Scandal and the Runaway Bride

by Donna Alward

  “Learning at the elbow of the master?”

  “Just as you say. It made perfect sense for me to step in as Papa is recovering.”

  Giacomo gestured toward the hall, and they began walking, Gabi’s heels clicking on the cool marble. “How is your father? Such a sad thing, the cancer.”

  “He’s doing well. He’s home from surgery and starts chemo in a few weeks. The prognosis is encouraging.” She looked over at Giacomo and added, “He looks far better now than he did before the operation, in fact.”

  “I’m very glad to hear it.”

  He led her into a large office in a modern design. For all his old-school attitudes, Giacomo knew how to keep up with what was fashionable. He went to sit behind a large desk, but Gabi halted and swept out a hand. “I have some figures to show you. Why don’t we sit at your table where we can spread them out?”

  If he sat behind his desk and she in front of it, she’d feel like a naughty student in the principal’s office.

  “Of course, of course.”

  Once they were seated she proceeded to take out her spreadsheets and make her case. Giacomo listened politely, but when she was finished, he tapped his fingers on the table.

  “You see, Gabriella, I can get product much cheaper elsewhere.”

  “Ah, but it’s not Baresi quality. Corsetti has always prided itself on its quality. What is it you say? Couture quality at high street prices?”

  “The market is changing.”

  She hesitated for a moment, then met his gaze. “Yes, it is shifting, which is why I outlined some options for a new contract, to give you some flexibility. We want to work with you, Giacomo. What’s good for Corsetti is good for Baresi.”

  “I’d have to be able to source at a lower price.” He named a number that was bordering on insulting. In fact, it was insulting considering their long history of doing business together. To concede to such a price would obliterate any profit margin for Baresi.

  “Come now, Giacomo. You know that’s not possible. If you’re trying to negotiate up, that’s a very low place to start.” She held his gaze. The whole time she was thinking, What would Will do? She knew he’d stand his ground and do what was right for Aurora. And so would she.

  “It is my offer,” he said firmly.

  Gabi started to get mad now. Did he think she was stupid? She gathered up her papers to give herself time to decide what to say. Finally she folded her hands on top of the table, looked him in the eyes and said, “If my father were sitting here, you would never have asked such a thing. We both know it.”

  “Signorina—” he started, but she lifted a hand.

  “No, Giacomo. I am the head of Baresi Textiles right now. I am young and I am a woman, but I am not green. You know my father. You know he would not have entrusted this responsibility to me if he did not think I was fully capable.”

  She said it, and then suddenly realized it was true, and she sat a little taller.

  “On a short-term basis,” he replied.

  “On any basis.”

  Giacomo sighed. “Mi dispiace, Gabriella. But that is my offer. I’m hesitant to stay with Baresi with the instability at the moment.”

  Her heart sank, but she wouldn’t show it. Instead she plucked a sheaf of papers from her stack and handed it over. “You won’t get the quality you want at that price, Giacomo. And if you start compromising there, your brand will weaken. Take this. Look it over. There are several options I’ve outlined here to, as I said, give you some flexibility and versatility. Baresi would very much like to remain your supplier. No matter if I’m sitting in the chair or if my father is.”

  She stood and straightened her suit jacket, then tucked her files away in her bag. Giacomo rose, too, looking a little flustered. Did he think she would stay and negotiate away all Baresi profit? If so, he had another think coming. She was stronger and smarter than that.

  “Let me take you to lunch,” he suggested. “We can catch up on family.”

  That was the last thing Gabi wanted, after attempting to establish herself as a businesswoman. “Perhaps another time, and Maria could join us?” She remembered the name of his wife—the second wife—and then added, “Or when Papa is feeling better. I know he’d enjoy seeing you both.”

  “I’ll walk you out.”

  “Grazie.”

  She left him with a smile and a handshake—no bussing of cheeks again. And now she had a choice. She could leave and go back to Perugia right now, or she could stay in Milan for a few hours and take an afternoon off. The hotel was already booked for tonight. Why not?

  It was no contest. Taking the afternoon off won.

  Corsetti was located right on the edge of the Quadrilatero della Moda—Milan’s fashion district. Gabi had spent hours here as a child and then a young woman, staring in the windows, admiring the fashions even though her Papa couldn’t afford to shop there. Instead it was his fabrics and, in particular, cashmere that graced the elegant windows. The Baresis had a good life. A very comfortable one, but not at this level. Not at... Pemberton level.

  She had her flat and there was the family villa, which was very nice, but it was certainly no château or indeed the manor house in Surrey. Still, now and again she splurged on a nice piece. Shoes, for example, or the bag she carried today, which she’d bought as a Christmas present to herself two years previous and rarely used. Today had been an appropriate occasion.

  The sun was warm on her face and she slid her sunglasses over her eyes, and then ambled along the street. Via Montenapoleone was home to the biggest brands on the planet, housed in gorgeous buildings with huge arched windows and stone balustrades above. She walked past giants like Vuitton and Versace, Prada and Hermès. The store she stopped in front of was Aurora.

  It wouldn’t hurt to go inside, would it?

  * * *

  Three hours later, Gabriella had made her way out of the district and into a cab to a modest hotel. She carried a signature black-and-white bag with a splurge for herself—a soft pink cashmere sweater and a small bottle of perfume. Visiting Aurora had been fun, but it was time to get back to business.

  The room was perfectly adequate, and Gabi ordered up a light meal and some wine. She set up her keyboard with her iPad and figured she might as well do some work. Her heart gave a little leap when she opened her in-box and saw an email from William.

  Did you have your meeting yet? How did it go?

  She wasn’t sure what to say. She felt she’d stood her ground, and she thought she’d handled herself well. But she was totally unsure of the outcome.

  I don’t know yet. I was strong, though! He lowballed me and I told him he’ll pay the price in quality if he goes elsewhere.

  She waited a few minutes, read a few other emails, then his answer came back.

  Good for you. Baresi has a strong product. It’s why we’ve used you as a supplier for so long.

  She laughed to herself.

  That’s what I said. I also gave him some options that were more cost-effective, so we’ll see. I’d hate to lose a big client.

  Her email was quiet for several minutes. Her dinner arrived, and she munched and sipped on the crisp wine. She had just poured a second glass when her mobile buzzed. A quick glance showed it was William.

  She should ignore the little jump in her heart knowing it was him, shouldn’t she?

  “Hello?”

  “Emailing was annoying. I thought a call might be better. Where are you?”

  “In a hotel in Milan, and then starting for home early in the morning.”

  “You’re driving?”

  “It’s faster than the train, even if it’s not as comfortable.”

  “I’m glad you’re not driving back tonight.”

  “Me, too. I drove up this morning, and ten hours of driving in one day is a lot. I’m glad I did, though. You were right
about the face-to-face meeting. If nothing else, I gave him something to think about before walking away.”

  There was a pause, and Gabi frowned. What was William having trouble saying?

  “Gabi, is...is Baresi in trouble? Seriously?”

  She let out a breath. He’d seen her statements and nothing had changed. “No, not like that, Will. And I hope we don’t get to that point. I just think if a client as well-known as Cor...as this one walks away, others will follow.” She made the correction midsentence. There was no need to bring companies and sensitive information into it. There was trust and then there was professional discretion.

  “Will you let me know if you ever get close to that point? Please?”

  “I can manage, Will. I think I know what you’re getting at, but no. Agreeing to that sort of proposition is what got me in trouble in the first place. Baresi will get through this.”

  “All right. The door is open should you need it.”

  “I appreciate it, but we’re doing all right.”

  Just all right. Her worry about others following if Corsetti left was a real one. They could withstand the loss of one major client. Maybe two or three, even. More than that and the books were going to take a major hit. She put her forehead on her hand, feeling the beginning of a headache start. Maybe the best thing to do when she got back to Perugia was to hold another meeting with the sales team.

  “Gabi, are you still there?”

  “Yeah, I’m here.” She needed to change the subject. “Do you know what I did after my meeting?”

  “No, what?”

  “I went into the Aurora shop. And I bought things.”

  “Ooh,” he said. “What sorts of things?”

  Some of the tension rolled off her. “A gorgeous sweater from the new fall line. And I saw the most amazing dress...a black evening gown. The attendant said that it had been designed for one of the family and then added to the fall line. Bit out of my price range.”

  “Ah, yes, the halter back, right? Charlotte wore that to the BAFTAs in February. It’s lovely, isn’t it?”

  “I also bought a bottle of scent that reminds me of the garden at the château. Lavender, but also spicier notes of rosemary and thyme, and then something else...something gentler and more floral. It was like the day I sat in the garden with the sun on my face. I closed my eyes and just felt everything. The world was a million miles away.”

  “That’s lovely.”

  “I would go back there if I could. Odd, but true. I felt half like a prisoner and half on vacation, but it really is the most beautiful, restful place.”

  “Now you can travel back when you have that scent memory,” he suggested. “Maybe I need to get a bottle.”

  “I’m not sure it would smell the same on you,” she laughed.

  “No, but I could smell it and think of you,” he replied, and she went quiet again.

  “Will...”

  “I miss you,” he said bluntly.

  “Will...”

  “No, let me say this. I know our time together was strange and screwed up. But what I felt...what I feel...that’s real. I don’t know what to do about it, Gabi, but to deny my feelings feels so wrong. I wish... I wish we had time to explore what’s between us.”

  She did, too, but it was impossible, wasn’t it? And if she agreed with him, it would only make it more difficult. “Maybe we should make a clean break, Will.” It killed her to say it. “This talking and emailing makes it harder.”

  “Because you feel the same? Be honest.”

  “It won’t help anything to have me say it.”

  He let out a huff of frustration. “It’ll help me feel like I’m not alone in this. Damn, Gabi. I feel so alone.”

  Hearing him say that hurt her heart. “You have your lovely big family,” she said. She closed her eyes and felt like crying. “But if you told them you wanted to be with me, it would cause a total uproar. None of them know of my agreement with Stephen. As far as they’re concerned, I walked out on him on our wedding day. They all think I broke his heart. Will, we’ve been over this. You say you want this now, but it would mean turning your back on your family, and they mean everything to you. You’d end up resenting me, and I’m not sure I can take another heartbreak.”

  He was quiet on the other end.

  “Say something,” she whispered.

  “My head knows you’re right. My heart doesn’t want to believe you. If I told Maman the truth...”

  “There’s no winning here. If you told her the truth, then I haven’t broken Stephen’s heart but I was willing to marry him for his money. Either way I come out of this looking like the kind of woman she will not want for her son.”

  “Gabi, I’ve never felt like this before. I’m heading toward thirty and I’ve had girlfriends but none have made me want things I never thought I’d want.”

  “Why? Because I’m forbidden? A challenge?”

  There was another bald silence, and she knew she’d upset him. But still, these were important questions to ask. Someone had to play devil’s advocate here.

  “If you really think that of me, then maybe you’re right. Maybe a clean break is best.”

  There it was. The opportunity to walk away, do the sensible thing. It was exactly the opening she was hoping for. And instead of reaching out and grabbing it, she found herself wiping tears off her face.

  “I’m sorry.” She sniffed. “That was unfair of me. Oh, Will, you’re the most ethical person I know. I don’t think that of you. I’m just so afraid.”

  “Afraid of what?”

  “Of...of falling for you. Of having my heart broken again. Of screwing up, just when I am starting to get myself together.”

  “You’re falling for me?”

  She choked out a laugh. “Come on, that can hardly be a surprise. Not after...” She halted as her throat closed over. That night in her flat had been so magical.

  “I know,” he said softly. “Gabi, I think of you all the time. I can’t stop remembering what it’s like to touch you. To taste you.”

  The air in the hotel room grew heavy. She remembered all those things, too. And then some.

  “Would you consider coming to Paris for a few days?”

  To what end? she wondered. What would it accomplish? And yet the idea of spending time with Will, just the two of them, sent a shaft of longing through her she couldn’t deny. “I shouldn’t want this so much,” she whispered into the phone. “Not after such a short time. Not when it’s so complicated.”

  “Love doesn’t make sense,” he replied, his voice husky. Had he used the word love? This was going so much faster and deeper than she knew what to do with.

  “Come to Paris,” his low voice persuaded. “Please. Spend a few days with me so we can sort this out face-to-face. I thought leaving you would be the end of it. I thought friends would be fine. But it’s not fine, Gabi. I haven’t been able to let you go.”

  How many women could refuse such a plea?

  “Not this weekend. Next weekend. I’ll fly Friday afternoon and will have to be back Sunday night.”

  “I’ll take it. I’ll take whatever time with you I can have, Gabriella.”

  She felt the same. And knew deep down that this weekend might be their one and only chance.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  GABI FLEW IN to Charles de Gaulle Airport early Friday evening and tried to contain the nervousness centered in her belly. She’d brought only a carry-on with her, and she shouldered the bag as she walked toward the doors leading out of the secure area. When they slid open, Will was waiting there, his eyes searching for her, and she knew.

  I love him.

  Then his gaze found her and connected and he smiled, and she knew a second most important thing: he loved her, too. It was on his face, in his eyes. In the connection that jolted to life the moment they
laid eyes on each other. Oh, this was going to be so complicated.

  “You’re here.” He said it when she was close enough to hear. “You’re really here.”

  “I told you I was coming,” she said, unable to contain her smile.

  There was a moment where they hovered, considering a kiss. The urge to touch, to be close to him, was overwhelming, but common sense prevailed and Will stepped back. “Do you have another bag? Do we need to collect it?”

  She shook her head. “No, this is it. I can pack light for two days, you know.”

  He laughed, the sound happy and free. “Come on, then. I have a car waiting.”

  Of course he did. No run-of-the-mill taxis for the Pemberton family. She found herself ensconced in black leather luxury as a driver drove away from the airport.

  Will reached over for her hand. “How is your father?”

  “Recovering well and getting stronger every day. The cancer hadn’t spread, so that’s very good news.”

  “I’m happy for you, and for your family. And Lucia? Giulia? Marco?”

  “Mama is fussing over Papa. Giulia, I’m discovering, is very good at her job in human resources, and Marco is getting more besotted by the day. I’m not sure what’s going to happen there. Giulia isn’t ready to settle down.”

  “Is he willing to wait for her?”

  “I think so. I hope so.” She met Will’s gaze. “I hope she’s not throwing something away that is pretty incredible.”

  “Hmm,” he said, and Gabi knew what he was thinking. They shouldn’t throw away their chance, either, even if neither of them knew how to navigate the situation.

  “I didn’t even hug you when you arrived.” Will’s face took on a boyish pout and she laughed. And then he lifted his arm along the back of the seat, and she wiggled over to the middle and settled into his embrace, grateful for the tinted windows.

  She closed her eyes. This was where she wanted to be. Always. Warm and loved and secure and accepted. He kissed her hair and tucked her head into his shoulder. “Oh, Gabi,” he murmured. “This feels so right.”