‘Yes,’ she said in the same clear voice. ‘I’m quite sure it’s a good idea.’ She took his hand. ‘Come with me, and I’ll show you just how good an idea it is.’
She began to walk in the direction of the hotel, moving languidly, but actually keeping his hand firmly clasped in hers. She knew now that he wouldn’t reject her in public. He’d divined part of her intention, but only a part, she thought with a small, private smile.
He followed her up the narrow stairs to the room she’d rented, and inside. She still held his hand, and when she’d locked the door she drew him over to the window where they would be in full view of the square. As she had hoped a little crowd had gathered below. Tonio, Enrico and the others were there, with Renato and Bernardo bringing up the rear, like shepherds corralling the sheep into place. As they appeared in the window a burst of applause floated up, which intensified as they went into each other’s arms.
‘I don’t want to kiss you in front of a crowd,’ he said.
‘But you need to. You need them to know that I’m yours-in any way you want.’
‘Do you think I care about them-or anything beside you?’
She touched his face. ‘I know. But we had to show them-together. Pull the curtains.’ He did so and a cheer reached them. ‘Now put out the light,’ she whispered against his lips. ‘It’s there on the table, beside your hand.’
‘You had it all planned, didn’t you?’
‘Right down to the last detail.’
He switched out the little table lamp and the sudden darkness brought another cheer, louder than ever. But neither of them heard it. She was already working on his buttons.
‘Elena, are you sure this is what you want to do?’
‘Hush,’ she murmured, brushing her fingertips over his lips. ‘We have unfinished business.’
After that he had nothing more to say. As she finished his buttons he stood watching her with eyes full of love, then pulled the shirt off himself, and tossed it aside.
‘Your move,’ he said.
She laughed softly and ran her fingers tips lightly over his chest. Oh yes, she thought, feeling his trembling response.
‘Elena-Helen-’
‘This is Elena,’ she assured him.
Helen was the cool, calculating woman who had measured her love to see how much it was wise to give. Elena was ready to give everything without counting the cost. From now on she would always be Elena. She drew him close so that she could rest her face against his neck, close her eyes and make the world vanish. In the darkness there must be only the two of them.
His fingers were working at the back of the red dress. It took only a moment to be rid of it, and his eyes widened with delight as he realised that she wore nothing at all underneath.
‘Why, you cheeky little-’
‘I was very determined to have you,’ she said. ‘Don’t keep me waiting.’
She was in his arms before the words were out, lifted high against his broad chest and carried to the waiting bed. Then they were lying together, her body against his, discovering each other. Looking at Lorenzo now she wondered how she could ever have doubted that he still wanted her. There was no mistaking the urgency of his desire. It was there too in the hands that shook as they touched her. She drew him gently over her, silently offering him everything she had, or was, or would ever be. And he accepted with passionate love and gratitude.
As he looked at her face on the pillow, her black hair spread out in disarray, he had a brief glimpse of the woman he’d met a year ago, tense, confused, hiding her uneasiness with courage and laughter. But he’d seen beneath them to her vulnerability, and it had made him all hers long before he knew it. Now, as he felt her moving against him, he knew that the pact was mutual: gift for gift, love for love, life for life.
Afterwards she sat beside him on the bed, gently stroking his body and observing the signs that his desire was mounting again.
‘You haven’t answered me,’ she reminded him.
‘About what,
‘I asked if you would marry me.’
He kissed her fingers. ‘There’s nothing I want more in the world than to marry you-Elena.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE ravishing dress gleamed as Helen twisted and turned before the bedroom mirror, trying to see herself from all angles.
‘You look gorgeous,’ Heather said, gently lifting the veil. Helen bent her head while her two matrons of honour set it in place and fixed it with the tiara.
‘Is it secure?’ she asked anxiously.
‘Completely safe,’ Angie assured her.
‘Do you think I should have chosen a different dress? Perhaps it’s bad luck to wear the same one as last time-’
‘Stop getting paranoid,’ Heather told her firmly. ‘This is the dress for your wedding to Lorenzo. It’s been a bit delayed, but it’s the same wedding, and everything about it should be the same.’
‘Well, not quite
‘But all the other details are the same,’ Heather said. ‘Poor little Vanzini has been rehearsing the
There was a knock on the door and Helen’s father looked in. ‘The cars are here,’ he said.
Angie and Heather, who were going in the first car, kissed Helen and departed in a flutter of blue silk.
Nicolo came to stand in front of his daughter. ‘No doubts this time?’ he asked kindly.
‘No doubts, Poppa. I was never more certain of anything in my life.’
‘Then shall we go?’
‘Yes-no-where’s your flower?’
Aghast, he stared at his buttonhole. ‘I’m sure your mother gave me one. It must still be in my room.’
‘Hurry.’
He sped away. While she waited for him Helen strolled out onto the wide terrace and looked out over the countryside. Everywhere she saw the green of spring, glowing under the early sun. It was the perfect time to start a new life with the man she loved. As she’d told Poppa, this time she was quite certain.
She was so entranced at the view that she came to herself with a start, realising that some time had passed. Nicolo dashed in, looking flustered, but with a flower in his buttonhole.
‘It’s your Mamma’s fault,’ he declared in answer to her look. ‘She’d hidden it.’
‘Poppa! Of course she hadn’t hidden it.’
‘Well, I couldn’t find it.’
‘We’d better hurry.’
He escorted her out to where the car was standing, its door held open by Guido, the new chauffeur, very young and proud to bursting of his uniform and responsibilities. He explained that the other car had left several minutes previously.
‘Step on it,’ Nicolo commanded the driver as they settled in the back.
In a moment they’d swung out of the courtyard, through the tiny village that nestled at the foot of the incline, and out into the open country. Helen looked worriedly out of the window.
‘We’ve got plenty of time,’ Nicolo said. ‘Every bride is a little late.’
‘Not this bride,’ Helen said fervently. ‘After last time I can’t afford to be late by so much as a second. Think of what it would put him through.’
A glance at her watch showed that they had made up a little time. She began to relax. She was thinking ahead
