A Rumoured Engagement

by Catherine George

  Dante smiled. ‘But you are not returning to England tomorrow, of course, Saskia. You told me last night that you were here for another week.’

  ‘She’s changed her mind. She’s coming back with me,’ said Luke firmly. ‘But you can drive Saskia to the restaurant, Dante,’ he added, with the air of one granting a great favour. ‘I shall take Mirella with me. If that’s all right with you, Sassy?’ he added, putting a hand on her wrist as she passed him.

  She gave him a feline little smile. ‘Oh, yes, brother, dear. Anything you say.’

  The short journey to the trattoria was accomplished in a terrifyingly short time in Dante’s Ferrari. The young Italian, talking animatedly all the way, drove as though the devil were on his tail, and had established Saskia at a table and provided her with a drink by the time the others arrived.

  ‘You must have flown here,’ said Luke, eyeing Saskia’s pallor.

  Saskia, incapable of speech, could only nod before downing half a glass of mineral water in one swallow.

  ‘He drives too fast,’ said Mirella, shaking a finger at her brother. ‘You have frightened Saskia.’

  Dante shrugged, unrepentant, a distinct swagger in his manner as he seated himself close to Saskia. ‘I drive well. There was little traffic on the road, therefore no danger.’

  The meal was good, and the company entertaining, but when two hours were up Luke looked at his watch and rose, deaf to the entreaties from both the Fortinaris. ‘No. Pleasant as this is, we must go. Are you coming back with me, Sassy?’

  She nodded with alacrity, and expressed her thanks to Dante, but refused his offer to take her for a drive before delivering her back to the villa later. ‘It was so nice to meet you both. Perhaps we can do this again some time.’

  ‘If you will give me your telephone number,’ said Dante persuasively, ‘I will contact you in London. I go over several times a year. We could have dinner together, yes?’

  ‘At the moment she doesn’t have a telephone number,’ said Luke, taking the words out of Saskia’s mouth. ‘She’s flat hunting.’

  Dante’s bright blue eyes looked from one tall tawnyhaired figure to the other, then narrowed. ‘Have no fear, Luca. I wish only to dine with your sister.’

  ‘He knows that,’ said Saskia hurriedly. ‘But he’s right. I really don’t have a phone number; I’ve just sublet my flat to someone else.’

  ‘Why did you do that?’ asked Mirella curiously as they made their way out to the cars.

  ‘I thought I was moving to—another flat. But it didn’t happen.’ Saskia smiled at Dante. ‘I can give you my mother’s number in Oxford. She will always pass a message on.’

  ‘Mille grazie,’ said Dante, and grinned at Luke while Saskia scribbled the number on an envelope. ‘I could ring Luca, too, of course. But perhaps he would not allow me to know where you were.’

  ‘I take my family responsibilities very seriously,’ agreed Luke blandly.

  After protracted farewells Saskia only relaxed when she was on the way back to the villa in the Alfa-Romeo.

  ‘That,’ she informed him, ‘was a terrifying experience.’

  ‘Dante’s driving?’ Luke glanced at her. ‘I noticed you hardly touched your lunch.’

  ‘I couldn’t My stomach was heaving with pure terror,’ she said, shuddering. ‘My whole life flashed before my eyes. Thank heavens he didn’t propose a meal in Florence or Lucca. I’m very glad you have work to do,’ she added. ‘Otherwise Mirella might have persuaded you into some other jaunt after lunch.’

  ‘I don’t have any work to do.’

  Saskia gave him a severe look. ‘You were lying, Lucius Armytage?’

  ‘Only a white lie. Just like the purse the Fortinaris brought along with the excuse that it might be yours.’ Luke gave her a swift, sidelong glance. ‘I would have preferred to stay at the villa today in peace. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired.’

  ‘You know perfectly well I’m tired,’ she retorted. ‘Which reminds me—I apologise for going to sleep on you last night.’

  ‘When I got back with the tea tray you were dead to the world, so I put you to bed.’ Luke paused ‘I didn’t think you’d be pleased if I let you sleep in the dress. So I took it off. Not without difficulty, since you weren’t in the least co-operative, but with great respect, I promise you. I kept my eyes averted as much as possible.’

  Saskia giggled. ‘And how much was that?’

  ‘Not very much,’ he admitted, then gave her the sidelong look again. ‘I’m only human.’

  Saskia’s much tried stomach gave a disturbing lurch. The thought of Luke undressing her sent such instant heat rushing through her body that she tugged at the scarf at her throat.

  ‘Feeling sick?’ he said instantly.

  ‘A bit,’ she fibbed, and he slowed down almost to a crawl as they negotiated the bends up to the villa.

  ‘There,’ he said as he switched off the ignition. He turned to look at her. ‘By the way, I was forced to interfere where Dante was concerned. The idea of his driving you round London made my blood run cold.’

  Saskia shuddered. ‘Mine, too—I was glad of the interference.’ Which, she realised, surprised, was quite true. A week before she would have been incensed. She was tired, she decided. Not herself after such a late night

  ‘Come on,’ said Luke, unfolding his long legs. ‘Let’s go in and have that tea you never managed last night.’

  ‘I need a bath first,’ she said firmly. ‘I haven’t recovered from sleeping in my clothes.’

  ‘Right,’ yawned Luke, stretching mightily. ‘I’ll have one afterwards. So no reading in the tub this time, Sassy.’

  ‘How do you know I do that?’ she said curiously.

  ‘A certain bathroom scene is imprinted on my mind,’ he informed her. ‘There was an open book on the floor.’

  ‘I refuse to let you embarrass me,’ she said with dignity, and stalked off to her room for a change of clothes. But no book.

  Saskia thoroughly enjoyed the restful, uneventful evening with Luke. In fact, she realised in bed later, she’d enjoyed it just as much as the glamorous party of the night before. Which no one would ever believe. She found it hard to swallow herself.

  It must be the contrast During her brief relationship with Francis, quiet evenings had been a rarity. He’d preferred dining out and clubbing, or taking her to the cinema or the theatre. Francis seemed driven to live life to the full. During the summer he had taken her to Wimbledon to watch the men’s final, to the Henley Regatta, Ascot and Goodwood, even to Lord’s to watch a test match. Twice she’d been forced to ask her boss for a day off to accommodate her new social whirl, something which had not gone down at all well.

  Yet now all of it seemed like something in another life, far removed from lazing around doing nothing with the stepbrother who’d always rubbed her up the wrong way. Luke hadn’t even asked her for a decision about moving in with him. The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. But it was by no means a decision to take lightly.

  When Saskia arrived at the breakfast table next morning, Luke greeted her with a gloomy apology.

  ‘I’ve been on the phone since the crack of dawn, but I can’t get you on my flight, or any other today, I’m afraid. The earliest I could manage was Wednesday. Will that do? Or would you rather stick to your original flight next week?’

  Saskia shook her head firmly. ‘No. Wednesday will be fine.’ She poured herself some coffee from the pot Luke had ready. ‘What time do you leave?’

  ‘Mid-morning. I need to get the car back beforehand, so I’d better allow extra time for the trip to Pisa.’ He eyed her, frowning. ‘I’m not very happy about leaving you here on your own. Look, I could ring the Harleys—’

  ‘Please don’t I’ll be fine. I was before you came, remember? And if you tell the Harleys I’m on my own Dante might find out and come zooming round to take me for a drive!’

  ‘God forbid,’ said Luke piously.

  ‘Amen,’ ag
reed Saskia. ‘Now, how about some breakfast to keep you going until your plastic feast on the plane?’

  ‘Good idea. Share it with me.’

  ‘Have you thought any more about my suggestion?’ asked Luke later as Saskia made more coffee after the meal.

  She nodded, and set the pot on the table. ‘Would you be offended if I asked to think about it a bit longer before I decide?’

  ‘Not at all,’ he said politely, and changed the subject to her rearranged flight and the confirmation that was necessary. ‘I’ll call in on Serafina on my way,’ he added, ‘and tell her what’s happening. I’ll arrange for Carlo to drive you to the airport at Pisa on Wednesday. And I’m leaving you this.’ He pushed his cell-phone across the table.

  ‘I don’t need that,’ she said, taken aback. ‘I’ll just ring Mother before you go to give her the change of plan, but otherwise I quite like not having a telephone in the house.’

  ‘I know Marina prefers it that way, but she’s never been here alone, as you are. So keep it, Saskia.’

  ‘You’re very masterful all of a sudden,’ she said acidly.

  He shrugged, and got up, looking down at her. ‘I prefer to know you can contact someone if necessary, even if it’s only Serafina. You might feel ill, or the electricity might go off, or you might just fancy a chat with Marina or one of your girlfriends. You can give it back when you come home.’

  ‘Oh, very well,’ she said irritably. ‘I just hope I don’t lose the thing.’

  ‘Carry it in your handbag.’ He grinned suddenly. ‘It must be about the only thing you don’t have in there.’

  She smiled back reluctantly. ‘All right But I’m a big girl, now. I’m not really an airhead, Luke.’

  ‘Anything but. Nevertheless I just wish you weren’t staying on here alone. If I didn’t need to get back for a meeting tomorrow I’d suggest we switch tickets, then I could even drive you to the airport—’

  ‘For heaven’s sake, Luke, stop fussing. I was going to stay here alone for at least another week originally!’

  ‘Pax!’ He held up his long, slim hands in laughing surrender. ‘I need to be off in half an hour. Let’s keep to the truce until then, at least.’

  When Luke was packed and everything in the car Saskia went outside with him in to the cool, misty day, secretly longing to go with him.

  ‘Drive safely,’ she said at last as Luke checked he had everything.

  He turned to her, looking down at her for a moment, then gave her a quick hug and kissed her on both cheeks. ‘Ciao, Sassy. I’ve left a couple of paperback thrillers in the bathroom for you. And I’ll tell Serafina to come up later and confirm the arrangements for Wednesday.’

  Saskia, cheeks flushed, gave him a bright smile as he slid into the car. ‘Thanks, Luke. See you.’

  ‘Remember to lock up,’ he ordered, and she sprang to attention, saluting cheekily.

  ‘Yes, sir!’

  He grinned, waved, and moments later Saskia was alone—and feeling more lonely than she would have believed possible as she wandered forlornly into the house. Just a week before the villa had felt like sanctuary when she arrived, still smarting from the humiliation of Francis. Now, without Luke, it just felt empty.

  After what seemed like one of the longest days in her life, Saskia was in the kitchen, a book propped up on the coffee pot in front of her salad, when the phone rang that evening. She snatched it up, fiddling with the unfamiliar buttons for a moment, then said ‘Hello?’ eagerly, smiling as she heard Luke’s voice.

  ‘Hi, Sassy. I’m back in wet, windy London. Are you all right?’

  ‘I’m fine.’

  ‘What have you been doing with yourself?’

  ‘Nothing much.’ Saskia leaned back in her chair, hoping he wasn’t in a hurry. Luke, however, seemed as happy to talk as she was, and it was a good fifteen minutes before he rang off, leaving her a lot more pleased with life. Later on, when she’d cleared away and could find nothing else to do, she allowed herself the luxury of a call to her mother, to ask Marina’s advice about a temporary stay in Luke’s new house.

  There was silence for a time.

  ‘I’m not sure I heard you properly,’ said Marina cautiously.

  ‘Yes, you did, Mother. Your favourite stepson asked me if I’d like a room in his house for a bit. My flat is sublet, remember?’

  ‘I see.’ Another pause. ‘How do you feel about that?’

  ‘I’m not sure. We’ve managed to survive a few days here at the villa together without bloodshed. Maybe it would be pushing it to share a house, even on a temporary basis. What do you think?’

  ‘You could try it, I suppose.’

  ‘You sound doubtful.’

  ‘You’ve always avoided each other as much as possible up to now, darling. I can’t quite get used to the idea of you as friends.’

  ‘Neither can I. Nor Luke, I think. But a rent-free room is a tempting offer. And I don’t think he expects me to wash his shirts in exchange.’

  ‘The house is only half-furnished,’ warned Marina.

  ‘As long as there’s a bed for me to sleep in that won’t bother me.’

  ‘Then try it. You can always move if it doesn’t work out.’

  ‘True.’ Saskia changed the subject to ask about the twins and Sam, and confirmed she was returning on Wednesday. ‘Though I’m not quite sure what time I’ll be in Oxford. I’ll ring you.’

  ‘Where are you ringing from now, Saskia?’

  ‘Luke left his phone with me, so I’d better say goodnight. Kiss Sam and the boys for me. See you soon.’

  Saskia was not fond of flying, but after another day alone at the villa she welcomed the prospect, and the flight from Pisa was uneventful until the plane encountered bad weather over France. It arrived late at Heathrow, to make a bumpy landing in the teeth of a gale. Her knees were still trembling as she came through Customs, in no mood for a trip on the train to Reading to catch another train for Oxford.

  ‘Carry your bag, miss?’ said a familiar voice, and she looked round to see Luke grinning down into her astonished face.

  Saskia beamed and threw her arms round him, and Luke bent his head involuntarily for a kiss which landed on her mouth instead of her cheek as they were jostled by passing travellers. At the unexpected contact Luke’s arms tightened, and he went on kissing her, at length, with total disregard for passers-by.

  He raised his head after a while, eyes gleaming. ‘Welcome home, Sassy,’ he said at last.

  ‘You didn’t say you were coming to meet me,’ she said breathlessly, her colour high.

  He hoisted her bag and took her by the arm. ‘I tried to ring you all day yesterday with no success. Where the hell were you?’

  ‘I wasn’t anywhere. There must be something wrong with your phone.’ She fished for it in her crammed handbag while she tried to control her breathing and her thumping heart. ‘There. Take the wretched thing.’

  Luke examined it, lips twitching. ‘You pressed the wrong button. You turned it off altogether, Sassy.’

  ‘Oh.’ Not for the world would she have let him know she’d stayed in all day, waiting for the phone call which never came. ‘Sorry.’

  ‘I assumed you were out with Dante.’

  A look up at his face confirmed that the idea hadn’t met with his approval. ‘Would it matter if I had been?’ she retorted, secretly pleased.

  ‘You know damn well it would!’

  Suddenly Saskia felt absurdly happy. She gave Luke a blazing smile as he steered her towards the taxi rank outside.

  ‘You came by taxi?’ she asked, astonished.

  ‘No. I came on the underground.’ He smiled down at her as they stood in line. ‘But that plane of yours was hellishly late. You need a taxi at this stage, not a fight with the tube.’

  ‘But I was going to Reading to catch a train for Oxford.’

  His eyes held hers. ‘I thought perhaps you might do that tomorrow, and stay over tonight in my place. Give it the once-over before you make up
your mind about moving in. We could go out to dinner, or send out for something—whichever you like. I rang Marina to say what I had in mind, since I couldn’t reach you at the villa. But you can ring her yourself once we’re in the taxi. Tell her what you want to do.’ He bundled her inside a taxi as their turn came. ‘Where to, then, Sassy? Reading or my place?’

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  ‘YOUR place,’ Saskia said without hesitation, and took his phone for a brief conversation with Marina.

  ‘There,’ she said afterwards, sitting back with a sigh as they reached the motorway. ‘I can’t say I’m sorry to miss the journey to Oxford tonight. There was horrible turbulence over the Channel, and the plane did a sort of zig-zag down to the runway as we landed.’

  ‘The wind’s pretty high. I was worried by the time the plane came in. Some flights were cancelled.’ He took her hand in his. ‘Are you tired, Sassy?’

  ‘Not really. I always feel marvellous once I’ve landed safely. Adrenaline, I suppose. I’m hungry, though, because I can never eat on a plane. How about you? Had a busy day? I’ve never really known what your business actually entails—’ She stopped suddenly, conscious she was chattering. The accidental kiss, followed by the warmth of the hand holding hers, had deprived her of any remnants of poise left after the bumpy flight

  ‘I’ll tell you all about my working day later,’ he said, sounding amused. ‘In the meantime don’t you want to know where we’re heading? You’ve never asked where my house actually is.’

  ‘If Zoë turned her nose up at it I assume it’s in the back of beyond somewhere.’

  ‘Certainly not I live in west London, not far from the Uxbridge Road, and conveniently near the M4, which is handy for visits to Oxford. By the way, are you coming up again on Saturday? I’ve booked a table at Smollensky’s Balloon, and broached it with Marina and Dad. But it hasn’t been mentioned to the demon duo, in case it fell through, because I gather they’ve been a bit off-colour.’