The only difficulty with her resolution to remain aloof from Luca, Nell discovered later, was that man might be programmed to mate, but so was woman. She was sitting outside in the garden with his mother, watching the children play. Luca, who was on call, had been paged by the hospital. It had brought their encounter on the balcony to an abrupt halt, which she suspected was a relief to both of them.
Luca’s balcony had been off a sitting room the size of a small ballroom. She guessed his bedroom would be somewhere beyond that. The palazzo was so vast, and his quarters so isolated, no one would have known if they had lingered in his room. But far better for her that things had turned out the way they had.
‘These times are the best, don’t you think, my dear?’
Nell turned her head as the contessa began to speak. They were enjoying some welcome shade beneath a bleached linen parasol, reclining on identical deep-cushioned sunbeds. ‘Midday?’ Nell wrinkled her nose, not liking to disagree—but it was scorching hot.
‘I’m talking about dream-time, Nell, when we let our minds fly free.’
Nell stiffened. Dream-time? How much had the contessa guessed about her relationship with Luca? She played it safe, humming a non-committal answer, and tried to distract herself by concentrating on the children. She started to smile. Luca had been right about them finding their own language…
‘Stolen times.’
The contessa wasn’t about to give up, Nell reflected wryly. The older woman was definitely on a reconnaissance mission. Nell decided to act innocent. ‘Stolen times?’
‘They’re the sweetest of all, don’t you think?’
The contessa made everything sound so deliciously decadent. Tipping her sunglasses down her nose, Nell tried not to smile. ‘I’m not sure I understand what you mean.’
‘Don’t tell me you wouldn’t rather be somewhere else right now.’
‘Well, I suppose…’ Luca’s bedroom sprang mischievously into her mind.
‘I hardly know you, and yet I feel instinctively that you should relax and spoil yourself more frequently.’ The contessa rose up a fraction on the sunbed and turned her head to look at Nell. ‘I hope you don’t mind me speaking my mind like this?’
‘No, of course not.’ What else could she say with the contessa’s gaze soldered to her face?
‘Good, I’m glad you agree.’ The contessa sat up, all business now. ‘I would like to invite you to dinner tonight—with Molly, of course, and Marianna.’
What, and see Luca again? ‘No. I mean, I’m afraid that won’t be possible tonight, Contessa.’
‘Not possible?’
Nell saw some of her son’s iron resolve in the contessa’s imperious cobalt stare. ‘I have a lot of work to do before our meeting. I mean, I know it’s been delayed, but—’ Nell knew she was flailing and wasn’t surprised when the contessa flashed back.
‘But? You must have prepared for the meeting you were supposed to hold this morning?’
‘That’s true…’ Nell was up against an immovable force, and she knew it.
‘Well, then? Molly is happy, as you can see.’ The contessa gestured towards the small playground, where Molly and an older child had taken charge of the smaller children on the swings. ‘She can stay here and play with my grandchildren, while you return to the hotel to prepare for dinner…’ The confidence in the older woman’s voice began to fade as Nell stood up decisively.
‘That’s very kind of you, but I really can’t accept,’ she said firmly. How could she remain under the same roof as Luca and act as though there were nothing between them? Their encounter on his balcony, coupled with the way her thoughts had strayed while she was in his home, meant she had to keep her distance. ‘I’ll fetch Molly now—’
‘But there is no reason to take her home yet. Why don’t you let her stay the night?’
‘I wouldn’t dream of putting you to so much trouble.’
‘Trouble? Nonsense!’ the contessa exclaimed, waving her hands for emphasis. ‘If my grandchildren are happy that is all I care about. You will be doing an old lady a very great favour. Please. And you must come to dinner so you can say goodnight to her.’
‘Well…’
‘I would enjoy it so much, and so would Molly.’
Checkmate, Nell realised wryly, mentally knocking her king onto its side. ‘I’ll just make sure Molly’s OK with that.’
‘Of course…’ There was a faint smile playing around the contessa’s lips as Nell hurried away.
By the time she got back to the hotel Nell had changed her mind again. Molly was a confident child who didn’t need tucking in; if she was to stay the night with the contessa, there was no reason for Nell to return to the palazzo for dinner.
‘But the water taxi’s on its way to pick you up,’ Luca’s mother protested when Nell called to excuse herself. ‘Luca has just this moment returned from the hospital. Here, let me pass you over to him.’
‘No, that’s…’ Nell started tapping her foot as she listened to the muffled exchanges between mother and son, and then tensed as Luca came on the line.
‘Nell? Aren’t you coming? Mother’s expecting you.’
‘I’m sure your mother will understand.’
At the other end of the phone, Luca quickly clutched at another straw and held on to it. ‘But it’s my mother’s…’ He calculated quickly. ‘…sixtieth birthday.’ He had to cover the mouthpiece to smother the indignant sound sailing across the room. ‘You don’t want to ruin it for her, do you?’
‘Your mother didn’t say anything about it being a special occasion!’
‘Well, she wouldn’t, would she?’
And have her think she must bring a gift? Probably not. ‘But your mother hardly knows me. Surely she won’t miss me at the celebration.’
‘You made quite an impression…’
‘That much of an impression?’ Her voice was ironic.
‘No, I suppose you’re right.’ He played it straight. ‘But it is her birthday and I want everything to be perfect for her. Mothers, eh? What can you do?’
‘Don’t you have any scruples at all?’
Luca let the silence hang. He didn’t know about his scruples, but he did have to see Nell again—and not just for sex. Since the carnival the lasting impressions in his mind had been coloured by a woman he desired, a woman he enjoyed being with, a woman whose smile he could never forget. In the same way he could never forget what fun she was when she was truly relaxed, or how she laughed, or the way she was with Molly, and even her consideration for Marianna. He had snapshots in his head right now—all of them of Nell. The sex was extraordinary between them, but so was the hunger he felt just to be with her again.
‘May I tell Mother to expect you?’
Nell ground her jaw. ‘Tell the contessa that I’m looking forward to it.’
Luca’s lips curved in a smile as he cut the line.
Nell had spent some time at the dinner explaining to the contessa the pivotal role she hoped Luca would play in the scheme, and how she needed him. She wasn’t the only one who could use her wiles, and if bringing the contessa on board proved to be the key to Luca’s co-operation, she’d go flat out to make sure it happened.
Yes, she needed him, and in how many ways? Nell wondered as the contessa took up the banner for her and started trying to persuade her son to forget about pilot schemes and make the voluntary service a permanent fixture at the hospital immediately. Luca didn’t comment, or argue as he usually did, but sank his face into his hand to stare at Nell as if her project was the last thing on his mind.
It was the last thing on Nell’s mind too. It felt so good just being in Luca’s home. His masculinity invaded even the air they breathed as well as her body, and her mind. He had baited the hook and she had swallowed it gladly. She wanted to talk to him, to learn everything about him; she wanted time with him, time that wasn’t tainted by duty or by lust. Having begun the process of getting to know him, she was hungry for more, even though she knew h
ow dangerous that was.
Raising her damask napkin to her lips, Nell took a few moments out to escape the dark eyes drilling into her. She couldn’t, she mustn’t fall in love with him. After Jake, how could she trust her own judgement?
‘So you will agree to this, bello?’
Nell refocused to see Luca’s shoulders move in an easy shrug. ‘I can refuse you nothing.’ The contessa seemed reassured.
He was agreeing? To what? What had she missed? Nell was suddenly acutely aware of everything around her.
‘So, Nell.’ Luca turned to her. ‘Do you think we will be able to work together successfully?’
Had he agreed to everything while she had been daydreaming? Nell wondered. Maybe not, but it looked as though they were a giant step closer to coming to an agreement, thanks to his mother. But how would she find working with Luca on a daily basis? Would she be able to handle it—to keep him at a distance, keep her thoughts in check? Would she be able to stop Molly thinking this working arrangement might lead to something more?
Molly was waiting for her answer with as much, if not more interest than Luca and his mother, Nell realised, agonising over the reply she should make. The voluntary scheme meant a lot to her, but Molly meant infinitely more.
‘I’ll be back at school soon, so we won’t be here forever,’ Molly was pointing out.
That was true. And this was everything she’d hoped for. She had to get over her personal concerns and give it a chance. ‘Welcome to the team.’ Nell raised her glass.
‘To our closer association,’ Luca answered, holding her gaze.
But just at the moment when she should have been suffused with triumph, Nell’s anxiety levels rose. As they brought their crystal goblets together in a toast she couldn’t help noticing the barely contained excitement in Molly’s eyes. It complicated everything.
‘Paolo was looking tired, so I brought your coat out,’ Luca explained in answer to Nell’s unspoken question. She was standing in the hallway waiting for the elderly servant to bring the coat and show her out. She had been hoping to slip away while Luca had been detained by a call from the hospital. Marianna was staying over to help the contessa with the children, which to Nell’s mind had seemed to leave everything tied up neatly—until now.
‘Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?’ Luca demanded.
‘I didn’t want to disturb you. And Paolo very kindly called a taxi for me—’
‘A taxi?’ Luca stared at her. ‘So you were going to leave without saying goodbye to me?’
She opened her mouth, but only a half-sigh of apology came out.
‘Surely you knew I would take you back?’
‘I didn’t think…’ Nell’s voice tailed away as Luca’s gaze remained on her face. ‘Look, there’s really no need for you to take me back. The water taxi will be here in a minute.’
‘There’s every need. Do you think I would let you return to the hotel on your own at night when my boat’s moored outside the door?’
‘I’ll be fine, honestly.’
‘Nell, whatever’s happened between us, we can still be friends. We have to be if we’re going to be working together.’
The threat was light, but it was there. ‘Bene.’ She slipped into Italian, using a word she had heard on numerous occasions—some of those occasions when people had thrown up their hands and caved in. With so much to lose, it seemed appropriate now.
‘Complimenti!’ Luca murmured wryly. ‘You have another word of Italian.’
‘Are you mocking me?’
‘Would I?’
She refused to look at him. She would not look at him and see the humour she knew would be in Luca’s eyes—the humour that always won her over.
‘Imagine how improved your language skills would be if you decided to stay in Venice.’
Was he teasing? ‘I won’t be here long enough for that,’ she assured him.
As he opened the door Nell wondered if she would ever get used to the sight in front of her. The view was extraordinary; opening the door like raising the curtain on some sumptuous theatrical production. Unlike most other canals the life of the dark water in Venice was dictated by the closeness of the open sea and tidal flats. It moved sinuously in a constant pattern of restless waves so that even Luca’s large launch swayed lazily in the current beside the landing stage. And just a few yards further along the bank, Nell realised, was the spot where they had first met.
She hugged herself, knowing she had to divide her life into boxes, or she’d never come through this visit to Venice in one piece. The only way she could do it was by maintaining a professional relationship with the man who had saved Molly’s life, the man who could make her scheme a success.
‘You’re remembering, aren’t you?’
Luca’s voice was gentle. He had turned to watch her as she stared out across the water. The cobbled calle where they had stood all those years ago was grazed by moonlight, illuminating the exact spot where Luca had stood with Molly in his arms…and there were the steps where she had stumbled…
‘You must look to the future, Nell,’ he said gently. ‘For your sake as well as for Molly’s.’
Nell turned without comment to board the launch. It was no use fooling herself. She knew their future was none of Luca’s concern.
Chapter Eleven
NELL spent the morning at the hospital, learning the ropes, observing the way things were done. Each place she visited had its own take on what constituted a smooth-running operation, and it was crucial that she knew what that was in Luca’s hospital so that she could avoid treading on anyone’s toes. By the time the volunteers were ready to go in she would have everything prepared for them, from a map of the building to a list of staff names.
She was about to leave when Luca stopped her by the door. ‘I’d like to take you to lunch.’
‘Lunch?’ Alarm bells started up.
‘There are a few more points I’d like to discuss…’
And hadn’t she fallen for that before?
‘I’m serious, Nell,’ Luca insisted, as if reading her mind.
Nell’s heart gave a doleful thud as she realised that he was. And in spite of all her brave assertions, she was disappointed.
‘It shouldn’t take long—Nell? Do you need me to phrase my offer some other way?’
‘No, no. I’m sorry.’ Her eyes cleared as she stared up at him, but her thoughts were still far away. ‘Lunch should be OK.’
He frowned. Nell guessed he suspected she was thinking out loud, and not simply about dining arrangements.
‘So shall we go?’ he pressed.
There was a touch of impatience in his voice, but she could see nothing remotely predatory in his gaze. ‘If you feel it would be helpful.’
‘I do.’
He had managed to secure a table for them at the most romantic restaurant in Venice. When Nell moved in front of him to sit down he caught a waft of her scent. It reminded him of a spring meadow—it reminded him to cool down. Though how he was supposed to do that when the temperature was soaring inside as well as out, he had no idea. Thunderclouds were threatening over the San Marco Basin like an oppressive scene-setter for some dramatic encounter. He had to hope their lunch date would be spared the fireworks. He wanted to talk, to get to know her, to relax…something both of them found equally difficult to engineer time for.
‘How do you do that?’ he murmured as she slid into the booth.
‘How do I do what?’ She glanced at him, just the briefest eye contact, and then looked away as if she didn’t trust herself to hold his gaze.
‘How do you look so cool when everyone else in Venice is at melting point?’
She smiled faintly. ‘That’s funny.’
‘Funny?’
‘I used to think that about you.’ She shrugged. ‘Maybe I’ve grown used to the heat…become used to dressing for it more sensibly.’
The comment drew his attention to the elegant, loose-fitting dress she had on, one of a sele
ction she had taken to wearing for work in place of a suit. She looked beautiful.
She stiffened when she caught him staring at her. ‘Should we call for menus?’ she suggested.
She was all business, keeping him at arm’s length. He couldn’t blame her for that. She knew as well as he did that there was always an unlit fuse between them…a fuse which common sense dictated neither one of them should ignite. A few points to go over? Had he really used that line again? His technique was slipping badly.
Except that technique was redundant where Nell was concerned. All that seemed right when he was with her was openness and sincerity. Nell was different to any woman he had known; she defied analysis. She was unpredictable: defensive, strong, yet so vulnerable. And more than a match for him.
Luca had found himself, uniquely, unsure of how to proceed. Instinct had always been enough to guide him in the past; he had certainly never planned a date with such precision before. He needed it to be a success.
‘I think things are going well so far…’ she started stiffly.
If this lunch was to remain neutral and friendly, he’d better get his mind in gear fast and think of something to say that was connected to her scheme. ‘Yes…’ He tried to refocus his mind, but his thoughts remained stubbornly single-track. He wanted a lot more than a business discussion with her.
It was a pretty interesting situation. He was sitting opposite the most desirable woman he had ever met, a woman he had already slept with, only to find that, having reached the goal, it wasn’t enough—and nor was it the open-ended ticket he had supposed. If anything sex had made Nell more distant. She had retreated behind a barrier he didn’t know how to breach. But he would breach it. He had to…if he was ever going to know her properly.
‘We won’t make too much of a call on your time once we are up and running.’
A Venetian Affair Page 29