by Lucy Gordon
‘He was feeling bad,’ Polly said, unwilling to reveal that there could be another reason for Ruggiero’s hostility to her.
A few minutes later Evie dropped Polly at her hotel, promised that someone would fetch her at seven o’clock that evening, and drove off.
In her room, Polly discovered a problem. She had travelled light, wearing jeans and a sweater, and carrying enough basic clothes for a few days, but nothing that would be suitable for a party.
And I’m not turning up looking like a poor relation, she thought. I think I’ll prescribe myself some shopping!
Even in that less privileged area, the clothes shops had a cheering air of fashion. A happy hour exploring resulted in a chiffon dress of dappled mauve, blue and silver, with a neck that was low enough to be ‘party’ and high enough to be fairly modest. The price was absurdly low. Even more absurd were the silver sandals she bought in the market just outside the hotel.
Glamorous cousin Freda, once married to a multimillionaire, would have turned her nose up at such a modest outfit, but Polly was in heaven.
As she dressed that evening she considered her hair, and decided that it would be more tactful to pin it back.
Perhaps I should have done that this afternoon, but I never thought. He might have forgotten her-no, men never forgot Freda.
For a moment she was back by the track, watching him approach, his face unknowable behind the black visor. What had he seen? What had it done to him to bring him so close to death?
It had felt strange to hold him in her arms, the powerful, athletic body slumping helplessly against her. Vulnerability was the last thing she had expected from Freda’s description.
‘He had enough cocky arrogance to take on the world,’ her cousin had said. ‘It made me think, That’s for me.’
‘But not for long,’ Polly had reminded her quietly. ‘Two weeks, and then you dumped him.’
Freda had given an expressive shrug. ‘Well, he’d have dumped me pretty soon, I dare say. I knew straight off that he was the love-’em-and-leave-’em kind. That was useful, because it meant he wouldn’t give me any trouble afterwards.’
‘Plus the fact that you hadn’t given him your real name.’
‘Sure. I thought Sapphire was rather good-don’t you?’
What Polly had thought of her cousin’s actions was something she’d kept to herself-especially then, when Freda had been so frail, her once luxurious hair had fallen out and the future had been so cruelly plain.
That conversation came back to her now, reminding her of Ruggiero as she’d seen him first, and then later. Cocky arrogance, she thought. But not always.
He’d said Sapphire’s name and reached blindly out to her before he’d controlled himself and pulled back. For him, Sapphire still lived-and that was the one thing Polly had not expected.
A chauffeur-driven car arrived exactly at seven o’clock and swept her out of the city and up the winding road to where the Villa Rinucci sat atop the hill. From a distance she could see the lights blazing, and hear the sounds of a party floating down in the clear air.
Hope came out to greet her eagerly.
‘I feel better now you’re here,’ she said. ‘Our family doctor is also a guest, but he’ll have to leave soon.’
‘I’d better talk to him first,’ Polly suggested, and was rewarded with Hope’s brilliant smile.
Dr Rossetti was an elderly man who’d been a friend of the family for a long time. He greeted Polly warmly, questioned her about her impressions that afternoon, and nodded.
‘He’s always been an awkward so-and-so. Now, Carlo-his twin-if he didn’t want to do what he was told, he’d get out of it with charm, and it would be ages before you saw how he’d outwitted you. But Ruggiero would just look you in the eye and say, “Shan’t!”’
Polly chuckled. ‘You mean he doesn’t bother with any of that subtlety nonsense?’
‘Ruggiero wouldn’t recognise subtlety if he met it in the street. His head has a granite exterior which you have to thump hard to make him believe what he doesn’t want to believe.’
‘And under the exterior?’
‘I suspect there’s something more interesting. But he keeps it a secret even from his nearest and dearest. In fact, especially from his nearest and dearest. He hates what he calls “prying eyes”, so don’t make it too clear that you’re concerned for him.’
‘No, I think I gathered that before,’ she said wryly. She glimpsed Ruggiero across the room and added, ‘From the way he’s moving his left arm I think his shoulder’s hurting.’
‘Yes-you might find it useful to rub some of this into it,’ he said, handing her a tube of a preparation designed to cool inflammation.
‘And I’m sure he has concussion.’
‘I doubt it’s serious, since he seems well able to remember what happened. But he needs an early night. See if you can get him to take a couple of these.’ He handed her some tablets.
‘They might do his headache some good,’ she said, nodding as she recognised them.
‘Headache?’ the doctor demanded satirically. ‘What headache? You don’t think he admits to having a headache, do you?’
‘Leave him to me,’ she said. ‘I’m used to dealing with difficult patients.’
They nodded in mutual understanding. Then something made Polly look up to find Ruggiero watching her, his lips twisted in a smile so wry that it was almost a sneer. Of course he knew they were discussing him, and he wasn’t going to make it easy for her.
Then Evie was by her side, taking her to meet the family. Carlo and Della, the newlyweds, had left for their honeymoon, but everyone else was there. While Polly was sorting out the clan in her mind, Hope appeared beside her.
‘Let me take you to Ruggiero.’
‘Better not,’ Polly said. ‘If he’s expecting me to descend on him like a nanny, that’s exactly what I’m not going to do.’
Hope nodded. ‘You’re a wise woman. Oh, dear! Why do men never listen to wise women?’
‘I suppose the other kind are more fun,’ Polly said with amusement. ‘Let him wait and wonder. I think I should meet some more people, just to show I’m not watching him.’
Hope took her around the room to meet the older, more distant members of the extended Rinucci clan. They all greeted her warmly, and seemed to know that she was there to look after one of their number. They were kind people, and open in their appreciation.
It didn’t take long for Polly to understand that they were taking their cue from Hope, who was the centre of the whole family, a charming tyrant, exercising her will so lovingly that it was easy to underestimate her power. Toni’s fond eyes followed her everywhere.
After a while Polly became aware of a glass being pressed into her hand. Looking up, she saw Ruggiero, surveying her grimly.
‘It’s only mineral water,’ he said. ‘Since I take it you’re not allowed to drink on duty?’
‘On duty?’
‘Don’t play dumb with me. You’re here to fix your beady eyes on me in case I go into convulsions. Sorry to disoblige, but I’m having a great time.’
‘A man with cracked ribs is never having a great time.’
‘Who says I have cracked ribs?’
‘You do-every time you touch your left side gingerly. I’ve seen that gesture before. Often enough to know what it means.’
‘And you think you’re going to whisk me away to a hospital-?’
‘There’s no need. If you’ll only-’
‘Once and for all,’ he said, with a touch of savagery, ‘there is nothing wrong with me.’
‘For pity’s sake, what are you trying to prove?’
‘That I’m fine-’
‘Which you’re not-’
‘And that I don’t need a nanny,’ he growled.
‘A nanny is just what you do need,’ she said, coming close to losing her temper. ‘In fact I never saw a man who needed it more. No-scrap nanny. Let’s say a twenty-four-hour guard, preferably armed with
manacles. Even then you’d manage to do something brainless.’
‘Then I’m beyond help, and you should abandon me to my fate.’
‘Don’t tempt me,’ she said through gritted teeth.
She waited for a sharp answer, but it didn’t come. Looking at him, she saw why. He sat down, slowly and heavily, leaning his head back against the wall. She just stopped the glass falling from his fingers.
‘Time to stop pretending,’ she said gently.
For a moment Ruggiero didn’t answer. He looked as if all the stuffing had been knocked out of him. At last he turned his head slowly, to look at her out of blurred, pain-filled eyes.
‘What did you say?’
‘I said it’s time to go to bed.’
Hope appeared, looking anxious. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Ruggiero has told me he wants to go to bed,’ Polly informed her.
‘Did I?’ he asked.
‘Yes,’ she said firmly. ‘You did.’
He didn’t argue, but gave the shrug of a man yielding to superior forces and rose slowly to his feet. Then he swayed, and was forced to rest an arm quickly on Polly’s shoulder. She heard him mutter something that she didn’t understand, but she guessed it was impolite. Hope gave a signal, and at once Ruggiero’s brothers appeared, taking charge of him.
‘I’ll come and see you when you’re in bed,’ Polly told him.
He groaned. ‘Look, I don’t think-’
‘I didn’t ask what you thought,’ she told him quietly. ‘I said that’s what I’m going to do. Please don’t argue with me. It’s a waste of time.’
The young men wore broad grins, and the braver among them cheered. Then they caught their mother’s eye, and hastily escorted their injured brother to bed.
CHAPTER THREE
POLLY gave them fifteen minutes before entering Ruggiero’s room, where he lay in bed, now dressed in dark brown silk pyjamas. Hope sat beside him.
‘That headache’s pretty terrible, isn’t it?’ Polly asked sympathetically.
‘You could say that,’ he said in a painful whisper.
‘This will make it better and give you some sleep.’ She opened one hand, showing him a couple of pills, and held up a glass of water in the other.
This time he didn’t argue, but struggled up and swallowed the pills, and lay back at once, eyes closed.
‘He’ll be better in the morning,’ Polly assured Hope. ‘Why don’t you go back to your guests?’
‘I don’t like to leave him alone.’
‘Don’t worry-he won’t be alone,’ Polly said. ‘I’m staying here.’
‘Are you sure that-?’
Hope checked herself suddenly, and a strange look came over her face. Her children could have told her that it meant Mamma was hatching a plot, but Polly, seeing it for the first time, was merely puzzled.
‘Of course you’re right,’ Hope said. ‘I know he’s safe with you.’
She gave Polly a peck on the cheek and hurried out. Polly turned out all the lights except one small lamp, and went to the window. From there she could see light as the guests spilled out into the garden. Luckily the double glazing deadened the sound, although she doubted if he would have heard anything for a while even without that.
He stirred, groaning softly, and she returned to the bed.
‘It’s all right,’ she said. ‘I’m here. Let it go.’
She could hardly have said what she meant by those words, but he seemed to understand them at once and became quiet. She drew up a chair and sat close to the bed, leaning forward to whisper, ‘Let it go. There’ll be time later. But for now-let her go.’
He gave no sign of hearing, so she couldn’t tell if he’d heard the subtle change she’d made in the words.
One by one Ruggiero’s family looked in. Sometimes they spoke to her in whispers; sometimes they merely smiled. Hope opened the door quietly and stood watching Polly by the bed, her eyes fixed on Ruggiero. She waited a long time for Polly to move, then smiled, nodded to herself, and backed out, unseen.
A few minutes later Evie wheeled in a small trolley, laden with party food, plus wine, mineral water, and a pot of tea. Polly drank the tea thankfully. Tonight looked like being a two-pot problem.
Ruggiero lay without moving and she sat beside him, relieved that he seemed calm at last. When she was sure he was resting properly she rose and crossed again to the window. It was now quiet enough for her to risk opening it and looking out to where the last of the guests were drifting into the cars that would take them away, waving goodbye to Hope and her husband Toni.
She was about to draw back when another car drew up. The driver got out and pulled a bag from the back seat, showing it to Hope, who made a gesture of satisfaction.
Then Polly stiffened and leaned out further, frowning as she recognised the bag as her own, and the truth dawned on her. Hope had sent someone to the hotel to bring her things here-and she’d done it without so much as a by-your-leave.
Toni glanced up, saw her, and nudged Hope, who also looked up. In the lamplight Polly saw her smile in a slightly guilty way, and shrug as if to say, What else could I do?
She drew back, closing the window, and a minute later Hope was there at the door, beckoning her into the corridor.
‘Don’t think badly of me,’ she begged, ‘but you are so good for Ruggiero I had to make sure he had you looking after him all the time.’
‘So you just hi-jacked me?’ Polly observed mildly.
‘We will make you very welcome here,’ Hope promised, avoiding a direct answer. ‘You’ll be paid, and of course your hotel bill has been taken care of. Please don’t be angry with me.’
Her manner was placating, but it was clear that Hope Rinucci had simply taken the shortest route to getting her own way. Polly was more amused than annoyed. For one thing, moving into the villa would be helpful for her mission.
Just down the corridor she heard a door open, and the chauffeur went into the room next to Ruggiero’s with her suitcase.
‘I think you’ll be comfortable here,’ Hope said, leading her inside. ‘You have only to ask for anything you want.’
After the cramped poverty of the hotel, the luxury of this room was a pleasant change. The double bed looked inviting, and there was extensive wardrobe space and a private bathroom. This was the home of a wealthy family. Ruggiero’s own bedroom, though severe and reflecting a masculine taste, was furnished with the finest of everything.
Polly took a quick moment to unpack her few clothes, then changed her party outfit for jeans and flat shoes. For her top she chose a plain white blouse that she hoped would make her look nurse-like. Then she returned to Ruggiero and prepared to settle down for the night.
Hope looked in one last time, and after that the lights went off and the house grew silent. Slowly the hours ticked away, and Polly’s eyelids began to droop. It had been a long day, filled with incident, and weariness was catching up with her.
Suddenly her body gave a little jerk and her eyes flew open. She breathed out hard and forced herself to wake up properly. Then she realised that Ruggiero was looking at her. She thought he was smiling faintly, but in the dark it was hard to be sure.
‘All right?’ he asked.
‘Was I asleep long?’
‘About ten minutes.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t apologise. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who finds things happening that weren’t planned.’
He hauled himself up painfully in the bed.
‘I think I ate something that disagreed with me-or drank something. Can you help me to the bathroom?’
He put an arm around her shoulder and she steadied him as far as the bathroom door, where he gingerly felt his ribs.
‘You may have been right,’ he conceded. ‘I’m not saying you were, but you might have been. I’ll manage from here.’
When he came slowly out she’d remade the bed and put on the small lamp. She reached out to help him but he wave
d her away.
‘I’m feeling a bit more human now my stomach’s settled. Ah, that’s better.’
He lay down and let her pull the duvet over him.
‘How’s the pain?’ she asked gently.
‘My head isn’t too bad, but my shoulder and side feel as if they’ve been bashed with a sledgehammer.’
‘It’s time for a couple more pills. But they don’t mix well with alcohol, so no more drinking until you’ve stopped taking them.’
‘When will that be?’
‘When I say,’ she told him with quiet authority.
He took them from her, and accepted a glass of water, as docile now as he’d been aggressive before. When he lay back she turned out the lamp again, so that the only light in the room was the soft touch of moonlight.
‘There’s something different about you,’ he said suddenly. ‘You’ve changed your clothes.’
‘Yes, I’m here for a few days. I’ve checked out of my hotel and into the room next door.’
‘How did Mamma persuade you to do that?’
‘Good heavens-you don’t think she asked me first, do you?’
He gave a short bark of laughter that ended in a gasp of pain. ‘Of course. I should have remembered Mamma’s way. When did you find out?’
‘When my things arrived.’
‘I’m sorry. Just taking you over like that-what about your holiday?’
‘That doesn’t matter,’ she said hastily. ‘Go to sleep now.’
He stared at her for a while before saying vaguely, ‘Was it you by the track?’
‘Yes, it was me.’
‘Are you sure? No-that’s stupid-I mean-’
‘Who did you think it was?’ she risked saying.
‘What?’
‘I need to know how much you can remember. It’ll tell me how serious your concussion is.’
‘I did several laps and everything was all right. But then-’ He took a long, shaking breath. ‘Why did you come onto the track?’
‘I didn’t.’
‘But you did. You were walking straight towards me, and your hair was blowing in the wind. I could have ridden right over you, but you didn’t seem to realise that. You were smiling-like the time-’