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One Passionate Night's Miracle: One-Night Baby / The Surgeon's Miracle Baby / Outback Baby Miracle
‘You only have to mention my name,’ he reminded her, driving the last nail in the coffin home.
Of course there was a suite available. For Signor Rossi, Kate was informed, anything was possible. She winced as the well-meaning reservations clerk said this, while Santino’s cold dark eyes bored into her. The expression on Santino’s face went so far beyond dislike what she really wanted to do was run as far and fast as she could from him, but she would never leave Francesca. As she cut the line Kate made one last plea. ‘You’re Francesca’s father Santino. There’s a bond between you that no one can break, not even me. I’m no threat to you. Can’t you see that?’
‘Did you tell the hotel to hold the suite?’ Santino’s voice was expressionless.
‘Of course I did.’
‘Then you’d better speak to Cordelia and Meredith to let them know what’s happening.’ Turning on his heel he walked away.
***
The suite was grand and luxurious. Nothing but the best for Signor Rossi, the hotel manager had been at pains to advise Kate. And as it happened the presidential suite was unoccupied that evening.
Every turn she took offered up more proof of the power Santino wielded and what she was up against, Kate thought as she switched off the bedside light. She settled on her side to listen to Francesca breathing, deeply conscious that Santino was pacing the floor in the other bedroom. Francesca was so innocent and so defenceless and had no idea what was going on. She only knew that it was fun sleeping in a twin bed beside her mother with her father in the next room. She had to keep it that way, Kate determined. Right now Francesca had everything in the world to look forward to and nothing was going to change that—not even Santino Rossi.
Pulling herself up on one elbow to stare at her daughter, Kate made a silent pledge that Francesca’s happiness would remain her primary concern. There had been no men passing in and out of her life, because all she cared about was Francesca and she would defend her daughter to the last breath in her body. She could only hope that one day Santino might learn to have a different view of the bond that existed between a mother and her child.
As she settled down again for what she knew would be a restless night’s sleep Kate pulled the duvet over her head to shut out the sound of Santino in the room next door. She knew he was pacing in an attempt to eat up the hours before dawn when he could wake up his legal team and turn his threats towards her into reality.
As she had expected Kate slept fitfully. There were so many possibilities to consider, so many potential pitfalls to prepare for. She woke at first light when it seemed she had only just fallen asleep to find Francesca already awake and playing with her teddy.
‘Is teddy hungry?’ Kate asked sleepily, knowing it was essential she make things seem as normal as possible for Francesca.
‘Yes, and he’s complaining.’ Francesca held the scruffy toy to her ear.
‘I’m sure we can find him something.’ Kate was halfway out of bed when the knock came on the door.
‘Who is it, Mummy? Gran Meredith, or Aunty Caddy?’
Kate’s heart thundered as she held a finger to her lips. Just as she had feared and had tried in the gentlest way to explain before Santino had turned nasty, in an unfamiliar setting a child always clung to the familiar. ‘Don’t you remember who came to see you yesterday?’ Kate whispered, fearful that Santino would overhear her.
‘Who?’ Francesca demanded, launching herself from the bed.
At that moment Kate might have felt triumphant or smug, but she felt neither. Even after the terrible things Santino had said to her she still loved him and as a parent her heart went out to him. Knowing Santino was standing behind the door full of hope waiting to see a daughter who after such a brief acquaintance had already forgotten him filled her with sadness for everything they’d lost, and it was for Francesca’s sake that Kate called out brightly, ‘Just a minute. We’ll be right with you.’
This was the defining moment, Kate realised, and she had to handle it well, not just for Francesca’s sake, but for Santino’s too. She couldn’t bring herself to hurt him any more than she already had. However hard the face he turned towards her was, there wasn’t a convenient switch to turn off the love she felt for him.
She commenced the charade by drawing Francesca close. ‘Well? Who do you think is waiting to see you behind that door?’
Francesca wiped an arm across her face. And then, remembering, she gave a little leap in Kate’s arms. ‘My daddy!’
‘That’s right, my darling …’It was time to let Francesca go. She would come back if she wanted to. Kate had to learn to share her with Santino. But as she watched Francesca racing for the door Kate felt as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest and laid on the ground for Santino to trample on.
Kate could only commend Santino’s behaviour as they sat together like a proper family eating breakfast in their private dining room. No one but the most acute observer would suspect a problem. Kate knew that, like her, Santino hadn’t slept well, but he was charming to the waiters and vastly entertaining to his daughter, if Francesca’s delighted chuckles were anything to go by.
‘And I’m going to show you how well I ride, Daddy.’
‘What a good idea …’ Santino grew thoughtful. ‘I have a place in the country not far from Rome—’
‘A cottage like Gran Meredith’s!’ Francesca clapped her hands with excitement. ‘I love cottages. When can we go, Mummy? Can we go today? Do you have horses?’ she added, turning to Santino without pausing for breath.
‘Yes, I do, as it happens,’ he confirmed, glancing at Kate.
But his eyes when he looked at her were cold, and his expression was one of dislike. If they went to Santino’s home Kate knew she would only be there under sufferance. But at least it would give her a little more time to work out how she was going to handle the changes that were sure to come. ‘Why don’t I speak to Caddy on the phone and see if she can spare me? And then I’ll ask Meredith if she would be kind enough to accompany us …’ Kate hoped she had made it clear that wherever Francesca went, until she was prevented by force, or by law, she went too.
‘Very well,’ Santino agreed after a nerve-racking, hate-filled silence. ‘I’ll make my plans accordingly …’
Kate jolted back to attention. They had turned in at some rather grand gates and a long, straight road stretched in front of them. There were lush green fields on either side and the well-maintained road was lined with stately cedar trees. Santino had made one quick phone call from their suite and a Range Rover had been delivered to the door. Now Meredith was sitting in the back with Francesca, while Kate was sitting stiffly in the front next to Santino wrapped in thoughts of visitation rights and lawyers. There were so many avenues to explore when it came to Francesca’s future, and with Santino ranged against her Kate knew she risked all of them turning into dead ends unless she secured the best possible legal advice.
Santino hadn’t addressed a single word to her throughout the journey, though he maintained an easy conversation with Meredith and Francesca. Kate kept telling herself that it was crucial not to feel defeated at this stage, but that was easier said than done when she felt sick inside with apprehension.
She had received one piece of good news. Caddy had rung the room before they left to say that Diane Fox had decided all the actors must go off site to a retreat where she could explain her vision to them. Kate had almost cheered, knowing it left her free.
‘When we turn this last corner you will see my home in the country.’
Kate’s attention returned to Santino, who was talking to Francesca and Meredith. His face was angled towards them, but when his gaze grazed Kate’s face the smile died.
Meredith appeared oblivious to the tension between them and launched in with a stream of questions connected to the house they were about to visit. Santino took it in his stride, explaining that the vast country estate had been in someone else’s family for centuries, but that now it was his. For the dynasty he intended to create, he said, laughing softly as he turned to Meredith. Meredith laughed with him, and, infected by their mood, Francesca joined in. Only Kate remained silent.
The wedge between them was greater than ever. How could she ever compete with this? She had always known Santino was a wealthy man, but privilege on this scale was unimaginable until you experienced it. And Francesca saw the world through a child’s eyes. How could she fail to be impressed by her father’s circumstances?
Fear tore through Kate as she thought about the future. Even though Meredith was chattering away as if there were nothing to worry about, Kate couldn’t lose the feeling of dread growing inside her. And Meredith was no measure to go by—she was always enthused by new ideas and open to possibilities … Such as bringing Francesca to Rome on the lightest pretext?
Nothing would surprise Kate where her unconventional aunt was concerned, but this was the first time Meredith’s judgement had proved to be so severely flawed.
‘Well, what do you think?’ Santino said as they turned a final corner.
Meredith and Francesca gasped as the mellow walls of Santino’s gracious country home came into view. He had been happy to go along with Francesca’s idea that he lived in a cosy country cottage not dissimilar to Meredith’s. But if this was a cottage … Kate shook her head in incredulity. A cottage like le Petit Trianon perhaps, made famous by the ill-fated Queen of France, Marie Antionette …
‘It’s a big cottage, Daddy,’ Francesca observed solemnly. ‘Do the horses live inside with you?’
There was certainly room for them, Kate reckoned. She wanted to crane her neck and take everything in, but she didn’t want to give Santino the opportunity to accuse her of valuing his assets, and so she held back.
‘No,’ Santino said in answer to Francesca, ‘the horses live in the stable yard at the rear of the palazzo. Would you like me to drive you straight there so you can see them?’
Francesca’s excitement was all the answer he needed, and even Meredith joined in the fun. Only Kate was excluded from the enthusiastic chorus. She felt invisible, or as if she was the only person present who wasn’t a member of the Santino Rossi fan club. But then she hadn’t been invited to join, Kate reminded herself, trying to relax.
When he stopped the car Santino sprang out to open the rear door where Francesca was sitting. That was Kate’s job. She always helped Francesca to release the restraints on her car seat and jump down to the ground, making sure she didn’t tumble …
‘Don’t they look lovely together?’
Sensing her tension, Meredith had put a comforting hand on Kate’s arm as they stood together at the side of the vehicle. Kate knew Meredith’s hand on her arm was meant as a stay too. And she knew she shouldn’t begrudge Santino his time with Francesca. But she did, because every moment he spent with her cemented the bond between them and made it that much easier for him to cut Francesca’s mother out of her life. It was a struggle for her to hold back and watch them walking away from her hand in hand.
Kate grew more fearful as she listened to Francesca’s excited exclamations as Santino led his daughter down the line of stables. Noble heads peered curiously over each half open door and she had to keep telling herself not to be so mean-minded and to be glad for Francesca. But what she really wanted was to be a million miles away from the immaculately kept yard, to take Francesca somewhere, anywhere, that Santino couldn’t find them.
When the tour had been completed Santino brought Francesca back to Kate’s side. ‘Well, what do you think?’ he said to his little daughter.
Francesca’s brow wrinkled as she thought about it. ‘They’re all very big. Too big for me.’
‘True …’ Cupping his chin, Santino pretended to think about it. ‘It’s a shame I don’t have a pony for you to ride, or we could have gone riding together.’
‘Really?’ As Francesca’s eyes widened Santino met Kate’s gaze over their daughter’s head.
If this was intended as a warning to her it had succeeded, Kate thought, but she held his gaze determinedly. She didn’t need this power play to understand that Santino could offer Francesca infinitely more in the way of material possessions than she ever could. And Francesca was too young to understand the politics of love. All Francesca knew was that everything she had ever dreamed of was within her reach now she had discovered she had a father like Santino.
‘I have arranged for us to go rowing on the lake after lunch,’ Santino confided in Francesca. ‘Do you think you would enjoy that?’
‘A lake? Here?’ Francesca gazed about, almost beside herself with excitement now.
‘But first you and Gran Meredith can play with the new puppies while Mummy and I have a chat—’
‘Puppies!’
Francesca’s joy was complete. But Kate noticed concern had crept into Meredith’s eyes. There had been a small, but significant change in Santino’s voice when he’d referred to Kate, which indicated that things were not going quite as smoothly as her well-meaning aunt had intended. It made Kate wish she could say something to reassure Meredith, but what could she say?
‘Puppies,’ Kate managed woodenly as she took Francesca’s hand. ‘Won’t that be lovely?’
‘Don’t squeeze so hard, Mummy. You’re hurting me.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Kate’s voice was edged with fear. ‘That’s the very last thing I meant to do …’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
As THEY walked back towards the house Kate’s anxiety rose in direct relation to Santino’s growing ease. Like everything else he turned his hand to Santino’s adaptation to the role of ideal parent had been wholly successful, and as far as Meredith and Francesca were concerned he was the perfect host. Could anyone be more charming? Or more machiavellian?
Kate could only be grateful when Francesca chose to take her hand as they entered the house. Santino’s country mansion was on a scale none of them had experienced before and to Francesca must have seemed both exciting and intimidating. As Santino led the way across the vast marble-tiled hallway Meredith walked close by his side, darting off as usual to exclaim at first this picture and then that ornament. There were so many beautiful things around Kate was dazzled, but she was also intimidated by the sheer scale of Santino’s wealth. A man with resources such as these could have the world and everyone in it in his pocket.
‘I can’t claim credit for anything,’ Santino was telling Meredith.
No, he had bought it off the shelf in the same way he thought he could buy a family, Kate thought bitterly. She had moved past fear now to feelings that didn’t make her proud, and as Francesca paused to stroke the mane of one of the life-sized stone lions that stood guard at the foot of the stairs her lips formed an angry line as Santino asked Francesca if she would like to give the lions names.
‘After all, they’re your lions now,’ he said, glancing at Kate to rub her nose in it.
Resentment burned inside her as she stared back at him. No doubt Santino had an endless supply of such tempting lures to dangle in front of their daughter, and Francesca’s eyes were glowing in awe as she looked up at her father. It was becoming harder every moment for Kate to hide her feelings, and impossible not to feel threatened when she did … She did.
After the episode with the lions Francesca held onto Santino’s hand as he continued the tour of his house. Determined not to be sidelined, Kate walked with them. Anyone looking at them would imagine they were a happy and uncomplicated family group. And as if to confirm this, the servants were all nodding and smiling as if the whole place had sprung to life now Signor Rossi had returned with his ready-made family.
What had Santino told them? Kate wondered. Had he told them anything, or were his staff simply making assumptions and forming a distorted picture of the truth? And was it only she who could feel the storm clouds brewing?
Santino was so gracious to everyone, but he hadn’t glanced her way once. He was adept at showing one face to the world and another to her. But however much he hated her for what she had done they were bound together for ever by Francesca. And on top of that there was the unfathomable link that bound them together whether either of them liked it or not. It had existed since the first moment they had laid eyes on each other and she could feel it at work now. It allowed them to read each other’s thoughts and second-guess each other’s intentions. And right now that was no comfort to her.
Their last stop was a huge glasshouse, which ran the whole length of one wing of the building. There were so many exotic plants Kate was ready to believe that a jungle had been tamed solely for Santino’s amusement. There was a raised water feature in one corner of the structure, and a waterfall that tumbled over giant-sized rocks. The puppies he had mentioned were roaming free on the tiled floors. Double glass doors led straight out onto the lawn, and it was here that Santino split their little group, suggesting Francesca and Meredith take the puppies outside on the grass to play while he talked to Kate.
‘Kate?’ he said, turning to her, indicating another doorway leading into the house.
The way Santino spoke her name was both careful and clever. Francesca was already on her hands and knees with the puppies, but like every child her ears were keenly tuned to those around her. Knowing that Santino had taken care to shield Francesca from the coldness he felt towards her mother was a reminder to Kate that she must also maintain the same charade.
A shiver ran down Kate’s spine as Santino led her back inside. She wasn’t interested in looking around as Meredith had done. She knew she was unlikely to be invited to the palazzo again. She felt out of place with the weight of privilege all around her, and could almost imagine the echo of command bouncing off the ornate plasterwork … perhaps when other errant women had fallen foul of the wealthy family who had lived here.
It was her turn now to fight for her child in a place where she was already at a disadvantage, a place where she was overwhelmed and distracted by the significance of Francesca’s heritage.
‘In here …’ Santino’s voice remained cold, though as always he stood aside politely to allow her to precede him into a room leading off the hall.
It was impossible to remain insensible to the beauty of the room. The walls had silk hangings in the softest duck egg blue, and there was a delicately patterned Aubusson rug, in creams and pinks and gold, that took up most of the floor space. That alone must have been worth a fortune, Kate concluded. The panoramic windows overlooked the lake, and she could hear geese in the distance, calling to each other.
‘They’re on the island,’ Santino said, giving the invisible bond between them a little shake. ‘They won’t come anywhere near Francesca …’
Automatically she reassured him. ‘Francesca knows to take care of herself around geese. Meredith keeps geese at the farmhouse. They make better guards than dogs.’ Kate’s voice tailed away. The brooding atmosphere in the room reminded her that this was neither the time nor the place to hold a normal conversation.
Santino went to stand by the window as far away from her as possible and they stood in silence for a while. When Santino finally turned to face her Kate was shocked to see his lips were ashen.
‘Five years, Kate …’ Dark eyes pierced her soul. ‘Five years of Francesca’s life. That’s what you have stolen from me.’
She could never make it up to him. Never. ’Stolen from both of you,’ Kate said, holding Santino’s gaze. She wasn’t going to plead innocence when that clearly wasn’t the case. She was guilty. She had denied Francesca and Santino the most basic right of all—to know of each other’s existence.
Turning away, Santino passed a hand across his eyes as if he wanted to blot her out. Kate could see the effort it took for him to refocus and control his anger when he turned back to her.
‘I can’t believe I trusted you. I can’t believe I thanked fate for bringing you back to me. What a fool I was. You had no intention of telling me I had a daughter. The only reason you came to Rome was for Cordelia—’
‘That was part of it—’
‘That was all of it. Don’t waste your lies on me. Without fate … and, yes, without Meredith, I wouldn’t even have known Francesca existed. You cheated me out of my child and now you must pay.’
‘I was going to tell you.’
‘When, Kate?’ Santino’s voice was like tempered steel, sharp and precise. ‘When exactly were you going to tell me?’
‘When I got to know you a little better … When I knew what kind of man you were. When I knew what kind of father you would make for Francesca.’
‘So you’re my judge and jury now?’
‘You’ve seen her. You’ve seen how innocent she is, how defenceless. Surely you’re not suggesting I should have handed Francesca over to a man I didn’t know?’
‘Do you dare set yourself up in judgement over me? Are you trying to tell me I was undergoing some sort of test?’ he demanded incredulously. ‘A test I have not yet passed?’ Ebony brows drew tight over his aquiline nose. ‘How dare you question my ability to be a good father? You don’t know anything about me—’
‘That’s right, I don’t,’ Kate cut in, ‘and I had to be certain—’
‘Of me?’
‘I am Francesca’s mother. It’s my duty to protect her.’
‘Yes, you are her mother,’ Santino snarled as if that were one of life’s greatest misfortunes.
‘Are you saying I should have come to you cap in hand when I was eighteen? Should I have begged you then to acknowledge Francesca? What would you have said to me, Santino? What accusation would you have levelled at me then? I remember a court case and another woman—’
‘Another liar,’ he cut across her.
‘Don’t you dare compare me to that woman. I’m not a liar, and I never have been.’
‘But you withheld the truth from me.’
More than he knew. And as silence echoed all around them Kate accepted that she couldn’t deny Santino’s assertion. She could only raise her head and look into his eyes as she remembered that one night of passion, one misplaced teenage dream had given her one of life’s greatest gifts with one hand and taken away most cruelly with the other. But out of that traumatic event had come Kate’s beautiful daughter Francesca, and even if that earned her Santino’s everlasting scorn, she wouldn’t change a thing.
It was Francesca’s laughter that distracted them, and in spite of all the anger in the room Kate found herself smiling as she looked out of the window. Francesca was skipping across the lawn with the puppies in hot pursuit with Meredith hurrying after her predictably carrying the runt of the litter in her arms …
‘She’s a good woman …’
Santino’s voice startled Kate out of her contemplation. Once again he had read her like a book. But what point was there in that now? It was a gift that was wasted on both of them.
‘You’re lucky—’
She turned to stare at Santino in surprise. ‘Lucky?’
‘To have an aunt like Meredith … To have a family.’
‘You have a family now,’ she reminded him.
‘And to ensure that I keep one I’ve asked my lawyer to come over.’ In the space of a heartbeat Santino’s manner had changed towards her. It was as if he couldn’t wait to stamp out the split second of harmony between them.
‘I’m going to speak to him while you’re having lunch with Meredith and Francesca. And then it will be your turn, Kate.’
Kate’s pulse began to race … from fear of what lay ahead and from the look in Santino’s eyes. ‘My turn?’
‘He should speak to you and tell you what to expect. I’ll take Francesca out on the lake while you have your meeting.’
Santino was speaking to her as if it were all cut and dried, Kate realised, clutching her throat. ‘But nothing’s decided yet?’ She couldn’t prevent her voice rising in a question.