‘No, it makes sense and it gets things done. Now, why don’t you just try this on?’
As he spoke he was slipping onto her finger the white gold ring that had drawn her attention in the shop. And he knew, of course. The jeweller had told him that this one had made her waver. At every turn he was there before her, and she must fight him.
But indignation faded in the beauty of the diamond band with its crown of one perfect jewel. She stretched out her hand to watch the light winking off the great stone, awed by its sheer extravagant glory.
‘I can’t take it,’ she said desperately. ‘I just can’t.’ But she didn’t lower her hand.
‘Mamma!’ Marco hailed his mother, hovering eagerly in the doorway. ‘Come and congratulate us on our engagement.’
As he spoke he held up Harriet’s hand and Lucia gave a cry of admiration. ‘Oh,
‘Yes, isn’t it?’ she said, regarding her betrothed with cynical eyes. There was no turning back now.
‘How they’ll all gasp when they see it!’ Lucia exclaimed. ‘Now we can really settle down to enjoy planning the party.’
‘I shall have to be out of town for a few days,’ Marco said instantly.
‘Go away then,’ his mother told him. ‘We’ll do much better without you.’
She departed, humming.
‘I won’t say anything about your total lack of scruples,’ Harriet said, ‘because we’ve already covered that. But I want it clearly understood that if I don’t go through with this-and right now that seems very unlikely-you will take this ring back.’
‘Naturally,’ he said, shocked. ‘You don’t think I’d have let you keep it? I’d need it for next time.’
His eyes were teasing her, and suddenly she didn’t mind very much after all. He was overbearing and impossible, but there was nothing to be done about that. And he had a certain sly charm that could sneak in under her radar.
But there was something else, that she hardly dared admit to herself. Sensible Harriet was retreating into the shadows, banished by another Harriet who wanted to take risks and live life to the full: as long as it was with him.
The realisation shook her. She needed time to think about it.
By the end of supper Lucia and Marco had agreed a guest list. Looking over it Harriet saw a name that made her eyes light up. ‘Baron Orazio Manelli,’ she said excitedly.
‘Do you know him?’ Marco asked.
‘No, but I want to. I’ve been trying to get past his front door for ages.’
‘I suppose he has some antique that you want?’
‘A thousand antiques, and from what I hear a lot of them have never been properly catalogued. He won’t let anyone near them. But it’ll be different now.’ Her voice became casual. ‘Do you know him well?’
‘Well enough to get you past his front door. I gather that’s what I’m expected to do?’
‘It’s not a problem is it?’
‘Would it make any difference if it was?’
‘Well-’
‘Don’t bother being polite. I’m glad to be of use.’
That was one hurdle cleared, she thought, glad that Marco seemed merely amused. A happy vista of unexplored treasures was opening up to her.
Marco was away for a week. Harriet and Lucia spent the time in a flurry of activity. Every one of the villa’s army of servants was engaged in spring cleaning the place and bringing it to new life. A stream of invitations went out, including one to Harriet’s father, but since there was no reply it seemed that he was still away.
Within a day a stream of acceptances started to come in. All society was agog to see the woman who had ‘conquered the conqueror’, a phrase that was repeated through the salons of the city until it reached Harriet’s ears.
‘Well, this is Rome after all,’ she said wryly to Lucia. ‘The perfect place for going into the lion’s den.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Lucia told her. ‘Marco knows all about the lions. He won’t let you face them alone.’
Two days before the party Marco appeared at the villa and the three of them had a cheerful supper. Over coffee Lucia said, ‘The family will start to arrive tomorrow. Are you ready to meet them?’
‘A bit nervous,’ Harriet admitted.
Lucia sighed. ‘I’m a little nervous myself. Francesco is bringing Liza-I can hardly bring myself to call her his fiancee. It’s an absurd name for a woman in her sixties.’
‘It’s not his fault they’ve left it so long,’ Marco pointed out. ‘He’s been begging her to marry him for years, but since she was his housekeeper she had the strange idea that their marriage was inappropriate.’
Lucia sniffed. ‘She was correct.’
Marco added, ‘Harriet has already met Dulcie, Mamma.’
‘It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that Dulcie came into Harriet’s shop to sell the family silver,’ Lucia observed with some asperity.
‘It was a marble horse head actually,’ Harriet murmured without thinking. To cover this gaffe she added quickly, ‘I really look forward to seeing her again. We got on very well. After we’d done business we’d have lunch together. She’s great fun.’
Lucia blenched. ‘Fun? Is that her only qualification for being the future Contessa Calvani?’
‘Well I-’
‘Don’t try to answer that,’ Marco told her quietly. ‘Mamma, you’re not being fair to Harriet.’
‘No, of course I’m not. It isn’t your fault, my dear.’ She patted Harriet’s hand and the moment mercifully passed.
‘Leo, of course, won’t arrive until the last moment,’ Lucia continued. ‘He’s uncomfortable in society, or anywhere civilised.’
‘True,’ Marco said with a grin. ‘In fact he probably wouldn’t come at all if he wasn’t going on to America, and Rome Airport will give him a more direct flight to Texas.’
‘Texas!’ Lucia sniffed again. ‘Anyone would think he was a cowboy.’
‘Since he’s going to a rodeo I suppose that’s what he is,’ Marco said mildly.
‘A rodeo?’ Harriet echoed.
‘Leo breeds horses in Tuscany,’ Marco explained. ‘They’re fine animals and much in demand. He’ll be riding in this rodeo and making some sales, I dare say.’
‘A cowboy!’ Lucia sighed in despair. ‘And he should be Francesco’s heir!’
Next morning she and Lucia were waiting at the station for the Venice train, from which Count Francesco Calvani appeared, on his arm a thin elderly woman. This was Liza, his promised bride, and the sight of them together made Harriet smile. Their secret love had lasted all these years, and now that it could flower openly their pride and joy in each other was touching. How many young couples would still feel that way after years, she wondered? Certainly not herself and Marco, who didn’t even start with love.
Of course, he might well be right, and a sensible arrangement was the best thing. But there was a lump in her throat as she regarded the elderly lovers.
Marco’s cousin Guido was a good-looking charmer with a wicked glint in his eyes. But mostly those eyes rested on Dulcie, who would become his bride in a few weeks. If ever a man was in love-! Harriet thought, liking him for it.
Dulcie greeted her with a whoop and an embrace. ‘I can’t believe it’s really you. Just fancy, we’re going to be related. That’ll be great.’
‘Yes,’ Harriet agreed, wondering if that day would really come. The glittering ring on her finger was real enough but everything else had an air of unreality. For the moment the only thing to do was plunge into the festivities wholeheartedly, and she was eager to enjoy them, despite her many confusions.
She might disapprove of the count’s marriage but Lucia’s behaviour to Liza was charming. Behind her pride her heart was kind, and Liza was soon relaxing in her company.
She was also relaxed with Marco, Harriet noticed, evidently feeling that his kindness too could be relied on. He kissed her cheek, addressed her as Aunt, and gave her his arm into the house.
Over supper Guido entertained them with the story of the many misunderstandings that had attended his first
