A Proposal from the Italian Count

by Lucy Gordon

  ‘By doing what?’

  ‘Can’t you smile at me as though I’m your heaven on earth?’

  ‘But what would that prove?’ she asked. ‘Only that I’m one of the crowd chasing you. Now, if you smiled at me that would be better. But don’t worry. I understand why you don’t want to.’

  ‘Don’t I?’

  ‘Heaven on earth? Me? More like purgatory, driving you mad.’

  ‘Which is just how you like it.’

  ‘I can’t deny that.’

  They laughed together. Those dancing near them observed them and assumed that they were in perfect accord and exchanged significant glances.

  ‘Now we’ve really given them something,’ she teased.

  ‘And if they were to hear me tell you that you look wonderful tonight they’d enjoy that even more.’

  ‘No, don’t say that. Some of them already want to murder me.’

  ‘But I want to say it.’ He raised his voice. ‘You’re lovelier than I’ve ever seen you.’

  ‘Hush, don’t overdo it.’

  They laughed again. Then he whirled her around and around until the music came to an end.

  ‘That was a great dance,’ he said. ‘I hope we can have another one before the night is over.’

  ‘I’m sure we can. But now you have your duty to do with every hopeful woman here.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’

  Turning away, she found herself facing Vittorio’s Baron friend—the one she had recently met in the city.

  ‘Stefano,’ she said happily. ‘How lovely to see you.’

  ‘And you, signorina. I remember our meeting with great pleasure. Since then I’ve hoped to meet you again. Shall we dance?’

  ‘That would be lovely.’

  He put his arm around her waist, drew her close, and began to spin her into the dance.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  STEFANO WAS AN expert dancer, and Jackie found her own moderate skills rising to meet his. It was an exhilarating experience. With his help she discovered her feet could move faster and in more complex movements than she had ever dreamed.

  ‘That was great,’ he said as the music ended. ‘Now let’s waltz together.’

  ‘Yes, let’s,’ she said, moving into his open arms.

  The gentle movements of the waltz made it easier for her to look around at the other dancers. One couple stood out. Vittorio was dancing with the Duchess of Revendo.

  ‘Oh—’ she gasped.

  ‘What is it?’ Stefano asked. ‘Are you feeling unwell?’

  ‘No, I’m fine. Everything’s fine.’

  ‘I’m not sure I believe you. When people say it like that things are never really fine.’

  ‘Yes, they are,’ she said quickly.

  This was something she couldn’t bear to talk about. She tried to catch a glimpse of Vittorio’s face, to see if it revealed any emotion. But as he whirled around with the woman who had once meant everything to him there was only a blankness in his face that might have meant indifference, or an emotion too strong to reveal.

  But then he smiled. And his partner smiled back at him. And suddenly they seemed magically connected.

  It lasted only a moment before they turned away, out of Jackie’s sight. She took a deep, troubled breath, wondering what life was doing to her and what it would do next.

  ‘You’re not going to have any trouble finding partners,’ Stefano said as the dance came to an end. ‘Look at them all, watching you.’

  He was right. There was another offer for her to dance, and then another. She accepted two partners, and then Stefano came forward and claimed her again.

  ‘You’re the belle of the ball,’ he said as they twirled.

  ‘Only because I’m dancing with the best dancer in the room!’ she said. ‘I gather you’ve got quite a reputation.’

  ‘For dancing?’

  ‘Only partly,’ she teased.

  She recalled what Vittorio had said about Stefano and his reputation as a playboy.

  He was handsome, delightful, and he could make her laugh. Many women would have fallen for him, but these days Jackie was too wise. All sorts of new feelings had grown within her now, protecting her from a man as obvious as this.

  But to spend a few minutes dancing with him was an innocent pleasure.

  ‘How are you coping with Vittorio?’ he said.

  ‘He’s not easy, but I don’t manage too badly.’

  ‘Everyone knows he’s in love with you and heading for the altar.’

  ‘Nonsense,’ she said firmly, remembering Vittorio’s face as he’d danced with the Duchess.

  ‘Apparently he told someone at the bank that you were engaged.’

  ‘Oh, that—oh, no. That was just a careless mistake.’

  He chuckled. ‘Who do you think you’re kidding? If there’s one man who would never make that kind of mistake it’s Vittorio.’

  ‘Yes, but—I’m not one of those women chasing him.’

  ‘Of course you’re not. That’s why you’ve caught him.’

  ‘Oh, nonsense. I haven’t.’ She thought for a moment. ‘Have I?’

  ‘Don’t you think you have? Or didn’t you want to?’

  ‘I haven’t quite decided about that yet.’

  A burst of laughter overcame him and Jackie joined in, unable to help herself.

  Feeling her shake in his arms, Stefano grasped her more firmly. ‘Steady,’ he said. ‘Don’t lose your balance. Hold on to me.’

  She did so, and felt herself once more whirled dramatically across the floor,’

  Standing near the door with Vittorio, Tania was regarding them with her head on one side.

  ‘The man Jackie’s dancing with,’ she said. ‘Isn’t that Stefano?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I hope you warned her about him. Women lose their hearts to him so easily.’

  ‘Not Jackie,’ Vittorio observed. ‘She never loses her heart to anyone.’

  ‘Is that personal experience talking?’ asked Tania curiously.

  ‘It could be.’

  ‘But you haven’t decided yet? Perhaps you should take your own advice.’

  ‘What advice is that?’

  ‘You once told me that a shrewd businessman never lets a good deal escape him. Seize it while it’s going, you said. Perhaps there’s your deal.’

  ‘A businessman?’ he murmured. ‘Is that all I am?’

  ‘At one time you’d never have doubted it.’

  ‘At one time I was a different man.’

  As they watched the dance ended. At once another man appeared to claim Jackie, who went happily into his arms. The two of them waltzed contentedly until the music ended, at which moment two more young men approached her, both trying to claim her. All around them the other dancers paused to enjoy the sight.

  ‘Don’t let a good deal escape,’ Tania urged.

  ‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘Time I acted.’

  He strode out onto the floor, arriving just as the two hopeful men were getting deep into argument.

  ‘Sorry to break up the party,’ he growled. As he spoke he put his arms around Jackie, drawing her close in a clasp too firm for her to resist. ‘But the lady belongs to me.’

  ‘Do I?’ she asked lightly.

  ‘You do. And if you don’t know it now you soon will.’

  Vittorio knew a strange feeling as he took her into his arms. Only a few minutes ago she’d been dancing with a well-known charmer, gazing up into his face, collapsing with delighted laughter, and then whirling away with him as though aiming for another world.

  Now she was in his own arms, looking coolly up into his eyes and thinking—

  Just what was she thin
king? What lurked behind her gaze?

  ‘I warned you not to fall for Stefano,’ he said.

  ‘I didn’t. I was just being polite.’

  ‘Polite to him and every other man in the room—thus making me look an idiot.’

  ‘Why should it affect you?’ she asked lightly.

  ‘Because there’s a rumour that we’re engaged.’

  ‘A rumour you started, for your own convenience. You just wanted to get the better of me about our disagreement.’

  ‘And yet somehow you’re the one who always finishes on top,’ he observed. ‘Isn’t that strange?’

  ‘Not strange at all, seeing that I’ve got right on my side,’ she said.

  ‘You always think that, don’t you?’

  ‘Sure—it’s something I learned from you. Oh, boy, the things you’ve taught me! Get your own way at all costs. Never ask anyone else’s opinion, and if they dare to offer one tell them to shut up.’

  ‘I didn’t ever tell you to shut up,’ he protested.

  ‘Not in words, but you don’t need words. Why are you complaining? I had a few dances...enjoyed some innocent fun. It didn’t do you any harm. We’re not really a couple. We just made a bargain.’

  He didn’t answer. He had an uneasy feeling that the bargain was slipping away.

  ‘Vittorio, listen to me. You claim that all women are deceitful liars, playing one man off against another. So what are you saying now—that I’m just one of them? Am I no better than the Duchess?’

  ‘Leave her out of this.’

  ‘How can I when you made such a point of dancing with her?’

  ‘That was a courtesy. I danced with her to show that she doesn’t trouble me. She did once, but now when we meet things are different.’

  ‘Different? That could mean anything.’

  ‘It means that my heart no longer belongs to her. It belongs to someone else—but I shouldn’t have to tell you that. You should know without words.’

  ‘Perhaps,’ she whispered. ‘But sometimes words can help.’

  ‘Or they can make things worse—which they often do with us. Why are you so determined to quarrel with me, Jackie?’

  ‘I’m determined to quarrel?’

  ‘You know how badly I want to sort things out between us. Maybe I was clumsy about the money, but I was desperate to put things right between us, to make you stop hating me because of your father. You can see that, but you won’t yield an inch.’

  ‘Why should I? Stop this, Vittorio. You talk of putting it right, but nothing will ever put it right for my father because he isn’t here any longer. If I took the money from you his tragedy would still be the same as it always was. The only difference would be my conscience, tormenting me because I’d benefitted from his suffering, knowing that after all his lovely treatment of me I’d just shrugged my shoulders and said it didn’t matter.’

  ‘Would he have blamed you for that?’

  ‘No, he’d have told me to put myself first.’

  ‘Then listen to him.’

  ‘I can’t take advantage of his sweet nature. I owe him better. But, Vittorio, this is no time to venture over such dangerous ground.’

  ‘You could be wrong.’ His arms tightened, drawing her closer. ‘Perhaps the best way to tread on dangerous ground is in each other’s arms.’

  ‘Perhaps,’ she agreed.

  ‘Sometimes I think “perhaps” is the most troublesome word in the world. Perhaps I have feelings for you that frighten me. Perhaps you have the same, but you fight them off.’

  ‘Perhaps...’ she said, giving him a challenging look.

  They were dancing slowly past a large open door. Suddenly he whirled her through it and into a dark corridor.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she demanded.

  ‘Finding out what “perhaps” means.’ His voice became intense. ‘There’s something I need to know. Jackie.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘This.’

  He dropped his head so that his mouth covered hers. For an instant she tried to resist, remembering their last kiss which had ended in rejection. But the feel of his mouth was thrilling, devastating. Her mind sought to reject him, but her flesh warmed and trembled with pleasure.

  Her arms seemed to go about him of their own accord, drawing him closer, seeking something that only he could give her. She moved her lips against his, revelling in the excitement of his response. She had the sudden devastating conviction that he was hers. He belonged to her because that was what he had chosen.

  And with shattering conviction she knew that if she weakened she would belong to him. But how weak did she dare to be?

  He raised his head a little. Her mouth was free but she could still feel the whisper of his breath against it.

  ‘Well?’ she murmured. ‘Did you find the answer you wanted?’

  ‘Perhaps...perhaps...’ he said softly. ‘There was just a hint. But you’re not going to let me guess too soon, are you?’

  Her smile teased and challenged him. ‘If it’s true you shouldn’t need to guess. You should know.’

  ‘Only if you’ll let me know. You like to keep me wondering, don’t you?’

  ‘It can be fun,’ she said.

  ‘There’s more in this for us than fun, Jackie. Can’t you feel that?’

  ‘I’m not sure what I feel. I’m still waiting for you to teach me.’

  ‘Devil! Witch! Stop playing games with me.’

  ‘All right,’ she whispered, and drew his head down again until his lips touched hers.

  She knew at once that she’d taken him by surprise, and a sudden determined impulse made her embrace him with greater fervour, enveloping him with her desire and rejoicing in his responding passion.

  ‘Vittorio—’

  ‘Jackie—Jackie—’

  There was something in his voice that made her heart soar. But suddenly it was all over. He released himself from her and stepped back.

  ‘Why do you torment me, Jackie?’

  ‘I don’t—’

  ‘Don’t deny it. You knew what you were doing tonight would drive me mad. That’s how you get your pleasure, isn’t it?’

  ‘I’ve told you—’

  ‘Did you enjoy dancing with them knowing what the sight of you was doing to me?’

  ‘But I didn’t know. How was I supposed to know you cared either way? You don’t care about me. You pretend to for the sake of our audience, but it’s all an act—’

  ‘And that’s why you hate me? Oh, yes, you’ve made yourself very plain about that. You hate me because I gained from what my father did to yours. You say all those polite things about how he did it, not me. But I see the truth in your eyes every time you look around this place. You see him, don’t you? You see your father standing there. And he tells you to hate everything—including me.’

  ‘Yes, he’s here for me, but he doesn’t tell me to hate. Hatred was never his way. All I feel is his love, which will always be with me.’

  Before he could answer there was a shriek of laughter from further along the corridor. Instinctively they both backed off.

  ‘Do you want to go back to the ball?’ he asked.

  ‘Not yet—I’m not quite ready.’

  ‘Nor I. Let’s stay away together for a while.’

  ‘I’d like to go and have a cup of tea.’

  ‘Tea? Not coffee? Ah, yes, you’re English aren’t you? Come along.’

  Smiling, he offered his arm and they went along the corridor to the kitchen together.

  But a surprise was waiting for them. There were already several young women in the kitchen, and as they neared she heard one of them say, ‘What a shock Jackie must have given you all!’

  The reply came in Italian, causing th
e first woman to say, ‘I don’t understand Italian. You know I don’t.’

  ‘Scusami. In English you would say Signorina Jackie is fooling herself. She thinks she can win Vittorio, but she doesn’t know him. Jackie hasn’t got a chance, but she’s too stupid to realise that. Vittorio will take her to his bed, have what he wants, then throw her out. And we’ll all have a good laugh.’

  Jackie began to shake. To hear all this with Vittorio standing there, hearing it as well, was a nightmare.

  ‘Are you sure he’d do that?’ someone asked. ‘He might really be in love with her.’

  ‘Get real. Vittorio’s never really in love with anyone. I’ve seen the way he looks at her.’

  ‘So have I,’ said a voice that sounded like Marisa’s.

  Jackie tensed as the voice continued.

  ‘And I’ve seen the way he looks at any woman he’s trying to seduce. That special expression he can put in his eyes—he’s brilliant at that. Fools them every time.’

  ‘I shouldn’t think Jackie’s easily fooled. I reckon she’s tougher than that.’

  ‘That just makes her more of a challenge. It’ll make it all the funnier when she realises what a fool he’s made of her.’

  ‘But there’s a rumour that they’re engaged. Apparently he told someone at the bank.’

  ‘I’ll bet he didn’t tell anyone. She told someone, trying to back him into a corner.’

  ‘Wasn’t he supposed to be engaged to you, Marisa? I remember when everyone was talking about it.’

  ‘People talk about everything,’ came Marisa’s voice. ‘What does it matter?’

  ‘Perhaps you should think about Dino Norese,’ said someone else. ‘He’s mad about you.’

  ‘Dino’s all right. Nothing special.’ Marisa’s reply was cool and lofty.

  ‘Let’s get out of here fast,’ Vittorio murmured in Jackie’s ear. ‘We don’t want them to see us.’

  He drew her along the corridor until they were out of danger.

  Her head was whirling with what she had heard. The world saw her as a woman foolishly trying to enjoy an impossible conquest and making herself absurd. And Marisa was trying to gain from this too, seeking to reclaim Vittorio.

  Some of her words came back to her.