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The American Contessa

Page 4

by Noni Calbane


  Jumping to his feet, he was already on his way over to their table. With a “Scusa mi” flung over his shoulder to Anna Maria, he made it to their side in seconds. Luca cleared his throat loudly to gain their attention.

  “Ciao, Carmina.” He bent his head and gave her the obligatory kisses on both cheeks.

  “Luca? A little early for you to be up after a party, isn’t it brother?” she asked rhetorically. “You remember Gaby, of course?”

  His gaze swiftly passed to Gaby and held. “How could I forget?” he smiled teasingly. “She likened me to an ill-mannered horse.”

  Gaby arched a brow at him and took the bait. “An ill-mannered ass was what I actually said. But I did say a good-looking one if that makes it any less offensive to you.”

  “Tell me Gaby, why are you so determined to offend me?” Luca narrowed his eyes at her.

  Gaby lifted her hand to her chest in mock horror. “Offend you? Is that even possible?” She widened her eyes at him, “To me, you seem almost impervious to anyone else’s opinion, but you own.” Crap! Was she now channelling Jane Austen? Unfortunately this man was no Mr. Darcy.

  Luca burst out laughing, taking her by surprise. “Well, I must admit ...,” he leaned closer, “… you’re not the first to call me an ass. And more than likely, you’re not the last. But I do hope you’ll give me a chance to change your less than stellar opinion of me? ”

  Gaby smirked at him and was somewhat taken aback. This self-deprecating version of the Count was one that she hadn’t expected. For Carmina’s sake she would try to be a little less sarcastic and prickly. She could keep a civil tongue in her head, couldn’t she?

  “Why don’t you join us Luca?” Carmina proposed.

  “Ah…” Looking back towards his table, Luca could see Anna Maria seething with restrained fury. “I have a little unfinished business to attend to. Perhaps we could have dinner this evening? The three of us?”

  Carmina looked to Gaby. “Are you free this evening?”

  “Why... um, yes,” Gaby replied hesitantly. “I am.”

  Luca grinned. “Wonderful. I’ll call Carmina with the details of when and where. Ciao!”

  Gaby watched as he made his way back to his irate companion. She wondered at their relationship. The woman was obviously mad as hell at him for something, but also completely smitten. But Luca? From the furtive glances he kept sending Gaby’s way, it didn’t seem like the sentiments were exactly reciprocated. Talk about confusing. For someone who claimed they were in no way interested, he certainly looked it.

  “You’d be good for him, you know,” Carmina commented on the looks going back and forth.

  Gaby stole a glance his way and noticed he was paying the bill.

  “Yeah, well, broccoli’s good for you to. But no-one wants a steady diet of it. Not when you’re used to eating gelato morning, noon and night. Eating healthy may seem like a good idea, but you always backslide when you have a sweet tooth.”

  Carmina laughed. “Let me see if I understand you. You’re broccoli? And I take it Anna Maria is gelato?”

  Gaby giggled back at her. “Well the analogy may not be my best, but yes. I am broccoli. And she’s …” Gaby looked over at the ebony haired beauty and sighed. “She’s most definitely gelato. Totally irresistible. And there’s no way broccoli will ever take the place of gelato.”

  “That’s quite the analogy.” Carmina shook her head trying to keep a straight face.

  Just as Gaby and Carmina’s pasta arrived at their table, Luca sailed past them with Anna Maria on his arm. He mouthed the word “tonight” at her and gave her a heart-melting smile.

  Carmina waved to her brother and turned back to Gaby. “So what food is Luca in your scenario?”

  “He’s gelato too. Delicious; but most definitely an unhealthy choice.”

  “What’s the matter Gaby? You’re not lactose intolerant, are you?” Carmina joked.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Gaby was ready and waiting at quarter to eight when there was a soft tapping on her hotel door. Her russet coloured dress floated around her as she made her way to answer it. Its empire waist was not only flattering, but oh so comfortable to eat dinner in. Thank goodness for empire waists, they hid such a multitude of sins.

  She remembered the last time she’d worn this dress. It was to a function at the auction house in New York where her sister Grace worked as a fine art auctioneer. The admiring looks she’d received because of it convinced her to bring it along with her to Italy. Hopefully it was suitable for a night out with a Count … and of course, his sister. For heaven’s sake, she lectured herself, this was not a date! Besides you don’t even like the man!

  Gaby couldn’t help thinking about the Count’s attitude. What caused his complete turnaround this morning? Was he playing some sort of game with her? It was puzzling to say the least. Just which Count Manetti would she encounter tonight? The sarcastic, I hate Americans jackass or the smooth-talking, lose-your-panties charmer?

  As though conjured up by magic, Gaby opened the door and found Luca standing in the doorway looking infinitely and devastatingly handsome in a grey-blue suit straight from the pages of GQ. His dark hair was stylishly tousled and he emanated an air of casual sophistication totally befitting his noble title.

  “Buona sera, Gaby,” he uttered, taking her in from head to toe. The look of desire in his eyes was unmistakable. Uh-oh, she thought with dread, he was going to be charming –lucky she was wearing spanx in addition to panties.

  Poking her head out the door and looking left and right Gaby responded, “Where’s Carmina?”

  Luca smiled sexily. “She’s running late and asked me to bring you to the restaurant. She’ll meet us there.”

  “Oh.”

  “I’m a little early.” He leaned on the doorjamb, then reached over and absently touched a strand of her hair. “You look stunning this evening. May I come in?”

  “No, no. I’ll come out,” Gaby stuttered and quickly grabbed her handbag from the console table by the door.

  Luca chuckled. “Andiamo then. Let’s go.”

  He ushered her into the elevator and pushed the lobby level. Standing this close, she could smell the faint aroma of cologne. He glanced her way and grinned, sending a shiver down her spine. She had to get out of this elevator! Confined spaces and Luca Manetti were a heady combination. Gaby said nothing and kept her eyes on the floor numbers as they blinked and slowly descended. Within moments the heavy brass doors opened and they exited.

  Without a word, Luca placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her out of the hotel and towards his red, two-door sports car. Oh, great! Just her luck, a confined space again!

  As they sped off into the night, he suddenly spoke, shocking her out of her stupor. “Carmina likes you a great deal.”

  Gaby was surprised and grateful for the choice of subject. Although bantering with Luca was enthralling, it was also tiring as hell. And tonight, she’d rather not have to be constantly on the defensive.

  “I like her too. Very much,” she replied honestly. It was true. From the moment they’d met, they’d recognised themselves to be kindred spirits.

  “She tells me you’re a schoolteacher.”

  “Yes,” she replied. Her conversation with Carmina the night before came so easily and comfortably that pretending to be anything but who she was completely fell by the wayside. The fact that she was not wealthy or titled didn’t seem to faze Carmina at all. In fact, she seemed almost relieved that Gaby was not like the other partygoers. As for the Count? She was positive that her lack of social standing was not to his liking. “Have you got a problem with me being a lowly schoolteacher?” she asked defensively.

  “Of course not,” he frowned at her. “It’s a most noble profession.”

  Gaby sighed softly and shook her head in disbelief. “Well, I must say, I’m surprised.”

  “Why?”

  “I didn’t think I’d be the sort of person you would choose for your sister to b
e friends with.”

  “Carmina chooses her own friends.” He smiled slightly. “She’s most stubborn in that regard.”

  Ha! Gaby thought. So he didn’t think her suitable friend material. Or was he just stating a fact? What he said could be taken either way. Was she reading more into his words than was there? He was impossible to figure out.

  “I know it seems hard to believe, but my sister doesn’t have many friends,” he confided.

  Gaby was visibly stunned. “That does seems hard to believe. She’s the most likeable and genuine person I think I’ve ever met. Here in Italy or back home.”

  He stopped for a red light and turned to face her. “Her mother brought her up to believe that people are for the most part –alike. That kindness and generosity transcend social class and wealth. And that being of noble birth didn’t mean you were necessarily noble,” he replied carefully. He watched her reaction to his words. It was obvious he cared for his sister greatly.

  “Trust me Luca. I don’t know your sister very well, but in my opinion, a true friend is a treasure that not only transcends class and wealth, but also time and distance. I plan to remain in contact with Carmina when I return home. She’s very special.”

  Luca’s hands tightly clutched the steering wheel. “When do you return home?” he asked slowly.

  “My plans are somewhat indefinite,” she replied biting her lip, “but probably not for a couple of weeks yet.” Gaby thought of her quickly depleting bank account and her just as rapidly escalating credit card bills. She would have to find alternate accommodation soon if she planned to stay longer than a fortnight.

  “Your family is all there, in America?”

  “Yes. I have my sisters, my grandfather and lots of other relatives. We’re kind of spread out all over the country though, so we don’t see each other as often as we’d like.”

  “Your parents?”

  “My parents died in a car accident when I was a teenager.” Gaby frowned. “Sometimes …, I can’t believe it was ten years ago. Seems like only yesterday …” Her voice trailed off.

  Luca turned away and gazed out the car window, unable to meet her eyes. He was no good when talk turned all touchy-feely. So what if she’d also experienced tragedy in her life. He didn’t want to hear it. That had nothing to do with the mutual pleasure they could garner from each other.

  It was no wonder that she and Carmina were behaving like Siamese twins. His sister loved to talk about her feelings and was relentless in trying to make him talk about his. She had even tried to get him to go to a therapist at one point to help deal with his anger. His anger. He held onto his anger like a sword against the world. Whenever someone would get too close, he’d wield it without mercy. And that’s just the way he liked it.

  But Carmina was a totally different story. When she loved, it was with her whole heart. He only hoped she wasn’t putting too much faith in this intriguing American woman. Carmina trusted way too easily. And yet, he envied her immensely.

  He envied her congenial nature; her ability to be truthful when dishonesty ran rampant all around her. He envied her easy laugh and self-deprecating sense of humour. And now …, well now, he envied her closeness to Gaby.

  When Gaby had smiled at Carmina it had made him incredibly and unspeakably jealous. Much to Anna Maria’s consternation, he’d watched Gaby’s every move at lunch today. Every touch on Carmina’s arm, every private joke they’d shared, felt like a knife twisting in his gut. After hearing they’d gone shopping together after lunch, he had listened for Carmina’s return to the Villa, to pump her for every last detail. He resented the time they had spent together.

  Gaby touched his arm gingerly. “What about your family? Your mother sounds like a wonderful person.”

  Luca visibly tensed. “Carmina’s mother died fifteen years ago, shortly after my father succumbed to cancer.”

  “I’m so sorry. Carmina’s mother? So she wasn’t …?”

  He spoke through clenched teeth, “No, she wasn’t my mother. Carmina’s mother was my father’s second wife. My mother died when I was four.”

  “Oh.” Gaby could tell that it bothered him to talk about it. She smiled sadly at him. “It’s horrible to lose your parents so young. I cherish the time my sisters and I had with them now. I just wish they’d had more time with us.” She spoke sincerely, squeezing his arm in sympathy. “But I like to think that “only the good die young.” It makes me feel better for some inexplicable reason.”

  She felt him stiffen under her fingers. What had she said? His face had turned to a mask of stone. Something was very, very wrong! The light turned green and Luca revved the engine.

  He looked at her coldly. “Yes, my mother died young,” he sneered, pushing her hand away. “But she was anything but good.”

  The car engine roared and Luca took off at break-neck speed through the streets of Florence. Gaby clutched the sides of her seat in terror. “Please Luca, slow down!” she begged. But her plea fell on deaf ears.

  “Si. My mother was always up for a good time,” he spat, his temper erupting and increasing with every turn of the wheel. “And, apparently very good in bed from what I’ve learned. But as for character? Well, let’s just say, if the good die young, she should have lived forever!”

  Narrowly missing a car turning into a winding lane, he hit the brakes suddenly and brought the car to a complete stop. Gaby was thrown wildly back against her seat.

  “Are you done?” Gaby’s voice shook as she glared angrily at him.

  Luca turned towards her, scowled and said nothing. He was noticeably shaking with rage. A faint sheen of perspiration covered his face.

  “Right!” Gaby countered, releasing her safety belt and jumping out of the car. Stomping down the street, she could hear him at her heels.

  “Where are you going?” he barked after her.

  “Anywhere you’re not!” she called back at him.

  Gaby stopped at the curb and he managed to catch up. Standing side by side, she could tell that he was already calming down. His ragged breathing was getting perceptibly slower. Gaby refused to look at him, but could feel the heat from his cautious glances.

  “What about dinner?” he asked warily. “Carmina will be waiting.”

  She turned on him. “Just like that?” She snapped her fingers. “I’m supposed to forget that you could have killed us both driving like a maniac! After I just told you how my parents died!”

  Luca went quiet and looked away. Of course, she was right to be furious, but no-one had ever criticized him over of his behaviour. Not to his face anyway. This woman provoked feelings in him like no other. Why was it so vital that he make her forgive him his transgressions?

  Taking a steadying breath, all he knew was he needed to placate her any which way that worked. “Please Gaby. Forgive me. I acted stupidly.”

  Gaby held her hand, palm up at him. “Don’t bother apologizing, because quite frankly, it’s just not convincing.”

  “You don’t believe that I’m sorry?” he frowned at her.

  “No I don’t,” she answered frostily.

  Luca didn’t know what to say. He could usually get around most women, but this one was different. She was not affected by him at all. In fact, he had the horrible feeling she didn’t like him. He could tell, she was, for a moment or two, attracted to him. But she didn’t like him. Why was that so surprising? Was he even likeable? If not for the title or the money, he probably wouldn’t have a friend in the world. Hell, if truth be known, he didn’t even like himself.

  He sighed loudly. “Carmina asked me to bring you to the restaurant. I won’t stay for dinner if that makes you feel better,” he stated seriously.

  Gaby didn’t answer.

  “I promise to take you straight there. No speeding, no talking, if that’s what you want?” he said grumpily. His ire was rising.

  Gaby frowned. She imagined that the silent treatment was not popular in Italy. When people got mad they waved their arms around, yelled an
d showed it in no uncertain terms.

  “So, are you coming with me or not?” he snapped. She may not like him, but he wouldn’t accept being ignored.

  “Not,” Gaby replied formally.

  Luca grimaced. “Why do you dislike me so?” he whispered, almost to himself.

  She looked away from the pain that showed so clearly in his eyes. Why did she want to punish this man so badly? He was trying to apologize to her, but she didn’t want to hear it. Was it because he’d hurt her feelings at the party? Was that reason enough? It seemed to run a little deeper than that.

  Gaby had the sneaking suspicion that if she let herself be vulnerable to Count Luca Manetti, she could find herself in big emotional trouble. It was crucial to keep him at arm’s length. It was lucky that he had the natural tendency to annoy her.

  “Please Gaby. Please come to dinner?” Odio, did she want him to beg?

  Gaby steeled herself. “I must say Count Manetti, I’m surprised that you would want to be in the same restaurant, let alone at the same table as a classless, tasteless, social climbing American such as myself. Maybe your taste is slipping.”

  Recognising his own words thrown back at him, Luca’s mouth dropped open.

  “Yes,” she said slowly. “I understand Italian. And I heard exactly what you think about Americans and… what you think about …me.” Her voice faded away.

  The urge to reach out to her was immense. The fact that he actually cared what she thought of him was mystifying. He’d hurt her, and he cared. And he had no idea how to handle a situation such as this. This hunger for her was something that would not be easily sated but it had nothing to do with caring. He wanted her, badly. But he didn’t want to want her.

  She was an American. And he didn’t like or trust Americans. Didn’t she conceal the fact that she’d heard his comments, only to now use them as a weapon against him? An Italian woman would have confronted him at the party. And he probably would have received a smack upside the head for his insults!

 

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