by Donna Alward
Was it selfish? Maybe. It didn’t really matter now. It was done. She’d ruined the wedding and Stephen’s plan and his guarantees for her family’s business.
And worst of all, she really didn’t like herself at this moment. It had been a coward’s move, and a panicked one. For a woman who considered herself strong and reasonable, jilting a groom at the altar was incredibly out of character.
Maybe, just maybe, that was indicative of her level of desperation, and not a horrible character flaw?
She’d just lifted the cup to her lips again when there was a knock at the door. Gabi frowned; she hadn’t ordered anything else from room service and she hadn’t told anyone where she was going. Not even Giulia.
A peek through the peephole showed William Pemberton, and her stomach turned to ice.
“Gabriella, I know you’re inside. Open the door.”
She swallowed against the lump in her throat.
“This is a hell of a mess you made. I’m here to help you.”
“I doubt that.” She finally opened her mouth and the words came out stronger than she’d anticipated. Good.
“Minimizing the damage from this helps you and Stephen. Now let me in.”
“Is he with you?”
“No. Now open the door.”
She did, because the last thing they needed was to be having a conversation with a door between them, where anyone passing in the hallway could hear.
He stepped inside and she shut the door behind him.
“Nice room.”
She met his gaze. Oh, he was angry. So very angry, and he had a right to be. But she would stand her ground, too. Maybe it was messy but she’d done the right thing.
“I took a basic room, and not a suite, William.”
“Still put it on my brother’s card, though, didn’t you?”
“Is that how you found me?” She didn’t deny the card. Stephen had given it to her several weeks ago, to pay for things for the wedding. She’d planned to use it to get back to Italy and then pay him back every penny. She’d kept all the receipts.
“No,” he answered. “I spoke to your sister.”
Her gaze snapped to his and held. “I didn’t tell her where I was going.”
“She’s your sister. She remembers things. Apparently there’s a movie you like quite a bit, Cinderella.”
The way he said it wasn’t a compliment. And she supposed she deserved it. She’d run from her wedding like Cinderella had run from the ball. Only the prince wasn’t the one roaming the countryside to find her. It was the younger brother of an earl.
“I couldn’t do it, William. I couldn’t marry him. Not when I don’t...when we don’t...” Her voice caught and she turned away, suddenly exhausted despite the injection of espresso.
He let out a sigh behind her. “Dammit, Gabi, I’m angry as hell. I like you, you know. I think you’re a good person. I thought you two were making a mistake, but really? The day of the wedding, after everyone got to the chapel? Why wait so long?”
Tears pricked at her eyes. “I thought I could do it. Mama and Papa...they needed me to go through with the wedding. Having Aurora step in meant security for the business while my father is fighting...” She couldn’t finish the sentence. Even saying the word cancer sent a sick feeling through her body. “Now I’ve ruined it all.”
Afraid of losing her grip on her emotions, she went to the window and looked out over the city.
Daylight was softening, and she took a moment to breathe deeply and regain control. Then she turned around. “What happened at the chapel?”
“Stephen told everyone you’d fallen ill. It’s to buy us some time before we need to make an announcement about rescheduling.”
Alarm skittered down her spine. “Rescheduling? No, William, no... I can’t do that. No, the wedding is off. I promise I’ll pay back what I spent and...and...” And she thought about her ailing father going through cancer treatments, and how they’d stayed in Italy because he was too sick to make the trip for the wedding, and she finally broke down in the way she hadn’t let herself in the weeks leading to this day. What if they lost the company? What if...he died?
Large hands settled on her shoulders and guided her to the table where the coffee service was set up. She sat in the chair and tried to regain her composure. Will sat opposite her and poured himself a cup of the espresso. “Take your time,” he suggested. “I’m guessing you need to get that out.”
She looked up at him through eyes blurred with tears. “Oh, so now you’re nice?”
His dark gaze was steady. “Make no mistake, Gabi. I’m furious. But if you were upset enough to run from the wedding, I’m guessing there are some hefty emotions that need to get out. I’d prefer you do it now so we can make a plan without that messiness getting in the way.”
So not so nice. Instead he was a cold, arrogant jerk. Hah. And she’d always thought him the fun one, and Stephen the serious one. No such luck.
He took out his phone and tapped in a message while she wiped her eyes on a thick white napkin. “What are you doing?”
“Telling Stephen to keep up the story that you’re ill. And then I’m messaging your sister to tell her you’re safe. You left her behind, too, you know. In a strange country where she doesn’t know anyone.”
She wasn’t sure it was possible for a human to feel guiltier than she felt at this moment. “She has Marco with her, and a return ticket for Monday,” she reminded him.
“Yes, and they are now staying at our house. How do you think she feels?”
Gabi got up from the table and spun away, irritation flaring. “Fine, William, I’m a horrible, horrible human. Is that what you want to hear?”
But neither tears nor temper fazed him. “All I’m saying is that there are a lot of moving parts to consider. As far as the world knows, you got food poisoning and were too sick to attend the wedding. We’ll feed snippets to the press. And no one here will talk. I took care of that.”
She resented him even more now. The Pembertons had the money and status to pull all that off, didn’t they?
“Well, I guess you have it all under control.” Even if she’d wanted to, she couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
“Not quite. Making this work means keeping you off the radar and away from the paparazzi. And that means you packing your bag again. You can’t stay here.”
She laced her fingers together, trying to control the unease trickling through her at his tone. “And where do you suggest I go?”
“Not you. We. I’m not letting you out of my sight. So why don’t you order us some dinner while I sort out the arrangements?”
He turned away, effectively dismissing her. If she’d felt that her life was out of her control, she felt it even more intensely now. She was at the mercy of William Pemberton and his family. But she wouldn’t be forever. She’d make sure of it.
CHAPTER TWO
IT WAS DARK when Gabi showed her passport and then followed William to the Aurora, Inc., private jet. Of course they wouldn’t risk flying commercial and being seen. She was being escorted away like a dirty secret, hidden away until there was a plan to “deal” with the situation. The situation being her, of course.
She wanted to be angry about it. And maybe she should. But the truth was, this was a PR nightmare. And she was the one who’d caused it.
The inside of the jet was familiar, yet tonight she felt like an interloper. She’d flown in it before, of course. As Stephen Pemberton’s fiancée, she’d flown from her home in Italy to Paris, and Stephen’s luxurious flat there, and of course to London, where it was a short commute to Chatsworth Hall. Indeed, the plane had been fueled and ready for the honeymoon trip, a week on Malta.
She paused and William came up behind her, letting out a breath of frustration. “What is it now?”
“Sorry. I’ll take my seat. Where are we go
ing again?”
“To the château.”
Right. He’d said France. She should have remembered, but she was exhausted and distracted by everything. As she sank into the buttery leather, she bit her lip. “For how long?”
He shrugged. “A few days, a week? Hard to say.”
A week. She frowned. As long as she could be back home for her father’s surgery, it would be okay.
William had been calling Stephen and the pilot and whoever else he’d needed to call. Gabi had only made two calls. One to her sister, and then one to her parents.
On the first call she’d been completely honest and apologized to Giulia for leaving her stranded. Giulia said the Pembertons were looking after her and not to worry. Of course that was what Giulia would say. She was the peacemaker of the family and would do anything to avoid conflict.
Her parents had been another story. She’d lied to them, and it had hurt. She’d perpetuated the story of her illness and setting a new date. The illness angle kept the call mercifully brief. The guilt, however, had settled like a lead weight in her stomach, and she wasn’t sure it could ever be dislodged. She’d done so much more than lie to them today. She’d thrown away the chance to save their company. If she couldn’t manage in her father’s absence, they might have to sell, which would break his heart. Going into an early retirement was not his plan at all. The partnership with Aurora would have kept it financially stable while he went through his treatments and recovered. She was twenty-eight years old and held an accounting degree—how was she supposed to manage the entire company and navigate it through a tough economy?
Her throat closed over with emotion. She was going to disappoint people, and that hurt her heart.
“What are you thinking?” William asked, sitting across from her and reaching for his seat belt.
“I’m thinking that I’ve ruined everything. My parents...my arrangement with Stephen would have kept everything going and kept the company in my father’s name. Now we’re probably going to have to sell.” She met William’s gaze. “I feel like the most selfish woman on the planet. Even though deep down I know marrying Stephen would have been wrong.”
“Would it have been so bad? Being a countess?”
“Maybe you don’t believe me, but I don’t care about those things. What is being a countess when one is miserable? Not that your brother is awful,” she hurried to add. “But I’m not in love with him, and I can’t imagine being married to someone I don’t love. Even temporarily. I thought I could, but...” She turned away. “Oh, maybe I’m just naive. I probably sound silly and stupid.”
“No, not that,” William said. “I’m mad at you about the mess. But personally, I agree with you. The engagement was foolish. I can’t actually believe that Stephen came up with the idea. He doesn’t usually buckle to pressure. Not even from our mother.”
The plane began to taxi down the runway and Gabi fastened her seat belt across her hips. “He loves her, and he loved his father. She’s grieving for Cedric so much. He wanted to give her hope. A wedding and...and a baby. A grandchild to carry on her husband’s legacy. Is that so bad?” Stephen had made a compelling case. Plus she’d always liked him. They’d first met three years ago. She’d been working with the Baresi accountant with the goal of taking over the financial aspect of the business eventually, and Stephen had been looking in on Aurora suppliers as he took on more responsibility within the company. Stephen had been charming and kind and they’d become friends. On his last trip, she’d confessed her worries to him over a glass or two...or maybe three...of Chianti. He’d come up with the plan.
And he’d said he trusted her because they were friends.
Her cheeks heated, though. Perhaps that was the clincher in the whole decision, really. A marriage of convenience she might have been able to go through with. But bearing Stephen’s child... She wanted children, of course she did. Very much. And Stephen was an honorable man who would honor his promises. But...
But. It always came down to the lack of actual love between them. It was completely platonic on her end, and she suspected on his, too. It was the one thing she couldn’t talk herself around.
“It’s not bad, as an idea. As a plan, though, it’s very... I don’t know. Like something out of those period dramas that Charlotte loves to watch.”
His twin sister, Charlotte, was a doll. “I like your family very much,” she said softly. “They’ve been very good to me. They must hate me right now.”
“As far as they know, you’ve broken Stephen’s heart and caused a scandal.”
“Are you always so blunt?”
“Yes.” But he smiled a little, and a light flickered in his eyes. “There isn’t much room for misinterpretation when one speaks clearly and honestly.”
“I’m not sure if I like it or not. But I thank you for not yelling at me. Or being...too angry.”
They reached altitude and William unbuckled his seat belt and rose, moving to the onboard bar. He took out two glasses and poured a good splash of cognac in each. As he handed her the wide-bowled glass, he smiled. “I think you both dodged a bullet today. This, darling, is simply controlling the story. A week or so in Provence will keep you hidden away from the paparazzi. After that, you can set a new date.” She was about to protest when he held up his free hand. “A date which will never happen. After an appropriate amount of time, the wedding will be quietly called off, you’ll go your separate ways and that will be that.”
So neat and tidy. Should she be grateful that William was taking care of all of it, or angry at having her life dictated yet again? “And what about Baresi Textiles?” she asked, lifting her chin.
He took a healthy sip of his cognac and lifted an eyebrow. “You’ll have to ask Stephen his plans. And maybe wait until his pride’s not in the toilet.”
She sipped her drink, and it made her feel warm and slightly drowsy. She and William didn’t talk anymore. He had taken out his phone and kept rapidly typing in messages. She was unbearably curious, and kept sliding glances his way.
He looked a little like his brother, but there was a difference, too, in the square set of his jaw. His hair was dark brown and cut short and neat, and if he would smile more his eyes would soften from a hard, cold golden brown to something that made her think of waving grasses in autumn fields, a little green, a little brown, but never quite one or the other. Right now he was still in his tuxedo trousers and shirt, though he’d undone the cuffs and rolled up the sleeves, and ditched the tie. The unbuttoned collar drew her eyes to a V of skin, right at the hollow of his throat.
She guessed him to be somewhere around six feet, and like the rest of his family, he had a lean legginess that led to a trim waist and a broader chest and shoulders.
All in all, the Pembertons were a good-looking family, and William was no exception.
It would have been so much easier if she could have actually loved Stephen. But then, he didn’t want to be loved, so it didn’t really matter.
She drank the last drop of cognac and leaned back against the soft seat. It wasn’t long at all and her eyelids were drooping...
* * *
William frowned as he looked over at Gabi as she fell asleep. There was no big shifting to a comfortable position or snuffling or anything. She sat back, her lids grew heavy and she was gone.
Stephen was a fool. Gabriella Baresi was a beautiful woman: smart, a little shy, but what she’d done today? It was an almighty headache, but damn, it was brave. She would have made Stephen a great wife, if he’d let her. But Stephen was an idiot right now, still stinging from his last relationship gone wrong. While most would consider her last question to be cold and calculating, he didn’t think so. She had been going through with this out of a sense of family loyalty and responsibility. Her father was ill. Aurora would have partnered with Baresi for the finest Italian cashmere, in exchange for her father still maintaining control of
the company. Stephen had agreed, with his own preposterous conditions.
William shook his head. The pair of them, trying to live up to parental expectations in the most misguided way. Not that he didn’t understand. He owed everything to both Stephen and their father. His life had been on a dangerous path until the two of them had stepped in and saved him. He hadn’t deserved it. He’d acted like the typical “spare” to the heir, partying too much, getting attention the wrong way, getting in over his head. Stephen could have washed his hands of Will and his antics, but instead he’d stepped in and been Will’s biggest support.
Saint Stephen. The old nickname flitted through his brain, and he frowned. Stephen always did everything right. Will constantly had to prove himself. But he’d brought that on himself, so he shuttered the feelings away and studied the sleeping woman across from him again.
He’d met Massimo Baresi. William seriously doubted that the man knew what bargain Gabi had struck to save their business. He was a proud, smart man going through a horrible time. No, Gabi had taken this on herself, and he thought back to his crack about being a countess. He didn’t think she’d done it for her own personal gain. She’d accepted Stephen for the good of her family, a self-sacrifice. Misguided, but admirable.
He swallowed tightly. She was beautiful. There was no harm in admitting that; it was a fact and he was a fan of facts in general. A piece of hair curled around her heart-shaped face, the same sable color as her thick eyelashes. Her lashes were full and curled up slightly at the ends. Her mouth was relaxed in sleep, delicate lips a soft pink now that she’d chewed her lipstick off.
He’d learned she chewed on her lips when upset or nervous. She’d done it a lot today. Choosing to run hadn’t been easy for her. He rather suspected she’d been pumped full of adrenaline all day. No wonder she’d crashed.
In an hour or so they’d be in France, headed to the Germain château, surrounded by lush gardens and lavender fields. It was the most beautiful place he’d ever been, and now he was going to be there with her for the next week.