* * *
It was six-thirty in the morning when Tuccia finished writing three letters at the desk in the guest bedroom. The first was her deepest apology to Jean-Michel, explaining why she couldn’t marry him and had run away. They weren’t in love with each other, and that was the only reason for two people to marry.
She put it in an envelope with his name and address on the front. When and where to mail it was the scary part and had to be considered carefully because her life depended on it.
Tuccia put the letter in her purse, then wrote two long thank-you letters to her zia and Lina. She signed them with love before leaving them on top of the dresser so Lina would be certain to see them. One of these days she would write to her parents, but that could wait.
After making the bed, she grabbed the small suitcase Bertina had loaned her and hurried through the villa to the kitchen for a piece of fruit. A ten-minute walk would take her to the shops where she could eat something more substantial and catch a bus.
“Where do you think you’re going in that disguise?” a deep familiar male voice asked as she reached the foyer.
Her camouflage consisted of a scarf she’d tied around her head like a lot of local women did to cover their hair. She turned around to see the man she hadn’t been able to erase from her thoughts, standing there in jeans and a jacket. He looked too marvelous to her this early in the morning.
“I wanted to slip out before your mother awakened so I wouldn’t disturb her. I left messages to thank her and my aunt.”
“I’m sure she’ll appreciate that, Principessa.”
Of course he’d recognized her and had talked with Lina. Now he knew everything about her situation. She was so sorry he’d been dragged into her problem. “Your mother has been exceptionally kind to me. I’m embarrassed my zia asked for her assistance, and I’m ashamed I accepted it because it has placed her in danger.”
“Mamma has a big heart. It sounds like Signora Spadaro does, too.”
Tears glazed her eyes. “They’re both strong, remarkable women, but they’ve done more than enough to help me. It’s time I dealt with the mess I’ve created for myself.”
She tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t give. Tuccia looked over her shoulder. “Is there a trick to unlocking it?”
With a half smile that gave her heart a jolt, he activated the remote in his hand and the door swung open.
“Thank you.” After a slight hesitation, she said, “It was a privilege to meet the famous son of Lina Donati. In case you didn’t know it, she thinks the sun rises and sets with you.”
Tuccia felt him follow her out the door into the balmy seventy-seven-degree air where a limousine had pulled in the drive. She put on her sunglasses. Apparently he was going somewhere. When she would have walked past it, he called to her.
“Mamma says you need to get out of Palermo immediately. If you’ll climb in the limo, I have the means to make that happen.”
His comment stopped her in her tracks. “You mustn’t get involved in my problem. I’m already weighed down with guilt and couldn’t handle any more.”
He opened the rear door. “But I am involved. I don’t believe I’ve ever helped a genuine princess in distress before and rather like the idea. Come on. You’ve been living dangerously since leaving Paris. Why stop now?”
His sense of humor caught her off guard and she chuckled in spite of the fear gripping her that this freedom couldn’t last. Not wanting to hold things up, she climbed in. He set her suitcase on the bank of seats in front of them and sat next to her, pulling the door shut. His rock-hard limbs brushed against her jeans-clad legs. The contact sent a dart of awareness through her body.
She heard him tell the chauffeur to drive them to the airport. They drove through a breathtaking portion of Mondello to the main route leading out of the city. Tuccia had the sensation of being spirited away where nothing could hurt her.
It was a heavenly feeling she’d never experienced before. She’d sell her soul for it to last, but she knew this wonderful moment could only be enjoyed until they reached the airport.
“Where are we going?” she asked at last, alive to everything about this extraordinary man.
“To Milan.”
“Where you work when you’re not in New York.”
“More importantly, it’s where you’ll be safe. I fear my mother has done far too much talking about me.”
“That’s because she loves you.” Tuccia had heard about the spectacular castello restaurant he owned and ran with his business partners. His other business interests in New York City were legendary. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to know that kind of love from my own parents.”
“That’s a lonely statement.”
“Now I’m doing too much talking and sound so sorry for myself, I’m ashamed. But you have no idea what I’d give to erase the image the country has of me. I’m not the tempestuous, volatile woman everyone believes me to be. I just want to be free like other women to make the kind of life I want for myself.”
“According to my mother, you’ve run away from a fate worse than death.”
“Put that way it sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Unfortunately it’s true for me and I’ve dragged three innocent people into my personal disaster. I pray there won’t be any repercussions for you,” she half sobbed the words.
His hand grasped hers, sending a wave of warmth through her. “No one brought my mother and me kicking and screaming,” he teased gently. “If I were in your shoes and betrothed to some odious marchesa twice my age, I can promise you I would flee to the other side of the universe where no one would ever find me.”
Odious was the exact word to describe Jean-Michel.
The analogy was so ludicrous she found herself laughing. But it underlined the fact that Cesare Donati wasn’t married. Tuccia couldn’t help but wonder how many women must have flung themselves at him.
“That’s better,” he said before releasing her hand.
Soon they arrived at the airport and were driven to the area where the private jets sat on the tarmac. The limo wound around and stopped next to one in silver and blue that stood out with a coat of arms depicting the Duc di Lombardi. A thrill of excitement passed through her to know she’d be flying to northern Italy with him. Just the two of them.
Once Cesare helped her out of the limo with her suitcase, the steward welcomed them aboard. He showed her to the elegant club compartment where she sat across from her protector as she thought of him. Pretty soon the Fasten Seat Belt light went on and she heard the scream of the engines as they taxied out to the runway.
After they’d taken off and achieved cruising speed, the light went off and the steward brought them breakfast trays. She found she was starving and ate everything, including a second cup of coffee to drink.
Cesare flashed her a searching glance. “How long has it been since you had a substantial meal?”
“My aunt kept trying to feed me after I arrived in Palermo, but I was so nervous I couldn’t eat very much. Now I’m hungry.”
“How did you manage your escape so perfectly when all of your other attempts have failed?”
“I can see my aunt has told your mother everything about my past.” Tuccia heaved a sigh. “I’ve been planning this latest scheme since my first dress fitting two months ago. Yesterday morning I went to the dressmaker with my mother for the final wedding dress fitting.
“When Madame Dufy went to find the dressmaker and bring out my gown, I told my mother I needed to use the ladies’ room and hurried down the hallway. As soon as no one was in sight, I shot out the back door of the salon. I knew there was a nearby tête de taxi. From there I was driven to the airport where Bertina had chartered a private jet for me ahead of time under a fake name. And here I am.”
His gaze held hers. “That was a daring plan.”
/> “I’m sure you think me selfish and cruel, but it was the only way to end the nightmare of my life. I’ve written a letter to Jean-Michel to apologize. It’s all ready to be mailed except for a stamp.”
“Where is it?”
“In my purse.”
“May I see it?”
When she pulled it out, he walked over and took it from her. After examining the address, he put it in his pocket. “I’ll make sure he gets it without the police being able to trace it.”
“You must think me heartless and that I’m living up to all the falsehoods spread about me. Actually they’re not all false. I do have a bad temper that erupts at times and I’ve gotten a lot of staff into trouble who were supposed to keep a close watch on me.”
After a silence he said, “What I think doesn’t matter.” The Fasten Seat Belt light went on again. He strapped himself in. “We’re descending to Milan. Very soon I’ll take you to a place where you’ll be hidden from the world and hopefully safe for another twenty-four hours. While you’re figuring out what it is you would like to do with the rest of your life, I’ll have to leave you, but I’ll be back in a couple of days.”
Her spirits plunged at that revelation. “Where are you going?”
“To Palermo.”
“Again? I don’t understand.”
“I’m going to see the man I’d hired to be the castello’s new executive pastry chef.”
Her brows met in a delicate frown. “Why didn’t you visit with him before you brought me all this way first?”
The pilot set the jet down and it taxied to a stop. “Because he was rushed to the hospital during the night and couldn’t come with me to start his new position. He was supposed to meet my partners today and get settled in.”
“Oh, how terrible for him and you!”
“Since you needed to leave Palermo before the authorities caught up to you, I brought you instead.”
The man continued to astound her. She shook her head. “I can’t believe you would do that for me.” Tuccia loved him already for his sacrifice.
His blue eyes darkened with an emotion she couldn’t put her finger on. “Mamma said it was a matter of life and death. After learning how desperate you are to escape the life your parents and fiancé have orchestrated for you, I’m inclined to believe she was telling the truth.”
His compassion filled her with feelings that threatened to overwhelm her. “Please—you don’t have to send my letter to the comte. It’s too much. I’ll find a way to do it,” she said in a throbbing voice he could probably feel.
“It’s a simple thing that needs to be done so he’ll call off his army. There’s no one like you, and no question he wants you back. Needless to say, you’re a royal prize he won’t tolerate getting away from him.”
Tuccia shivered because she felt he truly did understand the gravity of her desperate situation where Jean-Michel was involved.
A few minutes later another limousine drove them out of the city. They swept past farms and villas until they reached a small village at the base of a prominent hill. On the top she caught sight of a massive fortress. The ochre-toned structure with its towers and crenellated walls sprawled across the summit.
“That’s the ancient Castello Di Lombardi,” Cesare explained, “now a hotel ristorante.”
The one he’d helped to make famous. Tuccia was eager to see it up close and thought they would drive up there. Instead he asked the driver to take them to a pensione in the village. Evidently he’d made arrangements for her ahead of time.
Just as he helped her out of the limo and told the driver to wait, the padrona di casa came out of another door. She greeted them and showed them inside the attractive apartment. After a few explanations she left. Cesare lowered Tuccia’s suitcase to the floor and turned to her.
“You should be very comfortable here while I’m gone. I asked her to fill the cupboards and fridge with groceries to last several days. As you heard her say, if you need anything, just pick up the phone in the kitchen and she’ll answer.”
The last thing Tuccia wanted was for him to go, but she realized he was anxious to get back to Palermo and didn’t dare keep him. What a terrible position he was in!
“I don’t know how to thank you for all you’ve done for me. How can I make this up to you?”
He studied her features for a minute. “I’ve had two friends who helped me when I thought all was lost. It’s nice to be on the giving end for a change.”
She could feel her eyes smarting. “I don’t deserve this.”
“I remember telling them the same thing. A word of warning. Do you have a cell phone on you?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t use it for any reason and don’t go walking in the village. The only person who knows you are here is the woman who let you in. She’s a friend and will keep silent. When I return, we’ll talk. Until then, try to relax, watch TV. A presto, Principessa.”
“Alla prossima, Cesare.” She followed him to the door and watched him drive away, causing her heart to act up until it actually hurt.
Once he was gone, Tuccia went back in the living room for her suitcase. Then she walked to the bedroom so full of emotions, she didn’t know where to go with them. She didn’t know another person in the world except her aunt who would make a sacrifice like this for her. Cesare Donati was the most incredible man she’d ever known.
While she was in the shower, her mind focused on the chef he’d hired for his fabulous castello restaurant. He had to be a spectacular cook. How sad he’d fallen ill at the very moment he was supposed to go to Milan with Cesare.
She wished she could help him in some way during the short interim while the chef was recovering. Cesare had been so good to her and she wanted to find a way to repay him. She’d much rather stay right here. But of course the whole plan was to get her away from Jean-Michel and her parents.
You’re losing your mind, Tuccia.
* * *
On his way back to the airport Cesare phoned his mother, wondering what kind of a mess she could be in if the police had already found out she’d been harboring Tuccia at the villa.
She picked up on the fourth ring. “Cesare—where are you?” she blurted before he could say anything.
“You’ll be happy to know my mission has been accomplished. Are you alone?”
“Si.”
“Good. Now I can tell you the princess has been installed in a safe place.”
“Grazie a Dio. I can always count on you.”
She didn’t sound worried about the police yet. “I’m flying back to Palermo to be with you. If there are no complications, I should be there in about two hours. I’ll come straight to the hospital. After we’ve talked to the doctor and done all we can do there, I’ll take you out to eat and we’ll have a long talk. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful, except that there’s no point in your coming back unless you want me to help you find another pastry chef beyond Palermo. That could take months.”
“What do you mean another chef? I don’t understand. Ciro will get better with a treatment of antibiotics.”
“I thought so, too, but you’re not going to be happy when I tell you what I’ve just found out from the doctor. Ciro came close to dying during the night because he has developed a heart condition. The prognosis for a full recovery could be six months away.”
“Incredibile!”
“I know how upset you must be to hear that news, Cesare. I’m so sorry. He’s in the ICU and won’t be able to talk to anyone for a few days. There’d be no point in your coming right now. You might as well turn around and stay at the castello until he’s been given a private room and can have visitors. Then you can fly down and have a serious talk with him.”
The situation had gone from bad to worse. “Thank you for watchi
ng over him. I’m indebted to you.”
“Bless you for saving Tuccia’s life. What will you do about the chef position now?”
Right now Cesare’s concern over the princess had created the most stress for him. “That’s not your problem. I’ll just have to be the pastry chef myself and interview more applicants for the position. But let’s agree that finding someone who knows how to make Sicilian desserts with an expertise close to his or yours will be an endeavor in futility.”
“You make the best cassatine with almond paste in existence.”
“I learned from you, but that was years ago.”
“You never forget, but I’m desolate for you this has happened. What will Tuccia do? Did she talk to you about it during the flight?”
“Yes. She has a plan that might work.” For a day maybe. “I’ll think of something. Don’t you worry about it. Have you told Bertina her niece is safe?”
“I drove to the palazzo to tell her in person and give her Tuccia’s letter before returning to the hospital. She was so relieved she broke down sobbing before burning it.”
Good thinking on Bertina’s part. “Have the police questioned her yet?”
“Yes. She told them she knew nothing.”
“They’ll be contacting anyone who is friends with her, especially her cook. You’ll be receiving a visit soon. Don’t talk to her on the phone.”
“No worry. I’m at the hospital now and just finished reading Tuccia’s sweet letter to me before burning it.” He had a brilliant mother. “Thanks to your willingness to help the princess escape so fast, there’s no evidence she was ever at the villa, and of course I know nothing.” He chuckled in spite of his concern for her. “Stay in close touch with me.”
“Haven’t I always? Take care of yourself, Mamma.”
“You, too. I’ll talk to you later. Dio di benedica, Cesare.”
After they hung up, he told the limo driver to take him to the main express mail outlet in Milan. Asking him to wait, he went in to have Tuccia’s letter to the comte couriered overnight to Cesare’s attorney. Rudy Goldman always spent this time of year at his retreat in Barbados. Inside the mailing envelope he put the following instructions.
Whisked Away by Her Sicilian Boss Page 3
