She turned to him. “How would you like to do something fun?”
He cocked his dark head. “What kind of a ridiculous question is that to ask a man alone with a beautiful woman?”
“Just checking,” she teased and got back in the boat with her heart thudding in her chest. “If you’re game for a bumpy ride, I know a place where the food is divine. By boat it will take us about an hour and a half. When we get there we’ll enjoy an early dinner and stay overnight.”
“That good, hmm?”
“Yes.”
“Only if you’ll let me drive us. So far you’ve done all the work.”
“I don’t mind, but if that’s what you want.”
“It’ll relieve my guilt.”
“Over what?”
“I like to feel useful.”
“You were amazingly useful when you pushed all the boats off the sand. You reminded me of Hercules.”
His deep laughter resounded in the air.
“I’m not kidding. They would have had a terrible time in this wind without your help.”
“If I impressed you, then it was worth the pain.”
Her eyes scrutinized him from head to toe. “You did it so effortlessly, I doubt there’s a sore muscle in your body.”
He returned her gaze, sending the color flooding into her cheeks. “I guess it comes from both of us living in and out of the water.”
She looked down. “Would you believe I still need to get out of my wet suit?”
“Do you need help?”
She felt the blush break out on her face. “I think I can handle it.”
“While you do that I’ll push us off and we’ll get going.”
Her chest fluttered as she hurried below deck to change and freshen up. After ascertaining that her parents had left her aunt’s and had gone back to the castle, she joined Rini. He’d changed clothes and was seated in the captain’s chair wearing his life preserver. “Tell me where to go.”
Alessandra reached in the cubbyhole for her regular map and opened it, but the wind made it difficult to keep steady. “We’re here. Keep following the coast past Metaponto, then we’ll cut a diagonal and head straight for Taranto.”
“That’s where your aunt lives?”
“Yes. Our mother’s titled family descends from the Duca di Taranto, although the title is now defunct, like my father’s.”
“Ah. It’s all making sense.” He put the map back and handed her a life preserver. “Sit across from me so we can talk.”
She grinned. “Aye, aye, sir, but I don’t think we’ll be able to hear each other.”
“As long as we’re together, I don’t care.”
The man could read her mind. She sat on the banquette and stared out at a sea full of white caps. The moderate swells slowed them down, but she was having the time of her life. Since he hadn’t vacationed in a year, Alessandra suspected he was happy, too, especially after he was the one to have picked the area where they’d made an underwater find. Every time he looked at her, his dark eyes burned with charged energy, melting her to the spot.
Outside Metaponto he stopped long enough to switch gas tanks. “I remember seeing Taranto’s naval base and shipyards from the air.”
“Then you know it’s a big commercial city and port. Our Taranto relatives live in one of the eighteenth-century palazzi in the old town center. I’ve let my aunt know we’re coming to see her. She broke her hip and has a nurse around the clock, but she loves visitors. Be warned she’ll insist we eat dinner with her before we leave.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“She’ll love it, Rini. Since you’re a seafood lover, get ready to enjoy the most luscious roasted oysters you’ve ever eaten in your life. The cook prepares them in a special sauce followed by sea-bream-and-mussel soup. It’s out of this world. Mother would steal her if she could.”
He eyed her speculatively. “What’s the other reason you’re taking me there?”
You could never fool a man like Rini.
“She’s mother’s brilliant older sister by nine years and was married to a general who died two years ago. When Mamma was thirty, she almost died giving birth to me and Dea. Fulvia couldn’t have children and was there to do everything. She won my father’s devotion. As I told you earlier, her opinion goes a long way with both of them. I’d like you to tell her your business ideas for developing the property.”
His features sobered. “Are you saying your mother doesn’t approve?”
“I’m afraid not. Both of them were raised to be purists and believe that the former papal legacy should remain untouched.”
“What about your opinion, Alessandra?”
She took a deep breath. “I’ve listened to my father and think your idea is an important one. If a lot of oil is found, it will help the economy. But what’s important is what Zia Fulvia has to say.”
Those dark eyes searched hers. “Why are you trying to help me?”
A good question. “I believe in you and an even playing field.”
“I’m humbled by your faith in me.” He rubbed his jaw where the shadow of his beard was showing. She thought him irresistible. “Will I find her difficult?”
“Yes.”
She loved the bark of laughter that came out of him.
“But you told me you like snags because they make life more exciting.”
When he smiled, she felt herself falling toward him. “I did say that, didn’t I? Let’s go and get this over with. It couldn’t be worse than a visit to the dentist.”
Alessandra kept chuckling as the cruiser pounded the white water on its way to Taranto. She’d never met anyone with a sense of humor like his. He was getting to her with every minute they spent together.
Due to the wind they made slow progress. It was after five when they passed through the outer and inner sea to pull into the private dock reserved for her aunt’s family. Alessandra called for the limo that drove them to the Taranto palazzo in the old town.
“Tarantos have lived here for over four hundred years,” she explained as they turned into the courtyard with its fountain supported by Taras, the son of Poseidon from Greek mythology. “You’ll think you’ve entered a fabulous museum. Fulvia and Mamma were raised princesses and Fulvia still lives like one.”
“She won’t shudder at the sight of us fresh off the boat?”
At seventy-seven Fulvia was still all woman and would probably faint when she saw the gorgeous male Alessandra had brought with her. “No. She’s used to my showing up a mess after a day at sea.”
Rini helped her out of the limo. “Lippo,” she called to the older man who opened the ornate front door at the same time. “Come stai?”
“Bene, grazie, Alessandra.”
“Please meet Signor Montanari.”
“Piacere di conoscerla.”
She looked at Rini. “Lippo and Liona are cousins. Our families couldn’t live without them.”
“Your families are close-knit in many ways,” Rini murmured. “Does he have a cat, too?”
Alessandra chuckled. “He would, but my aunt has allergies.”
“Signora Fulvia is in the drawing room, but she’s tired since your parents left and is still off her food.”
“We won’t stay long.”
“After you’ve spoken with her, dinner will be served in the small dining room.”
“Grazie, Lippo.”
Alessandra led Rini through hallways of marble floors and walls lined with gilt-framed portraits to her aunt’s favorite room. Still a beauty, she sat in a wheel chair surrounded by the mementos of her deceased husband, who’d enjoyed a distinguished military career.
“Buonasera, Zia. I’ve missed you.” She hugged her aunt. “I’m so sorry about your hip.”
“A hazard of old age. Don’t let it happen to you, cara.” Her brown eyes flicked to Rini, assessing him with uncommon interest. No woman could help it. “Your fame as an engineer precedes you, Signor Montanari. Alessandra, why don’t you see if your dinner is ready while I have a chat with him? Then I’ll ask the nurse to take me to my room.”
Her aunt had to be more miserable than she looked in order to get down to business this fast. “You poor thing. Please don’t overdo it. I’ll be right back.” She shared a private glance with Rini before leaving the room. Though she felt the slightest bit apprehensive, he seemed perfectly at ease.
She didn’t think anything could throw him. If he couldn’t achieve his goal with her father, Alessandra knew he’d look elsewhere for oil because he was a man on a mission.
* * *
By nine thirty the bad weather had turned ugly. Rini felt the rain as he helped Alessandra into the limo and gave the driver instructions to return them to the private dock. Though she’d told him they could stay the night at the palazzo, the illuminating conversation with her aunt had turned him inside out and he’d wanted to leave.
Her aunt had told him something that had nothing to do with his business meetings with the count. She’d brought up an alarming personal issue that had a direct bearing on Alessandra and her sister. He needed to think long and hard about it for the good of the Caracciolo family before he shared it with Alessandra, if he ever did. The only solution was to kill his feelings for her. In order to do that, he needed to leave the castello and search for hydrocarbons elsewhere in the south.
“I’d rather get back to the cruiser. It will do fine while we wait out the storm.” He imagined it would last all night.
“Well?” she asked with a smile after they’d gone below deck to the small room she used as an office. The rain pounded down outside. He stretched out in one of the chairs and extended his legs, crossing them at the ankles. Across from him sat the woman he considered the greatest beauty of the Taranto family bar none.
The humidity had curled the tips of her delightful hair. With her pink cheeks, she reminded him of one of the adorable cherub faces from Lecce. Her physical looks were a given. But what he found truly exquisite was her spirit—she had decided to give him a fighting chance to carry through with an idea, although it would never see the light of day now.
“I loved the tour of the palazzo and the meal was superb.”
“It always is, but I’m talking about your chat with my aunt. How did it go? She was too tired to talk to me before she went to bed.”
None of it was meant for Alessandra’s ears. “I thought I was talking to a strong minded woman.”
Laughter bubbled out of her. “She’s tough all right.”
Choosing his words carefully he said, “We talked pro and con. Her knowledge and directness impressed me before she asked to be excused to go to bed.”
She eyed him curiously. “That’s all you can tell me?”
Tight bands constricted his chest. “There isn’t anything else.”
“Oh, dear. It doesn’t sound like it went well.”
“I have no idea. But be assured I enjoyed meeting her and I’m indebted for your help. Since it’s getting late, why don’t you go on to bed? I’ve got business calls to make. Sleep well.”
* * *
After they’d left her aunt’s palazzo the night before, Alessandra couldn’t believe the change in Rini. He seemed to have turned into a different man, and was aloof, preoccupied. What on earth had they talked about that made him so unapproachable?
She went down to her cabin and cried herself to sleep over the way he’d just shut her out. She’d been waiting for him to kiss her again, but it never happened. What he and her aunt had talked about had changed him in some way.
When Alessandra woke up the next morning, Rini was already at the wheel. The weather had to be better, otherwise the cruiser wouldn’t be skimming across the water with such speed.
Why hadn’t he knocked on her door to waken her? Anything to let her know he was aware of her.
She couldn’t understand it and got out of bed to dress. After making coffee in the galley, she went up on deck with her duffel bag in the hope he would be in a better frame of mind to talk to her.
But the second she saw the set jaw of that handsome face, she knew instinctively that now wasn’t the right time. He was in no mood to confide in her. She walked over him. “I thought you might like this.”
He eyed her briefly before taking the cup. “Thank you. You’re an angel. As you can see, the storm has passed over. We’ll have you home soon.”
Home?
Her fear that something terrible was wrong had come to fruition. She frowned. “I thought we were going to dive. It’s a great morning for it.”
“I’d like to, but I’m afraid something came up while I made some business calls last night. I need to discuss them with your father. Please don’t let that stop you from joining your group once you drop me off.”
Diving was the last thing on her mind. She moved around and straightened the scuba equipment. They were almost to the island. Soon he eased the cruiser to the dock. When it was safe, she jumped out with her duffel bag and tied the ropes, leaving him to shut down the engine.
He joined her at the Land Rover. Their silent drive to the castle only took a minute, proof he was surprised she hadn’t stayed in the boat before taking off again. Alessandra had the impression he couldn’t wait to get away from her.
Sure enough, as soon as she’d parked the car, he reached for his backpack and got out. Alessandra followed him inside the foyer of the castle. He looked back at her. “I phoned your father earlier. He’s waiting for me. Thank you for showing me your world. I loved every second of it.”
So did I. Why are you acting like it’s over? Rini—what’s going on?
But he kept her in the dark. Without lingering, he walked toward her father’s office.
With a heart that had fallen to the floor, she went up the staircase to shower and change into clean clothes. Her mother was probably in the day room so she hurried downstairs to talk to her. She would know what was going on with her father and Rini. This was a nightmare.
When she wasn’t there, Alessandra went to the dining room and found it empty. “Hey, Alfredo. Are you looking for Liona?” She picked up the cat. On her way to the kitchen she heard the rotors of the helicopter. Someone must be arriving from the mainland. She kept on walking to the kitchen. No one was in there.
She lowered the cat to his food and water dishes, then she took off for her father’s office. Maybe her mother was in there and she would find the three of them deep in conversation. After hesitating, she knocked on the door, unwilling to stay away any longer. “Scusi, Papà.”
“Come in, piccola.”
She found her father alone. “Where is everyone?”
“Your mother drove Liona to Metaponto for her dentist appointment.” That explained why Alfredo looked lost.
“I—I thought Rini Montanari was still with you,” she stammered.
He sat back in his leather chair. “He was here earlier to tell me that after thinking everything over, he decided that erecting oil derricks on our property would be a scab on the legacy Queen Joanna left to the family.”
Those were the very words Alessandra had used. To hear her father say them brought inexpressible pain.
“He says he’s off to search for another area to drill. After thanking both you and me profusely for our time and hospitality, he called for a helicopter and left.”
Her legs started to buckle. She grabbed the first chair before she fell. “That’s it? No other explanation?”
Her father smiled warmly. “Only to say that you discovered a large head while you were diving yesterday and he presumes it’ll make you famous.”
Except that Rini was the one with the inspiration to know where to dive.
“Oh—one more thing. He told me you’re the most charming, lovely, intelligent woman he ever met and he understood why I wanted you to show him around. I could have told him that about you, but it’s nice he discovered it for himself. As for the oil-drilling proposal, I have to admit I’m glad he withdrew it. Neither your mother or Fulvia were in favor of it.”
“I know.” A boulder had lodged in her throat.
“Fulvia phoned your mother early this morning. We were surprised to learn you’d taken him to see her. It made her very happy to see you while she’s recovering.”
But the visit had turned out to be devastating for Alessandra. Once again her world had been destroyed. This time she knew she’d never be able to put it back together.
Alessandra took a quick breath. “Since the weather kept us from making another dive, I decided to pay her a visit. She was tired, but seems to be getting along fine.”
“She was very impressed with Rinieri’s honesty.”
Honesty? What on earth did that mean?
Feeling ill, she got up from the chair. “I’ve been away from my work too long, so I’d better get busy or my editor will lose his patience. I’ll be in the library if you need me.” She hurried over to give him a kiss on the cheek before leaving the office.
When she reached her desk, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Several messages came in on her phone, all from Gino wanting to know if she would be joining them for the afternoon dive. None were from Rini.
Alessandra texted him that she couldn’t make it, then left the castle in the Land Rover and drove to the mainland. After grabbing some food, she drove to the ridge where she’d taken Rini on that first day. The recent downpour had greened up the fields. She walked around, playing back their conversation in her head. Alessandra was convinced that the excuse he’d given her father not to drill wasn’t the real reason he’d backed off.
Deeply troubled, she returned to the castle and got busy on the historical biography she was writing on Queen Joanna. But by Saturday morning she couldn’t stand it any longer. Rini had been cruel not to have contacted her, if only to say goodbye. After what they’d shared scuba diving, she wasn’t about to let him walk away until he’d listened to a few things she had to say.
The Billionaire Who Saw Her Beauty Page 7