‘Not that fast,’ she said tightly as two of the opposing forwards sent Francesco crashing to the ground.
‘It’s all right, Lally,’ said Megan. ‘He’s up and running again.’
The game became more ragged as players, both young and mature, began to tire. Then young Guido made a dash for the line and grounded the ball just out of reach of Gareth’s tackle, and the crowd went mad. They were even more vociferous as the ball sailed between the posts from Guido’s kick to convert the try, and Montedaluca were seven points ahead. The play immediately surged the other way as the ball went from hand to hand among the veteran three-quarter line, and Enzo Maretti sold a dummy to the man chasing him, did a graceful turn and kicked the ball between the posts for a perfect drop goal, reducing the home team’s lead by three. By this time everyone in the crowd, including Francesco’s guests, were on their feet as play surged back and forth. Then, in a move so smooth they might have been practising it on the same team for years, Enzo Maretti took a long throw from his scrum half, passed it to David, who sent it winging to Francesco, and Alicia screamed encouragement at the top of her voice as Francesco caught the ball and ran like the wind towards the line, sidestepping and evading his opponents on the way. He snatched a look to see if he had support, saw Gareth frantically waving him on, and made a final spurt which landed him over the line with arm outstretched to ground the ball, his smile unquenched when several of the opposing team landed on top of him.
The party after the game was a jubilant affair, in spite of the aches and pains of some of the veterans, including David’s black eye and Francesco’s fiercely guarded secret of an aching knee.
‘My hero,’ said Alicia as the champagne circulated before the buffet supper. ‘I hope the local press photographer caught your try, darling.’
‘I hope so too—it will never happen again!’ Francesco grinned down at her, then clapped Gareth on the shoulder. ‘Thank you, captain. It was good today, no?’
‘Absolutely brilliant,’ said Gareth.
‘Daverro,’ agreed Francesco. ‘How are you feeling, David?’
‘Old,’ was the bitter reply. ‘These lads of yours are good, Francesco.’
‘I’ll just pop off and congratulate your old teammates, Francesco,’ said Alicia. ‘It was so good of them to come and help.’
She went on a round of the visiting rugby players, taking Megan with her in support, and there was a great deal of laughter and kissing of cheeks as they congratulated the jubilant men on their magnificent performance. Then everyone took their places for the buffet supper, even Zia Luisa, who was so delighted with the occasion she refused to go home until she’d seen the fireworks promised for later.
After supper Francesco made a graceful speech in two languages, handed over a sizeable cheque to the hospital administrator, then ushered everyone outside to watch the firework display.
‘That was a wonderful try,’ Alicia said in his ear, during a pause while the second round of fireworks was made ready. ‘I screamed myself hoarse as you went tearing down the field. But we were very relieved when the final whistle blew and you came off the field unhurt.’
‘We?’ murmured Francesco, holding her closer. ‘You mean you, Megan and your mother?’
‘No. Baby and me,’ she said into his chest, and felt it expand against her with a huge intake of breath.
‘At last,’ he breathed into her hair. ‘I have been waiting so patiently for you to tell me.’
Alicia raised her eyes to his. ‘You knew?’
He smiled, his eyes reflecting the rainbow of colours as round after round of coloured stars shot into the sky. ‘I can count, tesoro.’
‘Oh, I see.’ She eyed him anxiously. ‘Are you pleased—Papa?’
‘Pleased?’ He bent his head and kissed her quickly as everyone’s attention stayed with the display. ‘I am the happiest man in the world. Ti amo, tesoro.’
As the last of the rockets went off, the world went silent and the sky was left to the stars. With a concerted sigh the guests turned back inside for a last glass of champagne. Alicia found her mother, had a quick word which widened Bron’s eyes in delight, then did the same with Eira and Megan, and finally with Luisa and Bianca. Then she returned to Francesco.
‘Care to make an announcement as you say goodnight?’
‘If you allow me I would like that very much, carissima—grazie.’ Francesco turned to face his guests, tapped on his glass, and once again thanked everyone, spectators and players, for making the event such a successful occasion. ‘And now,’ he added, putting his arm around his wife. ‘Please raise your glasses to celebrate this special day. Much money was raised for the children’s wing and the match was a personal triumph—I even scored a try my knees may never recover from! But as the crowning touch to the day Alicia has just given me the most wonderful news—by the end of the next Six Nations my wife and I will be parents!’
Special thanks and acknowledgment
are given to Catherine George for her contribution
to the International Billionaires miniseries.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3428-8
THE ITALIAN COUNT’S DEFIANT BRIDE
First North American Publication 2009.
Copyright © 2009 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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