From Venice With Love

by Alison Roberts

  He had one eyebrow raised and a curiously disappointed stillness to the rest of his face. What dismissive word was she going to come up with here?

  That they weren’t even friends?

  That they weren’t connected in any way, shape or form?

  Except they were, weren’t they?

  They’d become connected totally by chance when they’d formed a united medical team to help the man who’d had the cardiac arrest and fallen from the scaffolding. Having him present when she had been floundering in front of so many distinguished symposium attendees this morning had been what had given her the strength to give any kind of presentation at all. The thought that he might have been impressed had made her feel like she hadn’t failed.

  Having him right there when she had been already starting to grieve for Gran had been what had given her the strength to try and make whatever time her beloved grandmother had left as happy as possible.

  And the way she’d felt when he’d looked at her like that at the table. As if he was in love with her. As if he’d wanted to kiss her.

  Oh, yes…she couldn’t deny a physical and emotional connection to him even if she didn’t want it to be there. Somehow Nico had broken through her safety barriers. Despite the short time they had known each other—less than a day, for heaven’s sake—he was already enmeshed in her personal life in a way that no man had ever been.

  ‘I know, darling.’ Lady Geraldine’s soothing words took her back. Way back to when it had seemed that nobody could ever understand. Or put things right. And yet the words had always been sincere. And Gran had always put things right, no matter how long it had taken. ‘People will think it’s too soon. You think it’s too soon.’

  ‘Of course I do. It’s…it’s…’ Ridiculous. But Charlotte’s gaze was still holding Nico’s as she tried to read the silent message he was sending. It was a reassuring message, whatever it was. How was she supposed to interpret that? Or believe that this was somehow okay.

  ‘It’s love at first sight, that’s what it is,’ Lady Geraldine said happily. ‘The best sort. Wearing Nico’s ring doesn’t mean you have to get married next week, darling. It’s just a promise of commitment. You can take all the time you need to make sure that it’s perfect.’

  All the time they needed to keep Gran happy for as long as she lived?

  Time.

  That’s what Charlotte needed.

  ‘It will take time.’ Nico’s voice was strong. Amazingly calm, considering. ‘And you’re right, Jendi. I have…what’s that expression? Jumped the gun.’

  Something about the way he recited the phrase made Charlotte think his choice of words was deliberate. He was reminding her of the euphemism she’d used about kicking the bucket. Reminding her of what was important here. And maybe it was a warning, too.

  If she destroyed this illusion she would be ruining not one but two of the items on Gran’s bucket list. There was no way the train trip could provide the slightest pleasure if the number-one item on the list was revealed as a deception.

  Geraldine let Charlotte go with a final pat. She turned and looked up at Nico, who smiled at her.

  ‘We will have to be apart a lot in the coming weeks,’ he said sadly. ‘I have commitments in the United States and Europe. In Australia, even. But I had to do something to make my intentions as clear as possible. To achieve what I know will make us both happy.’ Make us all happy, his glance reminded Charlotte.

  ‘Of course you did.’ Lady Geraldine beamed.

  Charlotte’s mind was clearing rapidly. Nico was presenting an easy way out here. He could be her fiancé but he would be absent. She could keep her grandmother happily believing that a wedding was on the cards without any further awkwardness of them having to keep up the pretence for real. Or, if she couldn’t bear to be less than honest, she could say that things had fizzled out in a few weeks and use the excuse that it would never have worked. They would never have enough time together to keep the relationship alive.

  ‘Mmm.’ The sound came out in a strangled fashion. ‘I’m still not sure—’

  ‘Of course you’re not.’ Lady Geraldine slipped her arm through Charlotte’s and began to lead her back to the restaurant. ‘You like to be in control, child, and you’ve been swept off your feet.’ She slipped her other arm through Nico’s. ‘Come on. We’ll all go and have another glass of that lovely champagne and give Charlotte time to get used to this delightfully unexpected state of being an engaged woman.’

  Dio mio…

  What, exactly, had happened there?

  It wasn’t the unexpected twist of events that had led to Charlotte now wearing his grandmother’s ring that was disturbing Nico most as he followed the women back to the restaurant.

  No. It went far deeper than a pretence that was now a little more complicated than intended. Something had happened when Charlotte had been caught in that loving embrace and had looked at him over her grandmother’s shoulder. When she’d been searching for a way of trying to explain that this was all a lie. That there was nothing of any significance between them.

  She hadn’t been able to, had she? Because she’d felt the same thing he had when their gazes had touched and locked. Somehow, over the course of this crazy day, they had connected. And on a level that was totally alien to Nico. Inexplicable and deeply disturbing but, at that moment, he would have overturned heaven and earth to protect Charlotte. To extricate her in a dignified fashion from this mess he had created.

  He had no idea what had triggered such a strong urge. Guilt from knowing he’d pushed her into this? Or maybe he’d caught another glimpse of that lost and frightened child in her eyes. He’d certainly seen desperation that had been coming from not wanting to hurt somebody she loved so much. Maybe that explained why he was feeling as though the ground was shifting beneath his feet and that the rules he lived by were no longer relevant.

  Knowing that Charlotte was capable of that kind of love when, to outward appearances, she was incapable of that much emotion. Knowing that she was such a different woman from the one he’d met years ago. Curiosity was a powerful motivating force and Nico wanted to put as many pieces of this puzzle together as he could before he moved on.

  Maybe when he had the full picture he would be able to understand why he was feeling as if he was caught in some invisible web. And then he would be able to avoid it happening again. He liked his life exactly the way it was, thanks very much. He did not like this feeling of long-held beliefs wobbling and his footing being less than secure in his world.

  Back at the table, Lady Geraldine waved a bejewelled hand and waiters willingly rushed to refill glasses and serve exquisite-looking desserts. Charlotte was sitting very still, staring at the chocolate creation on the small plate in front of her as though unsure whether it was, in fact, edible.

  Or maybe she was unsure whether anything was real. Perhaps she was hoping to wake up and find that this whole evening had simply been a bad dream. Her grandmother was also watching her and then she turned to Nico and smiled. It was an expression of understanding. And reassurance. Charlotte just needed a little more time, the glance suggested. And then she would be able to embrace the joy of this new event in her life.

  She certainly needed something. A gentle reminder of why they’d started this charade in the first place?

  Nico smiled back at Lady Geraldine. ‘Tell me about tomorrow,’ he invited. ‘I hear you have an adventure planned. On the Orient Express?’

  Lady Geraldine beamed at him. ‘It’s been a long-held dream of mine. One of them, anyway.’ She slid another glance at Charlotte and there was a moment’s pause as she sighed happily. Then she collected herself and focused on Nico. ‘Have you ever travelled on the Orient Express yourself?’

  ‘No. I’ve heard of it, of course. It has a wonderful history, doesn’t it?’

  ‘Right back to 1883.’ Lady Geraldine nodded. ‘It’s the world’s most famous train and it’s been totally restored to its original glory. You step back in t
ime and travel in the kind of elegant luxury that only the very privileged could afford a hundred years ago. It’s an experience everybody should have at least once in their lifetime, don’t you think?’

  ‘Absolutely.’ Nico was happy to agree. This was what this evening was about after all. To make Charlotte’s grandmother happy. To encourage her to make the most of whatever time she had left in her own lifetime. To tick off those ‘bucket-list’ items. ‘I hear that the food is amazing and isn’t there someone that plays a grand piano in the bar?’

  ‘Oh, yes.’ Lady Geraldine’s smile was misty now. ‘Everybody dresses in their best and is on their best behaviour. We’ll all be thoroughly spoiled as we glide through Italy, Austria, Switzerland and France and back to London just in time for Christmas.’

  She eyed Nico over a spoon containing a tiny portion of chocolate mousse. ‘I expect you’ll be visiting your mother for Christmas Day, Nico?’

  ‘Ah…no.’ Nico shook his head. ‘I believe her new husband has whisked her off to New Zealand to have Christmas in the sun.’

  ‘But you have other family?’

  Uh-oh…Any moment now he was going to be invited to have Christmas dinner with Charlotte and her grandmother. He needed to head this one off at the pass.

  ‘Sadly, I have work commitments in London I can’t break. That’s partly why I’m taking a day or two at my leisure in Venice now.’ This was true enough, wasn’t it? He was always happy to work over family-oriented holidays to give his colleagues time off. He didn’t have a family to spend time with. And he didn’t want one. Nico shifted in his seat, which brought his knee into contact with Charlotte’s. He heard her sudden intake of breath and she finally seemed to become aware of her surroundings again.

  Good. He needed some help here to avoid being pressured into joining the Highton clan for Christmas dinner. Who knew how many other distant but formidable relatives Charlotte might have waiting in the wings?

  Lady Geraldine had a very benign smile on her face right now as she apparently enjoyed her taste of the dessert but Nico had the distinct feeling that the impression of a sweet old lady was probably deceptive. There was an ironclad will beneath that perfectly groomed exterior and that improbable red hair. What Lady Geraldine wanted, she would no doubt get. Except, maybe, the chance to live to an even riper old age.

  He reached for his glass of wine. He increased the pressure on Charlotte’s knee a little to encourage her to say something but she was watching her grandmother, who was shaking her head as she put down her spoon.

  ‘Absolutely delicious,’ she said sadly. ‘But I can’t eat it.’

  Nico could feel the tension in Charlotte’s focus. ‘You’ve hardly eaten anything, Gran.’

  ‘I’m too excited,’ Lady Geraldine said.

  ‘About the Orient Express?’ This was a good direction to steer the conversation back to. A safe one. ‘I’m not surprised. It’s probably a good idea to save your appetite for all that wonderful food.’

  ‘Mmm…’ Lady Geraldine nodded thoughtfully. ‘I am excited about the train trip but not nearly as excited as I am about this engagement.’ She reached over and took hold of Charlotte’s hand, bending the fingers so that the diamond ring took centre stage. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy.’ She was locked in eye contact with her granddaughter. ‘You will be, too, Charlotte Jane. I just know you will.’

  Charlotte’s indrawn breath was ragged. ‘But…’

  ‘I know, darling.’ Nico could see the way Charlotte’s fingers were being squeezed. Lady Geraldine’s voice was soft. ‘And it doesn’t matter if I don’t live to see the wedding. This is enough. To know that you’ve met such a wonderful man and the attraction is strong enough to be totally irresistible. It’s a promise of a happy future for you…and I intend to enjoy every single moment of it.’

  She straightened in her chair and turned her gaze to Nico. ‘I have two cabin suites booked on the Orient Express,’ she said unexpectedly. ‘I wanted both Charlotte and myself to enjoy this trip as much as possible, without being cramped.’

  ‘Good thinking.’ Nico nodded. Thank goodness the topic of conversation was getting back onto safe territory. ‘I’m sure you’ll enjoy every moment.’

  ‘Oh, I will. Especially now.’

  There was something in the gaze from those faded blue eyes that made Nico feel like a small child again. A small child confronted by someone in ultimate authority.

  ‘Because of the engagement?’ Nico’s smile was a little forced. He should be pleased because this represented exactly what he’d set out to achieve but he had a sinking feeling that he wasn’t going to get off quite this easily.

  ‘Exactly,’ Lady Geraldine purred.

  Maybe he was. Nico’s smile widened.

  ‘I can’t think of a better way to celebrate,’ Lady Geraldine continued, ‘Can you?’

  ‘No. What could possibly be a better way to celebrate than the very best of food and wine while you travel in ultimate luxury?’

  ‘I’m so pleased you agree. I’ll let the train manager know that you’ll be joining us.’

  ‘What?’ Both Nico and Charlotte uttered the horrified exclamation simultaneously.

  ‘It’s perfect,’ Lady Geraldine said calmly. ‘You don’t have commitments until Christmas Day, Nico, and we’ll be back in London by Christmas Eve. As you said yourself, what better way could there be to celebrate? It sounds as though you and Charlotte are going to have a lot of time apart in the near future and I’m sure we all agree that we should all make the most of every moment we can have together. Who knows how many of them there will be?’

  Her voice wobbled just a little as she finished speaking. Charlotte’s jaw had been dropping but now it snapped shut.

  ‘You can’t do this, Gran,’ she said slowly. ‘You can’t use something like your illness to make people do what you want them to do. It’s…it’s emotional blackmail.’

  ‘Nonsense.’ Any hint of frailty vanished from Lady Geraldine’s demeanour. ‘It’s common sense, that’s what it is. You’re both important, busy people. You’d never make the time for something like this unless someone pushed you into it. And this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to get a booking on this train? And two cabins. If it had only been one, I would have given up my place so that you and Nico could have done the trip together.’

  ‘But this is your dream, Gran.’ Charlotte was shaking her head now, looking bewildered. ‘Why would Nico and I want to do it?’

  ‘Because it’s the most romantic journey on earth,’ Lady Geraldine said. ‘You’ve found each other in the most romantic city and by astonishing good fortune you now have the chance to build on that by travelling together to the destination you were both heading for anyway. I’m not going to take you away from Nico the day after you’ve just become engaged, Charlotte. This is my engagement gift to you both—some more time together. If he won’t come with us on the train, then you can stay here and I’ll go by myself.’

  ‘No…you can’t do that. I won’t let you. You’re not well enough.’

  It was a stand-off. Nico didn’t need the combined effect of both women looking at him to know he was expected to say something to defuse the tension but, for the life of him, he couldn’t think of anything to say. For heaven’s sake, all he needed was an excuse that would keep him at least somewhere in Europe for the next twenty four hours but his mind was blank. Stunned at the way this…diversion had taken on a life of its own. Moving at a pace that appeared as unstoppable as the train he was now expected to board tomorrow.

  Tables were being cleared around them and any moment now the waiters would come and interrupt this awkward silence, but clearly it wouldn’t be soon enough for Charlotte. She made an exasperated sound as she pushed back her chair and got to her feet.

  ‘I need some air,’ she announced. ‘I’ll leave you to talk to Gran, Nico.’

  Her tone suggested that he was unlikely to get anywhere but tha
t it was his problem. He’d got himself into this mess and now he could get himself out of it. Her body language as she headed towards the balcony suggested that she was washing her hands of the whole situation because it was clearly uncontrollable. The slump of her shoulders said that she didn’t believe he could do it without causing harm.

  And maybe she was right. Maybe now he was going have to confess his part in this deception. Was there a way he could do that and convince Lady Geraldine at the same time that it had been done with the very best of intentions and that Charlotte had only gone along with his stupid idea because she loved her grandmother so much?

  Nico took a deep breath and opened his mouth but Lady Geraldine got there first to fill the silence.

  ‘Oh, dear…’ she murmured. ‘And there I was, hoping that she’d finally got over it all…’

  Nico couldn’t help himself. ‘Over what, Jendi?’

  Lady Geraldine looked uncomfortable. ‘That’s the problem, Nico. I’ve never been able to find out.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘I was hoping you might be able to tell me.’

  ‘Scusi?’ The Italian word popped out, as they often did in moments of great stress or surprise.

  ‘There’s only been one other occasion when I’ve thought that Charlotte might have found the right man for her. The person she was going to spend the rest of her life with. To raise her own family with. And it was years ago. Back when she was just a baby doctor and everybody could see how brilliant she was. Is,’ Lady Geraldine corrected herself but she was frowning. ‘I don’t know what went wrong,’ she continued softly, almost as if she was talking aloud to herself, ‘but Charlotte…changed.’

  Yes. He was getting to the heart of the mystery now.

  ‘That was the time I first met her,’ he confided to Jendi. ‘When she was the star of the emergency department and nobody could sing her praises highly enough. And she was so happy. There was a sparkle about her that lit up a room. A smile that advertised such confidence…’ His voice trailed off as he realised the extent of how radically Charlotte had changed.