скачать книгу бесплатно
‘Oh, will you be taking us back to the hotel?’ Meredith chipped in, oblivious to the undercurrents. ‘That is kind of you, Santino.’
‘My home,’ he emphasised.
Meredith looked bewildered, and Kate felt the chill in Santino’s gaze as he stared her down.
‘Please don’t do this,’ Kate urged softly, transferring Francesca to Meredith’s arms. ‘Let’s not argue about where we go from here, Santino.’ Kate quickly added a small laugh for Francesca’s sake, though her words were loaded and all the adults present knew it.
A flash of alarm crossed Meredith’s face, but she quickly controlled it and adapted to the situation, lifting Francesca high in the air to distract her. ‘Let’s go, pigeon. I’ll take Francesca to get her coat while you two sort out your business.’
Full marks to Meredith, Kate thought, relieved to see Francesca was still smiling and completely unaware of the tension between her parents.
‘Santino, please,’ Kate said the moment they were out of earshot. ‘Don’t try to take Francesca from me now. Can’t you see how happy she is? Do you want to upset her?’
‘Of course I don’t.’ Santino’s face turned from cold to gentle in the time it took him to turn his head to watch Francesca walking through the lines of tables hand in hand with Meredith. He even smiled when Francesca turned to wave at him, but where Kate was concerned, she might not have been there.
Something terrible must have happened to him in his youth and she should try to understand so she could find a way to touch his heart. But softening towards a man who planned to take Francesca from her was a terrible risk.
Meredith and Francesca had just disappeared into the cloakroom and Santino watched every step they took intently. This was not the man she had been learning to like and trust Kate realised, the man she had harboured dreams of falling in love with. This was another man, another Santino. This was the ruthless businessman, the warrior who must win every battle at whatever cost. How could she fight a man like that?
‘Francesca will be coming home with me.’
‘What do you mean?’ Kate’s heart stopped. She knew what he meant. Santino was talking about his home. And how could she stop him? She couldn’t fight him. She couldn’t risk Francesca being subjected to an ugly scene between her parents. The only thing she could do was appeal to Santino’s better nature and hope he had one. ’She’s a little girl, Santino. Don’t make her part of this fight between us …’
His mouth flattened with determination. ‘You don’t seem to understand. I’ve got almost five years to make up for. I want to see my daughter when she wakes in the morning.’
Even now with all the enmity rising between them there was something in his eyes, and in his voice, that cut Kate to the bone, but then his voice hardened to something that inspired fear rather than sympathy.
‘I’m surprised that you of all people can’t understand what I’m trying to say. And you a mother.’
He made the word mother sound so ugly Kate knew it threatened everything she held dear.
‘I’m going to be with my daughter. I’m going to see her every moment of the day. I’m going to laugh with her and have fun with her. I’m going to have a life with her.’ Santino’s eyes were flint hard when they turned on her. ‘Or would you deny me that as well?’
She couldn’t help herself and reached out, but he backed away as if he couldn’t bear her to touch him. ’Santino, please. If you take Francesca away from me now it won’t help your cause if she wakes up tomorrow in an unfamiliar place surrounded by strangers—’
‘I’m her father, not a stranger.’
‘And Francesca’s a little girl who is half asleep after a tiring journey. Are you prepared to take the risk that she’ll remember you when she wakes up tomorrow? Please let her stay with me tonight, and I promise I’ll bring her to you—’
‘Like you did before? Am I supposed to trust you now?’
The fight went out of Kate as the past came back to haunt her. ‘Don’t do this to me, Santino. Not again … please … I’m begging you. Don’t take my baby. She’s everything to me—’
‘Your tears are wasted on me.’
‘I promise you—’
‘You promise me?’
‘Please don’t take my baby, Santino.’ Kate grabbed his arm as he moved away. ’She’s all I have—’
‘Then you have more than I do,’ he assured her coldly. ‘Now please take your hands off my sleeve.’
Santino’s arm felt rigid beneath her touch as Kate pulled her hands away. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘You will be,’ Santino promised her.
She scrambled after him, terrified to think that Santino didn’t trust her and never would again. ‘I can’t blame you—’
‘Spare me your pity!’ He brushed her aside and walked on.
‘I’m the one asking for your pity …’ Remembering what was at stake, Kate ran after him. ‘For our daughter’s sake, Santino, I’m pleading with you—’
‘You’re making an embarrassing show of yourself.’ Santino halted abruptly, turning to confront her. ’Shake yourself out of it before anyone notices.’ His mouth curled with disdain as he stared down at her. ‘And then stay away from me.’
But she couldn’t do that. She wouldn’t do that. Kate stood her ground. A couple of people had glanced their way, then looked away again. This was the film world where high drama was an everyday occurrence and everyone was having too good a time at the party to pay much attention to the isolated drama being played out on the fringes. ‘You’re not taking her from me. You can’t—’
‘I shall be applying for full custody of Francesca …’ Santino’s voice held a note she had never heard before. ‘If you want to see more of your daughter you have two choices. You either see her in the school holidays, or you move to Italy where access will be easier for you. But don’t think for one moment that this is a battle I intend to lose. No court in the world is going to refuse me when I point out how irresponsible Francesca’s mother has been … how reckless she was when we first met, and how reckless she is now … staying away, leaving our child in the care of an elderly aunt.’ He held up his hand when Kate’s ashen lips began to move. ‘Yes, Kate, everything they say about me is true. I stop at nothing to get what I want. And where my daughter’s concerned you can expect me to pull out all the stops.’
‘You’re a monster,’ Kate managed faintly.
‘A monster?’ Santino appeared to find her accusation amusing. ‘Come now, Kate … Any judge would recognise me as a father who loves his daughter and wants to protect her from harm … a loving father who wants to make up for all the lost years denied to me by her mother.’
As she saw the truth in his words he could sense her defeat. He would make one concession, and only because Francesca might be alarmed by the sudden loss of her mother. He would not subject his daughter to the pain he had known as a child, therefore any parting would have to be gradual. Decision made, he found Kate’s continued dejection irritating. ‘Try to remember you still work for me. I need you to make a phone call.’ He exhaled with impatience when she didn’t respond. ‘For goodness’ sake, pull yourself together. While I spend a few moments with Diane Fox I need you to telephone the hotel—’
‘The hotel?’
She looked up at that and he saw the pain in her eyes. She was still reeling from the news that he intended to take Francesca away from her, but this was no time for misplaced sympathy. She’d had five years on the run before he’d caught up with her and now she could pay the penalty. ‘You will ask if they have another suite available. Call them,’ he said brusquely. ‘Tell them who it’s for, and that we need two bedrooms.’
‘We? I thought there was no we,’ she managed faintly.
Barely any sound came out of her mouth, but she was still fighting him. Part of him admired that, but the more dominant part of him rolled on seamlessly with his plan. ‘I require a twin-bedded room for you and Francesca, and another room for me.’
Hope flared in her eyes as he mentioned the room she would share with Francesca and died again the moment she realised that he would be standing guard.
‘This is not for your benefit,’ he confirmed, content to see despair replace the brief flash of hope in her eyes, ‘but for Francesca’s sake. I intend that any parting from you will be gradual.’
‘You’re very kind.’
Her dumb insolence infuriated him. She was letting him know that as far as she was concerned the torture he intended to inflict upon her would only be prolonged.
‘I doubt the Russie is full,’ she said, slowly recovering. ‘I’ll ring them now and ask if another suite could be made available.’
‘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.
