Celeste gave a light laugh. ‘Don’t try acting innocent! I wish I had never agreed to bring you here now. I should have realised, should have known better. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to break up a situation like this, Cesare. Suzanne has a habit of taking men to her bedroom. For what, I’m sure you can work out for yourself.’
Suzanne stared at her dazedly. What was Celeste doing? What was she saying? She shook her head. ‘You’re wrong about this situation, Celeste, totally wrong. I don’t know why you’re saying these things, why you’re telling such lies.’ She looked to Cesare for help, but he had withdrawn back into being the Conte Martino. How could he change so rapidly! She was still trembling from the passion they had shared. ‘Cesare!’ she begged chokingly.
‘It’s no good pretending any longer, Suzanne. I have to tell Cesare your real reason for being here.’ Celeste turned to look at him. ‘Suzanne has been ill, yes, but the reason she was ill was because of an unhappy affair with a married man. The man finally drew the line at leaving his wife for her and Suzanne just couldn’t take it. I finally had to bring her away to stop her making an absolute fool of herself about him.’
‘That’s a lie!’ Suzanne burst out. ‘It’s all lies. You can’t believe her, Cesare? I’ve never had an affair with a married man, I’ve never had an affair with any man!’
Cesare’s mouth had tightened into stern lines. ‘You do not have to proclaim your innocence to that extreme. I am well aware that today’s trends do not allow for morals.’
‘I’m glad you see my point of view,’ cut in Celeste silkily. ‘Suzanne has this ridiculous idea of getting herself a rich man, preferably a single one.’
Those grey eyes narrowed even more as he looked at the elder woman. ‘I did not say I did see your point of view,’ his voice was icy. ‘She might just have succeeded if you had not come bursting in here just now without knocking.’
Celeste gasped. ‘You can’t mean that? Suzanne is only a child!’ Her blue eyes were becoming stormy.
His mouth quirked with mocking humour. ‘But what a child!’
Celeste turned away as she began to realise things weren’t going as she had planned them to. She had received the shock of her life a few minutes earlier when she had walked in here and found Suzanne held very. securely in Cesare Martino’s arms. She had come up here to gloat over Vidal asking her to accompany him to the theatre instead of Suzanne, and this was what she had found. Suzanne was spoiling things for her for good, and while she knew her bitchiness might thwart her own plans in this direction, she had no intention of letting Suzanne get away with her duplicity.
‘And you’re wrong about my knocking, Cesare.’ She regained her composure. ‘It appears you were both too—busy to hear me.’
Cesare nodded haughtily. ‘You could be right.’
‘We weren’t busy at all,’ interrupted Suzanne.
Celeste raised a mocking eyebrow. ‘Weren’t you? Well, let’s say you were giving a very good impression of it.’
‘You’re being ridiculous,’ she said, outraged. ‘Both of you are. You’re arguing about me as if I’m an inanimate object. I don’t know why you’re lying, Celeste—well, perhaps I do.’ But she couldn’t reveal in front of Cesare that as far as her stepmother was concerned he was her exclusive property. ‘But I won’t stand for it. I wish I’d never let you back into my life, wish I’d stayed in Manchester where I understood the people and the rules they live by.’
‘Like having an affair with a married man,’ Celeste said bitchily, her blue eyes almost spitting her dislike.
Suzanne looked appealingly at Cesare. ‘She’s lying!’ she cried. ‘Believe me, Cesare, she’s lying.’
He smiled at her, but it didn’t quite reach the depths of those grey eyes. ‘You are making too much of this thing, both of you. I did not ask for virginity when I kissed Suzanne,’ he told them coldly. ‘It was a kiss, no more. And if I choose to kiss her again I do not think it is anything to do with you, Celeste.’ His voice had hardened into anger.
‘Oh, but—’
‘Leave it. I just want you to realise that one dinner together does not entitle you to question my movements.’
‘But I—’
‘You will not interfere again!’ he snapped, before turning to look at the pale Suzanne. He held up the key to her room. ‘Remember what I said about this.’ He dropped the key softly on to the side table and after giving one last cold look in Celeste’s direction, let himself out of the room.
‘Well!’ she exploded, her face flushed with anger. ‘The nerve of the man! And I actually had him picked out to be my husband. Bossy overbearing individual!’
‘You did give him reason—’
‘Reason be damned! He shouldn’t have been in your room to start with. It isn’t decent at six o’clock in the evening.’
Suzanne smiled wanly at her outrage. ‘I suppose if it had been eleven o’clock then it would have been decent?’
‘Don’t be facetious! How could you give him the key to your room?’ Celeste demanded. ‘If you have to have a wild fling with a man at least hold out for a respectable period.’
‘I didn’t give him the key.’ Suzanne shook her head wearily.
‘Then where did he get it? No, don’t answer that,’ she put up a hand. ‘I don’t want to hear any more. You’ve ruined any chance I may have had, with him.’
‘And you’ve just done the same for me with your lies.’ She should feel like shouting and screaming at this scheming woman, but somehow she just didn’t have the energy.
‘I realise that. But he would eat someone like you for breakfast, you just aren’t experienced enough to cope with someone like him. Although you have more experience than I would have given you credit for. Just what have you been doing the last three years to have the knowledge to handle someone like Cesare Martino? He’s no immature youth. And he wants you, doesn’t he, Suzanne?’
She blushed at her candidness. ‘Just how long were you in my room before you made your presence known?’
Celeste smiled knowingly. ‘Long enough. And soon enough to stop you making a fool of yourself.’ She smoothed her skirt. ‘Well, if you will excuse me now, I have to go and get myself ready. Vidal took your advice and invited me to the theatre in your stead. It seems you’ve lost his affection.’
‘And Cesare’s,’ she choked. ‘When you do something, you really do it well, don’t you?’
‘You finished things yourself with Vidal,’ she touched her hair. ‘And I just didn’t see why you should have it easy with Cesare. I didn’t realise when I brought you here that you would ruin all my earefully laid plans. Six months it took me to get the money together for this holiday and to work out exactly when Cesare would be here. And it all went out the window the first time I saw the two of you together. He wanted you then, he’s always wanted you. But I still have Vidal,’
she smiled to herself. ‘He’s more my type, I suppose, and just as rich.’
‘Vidal?’ Suzanne was astounded.
‘Mm,’ Celeste nodded. ‘We’re about the same age, we appreciate the same things, and most of all—he likes me.’
Suzanne laughed chokingly. ‘You’re incorrigible, Celeste! You really don’t give a damn, do you?’
‘Oh, but I do.’ Celeste patted Suzanne’s shoulder. ‘You’ll see. If Cesare likes you enough he’ll be back.’
Suzanne slumped down on the bed after Celeste had left. She was right, Cesare would be back, but what did he expect of her when he came back? The key on the table seemed larger than life and she moved hurriedly away from it. Cesare had made his position perfectly clear. He wanted her, as Celeste so rightly said, but that was all he did want. She, as a person, didn’t interest him in the slightest. So much had happened to her today, Cesare kissing her, her argument with Vidal, and now this scene with Celeste, so much that she didn’t know what she wanted. But one thing she knew for sure, she wasn’t going to become Cesare’s plaything, even if she did love him.
&
nbsp; She lay back on her bed, her hands behind her head as pillows. Cesare’s kisses made time stand still, made her feel as if the whole world shook beneath her feet, and the sky was aflame. Deep penetrating kisses that she knew would always evoke a response within her.
But he believed her to be something she wasn’t, had all too readily accepted Celeste’s story of her affair with a married man. Even worse, it hadn’t bothered him in the slightest. He had no respect for her, and where there was no respect there could never be love. But Cesare had never mentioned love to her, only she felt that weakening emotion, and she did feel very weak and vulnerable where he was concerned.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE receptionist stopped her on her way from having breakfast. ‘Miss Hammond?’ the young girl smiled.
Suzanne went to the desk. ‘Yes?’
‘I have a parcel here for you.’ She bent under the desk to bring out a small oblong parcel. ‘There’s a card with it.’
‘Thank you,’ Suzanne smiled vaguely, wandering over to a chair in the corner. She turned the parcel over, ripping off the paper and snapping open the clasp. Inside was a small gold wristwatch on the most delicate strap she had ever seen. It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful, and she hardly dared open the card, fearing what she would read.
Her hands shook as she pulled the tiny card out of its envelope, turning it over to read the large scrawl. ‘I’ll be counting the minutes until we meet again. I hope you will too,’ she read slowly.
There was no signature, but it wasn’t necessary. Cesare had sent her this expensive gift. But she couldn’t accept it, in no way could she accept it. She walked back to the desk. ‘Please,’ she gained the receptionist’s attention, ‘could you tell me where the Conte Martino is, please?’
The girl shook her head. ‘The Conte isn’t here, I’m afraid, Miss Hammond,’ she said regretfully.
Damn! He must have gone into work today. ‘Could you tell me what time he’ll be back?’
‘I think you must have misunderstood me. When I said the Conte wasn’t here, I meant he’s checked out.’
‘Ch-checked out?’
Suzanne had paled drastically and her distress must have shown, because the other girl looked quite concerned. ‘I’m sorry, Miss Hammond. I didn’t realise— He could be back in a couple of days,’ she added.
‘He—he could?’
‘Perhaps.’ The receptionist answered shortly as if realising she had perhaps revealed too much already about her absent employer.
‘I see,’ Suzanne attempted a shaky smile. ‘Thank you.’
She walked dazedly out into the garden, Cesare’s message now taking on new meaning. But where had he gone? Was he away on business or pleasure? No matter which it was she had no right to question him about it.
She had intended returning back home today, but she couldn’t go now, not without saying goodbye to Cesare. But how could she stay? Celeste didn’t need her here now, and she had no money with which to pay her own bill. The thought of having to return to her sparse tiny bed-sitter was totally repugnant to her.
Celeste came floating out to the poolside, and floating just about described her. She was glowing, her beauty unmarred by cosmetics as it usually was, the rosy hue on her cheeks due to nature and not make-up.
‘Good morning, Suzanne,’ she greeted cheerfully.
‘Good morning,’ she returned dully. ‘I’ve already breakfasted.’ If a pot of strong coffee could be called breakfast. She had had no appetite for food this morning.
‘I’m not hungry,’ Celeste smiled happily. ‘Isn’t it a wonderful morning?’
‘If you say so.’
‘Oh, I do. Cheer up, Suzanne. Are you still annoyed about yesterday?’
‘I don’t have any right to be, do I? When would you like me to leave?’ she asked resignedly.
‘Leave?’ Celeste’s blue eyes sharpened with interest.
‘Why should I want you to leave? I thought you liked it here.’
‘I do. But I—You can’t want me to stay now. I didn’t deliberately ruin things for you with Cesare—it just happened.’
‘Oh, Cesare.’ Celeste dismissed him with a wave of her hand. ‘I know the first time I met him in the dining-room that he wouldn’t be duped by my little act. He’s far too shrewd. Although he doesn’t yet realise we’re both broke. If I’d known what he was going to be like I wouldn’t have bothered with him at all. I thought he would be an older man, grateful for the attentions of a younger woman. He’s only six years older than me,’ she added in disgust.
‘But you thought he was handsome.’
‘I still do. All that arrogance and cynicism, he’s fascinating. But I would probably bore him within a few days. I’m not clever enough for him.’
If Celeste would bore him what would she do! She was so much younger than him, and immature for her years too. No, he found her body desirable, but her mind wouldn’t interest him at all. ‘Neither am I,’ she admitted miserably.
‘Goodness, you are down today, aren’t you.’ Celeste picked up the jewellery box from her lap. ‘A prezzie?’ she arched an eyebrow.
Suzanne nodded. ‘One I intend returning.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Celeste opened the box. ‘Wow!’ Her eyes glowed as she picked up the watch to look at it more closely. ‘It’s beautiful!’
‘Mmm,’ Suzanne reluctantly agreed with her.
Celeste put it on her own wrist, admiring the smallness of the face and the ease with which the strap fitted, so light it was hardly noticeable. ‘From Cesare?’
‘Yes.’
She gave a throaty laugh. ‘I told you he would come around, and much quicker than I imagined.’
‘I don’t think so,’ Suzanne shook her head. ‘I think it’s, in the nature of a parting gift.’
‘There was a card with it?’
She handed it over reluctantly. The message didn’t read like a severing of their friendship. But surely Cesare didn’t really expect to have an affair with her? He couldn’t want anything else after the impression Celeste had given him of her morals. But she couldn’t wholly blame Celeste; Cesare had already made his feelings towards Englishwomen known to her, and they weren’t good. His own mother had let him down badly, and he wasn’t likely to forget that. So any daydreams she might have had in his direction would have to remain just that—dreams.
Celeste handed her back the card and the watch. ‘It doesn’t sound like goodbye. He sounds anxious to see you again.’
‘Perhaps he is. But I’m not like that, Celeste, no matter what you might think.’
‘It isn’t what I think that counts, it’s what Cesare thinks. I’ll have a word with him if you like, explain to him I was only being my normal bitchy self,’ Celeste smiled ruefully. ‘It’s something I’m good at.’
Suzanne smiled too. ‘It doesn’t matter, Celeste. You can’t tell Cesare anything, he isn’t here. The receptionist said he’s left for a few days.’
‘To go where?’
She shrugged. ‘I have no idea.’
Celeste stood up. ‘I’ll call Vidal now and ask him. He’s bound to know where his own brother has gone.’
Suzanne grabbed her arm to stop her exit. ‘It doesn’t matter. I’d rather not know. Tell me about Vidal,’ she changed the subject on to something less painful for her.
The glow came back into Celeste’s face. ‘He’s quite wonderful, Suzanne.’ Her eyes became dreamy. ‘And he doesn’t seem to care that I’m not very clever and can be a bitch when thwarted. I had a wonderful time last night. We went out to dinner after the theatre.’
‘And you really do like him?’ Suzanne wasn’t really surprised at the affinity between these two; they were very much alike in many ways, both seemed to like good times and neither liked too strong an emotional tie put on them. And without being bitchy, she had to admit that they were both shallow people.
‘I really do like him,’ Celeste confirmed. ‘I’m meeting him again this evening. Suzanne, do you—do you mind a
bout us? Usually I wouldn’t give a damn about encroaching on someone else’s property, but this time it’s different. This time I—I don’t know,’ she looked embarrassed. ‘I think it could be different with Vidal. I have a feeling …’
* * *
The next two weeks dragged by. Suzanne wasn’t sleeping properly and food didn’t interest her in the slightest. Celeste had asked Vidal about Cesare’s whereabouts, but he didn’t seem to know—or he wasn’t telling. Suzanne had had plenty of time to brood the last few days, plenty of time because she had been alone most of the time.
Vidal had taken advantage of his brother’s absence to take a few days off work, escorting Celeste on her shopping expeditions and spending each evening with her. They had even invited Suzanne to join them for dinner one evening, going to one of the well-known restaurants that seemed to exist in abundance in London. She had refused at first, but they had insisted so much that in the end she had given in. They had gone on to a nightclub later and she had to admit that she had enjoyed their company. Celeste visually came alive in Vidal’s company, and she almost forgot to be cynical.
But the last few days had begun to tell on Suzanne; the strain of pretending Cesare’s absence didn’t bother her was beginning to show in the dark smudges beneath her eyes and the slight loss of weight. It was weight she couldn’t afford to lose, being much too thin to start with.
She spent a lot of her days wandering about the town, window-shopping and feeding the birds in the square. She should have felt lonely, but she didn’t, most of her time spent thinking of Cesare and wondering what he was doing.
On the Monday of the third week of his absence she came in quite late for dinner, bumping into someone in her hurry to get to her room and change. ‘Oh, sorry!’ she gasped apologetically. ‘I didn’t see—Robert!’
‘The one and only,’ he grinned at her, holding her at arm’s length. ‘Hey, what have you been doing to yourself?’ he frowned.
She hugged him, laughing happily. ‘That’s nice! You haven’t seen me for three weeks and already you’re insulting me!’ She put her hand through his arm. ‘How did you get here? Are you staying long? Where are you staying?’
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