‘Seventy,’ called a voice.
‘Eighty,’ Salvatore said at once.
‘Ninety.’
‘A hundred!’
‘Going, going, gone-for a hundred thousand euros.’
There was frantic applause, but Helena was troubled.
‘This isn’t funny any more,’ she said.
‘You won. You should be delighted.’
‘What about all those people who took bets with you? They’re looking very disgruntled and who can blame them? Why should they pay you when you won by very dubious means?’
‘Thus confirming your opinion of me, which should please you.’
‘Salvatore, you cheated. You can’t take their money.’
‘You just said I could do anything I want.’
‘It was a joke then, it isn’t now.’
‘Helena, let me assure you that your pity is misplaced. Every single person who laid those bets is extremely rich. Paying up will be nothing to them.’
‘But that’s not the point. Please, Salvatore, let them off.’
He regarded her steadily with a look on his face that she couldn’t read. Then he said, slowly and deliberately, ‘I don’t let people off. Hell will freeze over first.’
‘Salvatore-’
‘They challenged me, and if they didn’t bother to check the terms first, that’s their look-out. I fight to win, and if necessary I fight dirty. I thought you already knew that.’
She stepped back from him in dismay. Until then the evening had been pleasant. He’d charmed her, showing her a side of himself that contrasted with everything that had gone before. It had been confusing but even that had been enjoyable.
Now she saw how naive she’d been to think there was another side to him. He’d given a chilly demonstration of deviousness that was also a warning to her, and there was a wry look on his face, his lips twisted in what might have been derision as he saw that she understood.
‘You bastard,’ she murmured. ‘You sly, devious, cold-blooded-’
‘Save it. I don’t have the time to listen.’
To her horror he walked away towards the table and turned, holding up his hands for quiet.
‘Some of you are feeling pretty aggrieved at the way I won our bet. You’re wondering if I’m going to say it was all a joke, and you needn’t pay up. But you should know me better than that. Start writing now.’ He paused for one split second before saying with a grin, ‘All cheques to be made out to
There was a gasp, then a cheer as they realised how neatly he’d hoodwinked them. Clara threw her arms around him in an ecstasy of gratitude. There was much hurried scribbling, several cheques for ten thousand euros each were handed in, after which Salvatore took out his own chequebook and handed Clara a hundred thousand euros.
Then he looked directly at Helena with an expression that clearly said,
She forgave him at once. She would have forgiven him anything for the sense of joyful relief that flooded through her.
He came over and took her hands.
‘Let us go where it’s cooler,’ he said.
He led her out onto the terrace and saw her to a seat.
‘You should be ashamed of what you were thinking,’ he reproved.
‘You should be ashamed of making me think it.’
‘You should also be ashamed of your poor arithmetic. I bid a hundred thousand to win those bets, but if I’d accepted the losers’ money I’d only have won seventy thousand, so if I were the schemer you thought I’d still have been thirty thousand out of pocket. That’s no way to make a fortune.’
‘But-what you did was sort of cheating, wasn’t it?’
‘Of course I cheated. There’s no “sort of” about it. Some of them were only there to be seen with a contessa, and get a reputation for being charitable, while giving as little as possible to the hospital. So I tricked them into giving more than they’d meant to. Did I do wrong?’
‘Of course not. It was marvellous.’
Salvatore laughed. ‘I must admit I did gain something for myself.’
‘What was that?’
‘The sight of your face, especially the moment when you realised that I might not be a total monster after all. I wouldn’t have missed that for the world.’
They laughed together, then fell silent. At last he said, ‘I wonder if you can imagine how glad I am to see you tonight. I’ve wanted so much to talk to you again.’
‘Yes, I’ve been thinking another talk would be good,’ Helena said, smiling.
‘Tell me how you’re managing. Is there anything I can do for you?’
‘Excuse me, I’m confused. Is this the man who threatened to drive me into bankruptcy so that he could buy me out at his own price?’
He made a gesture as if the memory pained him.
‘I wish you’d forget that. I said a lot of things I didn’t mean. You were right, I’m not used to being challenged and I didn’t react very well. The truth is I admire you for having the guts to take it on, and even more for having the guts to take
‘You might well, considering that it was you who galled me into doing it.’
‘True,’ he said ruefully. ‘Sometimes I just talk too much and it comes back and hits me in the face. I got well served, didn’t I?’
‘It’s nice to hear you admit it.’
‘How are you liking Venice?’ he asked.
‘I love it, what little I’ve seen. Everyone’s so nice to me, and I find the factory really fascinating. I’m learning fast. I’m even developing my own ideas. Of course, I’m very amateurish. You’d have a good laugh.’
‘No, I wouldn’t laugh. We’re fellow professionals. Look, we’ve had our differences but what’s done is done. What matters is the future and if there’s anything I can do to help you, please tell me. I still want to see Antonio’s place succeed, even if it isn’t mine.’
Once she would have come back with a swift riposte, saying he wished her well only so that the firm would be in good order when he finally managed to buy it.
But the impulse died before the sincerity in his eyes and the kindness in his voice. Now she could believe that he was truly offering her his friendship.
‘Well, there is something you could explain to me,’ she said slowly. ‘What happens when the glass…?’
He nodded, then embarked on an explanation that was tailored to her understanding, yet detailed enough to be really useful. For the next hour they discussed glass-making techniques, and when they rose to go inside she felt she’d had a valuable lesson.
‘Goodnight, Helena,’ he said softly. ‘And remember, whenever you need help, I’m here.’
‘Thank you, Salvatore. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.’
He kissed her hand and departed.
Helena made her way slowly to her room, sunk in thought about the conflicting impressions that had assailed her tonight. One, above all the others, cried out for action.
She’d wondered if Salvatore was behind the bank’s demand, trying to force her to the wall. After tonight she had no doubt that the answer was yes.
When Helena’s arrival was announced Salvatore looked up with pleasure.
‘Helena, come in. I’ve been hoping you’d call.’
There had been no contact between them for two days. Now she appeared at the Palazzo Veretti, in the room he used as an office, glowing and beautiful and he rose, stretching out his hands to her.
