knowledge to reduce her to silence. But she had to admit that he behaved beautifully, bringing her into every conversation, treating her with respect, explaining what she needed to know without talking down to her.
At one sheep farm she became fascinated, asking a series of intelligent questions that had the tenant family nodding approval. In a combination of English, Italian and Sicilian she explained that her uncle had been a shepherd.
‘We used to spend holidays with him and he’d let me help with the lambing. I loved that.’
‘What kind of sheep?’ they wanted to know.
‘Blackface, some angora-’ And she was away, talking eagerly.
They took her to see their best ram and watched as she ran knowledgeable hands over it. They discussed vets’ bills. Scandalous. And milking. Did they milk their sheep? They did but they hadn’t expected her to know it was possible.
At last the talk died. She looked around and found them staring at her with interest. Renato was smiling as though he’d won something. Heather felt a prickle on her spine as a suspicion came to her.
As they drove back through Ellona Heather’s suspicions increased. Every window and door in the main street was open, and they were being studied by curious eyes. The plump little priest stepped out to hail them, and they stopped at his house for a drink. When they emerged they were watched even more intently. It was obvious that this scrutiny had a reason, and she was beginning to fear that she knew what it was.
As they reached the villa Renato said, ‘Tomorrow we’ll go on horseback.’
‘You’re coming back tomorrow?’
‘I’m staying overnight. You don’t mind, do you?’
‘Not at all,’ she said politely. ‘I’ll tell Jocasta.’
‘No need. I should think she’s put my things in my room by now.’
He was right. Clearly he was a favourite with Jocasta, who had not only unpacked his case but ordered the evening meal to suit him. Heather didn’t know how to protest about the way he’d taken over. After all, she kept saying that Bella Rosaria wasn’t really hers, so it was hard to complain when he took her at her word.
They enjoyed the last of the light wandering in the garden. ‘I loved playing here better than anywhere else,’ he remembered. ‘This was a wonderful place for gangs of bandits. I used to get the boys from the village in and we created mayhem.’
She smiled. ‘I wonder how Baptista felt about that in her flower garden.’
‘She didn’t mind. She said what mattered was that there should be happiness here.’ They had reached the rose arbour and sat on the wooden seat. ‘I used to come out in the evening and find her sitting in this spot, with her eyes closed.’
‘Did you ever find out why?’ she asked cautiously.
‘You mean did I know about Federico? Yes, the head gardener told me. He’d worked here for years and knew all about it. Apparently there were a lot of rumours when the young man vanished so suddenly.’
‘That was the hardest for Baptista to bear,’ Heather said. ‘Not knowing. You surely don’t think-?’
‘I doubt it, but I have to admit that my grandfather was a man who wouldn’t tolerate opposition.’
They had supper in the library, close to the open French windows. Renato’s mood had mellowed and he went on reminiscing about the villa as he’d known it in his childhood.
‘I always knew it had a special place in my mother’s heart. Perhaps that’s why it became enchanted to me too. The Residenza was just a building, but Bella Rosaria was special.’
‘Then take it back.’
He gave her an ironic look. ‘There’s only one way I can do that.’
‘No marriage,’ she said at once. ‘We both agreed.’
He shrugged. ‘My mother is a very persuasive woman, and I’m a man with a strong sense of duty.’
She rested her elbows on the table and met his eyes. ‘Rubbish!’ she said firmly. ‘I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you can forget it. No marriage. Not now. Not ever. You can take that as final.’
He grinned. ‘Suppose I don’t choose to?’
‘Oh, stop this! I know you’re only fooling but it’s not fair to give the village ideas. Do you think I don’t know why they were out in force, watching us? And the priest, practically giving us his blessing. You ought to stop them thinking things. It’s not fair.’
‘To whom?’
‘To them. They obviously like the idea.’
‘Yes, you’ve made yourself popular. And the fact that you know about sheep will be all over the district tonight. Everyone around here sees the propriety of our marriage as clearly as Mamma does.’
She laughed. ‘They’d think differently if they could have heard what you said about swimming the Straits of Messina in lead weights.’
He winced. ‘I deny it. I never said any such thing. Anyway, a man can grow wiser.’
She refused to rise to the bait. ‘I’m going to bed,’ she said.
‘You’re right. We’ll make an early start in the morning. Don’t be late. I dislike women who keep me waiting.’
This was so clearly meant to be provocative that she said, ‘I really will kick your shins in a minute,’ in a teasing voice.
‘Exactly what Mamma advised, night and morning. You see, we’re acting like an old married couple already.’
She began to laugh. She couldn’t help it. She ought to at least try to stay cross with him, but the excellent wine and the company of a man who, for all his infuriating behaviour, was still more mysteriously attractive than anyone she’d ever known, was a potent combination. Tonight he’d been pleasant company, making her like him better than at any time before.
‘That’s better than the last time I heard you laugh,’ he said approvingly.
The night in the garden, when she’d laughed on the edge of sobs, and he’d kissed her with a tenderness that had haunted her dreams since. She met his eyes and looked quickly away, confused. She no longer knew what she wanted.
They climbed the stairs together. Outside her door he took her hand, said gently, ‘Goodnight, Heather,’ and went across the corridor to his own room without waiting for her answer.
When she’d closed her door she stood for a long time, listening to the sound of her own heart beating. He would come to her tonight. She knew that beyond any doubt. Suddenly decided, she turned the key in her lock.
She undressed slowly, torn this way and that, until she crept to the door and unlocked it. Then she got into bed and lay listening to the creaks of the old house, as the night grew quiet around them, staring into the darkness.
Renato wanted to marry her. Or rather, he’d decided in favour of the marriage. That was more accurate. The family needed an heir, and Lorenzo had proved too unreliable, so Renato had reluctantly bowed his neck to the yoke. Marrying her would please his mother and satisfy his sense of duty.
Nothing else?
Yes. She’d challenged him, laughed at him, snubbed him. His pride was at stake. And he wanted to sleep with her. He’d made no bones about it. But she already knew how little physical relationships counted with him. When he’d soothed his pride and gained what he wanted-what then?
At last she fell asleep.
CHAPTER NINE
WHEN they met at breakfast her mood was cool. Naturally she was glad of Renato’s restraint the night before. If he’d tried to come to her bed it would have clouded the issue and she would have been angry at his calculation.
But the apparently easy way he’d resisted her was also a kind of calculation, and of the two it was the more insulting. She blushed to recall that she’d left her door unlocked, and he hadn’t even tried it. One small victory to
