wife. Tina and I will line up the candidates, put them through a series of tests and mark them one to ten.’
He laughed. ‘Between you and her watching over me like a pair of guardian angels, I know I’ll be safe. As for you being my best friend…’
‘After all we went through together, don’t you think I am?’
‘I think-’ He paused, as if undecided what to say next. ‘I think we have a bond that will never be broken, and I want-Well, let’s leave that for later. I only wish I could spend more time with you during the celebrations.’
‘You have your duty to do, I know that.’
‘But, afterwards, will you come to the mountains with me?’
Her heart leapt. ‘I hoped you’d ask that.’
‘But don’t mention it to anyone else. As far as anyone knows, you’re going back to England.’
‘What do you take me for? I wasn’t going to confide in Elena, was I?’
He grinned. ‘No, I reckon you’re a match for her. By the way, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?’
‘It can wait. I’ll tell you when we’re in the mountains.’
‘Now I’d better get back home, heaven help me. The car will come for you tomorrow.’
Next day a convoy drove the ten miles to the church, where it disgorged a seemingly endless line of distinguished Florentines. Drago escorted them around the building, describing everything that had been done, and received their congratulations with calm pleasure, not seeming to be overwhelmed by them.
He was his own man, Alysa thought. He knew he’d done a fine job, and he needed nobody else to tell him so.
Tina slipped away from her grandmother and attached herself to Alysa, explaining everything like an expert. Elena tried to draw her back to the family group, but the little girl had her father’s stubbornness.
‘I have to look after Alysa,’ she explained firmly. ‘She has nobody of her own.’
She clung to Alysa’s hand until they were apart from the others.
‘You see up there?’ she said, pointing. ‘That’s where Poppa fell. He was terribly angry. He shouted at everyone.’
‘Even you?’
‘No, not me. Just everyone else. But he was better after you called. He told me about it.’
The ceremony was long and impressive. Several people rose to heap praise on Drago, which he received with a blank face that told her he was embarrassed.
Then it was time to return to the hotel so that she could prepare for the grand banquet that night. She had not managed to have a single word with Drago.
As she got into the car, Tina hugged her and asked anxiously, ‘You will come tonight, won’t you?’
Once the feel of those childish arms about her neck would have made her flinch. Now she hugged Tina back warmly.
‘Promise,’ she said.
In a sudden impulse she spent the afternoon shopping for a dress that was more daring than before, a soft- ivory chiffon that clung to her and emphasised her movements.
The villa was ablaze with lights as she joined the crowd streaming in later that evening. Drago stood there, greeting his guests with Elena on one side, and Leona on the other, as though her place in the villa was already assured. She greeted Alysa with lofty assurance, as did Elena, both women studying her attire suspiciously.
Drago studied it too, with a gleam in his eyes that won an answering smile.
Tina too was part of the reception line-up, but she slipped away to join Alysa, which won Drago’s look of warm approval.
‘Look what Poppa bought me,’ she said, showing Alysa a locket around her neck. Inside was a picture of Carlotta.
‘He said it was specially for today, because Mamma would have enjoyed this so much, and we must think of her.’
‘Does he speak of her much?’ Alysa asked.
‘Oh yes, especially when it’s her birthday-that was last week-and on my birthday, because she sends me presents. Well, it’s Poppa really, but he says it’s her, and I pretend to believe him ’cos otherwise he might be hurt.’
‘And you don’t want to hurt him, no matter what you have to do?’
Tina beamed at this understanding. ‘He pretends to be a bully, but he isn’t really. Just a big softy.’
‘And nobody knows him better than you, so I guess you’re right.’
‘Tina!’ It was Leona’s voice. ‘We are sitting down for dinner now. Come along.’
‘But I’ve got lots of things to show Alysa.’
‘Later,’ Alysa said. ‘Never keep your host waiting.’
‘Very true,’ Drago said from somewhere behind Leona, who turned to him.
As soon as her back was turned Tina seized the chance to stick her tongue out at her. Alysa hastily covered the child’s mouth, but not before Drago saw and gave a wide grin.
It was all over in seconds, and then they were marching sedately to the banqueting hall. But it left Alysa feeling exhilarated. Leona might have been seated in the place of honour by Drago, but it was with her that he had the shared understanding.
She saw another side of him that night-assured and businesslike. He even managed to be charming, although she guessed he was carefully negotiating three moves ahead in such unfamiliar territory.
After dinner there was dancing to the accompaniment of an orchestra. Drago danced with Leona, then with a series of wives, mostly indistinguishable from each other, while Alysa entertained herself with several gentlemen who all spoke perfect English and had commercial interests in England. She could therefore assure herself, with a clear conscience, that she was touting for business.
She would have liked to dance with Drago. Something told her that it would be very interesting. But her time would come.
As the evening drew to a close Elena spoke to her from lofty heights.
‘I hope you have really enjoyed your time here,
Alysa made the polite response, and Elena immediately followed up with, ‘When exactly do you leave?’
‘I’ll be going tomorrow.’
‘How sad. We’re going to stay here for a few more days. It’s so seldom we can get the whole family together, and we simply must make the most of it.’
‘I’m afraid the family gathering will be without me,’ Drago put in. ‘The man I told you about-the one who turned up last night-wants me to look over a building to see if it’s worth renovating. I have to leave first thing tomorrow morning, and I’ll be gone for several days.’
Elena began to protest, but his smile was implacable.
‘Signora Dennis, let me escort you to the car,’ he said. ‘I only regret I am unable to drive you home myself.’
As she got into the waiting car, she said casually, ‘I wonder where this building is?’
‘You know quite well where it is,’ Drago replied. ‘Or have you forgotten what we agreed?’
‘Not a word. I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow. Now I’d better go quickly, before Elena does something desperate.’
CHAPTER TEN
‘IT’S a pity you only saw the mountains under snow,’ Drago said as they headed out of Florence next morning. ‘I’ve wanted you to see them now, when everywhere is at its best.’
The journey was magical. Their last trip had been made in the chill of winter. Now they climbed higher into the sunlight, the trees glowing around them in the green of summer.
