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“Where do you fit in?” she asked quietly.
“That’s a long story. I was twenty-six when my mother died. You already know her feelings about wanting me married to Mila, so I became engaged, but I didn’t set a date for our wedding because I needed more time. Except for a war separating you, I don’t understand putting off marriage if you sense it’s right in your gut.”
He put his empty coffee mug on the side table. “Within six months my father remarried a widowed aristocrat from Genoa. She had a son, Fabbio, who was twenty-seven and a bachelor. He fell for Mila. If her ambition hadn’t been so great, she would probably have been happy with him.
“Father saw what was happening. About that time he announced he’d been diagnosed with cancer. I believed he might have been making it up to manipulate me. I’m sorry to say it worked. I acceded to pressure and married Mila. After she became pregnant, father ended up in the hospital with prostate cancer. At that point I felt guilty that I had doubted him.
“He thought he was going to die and appointed me acting CEO. Up until then I’d been his assistant. At that point he transferred the title to me. Naturally these moves infuriated the rest of the family and the lawsuits started flying. It was brother against brother, cousin against cousin.
“To defuse the maelstrom, I refused the title. That not only upset my father, it infuriated Mila and her family. They treated me like a pariah. In time my father recovered, but wasn’t speaking to me.”
Irena made another sound in her throat. “How ghastly for you.”
“With our baby on the way, I won’t pretend it wasn’t a hellish period. I was away on business for a lot of the time. By the time Dino was born, we were at war. As I told you earlier, she wouldn’t let me have anything to do with him, so I divorced her. You know the rest. The cruel part began with the visitation order that pretty well stripped me of my rights.”
She stared at him in a daze. “Where were you living until then?”
“In one of the smaller family palazzos overlooking the water in La Spezia. After the divorce, Mila continued to live there.”
“And your father?”
“In the former ducal palazzo with his second wife where I was raised. It’s higher up the hillside.”
“I thought Mila went back to Florence?”
“She spent time in both places, but when it was my visitation, she managed to be in Florence. Anything to make it more difficult for me. These days she splits her time between Florence, La Spezia and Milan. Again, when it’s my time to be with my son, I have to travel, but naturally I don’t mind.”
“How did you come to live in Riomaggiore?”
“The Valsecchi company owns several hundred houses and apartments in Cinque Terre that are rented out. I decided to take the one I’m in because I favor it, and it’s near the plant in La Spezia where I work. Antonello’s was part of my mother’s dowry when she married my father.”
The fasten seat belt light flashed on. They were coming into Genoa.
“You’re right,” Irena murmured, fastening hers. “Your family life has been much more complicated than anything that has happened to me.” She smoothed the hair away from her face. “Vincenzo? Why has marrying me allowed you to gain joint physical custody?”
He’d known that question was coming and had hoped he could put off answering it for a while longer. “I’ll tell you when we’re in the car. From the looks of it, jet lag is already catching up to you. Your beautiful eyes are doing that little flutter thing.” His comment caused color to seep into her cheeks.
But Vincenzo knew that his wife, who still had yet to sleep in his bed, deserved to know what was happening. Their marriage might have been for convenience’s sake, but he longed to make their marriage real. The truth was, he didn’t dare make love to her until he’d cleared it with her doctor tomorrow. If being intimate could put the baby’s life in any danger with the test looming, he would wait as long as it took. After all, he had the prize he wanted.
It was 10:30 p.m. by the time he’d ordered a limo to drive them to his car. Once he’d stowed the luggage and they’d headed for Riomaggiore, Irena had fallen asleep against the door. When he reached the apartment, instead of it being Dino he put to bed, it was his exhausted wife he carried to his son’s room.
He removed her shoes and put a light quilt over her, relieved their talk would have to be postponed until tomorrow. Satisfied she wouldn’t wake up, he went back to the car for their luggage and put as much away as he could.
After turning out the lights and locking up, he walked back to his bedroom and shut the door. Unfortunately he couldn’t put off a certain phone call he’d promised to make as soon as he’d returned from his honeymoon. It was part of the bargain he’d struck with his father. With a sense of inevitability, he reached in his pocket for his cell and called him.
“So Vincenzo—you’re home?”
“Sì, Papa.”
“How’s my little Dino?”
“After all his new adventures, he’s thriving.” He and Dino should have had a lot more like them over the years. Vincenzo struggled to tamp down his anger.
“Bring your wife to the palazzo tomorrow. Silviana and I have everything ready here for you to move in.”
Bands constricted around Vincenzo’s chest, making it difficult to breathe. “Tomorrow I’ll bring her to the office. I’d rather your first meeting with her took place where I’ll be working. I want to show her around, introduce her to everyone. Give us two weeks here at the apartment, then we’ll make the move. Since we were married, I haven’t had any time alone with her, Papa.”
“You’re that besotted?”
His father could have no idea. “I knew she was my soul mate the moment she was shown into my office and smiled.” It got better from there. So much better that by the end of her business trip to Italy, they’d made love with a passion that still robbed him of breath. For those magical hours he knew in his gut she hadn’t been thinking about Simonides.
“I guess I’m not surprised. I overheard Fabbio telling Tullio she was the most breathtaking woman he’d ever seen. That described your mother the first time I met her. How does Dino like her?”
Vincenzo cleared his throat. “I think very much, but you’ll have to ask him if you want specifics.”
“I intend to. Does your new bride want children?”
If a heart rate could quadruple, Vincenzo’s did. With his next response, he would probably be struck by lightning. “To be honest, we’ve been so busy with Dino, there are many things we still need to explore. That’s why we’d appreciate two more weeks without anyone else around.”
“Then enjoy them while you can because you’re going to be busy after that. I don’t have to tell you how relieved I am you’re going to be taking over, Vincenzo. As you found out when you looked over the books, we’ve had a downturn in profits over the last few years and we both know why.”
“I agree the figures didn’t look good.”
“Your cousins simply don’t have the grasp for business that you’ve always had. It’s providential you came to your senses when you did. I’m tired of keeping it all together.”
Vincenzo had come to his senses for the sake of his son and no other reason. His father wouldn’t like all the changes he planned to make, but having been given two more weeks with Irena, he wasn’t about to get into a detailed discussion tonight.
He thought ahead to tomorrow. Irena’s doctor appointment had been made for midmorning. After they finished there, he’d take her to lunch at Spoleto’s, one of his favorite spots. “We’ll be at your office around one. Ciao, Papa.”
“Ciao, figlio mio.”
His father hadn’t called him my son in seven years. All that time he’d held Vincenzo hostage over a title! Rage welled in his heart. He swore an oath that he would never allow anything like this to happen to Dino.
Frustrated once more that she’d fallen asleep on him, Irena had awakened soon after Vincenzo had carried her in the apartment. She’d thought he would have taken her to his bedroom tonight. They hadn’t been intimate for over two months. Now that they were married and alone, she didn’t understand it.
Anxious to ask him what was wrong, she’d padded down the hall, but his door was closed. She’d heard him talking to someone, but had no idea who it was or what they were saying.
Feeling shut out emotionally as well as physically, she took a shower and got ready for bed. Her heart thudded as she left the bathroom, hoping he was there waiting for her. But the apartment was dark and quiet. Dino’s bed remained empty.
A pain pierced her heart. When she’d first met Vincenzo, everything had happened so naturally, she hadn’t had to think about which foot to put in front of the other. Now here she was his wife and she didn’t dare tiptoe down to his room and climb into bed with him.
No one could have been more loving and attentive than he’d been in California. There’d been great tenderness, but they were home now. She needed reassurance that he still wanted her the way he had before.
After she climbed under the covers, she remembered something Deline had said several weeks earlier. Have you asked yourself why he’s willing to rush into marriage with you?
Irena’s response had been immediate. He’d needed a wife to change the rules of visitation. Deep down she’d believed the attraction they had for each other portended something more significant. He’d said he’d gotten his heart’s desire.
But if she was wrong and his desire for her was already fading, it was too late to do anything about it now because they were married. Dino was her stepson and trusted her. She had a baby coming. Although the paternity of the baby was still in question, Vincenzo had said he wanted to help her raise it.
Her parents knew they were married. While they were in California, Vincenzo had talked to them on the phone and he’d managed to charm them in his own inimitable way. Tomorrow she had her first medical examination with Dr. Santi. She’d gone past the proverbial point of no return. This was her life, the one she had made for herself. There was no going back.
This morning she took her time getting ready. Irena wanted to make herself look as beautiful as possible for her husband. She left her hair down the way he had said he liked it. After some deliberation she chose to wear a pale pink skirt with a shocking pink knit top. It had capped sleeves and a scooped neck. Combined with her tan and a new lipstick, she hoped she rated a second, even a third glance from Vincenzo.
He didn’t disappoint her. She’d just finished her juice when he came in the kitchen and slid his arms around her. “You look good enough to eat.” Irena turned around, anticipating a deep kiss, but it only lasted a moment. “You taste out of this world. If I nibble any more, we won’t make it out the door to the doctor.”
Another expectation dashed, but she hid her disappointment and reached for her purse. Following him out to the car, she could feast her eyes on his well-honed physique. Today he’d dressed in light tan chinos and a sport shirt in a brilliant blue that matched his eyes. Italian down to his hand-sown leather shoes, his dashing smile brought her senses alive.
As he escorted her into the outpatient department a half hour later, his potent male charisma drew the gaze of every female in the waiting room. It had been like that in California. He had admirers everywhere they went, yet he seemed oblivious to all the attention.
She had to concede he was more attractive than any film star or celebrity. It thrilled her that she was with him and could call this man her husband! Irena couldn’t believe she was feeling and acting like a teenager when in reality she was a pregnant, twenty-seven-year-old woman.
“Spiros?”
Irena was so deep in thought, she didn’t realize her name was being called until Vincenzo stood up. “That’s you, esposa mia.”
She got to her feet and they walked back to a private examination room. After they sat down, Dr. Santi came in. She nodded to Irena. “You’re looking well, signorina.”
“Actually, it’s Signora Valsecchi now,” Vincenzo corrected her. “We were married two weeks ago and just returned from our honeymoon.”
“Ah…that explains the tan on both of you. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” he answered for them.
“So, signora, have you decided you want to go through with the testing in two weeks? If so, we’ll schedule it now.”
“I made the decision the last time I was here. That hasn’t changed.”
The doctor switched her gaze to Vincenzo. “Are you in agreement, too? No second thoughts?”
“It’s my wife’s decision.”
Vincenzo had said the words, but for some reason he didn’t sound like he backed her. Perplexed, Irena turned her head to look at him. “I thought you were okay with it.”
He covered her hand and squeezed it. “I am because it’s what you want.”
“But you still have reservations?”
The doctor stood up. “I’ll leave you two alone for a minute to discuss it.”
After she’d gone out, Vincenzo smoothed a lock of glistening hair behind her ear. “I told you before I’m not worried about you having a miscarriage, but I know that you are worried.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you had nightmares on our trip—four of them, and another one last night. Something is bothering you.”
Irena blinked in shock and covered her mouth with her hand, surprised and embarrassed by Vincenzo’s insight. “How did you know that was what disturbed me?”
“You muttered the word baby each time. It shows how much you are thinking about this child you carry. I’m afraid you’re the only one to determine if you can live with yourself if the test does cause you to miscarry. It appears you’re going to have to weigh the possibility of suffering that guilt against your anxiety over waiting seven more months to know the outcome of the baby’s paternity.”
“They’re all horrible choices.”
He pulled her against him, molding his hand to the back of her head. “Irena, no matter what,” he murmured against her temple, giving her kisses, “I’m here for you.”
“I know that. I’m the luckiest woman on earth.” She embraced him once more, then pulled away from him before she drenched his beautiful shirt. “Will you find Dr. Santi and tell her I want to go ahead with the test?”
“I’ll be right back.”
Vincenzo had scarcely stepped out in the hall when he saw the doctor walking toward him. “My wife has decided she wants to schedule the test.”
“I think it’s a wise decision considering her emotional state. I’ve a feeling the waiting will be harder on her. We want her to have as normal a pregnancy as possible.”
He nodded. “Before you go in to her, I would like to talk to you about something. Since our marriage two weeks ago, I’ve been afraid to make love to her. Knowing there’s even a minimal risk to the baby because of the test, I’ve hesitated to do anything that could add to it.”
She gave him a frank smile. “You’ve just saved me from telling you to hold off on the intimacy. Three more weeks with no problems and you can start to enjoy that side of your marriage.
“While I examine her, go to the outpatient center and have them direct you to the lab. I’ll authorize them to do a swab of your cheek now. By the time the test is done and the results are in, you’ll know if it’s a match with your DNA. When your wife is through, she’ll be waiting for you in the reception room.”
“Grazie.”
He followed the doctor’s directions and didn’t have to wait long for his test. By the time Irena joined him in the lounge, he was still on the phone talking business with Bruno, his second-in-command at the plant. After hanging up, he walked her out to the car.
Before he helped her in he drew her close, looking down at the gauze taped to her arm. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Starving.” She said it a little too enthusiastically, but it meant she was making an effort even though she was nervous about the test. There was no one in the world like her.
“Bene. I’m taking us to a ristorante you’re going to love.” He kissed the lips he couldn’t resist. Three more weeks…He didn’t know how he was going to make it, but he had to for all their sakes.
Five minutes later they reached Spoleto’s. The head waiter showed them through to the terrazza that gave out on a broader view of the Mediterranean. “Your usual table is waiting, Signore Valsecchi. Shall I bring the wine list?”
“Not today, Giovanni. We’d like iced tea and linguini for two.”
When he nodded and walked off, Irena leaned forward. “What dish is that?”
“Linguini and their house sauce.”
“That sounds delicious.” She said the right words, but there was something else on her mind. “Before the waiter comes back, I’m waiting to hear the answer to the question I asked you last night. There’s no royal line in my background, so how is it that your father has still been willing to get rid of the old visitation rules?”
“I’ve given him what he wants. Before we left on our honeymoon, I agreed to take back the title and be the cochairman of the company.”
After a long period of quiet she said, “If you’re not careful, you’ll turn into my father. After he had to take over the newspaper business from his father, mother and I rarely saw him.”
Irena’s reaction was more than satisfying. It told him their time together was precious to her, too. He eyed her through veiled lashes. “But I won’t let that happen to us, because I’m not like anyone else.”
Her dark brows, perfectly shaped, knit together. “That’s true, but a father and son running a conglomerate like yours will be consumed by business whether you mean for it to happen or not.”
