Giorganni's Proposal

by Jacqueline Baird

  CHAPTER NINE

  Dex held open the car door and gestured for her to get in.

  Beth hesitated. Dex was wrong. She had no desire to gloat. Instead she felt an overwhelming sadness for what she had lost.

  He mistook her hesitation for fear. 'You have nothing to be afraid of, Beth. I wouldn't deliberately harm a hair of your head. Now get in. I promise I will not drive fast.'

  The journey back to the villa was short and completed in absolute silence. Until Dex turned the car into the drive and saw another car parked in front of the entrance.

  'Dio!' Dex groaned, and for a second rested his head on the steering wheel.

  Beth glanced at him and for a moment felt some sympathy for him, but then she saw again Dex lashing out at the unsuspecting Paul, and she checked herself in time. He did not deserve her sympathy. Opening the door, she jumped out of the car and started towards the house.

  Suddenly a woman came flying out, a woman Beth immediately recognised as Dex's sister, and she looked just as excitable as the only other time Beth had seen her. She shot past Beth and yelled at Dex.

  Beth looked back in amazement as Dex stood granite-faced while his sister Anna bawled him out. She jumped when a hand fell on her shoulder. Turning around, she looked up into the familiar face of Paul.

  'Are you all right, Bethany?' he asked quietly. The beginning of a magnificent black eye was marring his handsome features. 'In the excitement of the past few weeks, I forgot I saw you with Dexter at the casino until he dragged you off today. I was worried about you. Is there something going on between you two I don't know about?'

  'No, of course not. I met him with Mike and he offered to show me his new casino—full stop.' Beth couldn't tell Paul the truth. 'And you have no need to worry, I'm fi—' That was as far as she got, before Paul cut across her.

  'What the hell did you think you were playing at, Giordanni? Aiming a punch at me I can understand— maybe I deserved it—but dragging off my goddaughter. . .'

  Beth spun around to find Dex standing stiffly behind her. One look at his dark face and she knew he had overheard her conversation with Paul. But he looked straight over the top of her head at Paul, his face a grim mask. Anna moved to link her arm through Paul's while smiling rather shamefacedly at Beth.

  'Paul,' Dex said curtly, acknowledging the other man's outburst before continuing, 'I thought I was protecting my sister's honour. But nothing I say can possibly excuse my disgraceful actions. I apologise from the bottom of my heart. I should not have lashed out at you. I am deeply sorry and ashamed. I can only beg your forgiveness and hope in time you can forget my appalling behaviour. I have already apologised to my sister, and of course to Bethany.'

  Beth slanted a glance at him from beneath her thick lashes. As apologies went it was a sizzler, and there was no mistaking the sincerity in Dex's dark eyes. But she did not remember him apologising to her, she thought mutinously. She was about to say so when Anna held out her hand towards her, and, nudging Paul, said, 'Please introduce me.'

  The introductions made, Anna bent to kiss Beth's cheek. By the time the social niceties were completed, they were walking into the drawing room.

  Beth hesitated, slightly overawed by the opulence of her surroundings. 'This is a wonderful house.' She turned to Paul. 'Have you rented it or what?' she asked, more for something to say than anything else. There was still tension in the air, undercurrents she did not understand.

  'Good heavens, no.' Paul chuckled and led her to a cream silk-covered sofa, one of a pair, placed at either side of a massive marble fireplace. 'Dexter owns the villa, though according to Anna he's rarely here. Anna works and lives in Naples. That's where we met. Anna decided to get married from here because there's more room to accommodate the few close friends who are attending the wedding. At my age, and in the circumstances, a big wedding would be out of place.'

  Dex really had been secretive with her, Beth thought. Not once had he mentioned a home in Capri. It only confirmed what she already knew: he didn't give a damn about her. But if she had known it was Dex's villa Paul had invited her to stay in, she would never have come—much as she loved her godfather. She didn't want to be beholden to Dex in any way whatsoever.

  Dinner was served in a huge formal dining room, and was fraught to say the least! Beth ached to escape to her room. Revenge was not sweet, she realised, sitting at the table, eating the exquisitely prepared food and waited on by a houseboy wearing white gloves! She might not understand Italian, but it was pretty obvious Anna had not forgiven Dex for assaulting her fiancé.

  Paul explained the arrangements for the simple wedding service the next day, but after that it was heavy going. Paul's eye had turned purple, and as far as Beth could gather Dex was being blamed for ruining tomorrow's wedding before it had even taken place.

  As for Dex, he barely said a word. Beth found her attention drawn to him over and over again. He sat at the head of the great table, wearing a black formal evening suit and brilliant white shirt, his handsome features set in a hard mask of iron control. He looked even more dangerously formidable than usual. The few times he caught her glance, he stared at her so coldly she quickly looked away, afraid the others would notice.

  She heaved a sigh of relief when the meal ended and coffee was served in the drawing room. She sat down on the sofa and gratefully took the cup of coffee the houseboy handed her.

  'We did not meet in the best way,' Anna said, sitting down beside Beth. 'I am sorry, but Paul—we fight, I see you. . . I do not know. . .'

  'I was his goddaughter.' Beth helped Anna out with her halting English. 'It's all right, we laughed about it afterwards, and I am very happy for you both.'

  'Thank you. I wish to be friends.' They smiled a smile of mutual understanding. 'I also apologise for my brother. He thinks he protects my honour. He thinks Paul has betrayed me. He sees him kiss you and goes pazzo.'

  Whatever pazzo meant, Beth was pretty sure she did not want to discuss it.

  'Beth does not understand, Anna, and she looks tired.' Dex appeared at the side of the sofa, his narrowed gaze concentrated on his sister, and he said something quickly in Italian before looking down on Beth. 'Come, I will show you to your room.'

  Her green eyes clashed angrily with cool grey. Cheeky swine! she thought. More or less saying she looked a wreck. And whose fault was that? 'I can find my own way.' Beth jumped to her feet. Dex's height was intimidating.

  'After my disgraceful behaviour earlier, please allow me to redeem myself by acting as a good host,' Dex drawled smoothly.

  She wanted to object, but he made it sound so reasonable. Was she the only one to recognise the cynicism in his tone? She looked around for Paul but he had joined Anna on the sofa, and unless she wanted to make a scene in front of the happy couple there was nothing to do but agree. She said her goodnights, and, not looking at Dex, walked out of the room.

  Once in the hall Beth dashed for the stairs, but Dex, with his long legs, was at her side in a second.

  'You can drop the good host act,' Beth said tersely, ascending the stairs, very aware of his long-limbed body matching her step by step. 'I know the way, thank you very much,' she told him, trying to ignore the way her heart pounded too fast as he shadowed her so closely, and vainly trying to convince herself it was the exertion of climbing the stairs.

  His hand gripped her shoulder as she reached the landing and turned to go right. 'Not so fast, Beth, we need to talk.'

  Beth was wearing her one and only formal dress, the slip of black and gold satin. She felt the searing imprint of his fingers on her naked flesh, and trembled inside. She shrugged, trying to shake him off. Looking up at his harshly handsome face, she gave him a tight-lipped smile, refusing to let him see how much he disturbed her.

  'No, I think not,' she responded distantly. 'We are guests at a wedding, nothing more. Let's just leave it at that.' And, turning on her heel, she'd actually made it to her bedroom door when Dex's voice stopped her.

  'Good, so you
have no objection to my telling Paul the truth about the relationship between you and I? That is a relief,' he drawled sardonically.

  Beth, in the act of opening the door, spun around. 'What?' she looked up, meeting his eyes with horror.

  Dex was standing a foot away, his eyes narrowed speculatively on her flushed face. 'Lying even by omission can get a person into a heap of trouble, I always thought. Don't you agree?' he asked, in a voice laced with sarcasm.

  Beth knew he was referring to her, and she had a feeling it would be a long time before he forgot she had lied to him. Nervously she backed into the bedroom. He followed her inside without waiting for an invitation, and closed the door firmly behind him. Switching on the light, he looked at Beth, and she almost stumbled under the sheer intensity of his gaze.

  'I only want to talk,' Dex said, with the tilt of one dark brow. 'Not leap on you.'

  'All right,' she breathed, but spun on her heel and crossed the room to the window. She needed the time to gather her wits, and, swallowing hard, she turned slowly around to face him.

  He stared across the room at her. 'Is this bedroom all right for you?'

  The mundane question came as a surprise. Beth glanced around the luxuriously appointed bedroom, her glance lingering on the lovely four-poster bed with the elegant floating drapes. 'It's fine,' she said. 'A vast improvement on mine at home.'

  Seeing the direction of her gaze, Dex drawled, 'Oh, I don't know. I have very fond memories of your bed.'

  Her head jerked back and she looked at him, a vivid image of his large naked body, limbs entwined with her own, flashing in her mind's eye. Her green eyes widened warily on his dark face. She didn't trust him an inch, and she was none too sure about herself. Suddenly the intimacy of the situation hit her. She shivered, and nervously smoothed the skirt of her dress down over her hips with damp palms.

  Dex shook his black head and smiled grimly. 'Don't panic. I said talk, and that is what I meant.' He moved a few steps towards her and then stopped, and Beth had the weirdest notion that he was also nervous.

  'So?' she prompted softly.

  'I owe you an apology. You were right. I did ask you out because I thought you were going out with Paul Morris, and I did do it for my sister. Under the circumstances I would probably do it again.'

  Beth finally had her apology, back-handed though it was. She should have been pleased. But knowing the truth and having it spelt out were two different things, she realised sadly. It was no surprise, she tried to console herself, but instead all she felt was simmering pain and anger. 'You really are despicable. I think I hate you,' she said flatly.

  'Hate me as much as you like, but let me finish.' Dex raked a hand through his hair in a frustrated gesture, then hesitated for a moment. 'I overheard you telling Paul you and I dated once. End of story. I take it you do not want your godfather or my sister to know the truth?'

  'You've got that right,' she muttered, wondering why the abrupt change of subject but accepting it. 'For some bizarre reason Paul thinks you were entitled to swing a punch at him, so why disillusion him?' Her eyes met his. 'And I'm sure it's what you want as well,' she gibed. 'I can still remember all the out-of-the-way places you took me to. To avoid being seen with me,' she said, bitterness making her voice harsh.

  His grey eyes flared briefly, then the heavy lids narrowed, hiding his expression from her. 'Believe what you like, Beth. I am not going to argue with you. I am not trying to make excuses for my behaviour, it was inexcusable, but I want to try and explain.

  'I told you once I was illegitimate. In my mother's circumstances it was considered the worst form of shame. Anna is my older sister. I was born eighteen months after my mother was widowed. Here in southern Italy a young, innocent girl making a mistake might eventually have been forgiven, but it wasn't very likely. For a newly widowed lady to have had a child was thought heinous. Even today, in the nineties, a lot of older women still wear black for the rest of their lives after the death of their husband.'

  Beth's soft heart squeezed. 'You don't have—'

  'I do. I want to,' Dex cut in. 'We lived in a little cottage down at the port. Here on Capri everyone knew of the circumstances of my birth. My mother braved it out for years, until I had made enough money and moved her to Naples.' Dex stared past her as if he was in a world of his own, remembering. 'My mother died two years ago a very bitter woman, still not forgiven by the friends of her youth.'

  'Why are you telling me all this?' Beth asked quietly. Her eyes roamed over his darkly attractive face, the rumpled black wavy hair falling on his proud brow, and she could easily imagine him as a young boy, an outcast and vulnerable.

  Dex moved closer to her and watched her through narrow intent eyes. 'Because I want you to understand why I behaved as I did. I am breaking a confidence in telling you, but I think you need to know. The reason Paul expected me to hit him is quite simple. He is an honourable man. He understands our Latin code of honour. Anna is pregnant, but not yet married. As her brother, I am entitled to knock the man out,' he declared emphatically.

  Beth heard the underlying thread of violence in his tone and winced, but as for the rest she was pleased as punch. 'Pregnant,' she murmured. 'That's marvellous.' She smiled, a beaming grin. 'Paul will make a wonderful father, I know.' She was genuinely delighted.

  'Now, yes! But about three months ago Paul and Anna parted. I do not usually involve myself with my sister's affairs, but this time was different. She later came to London to see Paul. She called his housekeeper, who told her where he was eating, and she dragged me along with her.'

  Beth knew he was telling her the truth, she had overheard him saying as much, but unthinkingly she confirmed his words. 'That's how I always contact Paul, via Mrs Bewick. She always knows where he is.'

  'Yes, well, on this occasion perhaps it would have been better if she had not. I saw you in the restaurant long before Anna did. A beautiful young girl smiling so lovingly at a much older man is always worthy of note. So often money is the incentive,' he drawled derisively.

  His natural cynicism surfaced for a moment, and Beth felt a stab of distaste. At least now she could understand his reasoning a bit better, but it did not excuse Dex using her for his own ends. Nothing he said or did could repair the damage he had done to Beth, both mentally and physically.

  'The rest, as you say, is history. Anna went crazy, and I got her out of the restaurant. Later, when I saw you again, I thought, why not me instead of Morris? I know what it is to be a bastard, and anything I can do to make sure Anna's child does not suffer the same fate I will do willingly,' Dex declared bluntly, his gaze skimming over her, lingering on the proud thrust of her breasts against the soft fabric of her dress, then moving with a flick of his lashes back to her face.

  'And you are a very beautiful woman, Beth. It was no hardship.'

  No hardship! Her body froze as the full meaning of his words sank in. 'You swine.' She looked up sharply and was shocked at the sensual light in his eyes. 'You. . .you arrogant creep,' she spluttered. She had almost felt sorry for him, imagining him as a young boy, the other children calling him names. Vulnerable? He was about as vulnerable as a rattlesnake, and twice as deadly.

  He smiled, and, reaching out, he ran one long finger down the side of her face.

  'Now that is what I wanted to talk about, Beth. Your temper and your obvious aversion to me. We are agreed no one will know of our brief fling. We are casual acquaintances—no more. But if you continue to look daggers at me, as you did tonight at dinner, and flinch every time I come near you, Paul and Anna might get suspicious. So we need a truce between us for the next two days.'

  'We need a continent between us,' she prompted bitterly. 'But until I get off this island on Sunday you can have your truce. Î don't want to upset Paul and Anna's wedding any more than it already has been.'

  Dex eyed her consideringly. 'You mean that, Beth? Friends for the duration, hmm?'

  'Yes.' She tilted her head back and boldly faced him. It would k
ill her, but she would try for Paul.

  His hand reached out, catching her wrist. 'Shake on it,' he murmured, looking down into her upturned face. Their eyes met and held. 'Or maybe kiss on it.'

  Beth's heart skipped a beat at the look in his eyes, but common sense prevailed. 'Don't push your luck, buster. . . Leave.'

  He chuckled under his breath and, lifting her hand to his mouth, pressed a kiss on her knuckles. 'Thank you. Tomorrow is going to be hell. Paul barely tolerates me, and Anna has told me several times I have rained their wedding day. The wedding photograph they keep for their children and their children's children will always show the bridegroom with a black eye.'

  'Serves you right,' Beth said bluntly. 'It might teach you not to manipulate everyone you meet.' Beth spoke with more force than she realised, but she could still feel the disturbing warmth of his lips on her hand, and she resented her own weakness.

  Abruptly Dex dropped her hand. His face darkened. 'I realise I might seem that way, but let me remind you, Beth,' he prompted, an odd harshness in his voice, 'it didn't work with you. You never called.'

  Beth stared at him dumbly. What was he talking about? 'Ah, Mike,' she exclaimed. 'You mean your little attempt at blackmail? Sorry, I overslept.' She told him the truth without thinking.

  He chuckled mirthlessly. 'You overslept.' Shaking his head, he gave her a cool smile. 'No matter, Beth. Tomorrow we will behave as friends. Goodnight.' Spinning on his heel, he left, closing the door quietly behind him.

  Beth was tired and tormented, and all she wanted to do was shower and crawl into bed. Ten minutes later, her toilet completed and wearing a short white nightie, she climbed into the four-poster bed. Drawing the drapes around the frame, she snuggled down under the covers. The rest of the world was shut out.

  But it was not so easy to shut off her troubled thoughts. She was dreading tomorrow—the whole weekend! To pretend she was just a friend of Dex without putting her foot in it was well beyond her acting capabilities, she feared. Her godfather Paul was an astute man; he knew her better than anyone. Still, she thought hopefully, Paul had a lot more to worry about than Beth. His new bride—the ceremony—his black eye!