Belle’s fear was palpable. “W-what did he say?”
“I’ll quote you his answer. He said, ‘She had to, but she wanted her little girl more than life itself. A day doesn’t go by that she’s not missing her, wanting to be with her.’”
Belle turned away from him to hide her emotions. Without considering the ramifications, he grasped her shoulders and turned her around to face him. Her body trembled like a leaf in the wind. Earlier when he’d held her, it hadn’t been long enough. This time he drew her against him and wrapped his arms around her.
Her gleaming dark hair tickled his jaw as he murmured, “Whatever plans you’ve already made to fly back to New York will have to be put on hold, because he’s bringing her to my villa tonight for dinner so you two can meet.”
An unmistakable cry escaped Belle’s lips. She tried to get away, but he wouldn’t allow it, and crushed her to him. “She won’t have any idea you’re going to be there. My father believes this is the best way to handle it, and I do, too. He wouldn’t want this if he didn’t believe she’ll be overjoyed. If you need more convincing, I’ll phone and tell him to come over here.”
Belle’s head was burrowed against Leon’s chest, reminding him of the way Concetta sought comfort when she was upset. He rubbed his hands over her back.
“How can you possibly leave and not see her?” he argued. “This is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for all your life. You’ve been so strong. You’ve survived an existence that would have defeated anyone else. Don’t you realize how proud your mother’s going to be of you and what you’ve accomplished?”
“I want to believe it.”
“Would it help if I told you I’m proud of you? When the head of your company sang your praises, I could have told him what a remarkable woman you really are. How you survived in that household is beyond me. The methodical way you’ve gone about trying to find your mother in a foreign country, with no help from anyone but yourself, defies description.”
He heard sniffing. “Thank you for those kind words.”
Belle...
“I’ll wait while you gather all your belongings. For the rest of the time you’re in Italy, you’re going to be my guest. Don’t worry about your rental car. If you’ll leave the key at the desk, one of my staff will return it to the agency. When we arrive at the house, you’ll have the rest of the day to get ready for this evening.”
“You’re far too good to me.”
He pressed his lips against her temple. “Why wouldn’t I be? For you to find your mother with my help after all these years brings me great happiness.” It’s a gift I couldn’t give my daughter, but I can give it to you. “You wouldn’t deprive me of it, would you?”
Slowly she lifted her head. One corner of her lovely mouth lifted. “No. Of course not, but I’m so nervous. What if—”
“Don’t go there,” he interrupted in a quiet voice, kneading her upper arms. “I can promise you that if she knew what was ahead for tonight, her fear would be much greater than yours.
“Papà told me that for years she has grieved because your case was sealed when she gave you up. Even if she could get a court order for information, she’s been afraid you would find it unforgivable, what she did, and would reject her out of hand.”
“Is this the truth?” Fear mixed with hope in Belle’s voice.
“Ask my father. He wouldn’t lie to me and is excited for the two of you to meet. It can’t happen soon enough for either of us.”
“Then he’s truly not upset?”
“Anything but. He believes this reunion will help solve certain problems in his marriage.”
“What do you mean?”
“Her sadness for having to give you up, and his inability to take it away.”
“Oh, Leon...” Belle’s heart was in her eyes.
Unable to deny the attraction, he cupped her face in his hands, but it wasn’t enough. He needed to taste her, and lowered his head, kissing her fully on the mouth. Right or wrong, she’d been a temptation from the outset.
As he coaxed her lips apart, wanting more, he drew a response from her that shot fire through him. What should have been one kiss deepened into another, then another. He should have been able to stop what was happening, but she’d aroused too much excitement in him.
“Belle...” He moaned her name, hungry for her. But in the next instant she tore her mouth from his and backed up against the door. He felt totally bereft. “Why did you pull away from me?”
“Someone has to stop this insanity!” she gasped, obviously trying to catch her breath. “I’m not blaming you. I could have resisted you, but I didn’t because...I enjoyed it.”
An honest woman.
“I could say I didn’t know what got into me, but that would be a lie,” she added. “The fact is I’ve never been this intimate with a man and I forgot myself.”
“You’re saying...”
“Shocking, isn’t it? At twenty-four?” she blurted. “When I didn’t try to stop you, I—I can understand why you kept kissing me. You enjoyed a happy marriage and miss your wife. As for me, I have no excuse, so let’s just agree that this was a physical aberration that shouldn’t have happened, and promise we’ll never find ourselves in this situation again. Promise me, Leon. Otherwise I can’t go through with anything, even if it means never meeting my mother.” She had fire in her eyes.
“I swear I’ll never do anything you don’t want me to do. Does that make you feel any better?”
“No.”
More astounding honesty. “While you pack, I’ll go out to the lobby and take care of the bill.”
She moved away from the door. “I don’t expect you to pay for me.”
“I know. That’s why I want to,” he murmured. She didn’t have a mercenary bone in her beautiful body. Just now her mouth had almost given him a heart attack. Belle Peterson had many parts to her, all of them unexpected and thrilling. After Benedetta died, he thought he’d never desire another woman.
He left the room and paid her account through Sunday, adding a healthy bonus that brought a faint smile to Rosa’s dark eyes.
Belle appeared sooner than he would have thought, carrying her shoulder bag and suitcase. Evidently her nervous anticipation over seeing her mother had made her hurry, but he had a hunch she’d always been a punctual person. Another trait he couldn’t help but applaud.
He took the luggage from her and ushered her out to his car. For the second time in two days he was taking her home. A great deal had changed since yesterday morning, when he’d gone to bed after being up all night with Concetta.
Leon no longer questioned why his assistant’s phone call to the villa had prompted him to get dressed and go down to the bank for an explanation. It appeared there’d been a grand design at work in more ways than one. Even so, the thought raised the hairs on the back of his neck.
CHAPTER FOUR
AN HOUR AFTER getting settled in the fabulous guest bedroom she’d only glimpsed yesterday, Belle heard a tap on the door. She’d been drying her freshly washed hair with her blow-dryer, and turned it off to go answer. Dinner wouldn’t be for another hour.
“The signore sent me to find out if you need laundry service or would like something ironed for tonight,” said the maid standing there.
Belle had never had service like this in her life. Since she wanted to look perfect for her mother, she decided to take advantage of Leon’s incredible hospitality. But she couldn’t forget for a second that his life and the lives of their parents were unique in the annals of Italian history.
“Just a moment, please.”
She hurried over to her suitcase, which he’d placed on a chest at the end of the king-size bed. After opening it, she pulled out the short-sleeved, lime-colored suit with white lapels and white trim.
“Thi
s needs a little touching up to get out the wrinkles,” she explained as she handed it to the maid.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you very much.”
While Belle waited, she finished brushing her naturally curly hair and put on her pearl earrings. Fastening the matching pearl necklace presented problems because she was all thumbs. Tonight would be the culmination of her dreams. Despite Leon’s compliments, the fear that she’d be a disappointment to her mother wouldn’t leave her alone.
She was glad she’d brought her low-slung white heels. When she’d packed for her trip, she hadn’t really imagined having an opportunity to wear them.
Before long, the maid brought Belle’s suit to the bedroom. “The signore said you should join him on the patio whenever you’re ready,” she announced.
Just the thought of him sent Belle’s heart crashing to her feet. She could still feel his mouth on hers, filling her with an ecstasy she didn’t know was possible.
Trying to pull herself together, she thanked the maid again. One more glance in the ornate, floor-length mirror after fastening the buttons, and she felt ready to join her host. Would he approve?
What if he didn’t? Did it matter to her personally?
Yes, it mattered. Horribly. Those moments of intimacy at the pension had been a revelation to her. The way he’d kissed her had brought every nerve ending to life. The fact that he was her stepbrother didn’t matter once they’d crossed the line. What happened between them had shaken her so badly she could hardly function right now, but she had to!
Not wanting to keep Leon waiting, she gave one more glance to the photo she’d placed on the dresser, then left the room and started down the hall. She knew her way out to the patio, but before she reached the open French doors, a darling brown dog rushed over to greet her. As she paused to rub his head, she saw that Leon wasn’t alone.
Her eyes traveled to the dainty, dark blonde baby he held in his arms. She was wearing a pink pinafore and tiny pink sandals, the colors of which stood out against the black silk shirt he was wearing. The child cuddled to his chest couldn’t be more than six or seven months old and possessed features finer than bone china.
He was walking her around the patio. As he talked to her, he kissed her cheek and neck over and over again. The scene with the baby was so sweet it brought hot tears to Belle’s eyes. To be loved like that...
She shivered. She knew what those lips felt like on her mouth. To her shame, she hadn’t wanted him to stop. Right now she longed to feel them against her own neck.
Was the baby his child? Or could she be Dante’s? Belle didn’t know much about his family. Their coloring was so different, given Leon’s vibrant black hair, but his affection for the little girl touched Belle to the core.
He must have sensed Belle’s arrival. When he turned, their gazes fused. She felt him taking in her appearance. In that moment his eyes glowed a crystalline gray that made her legs go weak in response. It was that same smoldering look she’d glimpsed back at the pension after she’d pulled away from him.
“I can see you’ve already met Rufo. Now come and meet my daughter, Concetta.”
“Your baby?” Belle cried in wonder. That explained the love he showered on her. “Oh,” she crooned softly, “you sweet little thing.” She touched the hand clutching her daddy’s shirt.
“I’ve seen a lot of babies in my life at the orphanage, but I never saw one who had your exquisite features and skin. You’re like a porcelain doll.” She looked up at Leon. “She must have gotten those dark brown eyes from her mother.”
“Concetta inherited my wife’s looks.”
“Obviously she was a beauty.”
He pressed a kiss to his daughter’s forehead. “Before you judge me too harshly, I didn’t mention my daughter to you before now because we had a greater issue on our minds. I planned to introduce you after you agreed to follow through and meet Luciana.”
“You don’t have to explain. I understand. Would you think me too presumptuous to ask how your wife died?”
“No. She passed away giving birth.”
“Oh no! How awful for her—for you...” Belle’s gaze traveled back to the baby. “You lost your mommy? No little girl as sweet as you should grow up without your mother. I—I’m so sorry, darling.” Her voice broke. “At least you’ll always know who she was, because you have your daddy, who loved her so much. And you have pictures.”
Without conscious thought Belle kissed that little hand before she looked up at Leon. “What went wrong during the delivery?”
He cuddled his daughter closer. “Soon after our marriage Benedetta was diagnosed with systemic lupus.”
A moan escaped Belle’s lips before she could prevent it. “One of the sisters at the orphanage had that disease.”
He kissed the baby’s head. “My wife was the daughter of the now deceased head of the kennel on my father’s estate. She and I had been friends throughout childhood. Later on, after I came home from college and had been working at the bank for several years, we fell in love, and got married in a small, quiet ceremony, out of the public eye.
“Before long her illness became more aggressive. She developed a deep vein thrombosis in the leg, which was hidden at the time. A piece of blood clot broke off and ended up in her lung. It caused it to collapse, and heart failure followed.”
“Oh, Leon...”
“Concetta came premature. My great sadness was that Benedetta’s life had been snuffed out before she’d been able to hold our baby.”
Belle’s heart ached for them. “Will Concetta get lupus?”
“No. Thankfully, the pediatrician says my daughter is free of the disease. It doesn’t necessarily follow that the child inherits it.”
“Thank heaven!” Belle exclaimed. “How lucky she is to have her daddy! Every girl needs her father.”
Leon’s glance penetrated to the core of her being. “You think it’s possible to do double duty?” he rasped.
In that question, she heard a vulnerability she would never have expected to come from him. The dark prince who’d kissed her hungrily had a weakness, after all. A precious cherub, the reminder of the woman he’d loved and lost. “With her father loving her more than anyone else in the world, she won’t know anything else, and will have all the love she needs, to last her a lifetime and beyond.”
He hugged his daughter tighter. “I hope you’re right.”
“I know I am. Do you think she’d get upset if I tried to hold her?”
“She isn’t used to people except my staff and family. If you try, you’ll be taking your life in your hands, but if you want to risk it...” He didn’t sound unwilling, just skeptical.
“I do.” The operation at the orphanage was such that the older children always helped with the infants and toddlers. Belle had no hesitation as she plucked the baby from his powerful arms.
By now Concetta had started to cry, but Belle whirled around with her and sang a song that so surprised the baby, she stopped crying and looked up at her. The dog followed them. It was then Leon’s little girl discovered the pearls, and grabbed them. Belle laughed gently. “You like those, don’t you.”
At this point Leon attempted to intervene. She felt his fingers against her skin while he tried to remove his daughter’s hands, but she held on tighter. After a slight tug-of-war, the necklace broke and the pearls rolled all over the patio tiles. The sound sent Rufo chasing after them.
“Uh-oh.” Belle chuckled again, because the surprise on the baby’s dear face was priceless. “Where did they go?” Concetta turned her head one way, then another, trying to find them.
“I’m sorry about your necklace, Belle,” Leon murmured, while his gaze narrowed on her mouth. Heat radiated through her body to her face.
“It’s nothing,” she said in a ragged voic
e.
“Once the pearls are gathered, I’ll have them restrung for you.”
“Don’t you dare,” she said, to fight her physical attraction to Concetta’s father, who suddenly looked frustrated. His baby made him so human, her heart warmed to him. “This is costume jewelry I bought for twenty dollars on sale. We don’t care, do we, Concetta.” She kissed her head and kept walking with her, to put Leon out of her mind. Of course, it didn’t work.
“Let’s watch that boat with the red-and-white sail.” She pointed to it, but by now the baby was staring at her. There were no more tears. “I bet you’re wondering who I am. My name is Belle Donatello. I can’t believe I know my last name. Your generous daddy is letting me stay here for a few days.”
I’m staying at my peril.
She lifted her head to find Leon standing a few feet away. “How do you say daddy in Italian?”
“Papà,” he answered in a husky tone.
Belle turned so Concetta could see him. “There’s your papà.”
All of a sudden his daughter started to whimper, and reached for him. Belle closed the distance and gave her back to him. But the baby quickly looked around and kept staring at Belle in fascination.
Leon’s sharp intake of breath reached her ears. “If I hadn’t witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed what just happened.”
“What do you mean?”
“She didn’t break into hysterics with you. Anything but.”
Belle’s mouth curved upward. “I learned in the orphanage that all babies have hysterics. It’s normal. The trick is to get their attention before they become uncontrollable. The sisters were lucky, since between their habits and crucifixes, they were able to quiet the babies down fast. My pearls did rather nicely, don’t you think?”
Leon had a very deep, attractive chuckle. “I think the next time you hold her, you’d better keep her hands away from the pearls in your earlobes. Inexpensive as they might be, the rest of you is...irreplaceable.”
A Marriage Made in Italy Page 6