Return of Her Italian Duke

by Rebecca Winters

  “Thank you. You’ll be saving my life.”

  “Let me give you instructions how to get here. My car will be out in front.”

  “I’ll find you.”

  Half an hour later her darling friend came running to the door and they hugged.

  “Come and sit down on the love seat. You’re the last person I expected to see for a long time.” She sat on the chair across from her friend, whose shoulders were shaking while she tried to hold back tears. “Talk to me, Filippa.”

  “Oh, Gemma—”

  “I can’t believe you didn’t get the position.”

  “I did get it—but I was so homesick, I knew I couldn’t live there. If I’d had a chance to work in New York, I know it would have affected me the same way. All this time I thought I wanted to go to someplace new in the world and make my mark. By the time my orientation was over, I had to tell the owner I couldn’t take the job.”

  Little did she know Gemma had told Vincenzo she couldn’t accept the position. Twice, in fact! But not for the same reason.

  “I felt terrible about it, but he was very nice. Do you know what’s funny? He’d moved there from Hong Kong to start a new restaurant that’s very successful.”

  That was funny, but Gemma didn’t laugh and moved over to put an arm around her. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m okay, but I’m embarrassed to go home and tell the family their daughter who’s never going to get married is a great big baby.”

  “No, you’re not. Vincenzo and I have spent the last nine days in Paxos on a beach. If I thought I had to go there alone, beautiful as it is, and cook at a restaurant with no friends or family for thousands of miles, I couldn’t do it.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “I wouldn’t lie about something like that.”

  Her brows lifted. “This trip you took. Does it mean—”

  “No. We haven’t been together like that. I’m not sure we ever will be now, but I’ll talk to you about it later. Let’s concentrate on you. You’re welcome to stay with me on the couch for as long as you want.”

  “I wouldn’t do that to you, but if you’re willing to put me up for one night, I’ll leave for home tomorrow.”

  “You’ve got to stay a couple of days at least. I don’t have to be to work until Monday.”

  “You always make me feel good.”

  “Ditto. To be truthful, you couldn’t have shown up at a better time for me. Vincenzo and I had to come home early from our vacation. His uncle died and he has to be with Dimi to plan the funeral. Come in the kitchen. I made a salad for us.”

  “Oh, it’s so great to see you! What on earth was I thinking to go off, when the world I love is right here?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to convince Vincenzo of. He’s planning to renounce his title, something that’s part of him. I don’t want him to do that, not for me nor for himself.

  “Filippa—he doesn’t think he’s a whole man because of it. Somehow he’s got to develop faith in himself that he can be a good man and a good duca at the same time. I couldn’t marry him knowing he was giving it up partly because of me. The problem is, I’ve agreed to stay on at the castello for three months no matter what happens. I’m praying that in that amount of time he’ll begin to see what I see.”

  They ate and later went to a movie. After they got back around nine, her phone rang. It was Vincenzo. With her hand shaking, she picked up and said hello.

  “Gemma? I’ve been busy making arrangements for the burial and haven’t talked to Dimi yet. If you haven’t heard from him by now, then I would imagine he has decided against your staying with my aunt. I’ll see you at the castello on Monday. Takis is calling a meeting.”

  She pressed a hand to her heart. “I’ll be there.” She fought the tremor in her voice. “Thank you again for the trip of a lifetime, Vincenzo.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Buonanotte.”

  Click.

  Gemma made up a bed for Filippa on the couch, then pulled back the covers to get into her own bed. There’d been no life in Vincenzo’s voice. Her grief had gone way beyond tears.

  As she slid beneath the bedding, her phone rang again. This time the caller ID reflected an unknown number. She answered it with a frown. “Pronto?”

  “Gemma? It’s Dimi.” She couldn’t believe it. “I’ve decided I would like you to be here with Mamma while I’m gone. I called the castello for your address and phone number.” Not Vincenzo? “I’ll be by for you at eight o’clock in the morning.”

  Joy. “I’m honored and I’ll be ready.”

  After she got off the phone, she ran into the living room and told Filippa. “I want you to stay. I won’t be gone for more than a couple of hours.”

  “All right.”

  Like the night before, Gemma didn’t get much sleep. The next morning she showered early and put on the one black dress she had in her wardrobe. It had capped sleeves and a slim skirt. Nothing fancy, but she felt it was appropriate.

  Her friend had gotten busy in the kitchen and fixed them a delicious breakfast. When Dimi came for her, she didn’t know who looked more surprised, him or Filippa.

  It was very interesting to feel the aura that surrounded two stunned, beautiful people before Gemma introduced them. Dimi wore a black mourning suit. Filippa had put on a summer dress in a small blue-and-white print, bringing out the intensity of her blue eyes.

  When Gemma explained why Filippa was there, he turned to her friend. “Please come with us so Gemma doesn’t have to sit alone.”

  “I don’t want to intrude in such a private matter.”

  “You’re her best friend. We have no secrets and it’s no intrusion. If you’re ready, let’s go.”

  They walked out to the black limousine with the insignia and coat of arms of the Duca di Lombardi. When they got in the back, Dimi placed himself across from them with his long legs crossed at the ankles. All the way to the palazzo, Gemma sat there in wonder as he and Filippa talked quietly, sharing small confidences so naturally, it surprised her.

  By the time they reached their destination, Gemma was convinced something of consequence was happening between them. Dimi’s eyes never left her face. As for Filippa, her expression had to have mimicked Gemma’s the first time she’d seen the dashing, grown-up Vincenzo in the office at the castello. If any man ran a close second to Vincenzo, it was his cousin.

  He led them inside his mother’s bedroom. A health care worker sat beside the bed. Dimi showed the two of them to comfortable upholstered chairs in a corner of the room. He made arrangements for food and drinks to be brought to the small table if they wanted them.

  Gemma squeezed his hand. “God bless you today, Dimi.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Thank you for doing this.” His eyes swerved to Filippa. The look he gave her friend was a revelation. “Thank you for coming with her. I won’t be long.”

  * * *

  A cloudy sky above the opening in the forest didn’t allow the sunlight to shine on the casket. Vincenzo and Dimi stood side by side holding long-stemmed yellow roses while Father Janos delivered the funeral prayer.

  “Here we have gathered in memory of Alonzo Trussardi Gagliardi, second in line to the Duca di Lombardi, so that we may together perform one final duty of love. As an act of remembrance, we have gathered to place his remains here in this sacred resting spot. In so doing, we trust that somehow what was best in his life will not be lost, but will rejoin the great web of creation.

  “May the truth that sets us free, and the hope that never dies, and the love that casts out fear be with us now until dayspring breaks and the shadows flee away. We have been blessed by life—go in peace. Amen.” He made the sign of the cross.

  Dimi placed his rose on the casket, then Vincenzo. They both thanked the priest and had just
started to walk away when Dimi said, “Let’s go over to your father’s grave before we drive back to the palazzo.” He pulled two more long-stemmed roses from a planter vase for them.

  Vincenzo hadn’t visited it since he’d been back in Italy. He hadn’t ever planned to take a last look, but something fundamental had changed in him since he’d been with Gemma. All their long talks about the past had forced him to delve deep inside himself for the first time in ten years. Perhaps it was time.

  His father’s grave was behind a nearby tree. They looked at the writing on the headstone. Was it possible that all the evil had been buried with him and hadn’t been handed down to Vincenzo? He wanted to believe it. He wanted to believe Gemma, whose soul had been in her eyes when she’d begged him to keep the title and do great things with it. If he thought he could...

  Dimi turned to him. “Gemma gave me a piece of advice earlier.”

  Gemma again, Vincenzo mused. She’d had a profound effect on both of them.

  “She said not to let our fathers’ misdeeds stain our lives. Though my father was never the duca, he’d always hoped to be one day. But no matter what, being the offspring of the old duca didn’t make him or your father who they were. It was a flaw in them. She was right, you know?”

  With those words he placed his rose at the base of the stone. Clearly Dimi had forgiven both their fathers.

  Gemma had forgiven them, too. She’d seen the example of the old duca and she believed in Vincenzo. That belief caused an epiphany in him.

  As he stood there, he realized his faith in himself had been restored. Stunned and humbled, he put his own rose by the headstone. Then they walked back to the limousine. Vincenzo had come to the cemetery in his car parked behind the limo.

  “I’ll follow you to the palazzo, Dimi. I don’t want you to be alone today.”

  His cousin eyed him oddly. “I won’t be. Gemma and her friend are there. I picked them up early this morning so they could sit with Mamma.”

  Vincenzo reeled from the news. “What friend?”

  “Filippa. I’m sure she’s told you about her.”

  “Yes, but I thought she was in Canada interviewing for a pastry chef position.”

  “It seems it didn’t work out and she came back last evening.”

  “A lot has gone on since I dropped Gemma off yesterday.”

  Dimi nodded. “I told you we talked while you were with Mamma. Something she said, plus what Father Janos said today, has decided me against renouncing the title.”

  Vincenzo knew the line he was talking about. It had struck a chord with Vincenzo, too.

  “Remember the part, ‘We trust that somehow what was best in his life will not be lost, but will rejoin the great web of creation’? Gemma convinced me there’s a lot you and I can do if we keep our titles to create something really good to repair the damage. In my soul I know she’s right.” He opened the rear door. “I’ll see you back at the palazzo, cousin.”

  Vincenzo stood there for a few minutes pondering everything. Little did Dimi know he’d been preaching to the converted. In time he broke free of his thoughts long enough to jump in his car. He took off behind Dimi, intending to talk to Gemma as soon as possible.

  Dimi was waiting for him in the courtyard when he pulled in. “Have you ever met Gemma’s friend?” Dimi asked as they went inside.

  Vincenzo hadn’t expected that question. His cousin’s decision not to renounce his title had been superseded by something else—like the fact that Dimi had a woman on his mind when they’d just laid his uncle to rest.

  “Not yet.”

  Once they entered the palazzo, he followed him through the house to his aunt’s bedroom. There he found Gemma and her friend talking quietly to one of the health care workers.

  The older woman said Consolata had been resting comfortably all morning, which was a relief. Vincenzo tore his gaze from a pair of green eyes to a pair of blue ones. He had to agree with Gemma’s assessment—with that coloring, Filippa was a knockout. Dimi told them to come to the sunroom. When they stood up, he noticed Signorina Gatti was a little shorter than Gemma, but just as curvaceous.

  Outside in the garden, formal introductions were made. The maid served them iced tea and sandwiches. Dimi wasn’t inclined to talk about the funeral service. If anything he seemed intrigued by Filippa and asked her about her trip to Canada.

  Vincenzo took advantage of the moment to get Gemma alone. “We need to talk. How long is your friend going to be with you?”

  “She’s driving back to Florence tomorrow.”

  “I’ll take the two of you to your place as soon as you’re ready to leave. Hopefully we’ll find time to be alone tomorrow after she’s gone.”

  Before he could hear her answer, Dimi had walked over. “I’ve told Filippa I’d like to drive her back to the pensione later. What are your plans?”

  This day wasn’t going the way Vincenzo had imagined at all. He’d thought he might be able to console his cousin, but it didn’t look like he needed it. Under the circumstances, nothing could have suited Vincenzo better than to get Gemma alone without offending her friend. He had something vital to tell her.

  Gemma gave Filippa the key to the pensione. They all said goodbye and Vincenzo walked out to his car with Gemma. But when they left the heart of the city, he turned onto the A8 motorway.

  Her head jerked around. “Where are we going? This isn’t the way to Sopri.”

  “First you need to answer a question for me. What magic did you weave on Dimi that has caused him to want to keep his title? He has spent a lifetime telling me he despised it.”

  “I’m glad he feels that way.” She sounded overjoyed.

  He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Was that your plan? To get him on your side so he’d try to influence me?”

  “I’d do anything to get you on my side! I’ve finally realized why you don’t want to keep the title. You think you can’t be a whole person unless you renounce that part that has pained you. But don’t you see? You’ve already done so many things for the community, for your country since you’ve come back. You’re an extraordinary man by being exactly who you are. I don’t want you diminished in any way, shape or form. I love you, Vincenzo, title and all.”

  He didn’t know where to go with his emotions. It seemed he didn’t have to explain how his feelings had changed about the title and the good he could do with it. “I’m glad you feel that way, because I’ve decided to keep it. Does that mean you’ll marry me?” This was the last time he was going to ask.

  “Yes, yes, yes!”

  CHAPTER TEN

  JOY ROCKED VINCENZO’S WORLD, but he groaned aloud. “Gemma—what a time to tell me! I’m driving and can’t pull over right now. The summer traffic will be bumper to bumper like this all the way to Lake Como.”

  “That’s where we’re going?”

  “If we can ever get there. Everyone’s trying to leave Milan at the same time.”

  An infectious giggle came out of her, a happy sound he hadn’t heard in years. “We’ve practiced self-control for the last few weeks. Another hour won’t kill us.”

  “You mean two. It’s killing me, you beautiful witch.” He reached for her hand and clung to it.

  “I want to marry you, Vincenzo. I’m crazy, madly, terrifyingly in love with you. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get my head on straight. Please—while you can’t touch me and I can’t make love to you—tell me where we’re going to live. I want to know everything. Will we fly back and forth from here to New York every few months? The suspense is killing me.”

  “One answer at a time. We’re going to live here permanently.”

  “You really mean it?” That was pure happiness he heard in her voice. “Where is here, exactly?”

  “That’s what I want to show you.”
r />   “You mean at Lake Como?”

  “The first night in Greece, when we were on the beach, you said that to live surrounded by water would be paradise. I’ve always wanted to live by water, too. There’s a place I’ve had my eye on for the last six months, never dreaming I’d find you again. And it’s not too far from the castello.”

  “I’ve never been to Lake Como. Have you already bought it?”

  “No. The Realtor has been holding it for me, but my time is almost up.”

  “What town is it in?”

  “Cernobbio, in the foothills of the Alps, where the scenery truly is magnificent.”

  “Is it as fantastic as I’m imagining it is?”

  “You’ll have to wait and see. I’m sure your mother will love it. She’ll be living with us, wherever we are. When the traffic is light, it’s only a little over an hour’s drive from Milan. There’s a private dock on the lake, so we’ll have to buy a boat.”

  “She doesn’t know about us yet.”

  “I didn’t think she did. When will she be back from her trip?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “That’s perfect. We’ll drive to Florence tomorrow and tell her we’re getting married. She loves you enough to want what you want. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to her our marriage will work. But the ceremony has to happen before the grand opening, so we only have a few days left to plan it.”

  “I’m so happy, I feel like I’m going burst!”

  “Don’t do that while we’re still in this traffic.”

  She grabbed onto his arm. “When we’re married, if the traffic is too horrible to drive home, we can always go upstairs to the tower room, and we’ll hibernate while I feed you sfogliatelli. No one will know where we are.”

  Vincenzo didn’t know how much longer he could last without pulling Gemma onto his lap. “The one thing we won’t have at Lake Como is a beach. Almost no property has beachfront.”

  “There’s only one beach I want. It’s in Greece. You’ve spoiled me. I know I’m dreaming. Do you care if I keep working?”