"Your dress for tomorrow."
"I have a dress."
"I have it under good authority that you haven't. You have a suit. That," he casually gestured to the bag," is a proper dress. Just because we're getting married at the registry office doesn't mean you don't need a wedding dress. It should fit you. And besides I would never hear the end of it from Mamma G."
Elise wondered what the tense expression on his face meant. She tried to open the bag to have a look, but his large hand on hers stopped her.
"Don't! Look at it when you're on your own. It was my mother's wedding dress; she kept it for my bride. And before you ask, the bitch never wore it. She turned her nose up at a hand-me-down, wanted something new and expensive."
Elise winced at the pain in those few words.
"And you want me to wear this, Marco?"
He threw her a glance, his face grim, before shrugging his wide shoulders as though he didn't care.
"No skin off my nose if you don't."
But he couldn't hide the white knuckled grip on the steering wheel.
Chapter Eight
Elise, wrapped into a fluffy dressing gown, stared into the flames of the open fire in Mamma G's living room. She wrapped her hands around the steaming hot chocolate and breathed a sigh of contentment. Her body felt deliciously relaxed, having been pummeled and shaped by the masseur. He had been part of her surprise, together with the hairdresser and beautician who had given her a complete body makeover. Truly fascinating the places one could wax these days.
Stella and Kitty had joined her in the spa afternoon, and Elise hadn't laughed that much in a long time. Those two were crazy, they really were, and she'd felt a pang of envy at the easy camaraderie between Kitty and her mother-in-law. She'd been surprised to learn that it hadn't always been like this.
"Oh no, Stella couldn't stand me at first. She thought I wasn't good enough for Alex."
"Why ever would she think that?" Elise asked. "You're perfect for each other; everyone can see that."
Kitty laughed and shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, it was all a long time ago now, and Stella thought she was doing the right thing. She doesn't miss a thing, I tell you."
Elise had felt a trickle of unease rolling down her spine at those words. Behind the laughter and the shared torture of all that pummeling, she'd been all too aware of Mamma G's thoughtful gaze. The fine hair on her neck stood up now. Sure enough Mamma G entered the room, clad in an identical robe, her long, shiny black hair falling free down her back. It was hard to believe she was in her late fifties; she could easily pass for early forties.
Mimi will be a lucky little girl if she inherits those strong genes.
"I put the air con on full blast, so we should be nice and cozy in front of the fire. Nothing like an open fire and a hot chocolate to relax you, is there?"
Elise smiled at her uneasily. It seemed a huge extravagance to her to have a fire in the middle of summer, but it sure was cozy. The Giovanni clearly had no need to watch the pennies, like Jemima and she always had to do.
Thoughts of Jemima made Elise shift uneasily on her plush seat. Marco said he would help her, but at what cost? And what if he decided to investigate her further? He was bound to after all; the man left nothing to chance. Elise barely suppressed a shudder at the thought of what he may do to both of them when he found out. It would be when, not an if, of that she was sure. Oh blooming heck, what am I going to do?
"Now, my dear, what gloomy thoughts are going through that pretty head of yours? You're marrying tomorrow; that should make you smile."
Stella watched her through hooded eyes that reminded her of Marco. Really she could be his mother, not his aunt.
"Sorry, guess I am nervous."
"Brides are entitled to be nervous, but there is no need. Marco will do right by you; you'll see."
Elise couldn't help the almost snort, and Stella's eyebrows rose as the full intensity of her blue eyed gaze settled on her. Oh shoot, now she'd done it.
"If you have such a low opinion of my nephew, then why are you marrying him, Elise? Or should I say Jemima?"
Elise almost dropped her cup of chocolate.
"Wh…what did you just say?"
"I'm no fool, Elise. I grant you the resemblance is uncanny, but there are differences. The way you hold yourself, the way you fidget with your hair, the easy way you've adopted the new clothes, Marco has insisted on, and most importantly the way little Mimi is responding to you, not to mention Marco."
Elise's heart hammered in her chest, her tummy churning. Could this get any worse?
She made herself look at Mamma G and was stunned to see the woman was smiling at her. Not sure whether that smile was that of a cobra ready to strike she held her breath, whilst straightening her shoulders ready to take whatever was coming.
"How long have you known?"
Stella's amused chuckle threw her further off balance.
"Well it was obvious,really. Marco had absolutely no interest in you before. Then you show up, he announces you're engaged, and he looks as though he can't wait to eat you alive. And then there's Mimi. It's obvious you adore her and vice versa. Your sister made her giggle, but she never looked as relaxed as she is with you."
"Mimi is a very special little girl."
"That she is, and she needs a good mother, not the harlot who gave birth to her, and completely messed Marco up."
"He really hates her, doesn't he?"
Stella's short laugh was ice cold. "And with good reason, but he can explain that to you."
"Why are you not calling the police or something?"
Again Stella just laughed.
"And that would achieve what exactly? I will not have my family's dirty linen aired in public. You will learn soon enough that we Giovanni stick together, and as you're marrying Marco tomorrow, you'll be a Giovanni. I can assure you that Marco will not put us through another divorce."
Elise's rising temper made her voice shrill.
"If you don't want another divorce in the family, then maybe he shouldn't go through with blackmailing me into this. Hardly the basis for a lasting marriage!"
"Ah, I was wondering how he got you to agree. And who's to say this marriage won't last? He married for love last time, and that didn't turn out too well. And if he doesn't get laid soon, that boy will self-combust. So marriage it is. And as I know you at least love Mimi, well, that's a good start."
Elise couldn't believe her ears.
"This isn't the dark ages, Mamma G. He hardly needs to get married to get laid. You cannot seriously be suggesting that Marco hasn't had a string of mistresses since he split with his ex?"
Elise had to sit back down again at the expression in Stella's bemused eyes as she rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure my nephew has found other ways to relieve himself, but that is hardly the same as a willing woman. I'm afraid his views on sex outside of marriage are rather old fashioned." She narrowed her eyes looking Elise over. "So I reckon you'll be good for him. Put it this way, you'd better be."
Elise couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Or what?"
"What do you think Marco will do when he finds out that you're in fact Jemima?"
Elise barely supressed a shudder. She could imagine his reaction only too well. "I'm not Jemima. I'm Elise, always have been, always will be. Jemima assumed my identity to get this job." Stella gave a low whistle at that."Why, I'm not entirely sure, but by golly I'm going to find out, and then..."
"Then what? What could you possibly do to your twin? Trust me I know how it is. Only I was the flighty one who married the responsible brother. My twin married Marcos's father."
Then what indeed? Jemima was the only family she had after all. Hang on, what had she just said? Elise looked at Stella aghast. Well that explained the family resemblance.
"When Magda died in that car accident, I took Marco under my wing, and he's like a son to me. Trust me you don't want to lose your twin, ever, no matt
er how annoying they are."
Stella's eyes filled with tears. Elise reached out to her, but the older woman just shook her head.
"So, what are you going to do about your impossible twin?"
"I don't know, but she's gone too far this time, she really has. And Marco will go ape shit when he finds out, so I really ought to just tell him and get it over with."
"No!"
Stella's sharp retort startled Elise.
"Marco has been through too much, and he needs to be married in order to get that bitch out of our lives for good; so I'm afraid you'll just have to carry on. And Elise, you best make sure he has no complaints in the bedroom. You owe him that much for this whole charade. And with that in mind, here is one of your wedding presents." She threw a little bundle at Elise.
"Go on, open it. I guarantee it will make your wedding night special, and he will not be able to keep his hands off you. And before you ask, I'll make sure he's got a little something for you, too."
Elise felt her cheeks flame looking into that little parcel.
"You cannot be serious, Stella!"
Stella just smiled at her.
"Oh, but I am. Trust me, a good sex life makes a marriage great, you'll see. The tales I could tell you of my late husband and I. Marco reminds me so much of him. He was just as righteous and self-contained, out of the bedroom anyway. Ah I've shocked you. Just ask Kitty. I tend to be right, about these things anyhow."
Stella rose. "I'm off to bed, and you should get some sleep, my dear. I can guarantee you won't get any tomorrow night."
Chapter Nine
Marco scanned the room, his expression grim. Where the hell was she? Kitty smiled at him encouragingly from the back row. She held Mimi's hand. His daughter jumped on and off one of the seats. Kitty's twins were fast asleep in their double stroller. Her son Noah sat very solemnly watching the proceedings. Robert sat, arms crossed, disapproval clearly written all over his face. Marco smiled grimly. His solicitor still didn't approve then. He certainly liked the big paycheck, though, which was just so bloody typical. Everyone had a price; you just needed to know what it was.
Alex's sisters and their brood of kids were taking over the other side of the room completely, neatly disguising the fact that the bride had no one. Not even a friend. He grimaced, remembering how Elise had spat at him that she would not subject any of her friends to this sham of a wedding. She'd been furious with him, and he shut her up with a kiss that quickly turned far too passionate and had it not been for Mimi interrupting them... Where the hell was she? The sooner they got married, the sooner he could whisk her off to that hotel suite.
"Relax, Marco, she'll be here. Brides are always late; you know that. Remember how long Kitty kept me waiting?"
Alex gave his cousin a playful shove and Marco made himself smile at the registrar. The elderly woman in her no nonsense business suit smiled back politely before shuffling some paper on her desk and pointedly looking at the clock.
"She'll be here soon," Marco heard himself say, his voice gruff to his own ears. She wouldn't dare not to be.
"Of course she will, probably just making herself extra beautiful for her big day."
"There is no need. She is beautiful as she is," Marco said, and Alex laughed out loud.
"My who has it bad here?"
Marco's scowl deepened. Had he said that out loud? He ran one hand through his already dishevelled looking hair and loosened the stranglehold of his tie. Why was it so hot in here?
The opening of the door behind him coupled with Alex's low wolf whistle, made him spin around. The sight of Elise in his mother's wedding dress hit him like a punch to the gut. She was wearing the dress. She was actually wearing it. Marco didn't care to examine why that meant so much to him right now, but his toes curled inside their shoes with the pure effort to not let himself react outwardly. Even so he took one involuntary step towards the vision of his pasticcino, his heart hammering in his chest. She had to be the most beautiful bride he had ever seen.
The simple white silk clung to Elise's curves. The low V neck emphasised her cleavage whilst plunging right down her back to the cascading train that flowed around her when she moved. His hungry gaze scanned down her front, over the rhinestones on her bust, down the skirt that ended just below the knee showing her long legs off to perfection before finally settling on the bright red toe nails peeping out of high heeled stiletto sandals. Something about those toes called to him on the most primal level, and he barely suppressed a groan as he shifted uncomfortably. It clearly had been way too long since he last had a woman under him.
Alex's quiet chuckle made him turn his heated gaze away from Elise and relax his tightly clenched fingers. Mamma G, who had entered behind Elise, threw him a knowing look. She whispered something to Elise which made her blush delightfully before her chocolate brown eyes widened slightly when they settled on him. She took one tentative step towards him. Her eyes never left his face, and the rest of the room faded away as Marco lost himself in the depth of those beautiful eyes. His fingers itched to free the hair that she had swept up off her long graceful neck. His eyes focused on the rapidly beating pulse on the base of her exposed throat. She was nervous as hell, confirmed by the trembling hand he grasped, when she finally came close enough for her unique scent to surround him. Not caring about their audience he pulled her into his body to drop a heated kiss on that quivering pulse. He smiled at her shocked gasp, and he whispered in her ear. "You look stunning."
He would never be able to remember the actual words they said to each other during the ceremony that followed. His voice loud and clear, hers slightly more hesitant, yet with a distinct edge to it he had not heard before. He was too aware of the woman next to him. Her trembling calling to him on the most basic levels and aroused a protective instinct so fierce he had to make an effort to gentle the grasp he had on her. All he wanted to do was fling her over his shoulder and run off with her like one of his cavemen ancestors. Hell, they clearly had the right idea back then, so much simpler all round.
When they reached the part where any objections ought to be made the door flew open and in tottered Jennifer, holding onto the arm of her latest fling. At least the man had the decency to look embarrassed. Marco spun round in barely controlled fury when he heard his ex-wife's dulcet tones.
"Oh I am sosorry," she said. "Didn't mean to interrupt. So carry on." And with a sickeningly fake smile and a dismissive rake over Elise's attire that set his teeth on edge, she sat herself at the back. Mimi immediately started crying, but before he could react, Elise cursed low under her breath. With a hand on his arm and a whispered, "Don't," she went to give Mimi a cuddle. She took her off a scowling Stella before returning to stand next to him, his daughter cradled on her hip.
He drew them in close; the sight of Mimi nestled up so trustingly to Elise thawing out yet another layer of his frozen heart. He would never forget what had just happened, but he ruthlessly squashed down on his emerging feelings, forcing himself to concentrate on the ceremony instead of the urge to throttle his ex-wife.
****
Elise looked at herself in the bathroom mirror of the hotel suite. Even to her own eyes she looked like a rabbit caught up in the headlights of an oncoming car. And that is exactly how she felt right now. The adrenaline that had carried her through the emotionally charged scenes at the registry office and the dinner that followed had faded to be replaced by a dull terror at what was waiting for her.
She looked down on the wide platinum wedding band Marco had slipped on her finger mere hours ago, and her heart skipped a beat remembering the fierce expression in his eyes when he had done so. The tension had been rolling off him in waves, a barely controlled fury shimmering underneath his immaculately tailored suit, ever since that blasted ex-wife had turned up unannounced. The woman had a nerve; she really did.
Before Elise had barely had a chance to regain her equilibrium after the kiss Marco had given her once they were married – a kiss that had rocked her to
the very bottom of her soul with the intensity and whispered promise of things to come later – Jennifer had descended upon them once again.
Mimi tensed up in Elise's arms, and Alex had moved between Jennifer and them, talking to her in Italian.
"No need to be like that, Alex dear. I was just extending my well wishes to the happy couple. You wouldn't begrudge me that now, would you?"
The low rumble coming from the man she had just married propelled Elise into action. She all but threw Mimi at her father, side-stepped Alex, and squared up to the bleached blonde.
"How kind of you I'm sure, but you're not invited. I would suggest you leave."
"Oohhh, quite the little firecracker aren't we. This is none of your business, you little fool." Jennifer sneered at her."Think you're the one to tame Marco are you? Trust me you'll have bitten off more than you can chew."
She'd thrown Marco a disdainful look, one he thankfully hadn't noticed as he murmured to Mimi in Italian using his body to block her from seeing her mother.
"I know what you two are playing at, but Mimi is still my daughter."
"And you choose today of all days to remember that, do you? Don't make me laugh. I do not pretend to know what went on before I showed up. I'm sure I don't want to know, but there must be a reason why Mimi is frightened of her own mother. So help me you will not get a chance to hurt that little girl again, not whilst I'm around, so beat it, woman. Now!"
"Who do you think you are to tell me what you can do, you..."
Elise had drawn herself up to her full height, and her voice had dripped with all the contempt she felt for that excuse of a mother. "As of five minutes ago Mrs. Giovanni and Mimi's stepmother, and don't you forget it!"
She had stared the woman down, aware of the Giovanni closing rank around and behind her. When Marco's strong arms had circled round her waist she had almost felt as though she did belong to that huge Italian family.
His voice had been a very low growl in her ear.
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