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Holly looked up from her computer as her father knocked on the door, a look of concern on his face. ‘Holly, Jessica has made dinner. It will be ready in half an hour—come eat something.’
‘I’m sorry, Dad. I’m just not hungry. But you two go ahead.’ Holly summoned up a smile. ‘I’m glad it’s working out with Jessica.’
‘That is thanks to Stefan.’ Thomas uttered the name with caution. ‘It was he who spoke with me, persuaded me to talk to Jessica.’
‘He did?’ Holly looked up. She knew she shouldn’t encourage the conversation—she was trying to forget Stefan—yet she wanted to know.
‘Yes, he did. In fact my temporary son-in-law was quite vocal on the subject.’
‘He was?’ Holly tried to feel annoyed. Instead all she could summon was a picture of Stefan—the jut of his jaw, the intensity of his eyes, the gentle touch of his hand, his smile.
‘Yes, and what he said made me think.’
Her father entered the room and sat down on the bed, just as he had when she was younger, studying for exams.
‘I owe you an apology.’
‘No. You don’t.’ Now she really was annoyed. ‘And if Stefan told you that I hope you told him to get knotted.’
‘He said nothing so discourteous and neither did I. What he did tell me about was about your job prospects at Lamberts. Something you hadn’t told me.’
‘Because it’s not important.’
‘Yes, Holly, it is important. You should have told me—but also I should have asked. Instead I assumed that you wanted what I wanted, that your wish was to live here with me, marry, settle down, have Romano heirs, and of course work here on Il Boschetto di Sole. I assumed all that and that was wrong.’
‘No, Papa. It wasn’t wrong. Our family has worked here for generations. I do want to work here—of course I do.’
‘But it doesn’t have to be now, Holly. You need time to spread your wings, see the world, travel. Yes, of course I want you to live here, settle down, but most of all I want you to be happy. I can look after Il Boschetto di Sole and I can also look after myself. That is my responsibility. I want to be here to see your children and I will do my best to do so. I am sure Jessica will help me do that.’
Holly stood up, moved over to her father and hugged him. ‘Thank you.’
‘Now, come and eat with us and tell us about the new job. I want to know all about it.’
Holly grinned at him, and for a moment her heart lightened. But before she could say anything more there was another knock on the door and Jessica popped her head round, looking flustered.
‘We have a visitor.’
‘Who?’
‘Prince Stefan. I’ve put him in the lounge.’
Holly’s heart jumped as her tummy went into freefall.
Her father rose to his feet and smiled. ‘Go to him, Holly.’
‘I can’t. Tell him I’m not here—that I’m sick, have been beamed up by aliens... Anything!’
Her father shook his head. ‘Do you love him?’
She flinched. ‘Of course not. You know that this is a marriage of convenience.’
‘Are you sure?’
Holly tried to hold his gaze, but couldn’t.
‘Love is nothing to be ashamed of,’ her father said gently.
‘I’m not ashamed.’ Holly twisted her hands together, saw the love in her father’s eyes and opted for the truth. ‘But Stefan doesn’t want my love. He doesn’t want anyone’s love. I was a fool to fall for him. All I want to do now is get over it.’
