‘Are the draughts really bad?’
‘They are in winter. Thick stone walls and flagstones to walk on.’
‘Sounds really primitive.’
‘I guess it is. It was built eight hundred years ago and as soon as I finish one repair it seems I have to start another. But in summer it’s beautiful. That’s when you appreciate the stone keeping you cool. And when you go out in the early morning and look down the valley, there’s a soft light that you see at no other time. But you have to be there at exactly the right moment, because it only lasts a few minutes. Then the light changes, becomes harsher, and if you want to see the magic again you have to go back next morning.’
He stopped, slightly surprised at himself for using so many words, and for the almost poetic strain of feeling that had come through them. He realised that she was looking at him with gentle interest.
‘Tell me more,’ she said. ‘I like listening to people talk about what they love.’
‘Yes, I suppose I do love it,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘I love the whole life, even though it’s demanding, and sometimes rough and uncomfortable. At harvest you get up at dawn and go to bed when you’re in a state of collapse, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.’
‘You got brothers, sisters?’
‘I’ve got a younger brother-’ Leo grinned ‘-although technically Guido is the elder. In fact, legally I barely exist because it turned out my parents weren’t married, only nobody knew at the time.’
She made a quick, alert movement. ‘You mean you’re a bastard too?’
‘Yes, I guess I am.’
‘Do you care?’
‘Not in the slightest.’
‘Me neither,’ she said contentedly. ‘It sort of leaves you free. You can go where you want and do what you want, be who you want. Do you find it’s like that?’
Receiving no answer she turned to look at Leo and found him leaned right back, his eyes closed, his body stretched out in an attitude of abandon. Jet lag wouldn’t be fought off any longer.
Selena reached out to nudge him awake, but stopped with her hand an inch away, and watched him. The day’s turbulent events had left her no chance to consider him at leisure. He’d been the rescuer who’d caught up with Elliot, when she herself might not have done so in time, and whose gentle hands and voice had calmed the animal. If her beloved Elliot accepted him then she must too.
In the bathroom he’d saved her from nasty injury. Beyond that she hadn’t allowed herself to think. But she could think about it now, how it had felt to be held tightly against him, the soft scratching of the hairs on his chest against her bare breasts. She could remember, too, the bold way he’d grasped her behind with his big hand, hauling her to safety and removing his hand at once.
A gentleman, she thought. Even at that moment.
Everything about him pleased her, starting with the broad sweep of his forehead, half hidden now by a lock of hair that had fallen over it, and the heavy brows, and the dark-brown eyes beneath them. She liked the straight nose and the slightly heavy curved mouth that could smile in a way that hinted at delight to come for a woman with a brave spirit.
She wondered just how brave her own spirit was. In the ring she would take any risk, dare any fall, chance any unfamiliar horse, and laugh. But folk were different, harder to understand than horses. They were awkward and they could hurt you more than any tumble.
And yet she wanted to see Leo’s smile again, and follow the tempting hints to their conclusion.
She liked his foreignness, his faint Italian accent, his way of pronouncing certain words in a way that was strange to her, but delightful. She wanted to know him better, to discover more about the big, generously proportioned body, and to realise the promise implicit in those broad shoulders and lean, hard torso. As if drawn by a magnet her eyes fell on his hands, and memories sprang alive in her flesh. Those long fingers, touching her nakedness as he lifted her out of the bath. They seemed to be touching her now, this minute. She could feel them…
Hell, who did she think she was kidding? Everyone knew that Italians liked curvy females, with hour-glass figures.
And I don’t have any in-and-out, she reminded herself sorrowfully. Just ‘in.’ And he’s seen me now, so there’s no way to fool him.
Life was very hard!
Elliot whinnied softly, and the sound was enough to awaken Leo. He opened his eyes while her face was still close to his, and smiled.
‘I’ve died and gone to heaven,’ he said. ‘And you’re an angel.’
‘I don’t think they’ll be sending me to heaven. Not unless someone’s changed the rules.’
They both laughed, and she went to Elliot, who had whinnied again.
‘He’s just jealous because you’re giving me so much attention,’ Leo said.
‘He’s got nothing to be jealous about, and he knows it,’ Selena said. ‘He’s my family.’
‘Where do you live?’
‘Wherever Elliot and I happen to be.’
‘But you must have some sort of home base, where you stay when you’re not travelling?’
‘Nope.’
‘You mean, you’re travelling all the time?’
‘Yup.’
‘With no home to go to?’ he asked, aghast.
‘I’ve got a place where I’m registered for paying taxes. But I don’t live there. I live with Elliot. He’s my home as well as my family. And he always will be.’
‘It can’t be “always”,’ he pointed out. ‘I don’t know how old he is, but-’
‘He’s not old,’ Selena said quickly. ‘He looks older than he is because he’s a bit battered, but that’s all.’
‘Yes, I’m sure,’ Leo said gently. ‘But just how old is he?’
She sighed. ‘I’m not sure. But he’s not finished yet.’ She laid her cheek against Elliot’s nose. ‘They don’t know you like I do,’ she whispered, and turned her head away so that he couldn’t see the anguish that swamped her.
But he did see it, and his heart ached for her. That raw-boned animal, past his best, was all she had in the world to love.
Suddenly her strength seemed to drain away. Leo quickly took hold of her.
‘That’s it, you’re going to bed. Don’t argue because I won’t take no for an answer.’
He kept his arm firmly fixed about her waist in case she had any other ideas, but she was too weary to argue, and let him lead her away to the house and up the stairs to her room.
‘Goodnight,’ he said at her door. ‘Sleep well.’
‘Leo, you don’t understand,’ she confided in a low voice. ‘I can’t sleep in that bed. It’s too soft. Every time I move it bounces.’
His lips twitched. ‘They’re supposed to. Still, I know what you mean. If it’s not what you’re used to it can be worse than stones. You’ll just have to try to put up with all this comfort. You’ll get used to it.’
‘Not me,’ she said with conviction, and slipped into her room.
He stood looking at the closed door, a prey to unfamiliar feelings that confused him. He wanted to follow her into her bedroom, not to have his evil way, but to ask her to lay her problems on him, and promise to make everything right for her.
Having his evil way could come later. When he’d earned the right.
It was almost dawn when the last guest drove away, waving an arm out of the window and yodelling, ‘See ya!’ Bleary eyed and cheerful, the household drifted off to bed.
Leo sat down on his bed with a feeling of pleasant vagueness. The evening had contained much bourbon and rye, especially the last part, after he’d said goodnight to Selena and returned to the festivities. Now he was at peace with the world.
But he didn’t miss the sound of footsteps that stopped outside Selena’s bedroom door. A pause, then a soft creak as the door was opened. That was enough to make Leo’s tipsy haze pass, and send him out into the corridor in time to catch Paulie halfway through Selena’s door.
