It's Getting Hot in Heir

by Jenny Gardiner

  “Ooh, now that looks good,” she said, pointing at him in the mirror. “Totally stylish but effortless. This is a perfect look. Now just straighten your tie and you’re good.”

  ~*~

  “Mum,” Clementine shouted upstairs to Lady Charlotte. “Edouardo and I will be leaving in a few minutes. I just want to grab a bottle of wine from the wine cellar to bring as a hostess gift.”

  Clem heard the clip of her mother’s heels on the grand staircase and Lady Charlotte materialized a minute later in the kitchen. “Edouardo is going someplace with you? Whatever’s gotten into him?”

  “This,” Clem said, beaming as she held up her iPhone.

  Her mother furrowed her brows. “Your phone got him off the divan?”

  “Actually it was the sofa that he’d been claiming squatter’s rights to,” Clementine said as she gathered her long, blond hair into a ponytail. “So I threatened him with sharing his lifestyle of the rich and famous with everyone we know. I figured a little shaming was in order at this point.”

  “On your phone?”

  “Instagram, Mum,” she said. “I just snapped off a couple of shots of Edouardo in his boxers looking like he should be a troll beneath a bridge in a fairy tale, and that was enough to motivate the man.”

  Her mother laughed and held her hand to her mouth as if to stifle it. “I can’t say I’m sorry about that,” she said. “Though I’m not so sure humiliation should be the motivator for someone who is grieving.”

  “Any port in a storm,” Clem said, her blue eyes twinkling. She took at good, long look at her mother. “You’re awfully dressed up for this hour.”

  Her mother was wearing a lavender chiffon cocktail dress that showed off her silver bob and pewter eyes. She did a little twirl for Clem. “You like?”

  Clementine nodded. “You look stunning,” she said. “I haven’t seen you looking so elegant since—” Clementine looked away.

  “Since Hubert passed,” her mother said, rubbing her daughter’s back. “Sweetheart, honestly, you don’t have to falter when you say that. I’m okay talking about it. Besides, you’re right, I haven’t had many occasions in which to get dressed up, but tonight I decided to go all out.”

  “For whom?” Edouardo said as he walked into the kitchen.

  “My goodness. Don’t you look handsome?” his mother said as she reached out to dust some lint off his lapel, her burgundy manicured nails standing out against the dark wool of his suit.

  “Thanks, Mum,” he said. “I guess by now you know why I’m dressed for a night on the town, but why are you?”

  His mother shrugged with an air of nonchalance. “Alastair and I decided to have an evening out as well.”

  “Oh, that’s nice,” Clementine said. “I love that Uncle Alastair’s taking such good care of you.”

  Her mother threw a coy look out of the corner of her eyes. “Alastair’s been a dear, dear friend these past several months,” she said. “I’m forever grateful to him.”

  “Well, make sure he keeps you away from any prowling men sniffing after your fortune,” Edouardo said with a wink.

  “Oh for goodness’ sake, Edouardo,” Clementine said. “Now you’re going to protect your mother from ne’er-do-wells? As if Mum can’t fend for herself.”

  Lady Charlotte scratched her son on his head. “Thanks for your concern, love, but I think I’m doing just fine. No need to send in the cavalry to protect your old mum.”

  “You’re not old,” Clementine said. “You are as beautiful today as you were in your wedding photos. A man would be lucky to find you. And I’ll be sure to keep my brother from interfering with that if it happens.”

  Lady Charlotte laughed as the doorbell rang. A minute later Alastair strolled into the kitchen, dapper in a dark suit, and gave a nod. “Hello, loves. Charles let me in,” he said, referring to the butler. “He’s working late this evening.”

  “I’m going to send him home right now.”

  Charlotte leaned over to kiss her children before leaving, but Alastair stopped her in her tracks. “Why, Charlotte, you look magnificent.” He stood back and took in her outfit and gave a low whistle.

  “Uncle Alastair, promise me you’ll keep Mum from unsavory men who want one thing from her,” Edouardo said.

  “Oh, please, Edouardo. It’s too late if you’re trying to preserve her chastity as well,” Clementine said. “She’s birthed three children!”

  Her mother and Alastair laughed.

  “I think your brother’s paternalistic concerns are quite charming,” Lady Charlotte said.

  “Not to worry,” Alastair said with a wink. “I’ll keep your mother all to myself so not a soul will stand a chance.”

  “I know I for one will sleep better knowing she’s in your capable hands,” Edouardo said. “If some man tried anything with Mum he’d have me to answer to.”

  Alastair and Charlotte exchanged glances. “Well, then, we’re off. Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do, children!” she said with a wave.

  “We’ll do our best,” Clem said, grabbing a carrot from the fridge to snack on.

  “No worries,” Edouardo said. “I’m just suffering through this stupid party tonight with plans to be back on the sofa by midnight.”

  “You’re pathetic, you know?” Clem said as she bit off the end of her carrot.

  “I aim to please,” he said. “Now let’s get out of here so I can be back sooner. The Bachelor’s “Women Tell All” is next in my queue and I want to hear what they all have to say. Oh, and I’d like to get caught up on Naked and Afraid as well.”

  Clementine rolled her eyes and growled. “Naked and Afraid. Stop already!” She pushed his hulking body toward the door. “Get in the car. We have some serious deprogramming to do with you, my brother.”

  Chapter Five

  Gabriella couldn’t decide which dress to wear so she enlisted her sister’s help before making the final decision.

  “What do you think about this one?” she asked as she appeared in a bright purple cocktail dress that was cinched at the waist and flared into a pleated skirt. She gave a slow spin for Celeste to take in the whole look.

  “Don’t even need to show me the other dress,” her sister said. “This is absolutely perfect! You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks,” Gab said. “I’ve been trying not to let a bad breakup turn me into a beached whale this time. It took me forever to get rid of all of that heartache blubber last time.”

  “Well you look fantastic. And I’m glad you kept your curves—you look totally sexy,” Celeste said. “What’s your secret?”

  “No secrets, though I was quite into yoga while I was in the States. You kind of can’t be in the United States without practicing yoga. I think it’s a law in some states,” she said with a laugh. “I’d just earned my accreditations to become an instructor before I decided to leave.”

  Her sister raised a brow. “Really? Maybe you should start doing that here. Porto Castello could use a good yoga studio.”

  “You mean there isn’t one?”

  “Well, there is,” Celeste said as she stood before the mirror and put the finishing touches on her makeup, swiping on another mascara layer. “But there’s only one studio, and the yoga instructor is this rather peculiar old man with a very long, braided gray beard. He chants the instructions, like a high priest or something, so you can’t really understand a word he’s saying. Plus, he smells.”

  “Like what?”

  “Sort of like a stockyard. Or a stable that hasn’t been cleaned in forever. Combined with mothballs.”

  “Ewww.”

  “I know, right?” Celeste said. “But seriously, it’s sort of hard to get into it when the guy is coming around, straightening out your poses with this fetid aroma wafting around you while his braided beard keeps thwapping into you. I don’t think he’s showered in a year. And you can’t even reach out to hold your nose or you’ll fall over on your face.”

  “Well, shoot,” Gab said. “That�
�s too bad—I was hoping to start taking classes again here.”

  “Maybe you should figure out some way that you could teach instead,” Celeste said. “I’d totally go to your yoga class. And you’ll know enough people around here so I’m certain they’ll show up at least to help you get your practice underway.”

  Gabriella pursed her lips in thought. “Huh. I hadn’t given that much thought. Back in DC, I’d probably have started working some shifts at the yoga studio I attended. But maybe I should think about doing something a little more entrepreneurial now that I’m back.”

  “I’ll help you in any way you’d like,” Celeste said, looking up at the clock. “But right now, we’d better stop with the daydreaming and make sure everything’s ready because our guests will be here soon.”

  “Thank goodness we have Concetta and her daughters to help out.” Concetta had been the family maid for years. She now lived with her husband and grown daughters in a building on the estate, and often her girls would help Gabriella’s family with events.

  “I can’t believe the spread of food they’ve fixed. I should’ve chosen the stretchy dress to wear tonight,” Celeste said, patting her belly. I’m going to have a gut like Santa Claus if I’m not careful.”

  Gabriella laughed. “You’d no sooner have that than I’d be a skinny minnie like you. Good thing I’m perfectly happy with my body just as it is. Now, come on. We have a party to throw.”

  ~*~

  Gabriella was having a great time. If you added up the time she’d spent in Monaforte growing up, it would probably have amounted to nearly half of her childhood, and so she had many friends in Porto Castello with whom she’d lost touch after attending university and moving to America. This party was almost like a wedding reception, with so many familiar faces together at one time. Except there was no joyous union to celebrate on the horizon for Gab now; she’d chosen to abandon those dreams when she walked away from Matthew. Which was okay. She’d come to grips with her decision. As much as she’d loved the man, she simply wasn’t going to settle for half a marriage. Now that she was back in Monaforte, it was time for her to forge new friendships and reinvigorate old ones, and this party was a chance for her to do just that.

  She had just grabbed a fresh cocktail from a passing waiter when Clementine arrived with her posse.

  “Finally!” Gab said, giving her a hug. “I was wondering when you’d get here! And look at the crew you brought along!”

  “Gabriella!” Isabella, the princess royal of Monaforte, stepped around Clementine to greet her distant cousin. She reached over and gave her the traditional two-cheek kiss. “I hardly recognize you, it’s been so many years.”

  “Right?” Gab said. “You went off to boarding school, then I did, and that was that. Well, you’ve certainly grown into the beautiful princess.”

  Isabella smiled. “You’re too kind to say that. And you”—she held Gab at arm’s length to have a good look—“you look fantastic! I love what you’re doing with your hair.” She held the palm of her hand up to the bottom edge of her chestnut bob.

  “I’m super excited you’re back,” Clem said. “For good, right?”

  Gabriella shrugged. “It’s anyone’s guest but it feels right to be home, so for now, the plan is to stay and hope for the best.”

  Clementine’s boyfriend Sebastian cleared his throat.

  “Oh God, how could I forget to introduce you to the most important man in my life?” Clem said, pulling Sebastian toward Gab. “Sebastian, this is Gabriella, Bella’s distant cousin and a good friend of mine from university days.”

  Sebastian nodded his head, reaching over to kiss her cheeks. “Of course,” he said. “I remember you from long ago, during some of the holidays I spent at the palace when your family was there.”

  “You’re that little boy, Sebastian?” she said, her eyes growing wider. “Last time I saw you, you were this tall!” She held her hand to her waist.

  “And he grew up quite nicely, I should say,” Clem said, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him on the lips.

  Edouardo was hanging back a few steps behind the group, overtly cringing at his sister’s public display of affection.

  “Well, hello handsome,” Gabriella said, turning her attention to him. “How have we never met?”

  Clementine broke out into laughter. “Gab,” she said. “That’s Eddie.” She was referring to a one-time childhood nickname Edouardo wasn’t particularly fond of.

  “Oh my goodness! Little Eddie? Impossible!”

  “Little, wittle Eddie,” Sebastian said in a baby-talk voice, placing his arm over Edouardo’s shoulder and squeezing his cheek, no doubt relishing a chance to tease Clem’s brother, who had tried hard to scare the ever-loving crap out of Sebastian for daring to date his sister. “What a charming little nickname.” He made air quotes with his fingers when he said the word “charming.”

  Edouardo frowned, his eyebrows sloping inward in a grimace. But not for long, because Gabriella grabbed his tie.

  “What a handsome man you’ve grown into,” she said, stroking his tie and pulling it toward her as if it was something a little more intimate she was fondling.

  “I was just saying to myself, ‘Self, I think I should make sure Gabriella has a chance to spend some time with Edouardo tonight,’” Clem said with an exaggerated wink.

  “That self of yours is a wise woman,” Gab said.

  They all laughed.

  “But seriously, Eddie, let’s get together sometime. I’d love to catch up,” Gabriella said with a suggestive come-hither arch of her eyebrow.

  Edouardo sounded a loud gulp, and as he turned, she gave him a playful smack on his bottom that told him all he needed to know about what catching up meant to her.

  Chapter Six

  When Gabriella set her mind to something, she was damn sure going to follow through on it. Tonight she wanted to exorcise the ghosts of failed relationships past, and no better way to do that than to have a little fling with a hot guy.

  After spending a good hour greeting people as they arrived, she made her way to the bar where she found her sister chatting up the bartender. “I need a little liquid courage, stat,” she said. “What do you recommend?”

  “Ricardo here has been making these divine French Seventy-Fives.” Celeste held up her drink as evidence. “You just have to be careful cause they sneak up on you. So do you have a target in mind?”

  Gab lifted her eyebrow. “What do you think about that Edouardo fellow?” she said. “He’s big. And strong. And hot. And so very quiet. You know what they say about those silent types.”

  Her sister laughed. “No, but I have a feeling you’re going to tell me.”

  “Silent, but deadly,” she said, tapping her fingertip on her sister’s nose. “In bed.” She giggled.

  “Oooh, you weren’t kidding that you’re going for broke,” Celeste said.

  Gab rested her elbows on the bar, leaning closer toward her sister who’d taken a sip of her drink. “To tell the truth, I could use a Big O, and I’m betting the man knows his way around the lady parts.”

  Celeste choked on her drink, coughing a little champagne in the direction of Gabriella. “Lady parts? You are a complete nut, you know that?”

  “Just staking my claim as a free woman of the twenty-first century.”

  “Well, if you do sleep with him, it won’t have been the first time you two slept together.”

  Gabriella furled her brows. “I’m pretty sure I’d remember if I’d hooked up with that piece of man-cake.”

  Her sister just shook her head. “I hope you didn’t hook up with him. I think you were maybe seven or eight years old!”

  “Huh?”

  “Don’t you remember that time everyone was playing hide-and-seek at Clem’s and you ran off and got lost in the woods? That was with him. How could you forget it? You had everyone worried sick about you.”

  “Huh,” Gabriella said, closing her eyes to the memory. “It’s sort of comi
ng back to me. I was mad at Clem about something, so I refused to run off with her. And then I turned to you but by then you’d taken off with someone else, maybe Isabella? And I looked around and who was the person who was ‘it’? Whoever it was, he was counting and there was no one left, and then, yeah, I think you’re correct—it was Edouardo, right? He helped me run off so I wouldn’t get caught.”

  “Well you two succeeded big time in that undertaking,” she said. “They found you just after sunrise the next morning.”

  “I guess I was so traumatized by that episode I blocked the whole thing from memory,” she said. “But maybe it was some sign from above. I mean, right? All the more reason it would be totally fine if I had a little fling with him—not like I’d never met the man before. Instead, it’ll be more like a minireunion, of sorts.”

  “If you say so,” Celeste said. “Just let me know if you need rescuing. I’ll be here keeping Ricardo company.”

  ~*~

  Gabriella had never exactly stalked a man before. She half wondered if maybe her willingness to do this smacked of desperation. But dammit, she wanted to feel good about herself and wanted to feel desired. And she wanted to feel like some man would value her enough to, well, never mind. She wasn’t going to go there. Because sure, ultimately, she wanted some man to treasure her enough to want to truly commit to her, but right now, she’d take commitment for a night. That’s all she was after. Kind of a wham, brrrr (said with a shiver of delight), thank you, sir.

  But for lack of a better term, stalking was what she seemed to be up to, considering she was on the hunt to find that hulking hottie Edouardo and see if she could work her charms on the man. She finally found him tucked away in the corner of the music room leaning against the wall, nursing a bottle of Perrier and a plate of cake, which he’d set atop the baby grand piano.

  He sure was gorgeous with those expressive soft, brown eyes that somehow spoke to her and that wavy blond hair; Gabriella could just imagine running her fingers through it.

  And if she wasn’t mistaken, he had a big red bull’s-eye encircling him, a target set up just for her.