AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He’d misjudged her, he admitted to himself, studying her profile in the darkness.
He’d thought that she would struggle with her new life.
But her only complaint was that he didn’t spend enough time with her.
In the grip of a sudden surge of lust, Casper contemplated suggesting that they cut out during the interval, but he couldn’t bring himself to do that because she was so obviously enjoying herself.
She was so enthusiastic about everything—meeting people, opera—even rugby.
Casper frowned slightly, admitting to himself that she’d surprised him. Over and over again. He’d expected her to struggle with the crowds and the attention but she’d responded like a professional. He’d thought she’d be tongue tied at official functions, but she was so warm and friendly that everyone was keen to engage her in conversation. He’d expected her to snap at him for dragging her to the rugby, but after the initial humour she’d shown as much interest and energy in that as she did with everything.
He remembered her comment about being lonely and his mind wandered back to the newspaper article that had revealed her pregnancy. At the time he’d been so angry, he hadn’t paid attention.
But hadn’t there been some revelation about her father?
‘So this palazzo is owned by one of your friends?’ Holly wandered onto the roof terrace, which felt like a slice of paradise in the centre of such a busy city. A profusion of exotic plants and flowers twisted around the ornate iron balustrade, and in the distance she could see the floodlit Colosseum. ‘You certainly have influential friends.’
‘It is more private than staying in a hotel, or as the guest of t
he President.’
For once they were guaranteed complete privacy, and that fact alone somehow increased the feeling of intimacy.
She’d wanted to be alone, but now that they were, she felt ridiculously self-conscious.
‘I love the diamonds.’ She touched her necklace and he smiled.
‘They look good on you. I’m glad you didn’t change.’
Aware that Casper had watched her more than the opera, Holly had opted to wear the same dress for dinner. The fact that he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her had been a heady experience.
‘You like my dress?’ Smoothing her hands over her hips in a typically feminine gesture, she glanced down at herself. ‘It’s not too clingy?’
‘It’s you I like,’ he murmured, ‘not the dress.’ He stroked a hand over her shoulder and Holly decided that she might wear the dress for ever.
‘All right, now this feels like being on a date,’ she said, laughing nervously as she took the glass of champagne he was offering her. ‘The weather is gorgeous. It’s really warm, considering it’s only March.’
‘You finally have me alone, and our topic of conversation is going to be the weather?’ Casper trailed appreciative dark eyes down her body. ‘Has today tired you out?’
‘No.’ Her nerves on fire, she walked to the edge of the balcony and stared at the ruins of the Colosseum, reminding herself to be careful what she said. ‘It’s been fun. Thank you.’
‘It’s probably less tiring than the visits you’ve been doing. You’re in the early stages of pregnancy. Your doctor told me that it can be an exhausting time. Most women in your position would have been lying in the sun with a book.’
‘If I wasn’t married to you, I’d be waiting tables, pregnant or not,’ Holly said dryly, glancing at her luxurious, privileged surroundings with something close to disbelief. ‘Being married to you isn’t exactly tiring. Someone else makes all the arrangements and tells me where I need to be and when. I even have someone who suggests what I wear. Someone does my hair and make-up. I just turn up and chat to people.’
‘And chatting is your favourite occupation. Are you hungry?’ Amusement shimmered in his eyes as he steered her towards the table. Silver glinted and candles flickered, and the air was filled with the scent of flowers. ‘I must admit I hadn’t expected you to cope so well with all the attention. When I first met you, you seemed very insecure. I hadn’t factored in how warm and friendly you are. You have a real talent with people.’
‘I do?’ Warmed by his unexpectedly generous praise, Holly glowed, smiling her thanks at a member of staff who discreetly placed a napkin on her lap. ‘That’s a nice thing to say.’
‘Why were you a waitress?’
‘What’s wrong with being a waitress?’
‘Don’t be defensive.’ He waited while a team of staff served their food and then dismissed them with a discreet glance towards the door. ‘There’s nothing wrong with being a waitress, but you could have done a great deal more. You’re obviously very bright—even if maths isn’t “your thing”.’
‘I’ve never been very ambitious.’ Holly sipped her drink, wondering if honesty would destroy the atmosphere. ‘I know it isn’t trendy or politically correct to admit to it, but all I really wanted was to have a baby. When other girls wanted to be doctors or lawyers, I just wanted to be a mum. Not just any mum, but a brilliant mum. And before you say anything, yes, I suppose a psychologist would have a field day with that and say I wanted to make up for my parents’ deficient parenting—but actually I don’t think that had anything to do with it. I think I just have a very strong maternal instinct.’
‘You’re right, it isn’t politically correct to admit that.’ His eyes held hers. ‘Most of the women I know think babies are something to be postponed until they’ve done all the other things in life.’
