by Donna Alward
Massimo wagged his finger at Gabi. “You are marrying into good people, Gabriella. But then, you have never disappointed us.”
Gabi’s cheeks pinkened. William wondered why. There was something frightening about being put on a pedestal, wasn’t there? Stephen had told him that once. Or maybe Gabi was feeling guilty for lying about her relationship with Stephen. What would her parents think if they knew the truth?
He looked at Gabi closer. For all her “I’ll tell the tabloids the truth” talk, he realized that if she did that, she’d also have to come clean with her family. Was she bluffing? He frowned. Maybe. Or maybe she’d risk their disapproval to ensure their business’s security. He somehow thought she would. After all, she’d been willing to marry his brother for that very reason, giving up her own life for a few years, and even bearing him a child. She would have been tied to Stephen for life.
He wondered how shaky the Baresi foundation was, really.
“Papa, I’m going to show William to his room. When I come down, I am going to devour that platter with you. I’m starving. William hasn’t tried the local prosciutto and salami yet.” She kissed his cheek and then looked at him closer. “Are you still allowed to eat it before your surgery?”
“A little, for now. Go. This will be ready soon.”
William nodded at Massimo. Signora Baresi went to her husband’s side with a smile and wrapped an arm around his waist. The Baresis were a loving and affectionate family, and William liked it. The Pembertons weren’t as physically demonstrative, even if love had always been evident and abundant.
“Come on, Will,” Gabi said quietly, leading him away. “Your room is up here.”
She led him to a guest room on a third floor. An open window let in a warm breeze and there were doors leading to a small balcony. The headboard of the bed was solid wood and sturdy, like the beams of the pitched ceiling. There were flowers on a table, too, and he wondered if they were always there or if they’d been placed especially as a welcome. Overall, it was relaxing and charming. And hot. But he could live with the heat. He was so used to cold and damp in London that he welcomed the Italian summer.
“We don’t have air-conditioning. Sorry.” Gabi ruffled her hair off her neck. “The villa was built centuries ago, and my grandfather renovated it. We keep at Papa to put in air-con, but so far...”
“It’s fine. And quite lovely. Don’t worry about me.”
“There is a pool. It’s especially lovely in the early evening.” She smiled softly. “I often swim before bed. I find it cools me off and I sleep better.”
His brain instantly conjured up an image of her in a bathing suit, slick with water from the pool, and he knew he would have to avoid an evening swim.
“Thank you.” He put down his bag and rolled his shoulders. “Your parents love you very much. It’s easy to see. It must be difficult lying to them. I’m sorry about that.”
Her face clouded, but before she could answer, there was a knock on the doorframe. “Gabi?”
The disturbed expression gave way to one of joy. “Giulia! You are here!”
“Marco and I just got back early from Rome and I came straight here. Are you okay? Truly?” She rattled off something in Italian. William picked up a few familiar words, something about the wedding and Stephen and an apology.
“It is not your fault, not even a little bit. I shouldn’t have left you there. I didn’t know what else to do. But William has been very helpful.” She gave her sister a stern look. “Please don’t breathe a word to Papa and Mama, okay? I’m going to fix everything, I promise.”
Giulia looked at William and her smile faded. “You were very angry the last time we met.”
“I was very panicked the last time we met.” He tried a sideways smile, and was gratified when her lips curved a little bit. “Thank you, Giulia, for helping that day, and for your discretion since.”
“She is my sister.” She said it as if it explained everything, which to William, it did.
“Mama and Papa think there will be a wedding in the future. I don’t want them to know any differently. Especially with Papa going for his operation. We can count on you, right?” Gabi pressed forward with the importance of secrecy.
William was surprised Gabi had used the term we. But he supposed they were in on it together.
“Of course.”
“How is he, really?” Gabi’s face fell with worry as she reached for her sister’s hand.
William stepped forward. “Why don’t you two go and get caught up? I’m fine here. I assume there’s internet I can connect to?”
Gabi nodded. “I’ll text you the password in a few minutes. And thank you. I’m really quite worried about my father.”
He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Gabi, that’s why we’re here. You need to be with your family. So go do that. I don’t need a nanny or babysitter.”
Giulia laughed. “I guess you don’t.”
For some reason that small joke made William blush, heat traveling to his cheeks. Gabi’s cheeks pinkened, too, and they couldn’t have that. Giulia couldn’t have any idea that there was an attraction between them. Every time they were within two feet of each other, it felt as if sparks lit in his stomach.
“I’ll come back and get you for dinner,” Gabi said, offering a small smile. “But if there’s anything you need, text. I won’t be far.”
“I’ll be fine. Go. Catch up with your family.” He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “If you keep your secret, I’ll keep my end of the bargain. Remember that.”
Her gaze darted up and met his evenly. “How could I forget?”
CHAPTER SIX
“GABI.” GIULIA’S VOICE held the kind of significance only a sister knew how to use. “What is going on between you and William Pemberton?”
Gabi fussed with a perfume bottle on her sister’s dresser. “Nothing. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not.” Giulia spun Gabi around with a hand on her arm. “We both know you’re not marrying Stephen. So did you leave him because of that very gorgeous man upstairs?”
“No!” She said it too loudly and tempered her voice. “No, of course not.” Instead she took a few moments to give Giulia the highlights. “In the end I couldn’t do it. Not even for Papa.”
Giulia shook her dark curls. “I’m younger than you but even I know that Papa would be furious if he knew you’d made such a bargain.”
“You won’t tell him, will you?” Gabi lost some of her confidence and looked her sister fully in the face. “I don’t think I could bear him being angry at me before his surgery. What if...?”
She let the thought spin out, and knew Giulia felt the same when tears filled her eyes.
“I meant it, Gabi. I won’t breathe a word,” Giulia promised. She sat down on the bed and patted the mattress beside her. “You are so...good. I feel like a horrible daughter. At least you tried to do something to protect the family. I never came up with such a scheme.”
“My idea flopped, so who’s the horrible one? Oh, Giulia, how sad is it that I thought it would be better to marry Stephen than have to run the company myself?” Gabi gave a little laugh, but inside guilt was eating her up. Giulia thought she was so good, but before Stephen arrived on the scene she’d been ready to leave everything for a man, with dreams of a wedding and babies in her eyes. She’d been a naive fool. He hadn’t been free for either of those things. And it had almost been too late. No, she wasn’t the good daughter at all.
“I can’t imagine stepping in.” Giulia worked in their human resources department. “Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
“I’m afraid of failing. Of letting Papa down,” she confessed.
Giulia reached over and took her hand. “I understand,” she said softly. “But you will do fine. You’re smart and strong.”
She meant the words to be supportive and
encouraging, but it added to Gabi’s worry that she’d disappoint Giulia, too. She was the older sister, and supposed to set the example.
“How is Marco?” Gabi changed the subject, needing a little levity.
Giulia blushed. “He’s fine. Working in the family business. He’ll never leave this valley. Which in a way is okay, but in another way...”
“You want to see the world a little?”
She nodded. “Which is silly. We had the most wonderful time in Rome with friends. What’s wrong with me?”
“You’re both young. What if you spent a year somewhere, working? Like Paris or London?” She wondered if there would be a spot somewhere in Aurora where Gabi could intern. She was a smart girl, and poised. Often underestimated because she was so pretty, but she had a good head on her shoulders.
Of course, asking William—or Stephen—for another favor probably wasn’t wise. Still, though, it was something to think about.
“I don’t know. Maybe.” She shrugged. “I do love him, though. I’m just not ready to settle down.”
“You’re barely twenty-two. There is lots of time.” Gabi squeezed her hand. “At this rate, you’ll be married before I will.”
She would be stepping up to manage the company, wouldn’t she? How much time would she have for relationships and love?
“Not for a while yet,” Giulia assured her. “And first we need to look after Papa. And Mama. She is going to find this very difficult. I know I should move out again, but I might be able to help while Papa is sick.”
“I’ll be staying at my flat in Perugia,” Gabi said. “Once the surgery is over and we know where things stand I have to be back to work.” She looked into Giulia’s eyes. “I screwed up the deal that would help us. So I’m going to do everything I can to make sure Baresi Textiles weathers this storm.”
“Maybe William will help you even if Stephen won’t.” Giulia’s gaze was sly. “He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
Gabi laughed, even as her cheeks heated. “That’s because he’s terrified I’ll go to the press or do something to hurt Aurora’s image.”
“Like the photo in the garden?” Giulia’s eyes sparkled. “It certainly looked romantic.”
“That walk was his idea. And boy, does he regret it.” Gabi got up from the bed and rolled her shoulders. “Let’s put all of it aside for tonight and enjoy the family being together. Mama’s cooking and Papa’s jokes and lots of good wine. William needs some Umbrian hospitality.” She patted her tummy and laughed. “And after a day or two of Mama’s cooking, maybe he will come up with a way to help us.”
* * *
An hour later, Gabi went to William’s room and knocked. At his easy “come in,” she opened the door and found him sitting in a chair, laptop on his knees, typing away on the keys. He smiled at her. “Hi there. Did you catch up with your sister?”
“I did.”
“You’re close.”
“Of course we are.” She laughed a little. “We drive each other crazy sometimes, but when it comes down to it, we will always have each other’s backs.”
“Sounds familiar,” he agreed. “Let me send this email and I’ll shut down.”
She kept her hand on the doorknob. “Papa has food downstairs and you’re probably hungry. We could have a little antipasti and I can take you on a tour of the villa, if you like. Dinner will be later.”
“Actually, that sounds perfect.”
She waited as he typed for a few more seconds, then hit a key with finality and shut the lid on the laptop. “There. I’m all yours.”
I wish, she thought, and was glad she hadn’t said it out loud. She’d been thinking of him far too often, and long before the kiss happened back in Provence. If he hadn’t pushed her away, she might have fallen into bed with him. Giulia’s teasing observations had only heightened her awareness. Why couldn’t she have met him first, and not Stephen? This story might have had a completely different ending.
The rest of the family was already downstairs. Papa was sitting on a stool nibbling on cold meats and crostini. Giulia was mixing something in a bowl and Mama was checking on her chicken. The smells were unbelievable, and so very much home.
“Are you sharing, Papa, or keeping the whole plate to yourself?” He smiled widely and she went forward and kissed his cheek. “Save some for William. And for me. I haven’t had good capicollo for some time.” She reached around him and plucked a piece, popping it into her mouth.
“By all means,” he said, sliding the plate over.
Gabi selected a few things for herself, but mostly sipped her wine and enjoyed watching William try the different foods as he chatted to her parents. He was so at ease, so perfectly lovely. He laughed at something her father said and his face lit up as he nodded and smiled. She didn’t even know what they were talking about. It didn’t matter. Her family had made him feel welcome and he’d let them. No airs, no awe. He was just as—or nearly as—rich as Stephen, even without the title. William was...
Perfect. He was perfect. Except that he was Stephen’s brother. That was starting to matter to her less and less, and it worried her. At some point she’d let her guard down and started to trust him. Was she wrong to?
Her wine was nearly gone and she’d helped herself to another crostini with truffle pâté when she heard her mother say, “Please, you must call me Lucia. Signora Baresi will not do.”
Gabi turned around to find her mother beaming up at William. “All right, Lucia. This was delicious.”
“Wait until later. My Lucia makes the best pollo arrabiata in Italy.” There was a world of pride in her father’s voice, and her throat tightened. He had to be okay. He just had to. She looked over at him and realized how exhausted he looked. His skin was pale and there were shadows beneath his eyes. Had the commotion of company tired him out so soon? He tired so easily now. And he’d lost more weight. It wasn’t a good sign.
“Maybe William needs a walk to work up his appetite,” Gabi suggested, putting down her empty glass. “Would you like me to give you a tour?”
“Very much,” he replied, turning his warm gaze from her mother to her. It made her a little weak in the knees, and the warm glow from the glass of wine wasn’t helping.
It was a little easier to establish some distance between them once they were outside. First she took him along the patio and pool, and then the gardens.
“Your father was getting tired,” William observed, his voice somber. “You suggested the walk to give him time to rest, didn’t you?”
She nodded. “I’ll be glad when the surgery happens and we can get on with his treatment. I can’t help thinking that every day we wait erodes his chances at recovery.”
“A few more days, that’s all,” William reassured her. He reached for her hand. “Stay positive. He’ll need that.”
“I know you’re right. And I don’t mean to bring down the mood. I’m supposed to be giving you a tour.” She smiled and removed her hand from his clasp, which had felt far too good. “These are Mama’s vegetable gardens. She used to tend them by herself, but now she has a local boy come in two days a week to look after the grass and weeds.” Most of the vegetables that graced their table came from their own gardens. It was a point of pride with Lucia.
“If that snack was anything to go by, your mother is a marvelous cook,” William said as they ambled along, graciously accepting the subject change. “And you’ve inherited her talents, haven’t you? The meal you made at the château was delicious.”
Gabi thought for a moment. “We’re not poor, and we’ve never been poor. This is a lovely villa and my parents have renovated it through the years as the business grew and things got easier. But we haven’t had staff or servants, either. Mama taught both of us how to cook and how to clean. By the time I was twelve I was doing all my own laundry. I’ve been helping in the kitchen since I was old enough to stand
on a little stool to see the counter. I’m glad of it. I have my own flat in Perugia, and I enjoy keeping it and cooking for myself. Even if cooking for one can be a bit lonely.”
Particularly since her relationship ended. At least once a week Luca had come over for dinner and...
Gabi didn’t like to think of it now. She’d been so foolish and trusting.
“Surely you haven’t been too lonely,” William ventured, chuckling. “You’re a beautiful woman, Gabi. And accomplished.”
“Since you’re prying, I’ll tell you that I was seeing someone for quite a while. It didn’t work out.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not as sorry as I am.” The words were bitter and sharp.
He halted and faced her. “What happened?”
Gabi lifted an eyebrow. “Well, if I’m honest, I was a fool. I wanted forever. A wedding and babies and a family. I really thought that was where we were heading. But he already had those things...with his wife.”
She’d shocked him. His lips dropped open and his eyes widened with surprise. “Oh. From how you said that, I’m assuming you didn’t know.”
“No. But I should have, looking back. There were red flags I ignored. So I got my heart crushed and felt incredibly stupid all at the same time. Life lessons, you know?”
“When did this happen?”
“Last winter.”
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this had happened only a few months before her engagement to Stephen. “I see,” he said quietly, and started walking again.
She caught up with him within a few steps and sighed. “Yes, I can see you do. I was bitter and jaded and Stephen and I had been friendly for a while by then. So fool me twice. Instead of being smart and using my head, I let my emotions carry me into another bad situation.”
“But for honorable reasons,” William added.
They were at the olive groves now, and out of view of the villa. “Perhaps. Or perhaps that was my excuse. Stephen was offering me what I thought I was going to have—a big wedding and a baby and security. And I was so angry and disillusioned that for a while I figured love didn’t matter. It got in the way. It...hurt.”
