Ally hadn’t missed Sofia’s aside when the housekeeper told Gino that Merlina had dropped by the farmhouse while they’d been out.
“Merlina is one of Uncle Gino’s girlfriends. Sometimes she used to come to the palazzo to talk to Mama about him.” Hearing those words, Ally had actually experienced a stab of jealousy! Everything was getting far too complicated. She needed to go home and leave temptation behind. Back in Portland she would find herself another place to live. Keeping busy would prevent her from thinking too much. Fantasizing too much about impossible dreams.
To stay here any longer would be disastrous.
By the time she reached the bedroom, she heard footsteps behind her and wheeled around to discover Gino had followed her. With his rock-hard body filling the aperture, it prevented her from shutting the door. She had no choice but to back away from him.
“Earlier today,” he began in a neutral tone of voice she couldn’t help but envy, “Sofia and I had a conversation. Before you get carried away with plans, how would you like the job of teaching her the violin for the summer?”
Ally let out a soft cry of surprise. In the semidarkness his eyes glowed like hot coals. “Sofia told me that’s how you earn your living. I had no idea you were an accomplished violinist. She begged me to ask you to teach her the fundamentals.
“You’ve sparked something in my niece I didn’t know was possible. I’m indebted to you, Ally, and I’ll make it worth your time financially to stay here.”
Ally was stunned.
More than anything in the world she wanted to say yes, but she didn’t dare. Another night under his roof and she feared she’d want to stay forever, not just for a summer.
Trying to catch her breath she said, “I’m sorry, Gino, but I can’t.”
I can’t. Don’t ask me.
“I’m under contract with the symphony. We start rehearsing again in July.”
His expression darkened. “You want me to tell that to a young girl downstairs who today had her first taste of happiness in over two years?”
“That’s not fair—” she cried.
His black brows furrowed. “Nothing about this situation has been fair—” he bit out.
“Even so, Gino, I—”
“Even so nothing,” he cut her off without apology. “Every contract has a clause that exempts a person under extraordinary circumstances. When you explain what you’ve been going through, I can guarantee they’ll allow you whatever time you need.”
Ally knew it was true, but that wasn’t what concerned her the most.
He cocked his dark head. “I don’t expect you to be a baby-sitter, if that’s what’s worrying you. All I ask is that you give her an hour a day. You two can work out the time that’s most convenient for you. The rest of the time you’ll be free to do whatever you want.
“The farmhouse has rooms rarely used. You could choose any one of them to practice in. “You can use one of my trucks so you can drive where you want. When you don’t choose to eat out, Bianca will prepare your meals.”
She put up her hands. “Stop, Gino. You’re making it difficult for me to refuse.”
Lines marred his features. “As the acting Duc Di Montefalco, I plan to make it so damn hard, you wouldn’t dare.”
Acting Duc… No wonder he was given such preferential treatment everywhere he went. It explained his being able to take over at the jail as if he were in charge.
She had trouble swallowing.
“You don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t, not after Mrs. James Parker spent a brutal night in jail insisting she needed to meet in private with the Duc Di Montefalco and no one else. That woman never once backed down.
“Your courage, like your beauty, is the talk of the Montefalco police department.”
Her breathing grew shallow. “You must be talking about someone else.”
“No,” his voice grated. “I was there, remember? If you need reminding, take the advice you gave Sofia and look in the mirror. It will remove all doubt.”
Maybe she was mistaken to think she saw a brief flash of desire in his eyes.
When she thought of the women he’d known in the past—no doubt beautiful women who’d do anything to be seen and loved by him—
All she knew was that it found an answering chord in her. She couldn’t help wondering how it would feel to be kissed by him. Thoroughly kissed. Just imagining it made her so unsteady, she weaved and had to hold on to the corner of the dresser for support.
“After Leonora goes home tomorrow, I’ll drive you and Sofia into town. You can pick out violins and anything else you need to get her started. Think about it. If necessary, make any phone calls you need to. Then come downstairs and give me your answer.”
He disappeared too fast for her to call him back.
She couldn’t.
With her senses as alive as a red-hot wire, she couldn’t muster a coherent thought, let alone talk.
Four months ago she couldn’t have conceived of a time when she would be so attracted to another man, she would consider staying with him. Especially when she knew she was already in emotional jeopardy.
Uncle Gino prefers his girlfriends.
Such were Sofia’s words.
As if thinking about the girl conjured her up, Gino’s niece tapped on the open door.
“Hi,” Ally said in a shaky voice.
“Hello. Is it all right if I come in?”
“Please do.” Ally tried to sound normal, but it was difficult because Sofia’s unexpected visit to the bedroom had thrown her.
“Did Uncle Gino tell you I’d like to take violin lessons?”
Ally nodded.
“I know this is the country, but if you gave lessons to my friend Anna, and maybe to Leonora and her sister, that would make four students. It would give you more money. I could pay for my lessons from the allowance Uncle Gino gives me.”
Ally let out a heaving sigh. “It’s not the money, Sofia. I—I just wouldn’t feel right about staying here at your uncle’s.”
“You could stay at the palazzo. Nobody’s there but the staff. Paolo would drive me for my lessons.”
She smothered a groan. “Your uncle wants you and your father with him for the summer. He can’t be worried about you going back and forth.”
They couldn’t risk Ally being seen by journalists just waiting for an opportunity.
Sofia studied her. “I thought you liked it here.”
“I do,” she rushed to assure her. More than Sofia would ever know. But—
“This is a big farmhouse,” Sofia kept talking. “And Uncle Gino has to be gone a lot. He says you can stay as long as you want.”
“That’s very generous of him.”
“He says if you agree, he’s got a special surprise planned for us.”
Ally could feel her defenses crumbling. “What kind of surprise?”
Suddenly Gino appeared in the doorway again looking devilishly handsome.
“You’ll have to wait and see,” he answered for his niece. “I promise it will be something neither of you will want to miss.”
Ally had run out of excuses. With both of them imploring her to say yes, she couldn’t take the pull on her heart any longer. Sofia needed love. As for Gino, she realized he needed someone to lean on. If she could help him through this transition with his niece, why not. Part of her felt she owed them.
“I tell you what. For the next few weeks I’d be happy to get you started on the violin. But when my vacation is over at the end of June, I’ll have to go home.”
I’ll have to.
Gino put his hands on Sofia’s shoulders. “We’ll accept that arrangement, won’t we, sweetheart.”
Sofia was beaming. “Yes.”
His eyes held a strange glitter of satisfaction. “Then let’s say good night to our guest. In the morning we’ll make our plans over breakfast.”
“Good night, Ally,” Sofia murmured. “I can’t wait till tomorrow.”
A
t this point Ally was a mass of jumbled emotions. Avoiding Gino’s probing gaze she said, “I’m looking forward to it, too.”
“We all are.” As Gino closed the door, the silky timbre of his parting words almost caused her legs to buckle.
She’d done it now. There was no going back or it would crush Sofia. Even Ally could see the girl was fragile.
But no more so than Ally who would be worse off when she eventually left Italy. At least Sofia would still have Gino.
When Gino’s cell phone went off the next morning, he was already up and shaved. Knowing Ally Parker was in his house, and wouldn’t be leaving Italy anytime soon, had to be the reason he’d awakened with a sense of exhilaration he hadn’t experienced in years.
He left the bathroom and went back to his room where he’d left the phone on the dresser.
He checked the caller ID, then clicked on.
“Buon giorno, Maria.”
“Buon giorno, Gino.”
“Is Dizo bringing Leonora, or do you want me to come and get her?”
“I’m calling because the children are sick. They’ve all come down with colds. Leonora is running a temperature. I’m so sorry, Gino. She’s very upset that I won’t let her leave the house.”
“It’s all right, Maria.”
It was better than all right. She’d just given him the excuse to spend the morning with Ally and Sofia.
“Tell Leonora we’ll look forward to seeing her when she’s better. Ciao.”
A few minutes later he went downstairs where he could hear female voices drifting through the rooms. The animation in Sofia’s chatter when she never chattered was like a balm to his soul.
The sight of their blond guest at the breakfast table dressed in a soft yellow blouse and white skirt, was more intoxicating than his first breath of fresh air when he opened his bedroom window at sunup.
Bianca had outdone herself to make an American breakfast. She buzzed around the kitchen with new energy. Marcello appeared to have a healthy appetite. His eggs and fruit juice were disappearing fast.
As Gino and Roberto, the other nurse, exchanged a silent greeting of amusement, Sofia cried, “We thought you’d never come down, Uncle Gino.”
Was she speaking for their guest, too?
His gaze flicked to Ally’s. Her eyes reflected a lush spring-green in the morning light coming through the windows. With glowing skin and diaphanous hair, she didn’t look a day over twenty-two.
“I had a phone call from Maria,” he explained taking his place at the table across from Ally. “She told me her children are sick with colds. Leonora is running a fever and can’t come over today. Maybe tomorrow.”
“That’s okay.” Sofia didn’t sound at all bothered by the change in plan. “Will you take us to get our violins this morning? Then you can do your work.”
Gino chuckled. So did Ally. His niece was definitely an organizer.
“I don’t see why not.”
Her brown eyes sparkled, another first in several years. He saw the promise of a lovely woman inside the girl who reminded him so much of Marcello, it brought a pang to his chest.
“Ally said we should rent them and practice for a few days to see if we like them first.”
His gaze trapped Ally’s.
“You’re the expert, so we’ll bow to your judgment.” Anything to prevent her from changing her mind and leaving.
His good mood had made him ravenous. He ate a double helping of everything.
After he’d praised Bianca for her cooking, he suggested they get going.
On the way out to the truck, Sofia caught hold of his arm. Ally hadn’t joined them yet.
“I think we should practice in the living room because there’s a piano. Is that all right with you?”
“I can’t think of a better place.”
“Good. Did you know Ally can play the piano, too? She says when I’ve learned a few songs, she can accompany me.”
“That doesn’t surprise me a bit, sweetheart. Signora Parker is a woman of many parts.”
Gino wouldn’t be satisfied until he knew all of them…
CHAPTER FIVE
ALLY climbed in the truck with an eagerness she was hard-pressed to conceal. It was because of the black-haired man at the wheel. He looked fantastic this morning in a navy polo shirt and cream trousers. Ally decided that Italian men just looked better in their clothes. Of course she’d seen him at the river yesterday when all he’d been wearing were his black trunks. The truth was, he needed no embellishment.
She’d only known him a short while, but so far she could find no fault with him.
That was the scary part. She felt she was under some sort of spell.
To be recently widowed and yet this happy when she was living on borrowed time, defied logic.
They reached Remo in no time at all. “Here we are. I made inquiries and learned that Petelli’s should have everything you need.”
They’d pulled up alongside an arcade with shops that had been built the century before.
Sofia followed Ally out of the truck, then ran ahead to view the instruments displayed in the front window of the music store.
Ally glimpsed a guitar, harp, cello, viola and violin. She was no more immune to the sight of a beautifully crafted instrument than Sofia who grasped her arm.
“Let’s go inside.”
Gino held the door open for them. Ally’s arm brushed against his chest as she trailed Sofia. The contact caused her to gasp softly.
Fearing Gino had heard her, she rushed over to the counter where a man probably in his late seventies smiled at them. She had a feeling he was the owner.
“Good morning,” Ally greeted him. He nodded. “Do you speak English?”
“A little. Your husband can translate, si?”
“Yes,” Gino responded, drawing up next to her.
She gave him a covert glance and noticed his eyes were smiling.
While heat crept into Ally’s cheeks, Sofia said something to the man in Italian.
“Ah…she’s the professor.”
“Yes,” Ally exclaimed. “We would like to rent two violins.”
“For the little one and her father?”
Once again Sofia came to the rescue, obviously to Gino’s delight because a rumble of laughter came out of him, deep and full bodied. The attractive sound reverberated through Ally’s nervous system.
The owner eyed her with curiosity. “No violin for the little one’s papa?”
The man was a huge tease. She couldn’t help smiling at him. “No.”
“You are the professor, and you need a violin?”
“Yes. I left mine in America.”
“Are you good?”
“I try.”
“Momento.” He turned behind him and reached in the case for one of the violins. Then he found her a bow from the drawer.
After tuning the instrument, he placed both items on the counter in front of her. “Play something by Tchaikovsky. Then I know which violin is for you.”
Ally was more nervous than the time she had to audition in front of the maestro and the concert master. But her adrenaline wasn’t surging because of the owner. She wanted to perform her best for Gino and his niece.
Once she’d fit the violin under her chin, she reached for the bow and began playing the final movement of Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto.
Normally when Ally played, she receded into another world. But this was one time she couldn’t forget her surroundings. With Gino’s black eyes riveted on her, all she could think about was him, how loving he was to Sofia, how tenderly he treated his brother. What she couldn’t tell him in words, she found herself compelled to say to him through her music. She wanted to ease the pain and suffering of this wonderful, selfless man.
“Stop—stop—” the owner cried.
Ally turned to him, surprised and confused. She saw him wiping his eyes.
“Give me the violin.”
Ally handed it to him. He put it back in th
e case, then unlocked another one.
“Here. This is a Stradivari. Now finish, please.”
Whether it was an authentic Stadivarius, or a model of one copied from the master violin maker in Cremona, Italy, Ally trembled as she fit it beneath her chin and finished the Tchaikovsky.
The difference in instruments made such a difference in the sound, she could have wept for the beauty of it. When she’d come to the end, there was silence, then a burst of applause from several people who’d come into the shop without her being aware of it.
While Gino and Sofia stared at her mesmerized, the owner clapped his hands.
“Bravo, signora. Bravo, Bravo.”
Ally handed the violin and bow back to him. “Thank you for the privilege of being allowed to play it,” she said to him.
Sofia’s eyes had filled.
“I’ll never be able to play like you.”
Ally leaned over and kissed her forehead. “You never know until you try. Once upon a time, I was just like you. I’d never even held a violin in my hand.”
She raised up and looked at the owner. “Let’s fit her with one her size. I’ll rent the violin you first gave me to try. We’ll need a music stand, and some beginner books.”
Before Ally could say she would pay for her own rental, Gino gave the other man a credit card.
As they gathered up their purchases and went back out to the truck, Gino was oddly silent. For that matter, so was Sofia. That is until they arrived at the farmhouse where she glimpsed an unfamiliar car parked near the fountain.
Roberto, another nurse she’d been introduced to, was taking Marcello for a walk in the courtyard.
The second Ally climbed down so Sofia could get out, the girl ran over to show them her violin case. “Bring Papa in the house, Roberto. He’s going to love hearing Ally play. He’ll think he’s at the symphony again!”
While Ally watched the three of them head for the front door, she heard footsteps behind her. The next thing she knew Gino had turned her around by the shoulders.
His features solemn, he grasped both her hands and kissed her fingertips. She thought his breathing sounded labored.
“Sometimes there aren’t words. Today was one of those times.” His black eyes streamed into hers. “How in God’s name could your husband have done what he did?”
The Princess Bride Page 7
