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‘It’s not that. Love made me blind.’ And delusional.
She should have learned from her parents’ example; love had warped their lives. Her father’s love for Eloise had affected his whole life. As for her mother—she had loved her father with a love that had made her miserable, persevering for years in a doomed marriage in the hope that her husband would love her.
‘It made me unable to see what sort of man Graham really is. I think I’d be better off in a marriage without love. Finding a good, decent man—a man who will love Il Boschetto di Sole, who has a love and understanding for the land, who is willing to make his life here. A man who wants children, who will make a good dad.’
Because that was more important than anything.
She broke off and narrowed her eyes at his expression, his raised brow. ‘What?’ she demanded. ‘Am I amusing you?’
‘No, but I think you’re talking rubbish. This paragon of a man sounds boring, and the whole idea of a union like that would be soulless.’
‘Soulless? Just because you need variety and a different woman every month it doesn’t mean a good, decent man has to be boring or a union with him soulless.’
‘Where would the spark be?’
‘There would have to be an element of attraction, but that isn’t the most important consideration.’
An element of attraction? Jeez. A sudden memory of their kisses filled her brain—and she banished them.
‘Physical attraction doesn’t guarantee a happy, stable relationship.’
‘No, but I’m pretty sure it helps with the “happy” part of it.’
‘You can have an enjoyable physical relationship without love. That’s what you advocate, isn’t it?’
‘Sure, but only on a short-term basis.’
‘Probably best if you stick to your relationship criteria and I’ll stick to mine.’ And never the twain shall meet.
‘Fair enough. But don’t go looking for this paragon on my watch.’
‘Meaning?’
‘Meaning don’t forget that whilst we are married we will be on show. If you find a suitable man don’t follow up until our divorce goes through.’
There was a hint of steel in his voice and she narrowed her eyes.
‘And does the same go for you? Because that is something we haven’t discussed.’
‘Meaning?’ His question echoed hers.
‘Well, what is your relationship plan for this year? We’ve agreed this is a marriage of convenience, but I’d prefer it if you didn’t see other women, no matter how discreetly.’
His expression solidified to ice. ‘I have no intention of seeing other women. I’m not a fool either. It would hardly do my image any good. And even if I were guaranteed anonymity I wouldn’t expose you to that sort of public humiliation. I’m not as unprincipled as you seem to think. Liking variety does not make me a cheat. Whilst we are married I’ll be taking my vows seriously.’
For some reason the words seemed to ring through her brain, taking the whole situation from the realm of the surreal to cold, hard reality. Vows. They would be standing up and taking vows. In this very chapel. Looked down upon by the figures in the stained-glass windows, watched by a congregation seated on these pews. How on earth had all this happened?
Pull yourself together.
‘Good. I’m glad that’s sorted. Shall we go and meet with my father now?’
* * *
Stefan entered the cool confines of the Romano villa and wondered whether his mother had been a regular visitor or whether she and Thomas Romano had tried to fight their feelings for each other. There was so much Thomas could tell him, but he knew he couldn’t ask.
Holly had made it clear that Eloise had hurt Thomas deeply, and he suspected the ramifications of that hurt had gone deeper than Holly had told him. In addition, Thomas was not a well man. So this visit needed to be polite but impersonal, kept to questions about Il Boschetto di Sole so that a fair split of the land could be devised.
He watched as Holly went forward to greet her father, saw the worry and the anxiety and the love in her blue eyes as she laid a hand on his arm, questioned him in a low voice.
