‘And now?’ she asked, breathless with hope.
‘Now I can say to you what I swear I’ve never said to any other woman: I love you. I thought I’d never say those words because I was sure they’d never mean anything to me. And I was content with that. I didn’t
She almost said, ‘Safety-you?’ The mere thought of this powerful man knowing fear and uncertainty was incongruous. But she understood him now. He’d allowed her to see through the armour he wore against the rest of the world, into the wilderness, the place where that shattered fifteen-year-old boy still lived, cowering, begging for it not to be true.
She tightened her arms lovingly about him.
‘I didn’t see it then,’ he continued, ‘but I see it now. With you I found another world, one where there was love but no safety, and I think that’s why I was against you from the start.’
He gave a wry, self-mocking smile as he said, ‘I was afraid. That’s another thing I’ve never said before, but I can say it now. You were the unknown, and I didn’t have the courage to face it, until you took my hand and showed me the way. I can’t promise you an easy love, because it’s so new to me that I’m clumsy and ignorant. But I can promise you a faithful love, for all my life, and yours.’
She couldn’t speak. Tears stung her eyes.
‘And if you can’t love me in return,’ he said huskily, ‘then-’ a tremor went through him ‘-then I guess I’ll just have to be patient and persuade you slowly.’
‘No need,’ she assured him. ‘You and I have played games about this from the start, but the time for games is over. I love you-and I’ll always love you, through good times and bad. And there will be bad times, I know that. But they’ll pass as long as we have each other.’
He nodded, stroking her face gently, whispering, ‘How can you possibly love me?’
‘I can’t imagine. It defies explanation, but the best things usually do.’
‘After all I’ve done, I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me.’
‘Let me show you,’ she said.
This loving was different from all others, slow and gentle, their eyes meeting constantly, but also their hearts and minds. With tender gestures she reassured him, reaching out to the heart that he’d revealed to her and to nobody else in the world.
She knew that if she betrayed his trust she would destroy him. From now on his fate was in her hands and she would defend him with all the strength of her love.
Love. For the first time the word did not sound strange.
Salvatore awoke to find himself in darkness and her gone from his arms. For a moment he wanted to cry out with desolation, but then he saw her standing naked at the window, looking out over the lagoon, to where Venice could just be seen in the distance. So near, and so far.
‘I thought you’d gone away from me,’ he murmured, coming up behind her, and nuzzling her neck. ‘You could have made that phone call.’
‘I did. I found my phone and called my friends in England to say that I missed the plane but there was nothing to worry about. I’ll have to go over for a week to fulfil my contract, but I’ll be back soon.’
‘With a fortune to spend on Larezzo?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Since we’re talking business, I have a proposition for you. I’ll make you an interest-free loan, then you’ll have all the cash you need to invest.’
‘Interest-free, huh? And what do you get in return?’
‘You-as my wife. Then I can keep an eye on what sharp practices you’re up to.’
‘But of course. No business deal can succeed without a binding contract.’
‘It’s a pleasure to find a woman who understands business.’
‘You realise that where that’s concerned I’ll still fight you?’ she said.
‘I’d expect nothing else.’
‘No holds barred.’
‘Exactly,’ he agreed. ‘And let’s be frank, it won’t just be business where no holds are barred. This isn’t going to be a peaceful marriage.’
‘So I should hope.’
For a long time after that they didn’t move, but stood contentedly leaning against each other.
Strangely the thought of Antonio came to her now. Or perhaps it wasn’t so strange, for he’d promised to take care of her, and by throwing her together with Salvatore he’d done it very thoroughly.
Not that he could have known this would happen. Of course he couldn’t.
But somewhere in the distance she imagined she could hear his laughter, and his kindly, mocking voice saying, ‘Fooled you,
And when she looked across the lagoon the sun was just breaking out, heralding the glorious new day.
Lucy Gordon
Lucy Gordon cut her writing teeth on magazine journalism, interviewing many of the world’s most interesting men, including Warren Beatty, Richard Chamberlain, Sir Roger Moore, Sir Alec Guinness, and Sir John Gielgud. She also camped out with lions in Africa and had many other unusual experiences which have often provided the background for her books. She is married to a Venetian, whom she met while on holiday in Venice. They got engaged within two days.
You can visit her website at www. lucy-gordon. com and look out for
