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‘Yes,’ Vito replied. ‘In fact that is why I am here. My grandfather’s health is much improved. This morning would be a suitable time for you to meet him.’
‘I’ll go and get my bag.’ Lily walked towards the door, then hesitated as Vito didn’t step aside to let her through. She held her breath and slipped past him, feeling the hairs on her arms stand up and her heart-rate increase, as she couldn’t help brushing lightly against him.
She tried to ignore the feeling as she ran up the stairs to the bedroom. She paused in front of the mirror to check her appearance, and was disconcerted to see her flushed cheeks and animated eyes.
Was it the simple contact of brushing against him that had caused the light in her face? Or was it the prospect of spending a little time in Vito’s company?
Whatever the case, she didn’t ponder it, and as she didn’t need to change her clothes she hurried back down the stairs. Ever since the first morning in Venice she had taken trouble with her appearance. She didn’t want to give Vito another opportunity to humiliate her.
The walk to Ca’ Salvatore didn’t take long, and as they arrived at the baroque palazzo Vito took her hand in his. A charge of energy passed between them and, as Lily felt herself tremble, she realised it was the first proper physical contact they’d shared since the night they’d nearly made love.
Vito had not touched her since then, and the fact that he had chosen this moment to hold her hand made it clear to Lily that his intention was to show all at Ca’ Salvatore that she was his. It was a reminder of how important it was to Vito that his grandfather saw them as a proper couple.
He led her into the beautiful building and up to the second-floor room where Giovanni was resting in bed.
‘Nonno, there is someone I’d like you to meet,’ Vito said. He crossed the room to kiss his grandfather’s cheek. Then, putting his arm round the old man’s shoulders, he helped him up into a sitting position.
‘We’re speaking in English?’ Giovanni asked, squinting across the room short-sightedly. ‘Very intriguing. I’d better put my spectacles on.’
Lily smiled. Despite her nervousness, she was already warming to the old man. His body might be frail, but his mind was certainly active.
‘They’re here, with your newspaper.’ She slipped around to the other side of the large bed and handed his spectacles to him.
‘Thank you, my dear. No, stay close,’ Giovanni added, his bony hand shooting out to catch her arm and pull her closer. ‘So I can get a proper look at you.’
‘Nonno!’ Vito chided gently. ‘Let go of Lily, and I’ll introduce you properly.’
‘Formalities!’ Giovanni scoffed, although he did release his grip. ‘What use are formalities at my age? Tell me quickly—who is this beautiful young English woman? And why have you brought her to meet me?’
‘This is Lily,’ Vito said. ‘And I’m very pleased to tell you that—’
‘Yes, yes—get on with it,’ Giovanni urged.
‘That she is my wife,’ Vito finished smoothly, not at all phased by his grandfather’s interruption.
‘Your wife?’ Giovanni said. ‘Why didn’t I know about this?’
‘You were sick, Nonno,’ Vito said. ‘I thought it best to go ahead with the wedding and tell you when you were feeling better.’
‘You were married without me?’ Giovanni said, sounding slightly affronted as he looked sharply at Vito, then across at Lily. ‘So you’ve finally come to your sen
ses and decided to settle down?’
‘Yes, Nonno,’ Vito said, hugging Lily in an open display of affection. She leant into his embrace, taking comfort from the feel of his strong arms around her, despite the knowledge that it was only for show. A whirl of conflicting thoughts and emotions was flowing through her, but she fought to keep a clear head and pay attention to the exchange between Vito and his grandfather. ‘It was a very small wedding,’ Vito added.
Just how significant had Giovanni’s desire to see his grandson settled been in Vito’s sudden proposal? Everything had happened so quickly at first, and in the intervening time she still hadn’t come any closer to figuring out Vito’s motivation. She had married him for her child’s sake—but she didn’t really understand what was in it for Vito. Especially as he seemed to be avoiding her.
‘So you found the right woman after all?’ Giovanni probed, leaning forward and peering closely at Lily. ‘An English rose—or should I say an English lily? The name is certainly appropriate.’
‘The right woman,’ Vito repeated, placing a brief kiss on Lily’s cheek. ‘Si, Nonno. You always told me that in time I would find the right woman.’
The old man snorted, wicked humour making his eyes brighten. ‘I said that, did I? I seem to remember talking to you just a few days before I got that wretched infection,’ he said. ‘I told you to hurry up and provide me with an heir. Is that what this is?’
Lily barely managed to shield her shocked reaction. Her heart jerked painfully in her chest, and for a second she struggled to draw air into her lungs. Then she became aware of Vito beside her.
He had gone utterly rigid. A horrible sensation cut through her. It was as if she could actually feel his pain as his muscles tensed with agonising intensity.
‘You went on a business trip to London,’ Giovanni said. ‘What did you do—propose to the first attractive girl you met?’
