A Venetian Affair

by Catherine George

  She was glad he didn’t ask her to join him in the cockpit. She still couldn’t believe what had happened, or that she had let herself go to such an extent—and in public! Anyone might have seen them! Except that, as Luca said, they had done nothing wrong, and he had not touched her.

  He was an incredible man—incredible and untouchable. He always kept part of himself detached and distant, safe inside his fortress without a gate.

  Left alone with her thoughts, Nell stared back across the lagoon at the twinkling carnival lights. They were receding into the distance, and finally they disappeared. She turned again to look at Luca as he opened up the throttle. The sudden surge of power made her pulse race. It took so little—he seemed to have beguiled her into a permanent state of arousal. But at least she was able to study him from the safety of the cabin: the chiselled profile, the powerful forearms braced against the wheel, muscle and sinew clearly delineated in the moonlight…

  She was so engrossed in her appreciative inspection that she didn’t realise the Columbine mask was slipping from her lap until she heard it clatter to the floor. As she bent to pick it up she felt him look at her.

  ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘I dropped my mask.’

  ‘Yes, I know that…’

  She knew his words were double-edged, and it was true, she had dropped her mask, but then so had he. And now? Now she was angry with herself, because nothing had changed, and it seemed nothing could stop her wanting him. And they still hadn’t even kissed properly yet.

  Was it all a game to him? All she wanted was a moment’s tenderness, a kiss, a tender kiss…and she wanted that so badly that even her pride wasn’t enough to brush the need aside.

  Why couldn’t she face up to the truth? Luca didn’t have a tender bone in his body. If she waited for a tender kiss she’d wait forever. But on the bright side, Nell reflected ironically, she could have the most incredible and inventive sex with him any time she liked.

  ‘I wish you hadn’t bought these.’ She stared at the mask, knowing it had become the butt of her ill humour, but all the anger inside her had to find an outlet somewhere.

  ‘I couldn’t let you inflict that ugly thing on Molly. And I could hardly leave you out.’

  ‘I was trying to teach Molly something.’

  ‘You can do too much preaching where children are concerned. I think it’s better if you point them in the direction they should go. Then with a little encouragement and guidance—’

  ‘And you know so much about children?’

  ‘I’ve treated a lot of them, yes.’ Slowing the boat as they approached the city limit, Luca glanced at her over his shoulder. ‘The first time we met I thought you smothered her.’

  Instantly the air was full of ugly, unspoken words. That was how it always was between them. They were like two fires raging out of control, meeting in a furious clash of fractured hopes and damaged dreams. In the end they always burned each other out.

  ‘Think about what I’ve said, Nell…’

  His parting shot before turning back to steer the boat made her fury rise, but, since she was unable to retaliate, it gave her chance to consider what he had said more carefully. After Jake’s accident Molly had become the centre of her universe—and that was a lot of attention focused on one small child.

  ‘You really think I smother her?’ she called out to him. She had to know.

  ‘You can’t cover a green shoot with compost, however rich in nutrients, and expect it to grow. You have to let the shoot see the sun from time to time.’

  She didn’t really want to hear that, Nell discovered. ‘Please don’t patronise me—and for goodness’ sake, spare me the psychology!’

  ‘So you can go on making the same mistakes?’

  ‘We’re talking about my daughter. The way I bring up Molly is my business. It’s got nothing to do with you.’

  ‘So I should have let her wear that ugly plague mask when there are so many more attractive possibilities?’

  Their voices had become raised, and as they drifted in towards the hotel mooring Nell finally snapped. ‘Oh, you’re right! You’re always right!’

  ‘Not always, Nell,’ Luca assured her in a low voice. ‘Just most of the time where you’re concerned.’

  Chapter Ten

  MOLLY was still tired at breakfast the next day, but her face lit up every time she mentioned Luca. And she just wouldn’t stop talking about him. Nell bore it the best she could, smiling, listening attentively, struggling to keep her own feelings under wraps. She couldn’t help but notice that Molly carried the mask he had bought for her everywhere she went.

  Why hadn’t she thought to buy one as fanciful and delicious? It was exactly the type of thing she would have adored when she was Molly’s age. Instead, she had picked out something ‘worthy’, something she thought Molly would learn from. But Luca was right about that at least; there were many different ways of learning…

  When the phone rang, Nell answered it absently, still watching with concern as Molly picked half-heartedly at her food. ‘Luca?’ She practically sprang to attention, but then she noticed that Molly was watching her and carefully relaxed.

  ‘Nell. Are you still there?’

  ‘I haven’t forgotten our meeting.’

  ‘I’m not calling about a meeting.’

  ‘Oh?’ There was an ache in her chest so real she was rubbing it, Nell realised, pulling her hand away. One night with a man in a mask did not a romance make! When would she face reality and accept things for what they were? And she really should thank him again for the masks—

  ‘I’m not calling about the masks either,’ he said as if he had read her mind. There was a smile in his voice. She almost wished he would use his cold, remote voice. It would be easier to deal with. She had seen another side of him, a warm, amusing, sensual side, and she wanted to claim it, hold it tight…

  ‘I’m calling to apologise,’ he said.

  ‘What?’ Stunned, Nell looked at Molly. ‘Could you give me a moment?’

  ‘I’ll go and find Marianna.’ Molly skidded to a halt by the door. ‘And Mum?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Can you tell Luca I said thank you for the mask?’

  ‘Of course.’ Nell waited with her hand over the receiver until Molly had left the room.

  ‘Are you still there?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I wanted to say that it was wrong of me to interfere between you and Molly last night.’

  Fighting to keep her breath steady, she managed, ‘Forget it.’

  ‘That’s just it. I can’t forget it, and I want to make it up to you both.’

  ‘That’s really not necessary.’

  ‘You’ll have to forgive me if I disagree. My sister’s children are staying with me while she’s away with her husband, and I thought it would be an ideal opportunity for Molly to meet some kids her own age.’

  No, she couldn’t do this…not even for Molly. ‘But she doesn’t speak Italian.’ That was a starting point. She’d think up some more excuses as she went along.

  ‘The language won’t be a problem—children have their own language,’ Luca assured her. ‘And of course, you and Marianna would be welcome to come along too.’

  ‘I said Marianna could have some time off—’

  ‘Molly will be quite safe here at the house, then. My mother’s staying over too.’

  ‘Your mother?’

  As Nell mulled it over Luca added, ‘I think Molly enjoyed herself last night. She should experience the real Venice while she has the chance.’

  Nell hated it when he was right.

  ‘Well, what do you think of the idea?’

  Molly would love being with children her own age, Nell reflected. It was just what she needed.

  ‘So, what do you say?’

  As Molly’s wistful face flashed into Nell’s mind, she realised there was only one thing she could say.

  ‘Thank you. We’d love to come.’ For an only child,
the opportunity Luca had proposed was like gold dust.

  ‘Is this Luca’s house?’ Molly stared up at the grand façade.

  ‘I suppose it must be.’ Nell followed Molly’s gaze. She knew some people would only see the dilapidation in Venice, but what she saw was history and the accumulated talent of craftsmen across the ages displayed on every corner. ‘It’s like a living museum.’

  ‘I love it here, Mum.’

  ‘So do I,’ Nell admitted wistfully. She’d come a long way from hating Venice. She rapped on a brass knocker in the shape of a lion’s head and after a minute or so an elderly gentleman opened the door.

  When they walked into the vaulted hall it was as if they had stepped back in time. Nell suspected that the frescoes on the ceiling panels and on the walls must be originals that had been restored. It was cool and shady and very beautiful, with lush palms thriving in ornate pots.

  ‘They love the shade.’

  They turned to see an elegant older woman entering the hallway through one of the tall archways. Her heels clipped on the marble floor as she came towards them.

  ‘Buon giorno! Hello! I saw you looking at them,’ she explained to Nell, indicating the tall plants with a graceful gesture. ‘Grazie, Paolo. I will take charge now. Bellissima!’ she exclaimed, dipping to cup Molly’s face in slender beringed hands. ‘I am delighted you decided to spend the day with me.’

  Molly’s face broke into a smile as she stared up. ‘You’re the lady from last night—the lady who took our photograph.’

  ‘Forgive me. I should have introduced myself then, but I didn’t want to intrude. I am your friend’s mother.’ Smiling, she turned to offer her hand in greeting to Nell. ‘Forgive me. Our lives revolve around children in Italy.’

  Nell returned the smile as they shook hands. She was almost as entranced as Molly—except by the reference to their ‘friend’! What had Luca told his mother?

  ‘I’ve heard all about you,’ Luca’s mother was explaining to Molly. ‘And my grandchildren can’t wait to meet you. They’re in the garden now.’ She held out her hand, which Molly took without hesitation.

  So Luca had been with his mother the previous evening. Which shouldn’t have mattered to Nell, except she found that it did…a great deal. ‘Did Luca explain that we have a meeting today?’ She glanced at Molly.

  ‘Don’t worry, Nell—may I call you Nell? Molly will be happy here at the palazzo. And as for your meeting…’ His mother’s smile widened. ‘I’ve told Luca I think it’s such a good thing you’re doing I’m going to ask you if you will consider me as one of your volunteers.’

  Nell’s eyes widened with surprise. ‘I’d love to talk to you about it.’ She hadn’t expected to find support in such an unexpected quarter.

  ‘Then we’ll talk just as soon as you finish your meeting with Luca.’

  The mother was almost as persuasive as the son, Nell thought wryly. Then they noticed the elderly retainer hovering by the door.

  ‘Mi scusi, Contessa Barbaro…’

  ‘Si, Paolo. Please tell the children that Molly and I will be with them shortly. They are so impatient, you know,’ she said, turning back to Nell.

  As Molly mouthed, ‘Countess?’ Nell shrugged discreetly, and then tensed. She didn’t need to turn around to know that Luca was behind her; she could feel his energy lapping over her.

  ‘Mother…’

  ‘Bello!’

  ‘Molly.’ With a small bow, he greeted Molly formally with a handshake.

  As he turned to greet her, Nell realised that all the tiny hairs had risen in unison on the back of her neck.

  ‘Molly and I were just leaving, bello. We’ll speak again soon, Nell, I hope?’

  ‘I’m looking forward to it.’

  ‘What’s this, a conspiracy?’ Luca asked drily.

  ‘Your mother has offered her services as a volunteer.’ Nell found it hard to hide her satisfaction, or to quell her memories of the previous night.

  ‘Has she, now?’ Luca’s gaze followed the sound of heels disappearing into the distance.

  ‘Well, I’m ready to start. Where are we meeting?’ The sooner they concentrated on business, the better!

  ‘The meeting’s been cancelled.’

  ‘By whom?’

  ‘By me.’

  She stared at him. ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘I don’t see that we need a formal meeting at this stage. We can talk just as well here.’

  ‘Here?’

  ‘Why not here?’ His rugged features softened into a smile.

  Luca could be extremely charming when it suited him, Nell thought, struggling to remain immune. But when one corner of his mouth tugged up as it was doing now it made such an attractive crease down one side of his face, and his eyes…

  ‘I thought you might like the grand tour first,’ he suggested, reclaiming her attention with a jolt. ‘It’s rather an interesting old house.’

  And not the only thing that had caught her interest, Nell mused drily, keeping her thoughts to herself. But was it wise to be investigating the furthest reaches of some ancient palace with a man she had such strong feelings for?

  With his mother about, and the elderly servant moving on silent feet who knew where…Yes, it would be fine, she concluded. ‘Thank you, I’d love to see round.’

  Luca led the way up the stairs. Except they weren’t stairs as Nell knew them, but more like something out of a Busby Berkeley movie spectacular, with a magnificent sweeping marble staircase that had a grand piano tucked beneath its curve. ‘Impressive…’

  ‘Don’t get too carried away,’ Luca warned wryly. ‘This place is huge, and it’s a huge responsibility too—not to mention a huge drain on my pocket. But as it’s been passed down the generations…’ He eased his shoulders in a shrug. ‘I do all the heavy restoration work myself, only calling in the experts when I need craftsmen for the stone carvings, or for the frescoes.’ He glanced at the ceiling she had so admired.

  ‘You don’t mind acting as labourer?’ He was more than equal to the task, but she was surprised to think of him loading stone onto his shoulders or ripping away rotten wood with his bare hands.

  ‘I consider it a privilege. I happen to think this is a cause worth fighting for, and it brings me closer to the past, to the people who built this place, and my ancestors who lived here.’ With a rueful smile he peeled a piece of plaster from the wall.

  ‘But it’s a never-ending task?’ Nell guessed.

  ‘Like painting your Forth Bridge in Great Britain?’

  As he smiled a bolt of heat shot through her, and it wasn’t just lust—it was something that left her feeling far more vulnerable than that.

  ‘The relatives.’ Luca nodded, indicating the life-sized portraits hanging on the walls above their heads.

  ‘From the year dot?’ Nell almost smiled too as their eyes met briefly.

  ‘And beyond,’ he assured her.

  What was happening to her…to them? Tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, Nell forced herself to concentrate as Luca started to give her a potted history of the house. In spite of everything, were they starting to like each other? They’d had the worst of starts, but last night she had seen a different side to him. Apart from the sensuality, he had been light-hearted, fun, full of enthusiasm for the traditions and history of his country. And now she had discovered a deeper side—a side she would never have guessed at; a side that belied Luca’s stylish outer shell and revealed a man who didn’t mind getting his hands dirty, who cared deeply about his heritage, his family, the things that really mattered…

  ‘At the moment, of course, this place is only a work in progress, not yet a home.’

  Was this the same cold-hearted individual talking now, the man she thought she knew? ‘Well, I think it’s beautiful,’ Nell said honestly, ‘and well worth fighting for.’

  ‘I camp out in a few rooms at the top. Would you like to see them?’

  ‘I’d love to.’ Her enthusiasm was b
urgeoning and she was intrigued to see how he lived. Following Luca across the landing, Nell ducked her head as they started up a second, much narrower flight of stairs.

  ‘This is the attic, which used to be the servants’ quarters before I moved in. But now this is my mother’s room, these are the children’s rooms, the nursery…’

  As they moved on, Nell was sure he couldn’t have surprised her more. Each room was meticulously restored with each ancient architectural feature intact.

  ‘And finally, this is my room.’

  It overlooked the canal, with light spilling through the open windows. ‘Oh, Luca, it’s beautiful!’ The view drew Nell to the balcony, where she looked out over the canal. Suddenly she realised what she was doing. ‘I’m so sorry—I should have waited to be invited in.’

  ‘Go right ahead.’

  Walking up to the stone balustrade, Nell rested her arms on it and allowed herself, just for a moment, to imagine what it might be like to call such a place home. Did Luca know how fortunate he was? Yes, she thought he did.

  ‘It’s like a Canaletto painting come to life.’ She felt a tremble of awareness, and knew that he was right behind her.

  ‘I’m glad you like it.’

  As he trailed one fingertip down her naked arm, she turned. ‘No, Luca.’

  ‘No?’ His lips curved in the way she could never resist.

  ‘No.’ She walked a few steps away from him. She’d burned her fingers for the last time. She couldn’t switch on and then off again as Luca seemed able to do. ‘We’re going to be working together, so I hope…’

  ‘That we can be friends?’

  She nodded, pressing her lips down wryly as she prepared to drive a wedge between them. ‘Friends, yes, but lovers?’ She shook her head. Insanely, for a moment, she hoped he would disagree, drag her to him and kiss away her doubts. But, as he hadn’t kissed her yet, and she had hardly given him the best of encouragement, it wasn’t likely that situation was about to change now.

  She wasn’t surprised when he turned away and started pointing out the various sights that made Venice the city it was. There wasn’t anything in Luca’s expression to suggest that he was disappointed by her stand. Perhaps as a man he was programmed to make a move, and just couldn’t help himself. Or perhaps he wasn’t particularly concerned about her refusal. And if that was the case, shouldn’t she be glad? Wasn’t that safer?