she’d gone pale. ‘Are you sure you’re well enough to go?’
‘Of course. The show must go on and all that.’
The bitter snap in her voice told him otherwise, but he guided her to their seats.
‘A box?’ she queried, a hint of nerves in her voice.
‘We are here to be seen. A lovers’ date.’
‘Of course—how silly of me.’
* * *
For most of the performance Dante had sat on her left and watched Piper, who had been enthralled by all that had happened on the stage. She’d seemed totally oblivious to his presence. He knew it was because he’d been on her blind side, but the fact that she could dismiss him so easily from her mind when he could barely stop thinking about her irritated him more than he cared to admit. Not once had she turned to him, shown any display of affection that would have proved to the watching people that they were in love.
Now he sat round a table with four other guests, all of whom were trying to draw as much information as possible from Piper about their engagement. She smiled politely at them, but whenever he looked at her she glanced away shyly. The blush that crept over her face should have irritated him, but for some strange reason it didn’t. It highlighted how different Piper was from the likes of Capricia, and served only to intensify what he was feeling for her. Even though he wanted to feel nothing at all—for anyone.
‘I never thought you’d succumb to marriage,’ one man said, and raised his glass at him, irritating Dante further.
But he raised his glass in acknowledgement and recalled his recent conversation with his mother, and her assumption that finally he’d made peace with himself and could settle down and raise a family. If only she knew the truth... But she never would.
‘Have you set a date?’ an older woman asked Piper, who now turned her attention to him, a smile fixed on her pretty face. But he recognised the message asking for help in her eyes.
‘Next summer,’ he supplied, and didn’t miss the rise of Piper’s brows. ‘In Tuscany.’
* * *
Piper’s stomach flipped over at the thought of where she’d be next summer—not only a new mother, but married to the father of her child. How had everything happened so fast when all she’d wanted to do was tell Dante he was to be a father? She’d thought fate had given her a helping hand after she’d seen the article, allowing her to discover the name of the man whose child she carried.
‘A summer wedding! You will, of course, have a feature in a magazine?’ demanded the woman, before turning her attention to Dante. ‘Just make sure it’s better than the last one you were named in.’
Piper glanced quickly at Dante, saw his jaw clench against the less than veiled sarcasm and couldn’t help herself from reaching out and touching his hand, which was held in a tight fist on the table. He looked abruptly at her and she smiled.
‘It will naturally be very different. It will be about what I am certain will be the happiest day of my life.’
Piper’s breath caught audibly as he looked at her. The undisguised passion burning in his eyes would leave the older couple in no doubt that he was in love with her. Then, to her surprise, he lifted her fingertips to his lips and kissed them, his gaze firmly fixed on hers.
‘Of that I have no doubt,’ the older woman said, before launching into an avid discussion in Italian with her husband. And, even though she didn’t understand a word, Piper could tell that she was the topic of that conversation.
The remainder of the evening went well and Dante’s attention to her never once slipped. He’d played his part to perfection, and she too had done the same. She knew he was hoping their engagement would become the talk of Rome society, and that photos of them at the opera would grace the pages of the very magazine which had instigated this whole deal.
All night Piper had tried so hard to keep the smile on her face, but now she ached from the effort and was pleased to be able to shut the door on Rome and the people she’d been mixing with all night. Her nausea hadn’t completely abated, and the effort of being an adoring fiancée had become too much. She was exhausted.
She couldn’t believe the lifestyle she was now living. It wasn’t only the luxury of nice clothes, fabulous places to go or staff on hand to cater to her every need that left her cold—it was the veiled and icy superiority of the people who lived such a life. Whilst Dante appeared comfortable in that world she wasn’t entirely convinced he belonged there, or that he wanted to be a part of it. He had seemed more relaxed and happy in Tuscany.
‘I’m not sure I enjoy all this attention,’ she said as she watched him pour himself a drink.
She should just go straight to bed, but she wouldn’t sleep—she was sure of that. Since they’d left the restaurant he’d cooled towards her. His display of affection had been entirely that.
‘It takes time to get used to it,’ he replied as he put the top back on a crystal decanter, unwittingly giving an answer to her unspoken question.
‘How long did it take you?’
She wanted to talk, wanted to feel closer to him, to know more of him. Just being physically close wasn’t enough—not for her, the girl who’d always dreamt of being whisked away to a happy-ever-after by a knight in shining armour. And even though he was far from that he’d made her feel like a princess this evening.
‘I don’t recall.’ He skilfully evaded her question. ‘You look tired. Should you rest? For the sake of the baby?’
So he was concerned—not about her, but the baby. The child he didn’t really want...the one that came as part of the deal he’d struck with her to salvage his reputation. Didn’t that make him as shallow as all the men and women she’d mixed with tonight?
‘Yes, I am.’ A hint of concern crossed his handsome face as she spoke a little too sharply. ‘I will say goodnight.’
‘I will be leaving early tomorrow morning,’ he said, and took a sip of his brandy, preferring to look at the amber liquid as he swirled it around the glass and not at her. ‘But I suggest you have a restful day. We have a party tomorrow evening.’
‘What time do you want me ready to perform my duty as your fiancée?’ She surprised herself with the fierceness of her question, and if the rise of his brows was anything to go by he too was shocked.
‘We shall leave at seven.’
‘Very well,’ she said as she walked towards the room that should be his. Despite their time in Tuscany, and the passion which had leapt to life, he showed no intention of sharing it with her. She should be glad—it was, after all, what she’d wanted—but the sting of his rejection of her as a woman cut far deeper than she’d thought possible.
She would have to toughen up, otherwise she would never s
ee this wretched deal through. All she needed to do was remember why she was doing it—for her baby.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
PIPER’S ENERGY AND enthusiasm for her role of Dante Mancini’s fiancée had all but gone. Dante had become more distant each evening—at least in private. Publically he’d become ever more charming and attentive, which only highlighted his withdrawal.
She glanced out of the window as the car moved through the busy traffic of Rome, trying to quell the now ever-present nausea. At Dante’s insistence his doctor had called again today, but had reassured them that it was all part of pregnancy and would pass.
Dante’s voice dragged her from her thoughts. ‘We will be arriving in just a few minutes. This party is one of the highlights of Rome’s social scene and the press will be in full attendance.’
‘I understand,’ she said, and looked across the car, lit by the lights of Rome. ‘Tonight will be no different to the other nights. I intend to keep my side of our deal.’
‘Just as I will keep mine.’ He looked at her, and for a moment the car zinged with the attraction that still drew her to him.
Did he really mean that?
‘I hope so, Dante. You are doing this for a deal, but I’m doing it for our child.’
‘Also a deal.’ The clipped reply not only dried the conversation, but confirmed to her that he was as mercenary as ever. Those memories of closeness when she’d been ill must have been imagined. They were just a deal.
When the car pulled up at one of Rome’s top hotels and she saw the throng of photographers lingering around the red carpet it made her wish she didn’t have to go out there and face them all. The photographers were the least of her worries. It was the women who lived the life she was supposed to be fitting in to. Women like Capricia Conetta, who were not only past lovers of Dante’s but practised in the art of snobbery. Not once had Piper felt she truly fitted in.
Dante got out of the car first, and then held her hand as she stepped onto the red carpet. The emerald-green dress showed much more of her legs than she was happy with through the long slit at the front, and she tried hard to ignore the sinfully sexy look in Dante’s eyes as they filled with unconcealed desire.
It was all part of the act, she reminded herself. He was acting the role of doting fiancé. In public, nobody could question his attraction to her—nobody could doubt he wanted her—but once they were alone that act was abandoned. It was something she had to learn to do too, if she was going to survive this charade.
‘Smile,’ he whispered as he leant close to her—so close that when she looked up at him his lips were only a breath away from hers.
Her eyes locked with his, the rest of the world was forgotten, and all she wanted was to be kissed. All she needed was to feel his lips on hers, taste him as he pressed his body against her.
She felt her lips lift into a smile, but still she couldn’t break the spell which had snared them. She heard him say something but had no idea what, or even in what language. All she could focus on was his eyes, so dark, so sexy. As his lips touched hers she closed her own eyes, unable to bear the feel of his kiss but wanting it so badly.
He didn’t pull back, didn’t move away, and the kiss remained light, so teasing it was pure torture. She sighed against his lips, and when he did pull back her eyes flew open. It was then she realised that the night was lit up with flashes and that all around them photographers were calling. The crowd, gathered to watch the arrival of the rich and famous, called and cheered. She blushed and swallowed hard, not knowing what to say.
‘That was very convincing, cara.’
The mischief which sparkled in his eyes made her tingle, and excitement washed over her. She’d almost given herself away, almost let him see and feel her growing feelings for him. And that would have been the biggest mistake of all.
Finally she regained her senses. ‘I thought that was what you wanted.’
Before he had a chance to respond she turned and faced the photographers, leaving him no choice but to hold her at his side. She smiled. It wasn’t for her, or even for Dante. It was for her child, and for the deal she’d made with this man she’d first spent the night with because she’d wanted to prove she was alive, to prove she could feel, and most importantly could do what she wanted. How wrong it had all gone.
Moments later he led her along the red carpet and into the hotel, and momentarily she felt lost and drained of emotion. That kiss, as light as it had been, had sapped all the strength from her.
He touched the small of her back as he guided her through the already thronging party guests. Their entrance had gained the interest of some of the guests, and Piper’s heart sank when she saw Capricia weaving her way through the other guests, her gaze firmly fixed on Dante.
Capricia was the last person she needed to see when she felt so fragile, so out of place in the world she’d slipped into. All day she’d fought the growing need to walk away, to forget the deal and forget Dante, but she wasn’t sure she could do that. She had to think of her baby.
‘Ciao, Dante.’ Capricia all but hung on to Dante as they kissed on each cheek. ‘I see you haven’t tired of the protégée yet?’
Piper bit back a retort at the insult, spoken in English and clearly meant for her to understand. She didn’t want to be like this woman. She remembered her childhood, standing alone at school because nobody wanted to be friends with the girl who was blind in one eye. Even then she’d had no stomach for joining in and being one of the crowd. With sinking resignation she knew she didn’t belong in this world—and never would.
‘Like you would have done?’ Dante said, his voice holding a hint of flirtation. But the steely glint in his eyes gave away his true mood.
Capricia seemed oblivious to it, focusing only on the light-hearted flirtation.
‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to spend time with my fiancée.’
* * *
Dante had seen the colour drain from Piper’s face even before Capricia had arrived, full of gusto as usual. Dante smiled at the shock on Piper’s face now, as he all but sidestepped the woman he’d had a brief affair with and took her hand, leading her through the guests.
Guilt nudged at him. He’d noticed Piper looking paler and more uncomfortable today, and had insisted on her seeing the doctor for reassurance that both mother and child were well. He didn’t want to take any chances.
He felt guilty enough about pushing her into appearing with him night after night, but it had been necessary. The need to convince the world as well as Bettino D’Antonio that he had turned his back on his playboy ways and was settling down was paramount. He’d also decided to offer Celebrity Spy! an engagement exclusive. It would be the surest way to show as many people as possible that he was committed to his new lifestyle.
‘Sorry about Capricia,’ he said softly as he handed Piper a glass of water. ‘That little scene is not the sort of thing that needs to be witnessed by anyone if we are to pull this deal off.’
Damn it. That wasn’t what he’d meant to say. He’d wanted to tell her that she shouldn’t have to listen to that—not in her condition. He’d wanted to show he cared, show he was on her side. How had it come out sounding so mercenary? So like the Dante Mancini the world thought he was?
‘It just goes to prove how unbelievable it is that you have become engaged.’ She didn’t meet his gaze, but sipped at the water and looked around her, as if she were interested in those who had turned out for the party.
She confused him. In one moment he thought she liked all the attention, the glamorous new clothes and being part of the limelight, and then she’d say something that didn’t fit in with that kind of woman.
‘It’s not been as easy as I had thought.’ He’d spoken his mind before he’d had a chance to think again—something he never usually did...or at least he hadn’t until this woman had come into his life.
‘Have you heard anything from Bettino?’ She glanced up at him and he couldn’t miss the fierce gleam in her
green eyes, making them blaze like gemstones.
He looked into the champagne which bubbled in its flute and tried to suppress the unease he felt at not having heard anything from D’Antonio yet. He’d been sure that Piper’s talk of art had been enough to bring the old man round. Not yet, it appeared.
‘No.’ He drank down the champagne and knew he was glowering at her. He could see the uncertainty on her face. She thought he blamed her. Despite that thought, he couldn’t temper his words. He was totally unaccustomed to not getting what he wanted in business. ‘I don’t understand what is taking him so long.’
‘It hasn’t even been a week yet since we had dinner at his villa.’
She was trying to appease him, but he could feel his temper rising.
‘Too long,’ he snapped, and then looked at her, trying to assess what she was going to say. Did she too think their engagement deal hadn’t helped him get D’Antonio on-side?
‘You could come home with me and meet my mother. If we arrived together in London that might help.’
‘No.’ Inwardly he cursed. Why was she so hung up on including her mother in their so-called deal? He’d explained what was what to his mother, who hadn’t understood at all, so why did Piper need to give her mother a false impression of their relationship? ‘I did suggest that you explain the true situation to your mother.’
He spoke quietly, but with a steely glint in his voice as he tried to keep the topic of their conversation from the other party guests. There was still a chance that his deal might come off, and just as importantly that the charity he supported would continue to want him as a patron. Helping underprivileged children realise they did have a value in life was something he had to do—especially after he’d been shown that one single act of kindness which had started him on his own journey of self-discovery, ultimately making him the wealthy man he now was.
Married for the Italian's Heir Page 13