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Corso saw the way her face had paled. Heard the pain and sadness in her voice. But he detected accusation, too—trembling at the edge of her words as subtly as a night-time breeze—and his eyes narrowed. Did she hold Monterosso responsible for his death?
‘Lionel was a passionate archaeologist, Rosie, and sometimes men like that take risks,’ he said, more gently than was usual for him. ‘That was the life he chose. A life he loved and thrived on. Which drove him. He was impatient to see what that cave contained, which was why he went in on his own. It may not have been what you or I would have done but it was what he wanted.’
Tears pricked the backs of her eyes as Rosie stared down at her fingers, determined that Corso wouldn’t see them, because his words were chipping away at her defences and making her feel...vulnerable. And instinct told her it was dangerous to feel that way—especially in front of him. Oh, why had he started talking about all this after so long? Didn’t she have enough to deal with, without him reminding her of a time when life had been peachy?
‘Yes, I know that,’ she said, composing herself before lifting her face to meet his gaze. ‘But sometimes it seems as though he died for nothing. The treasures he uncovered have never been seen, or even written about. His discovery seemed to have faded into insignificance, as if it had never happened. As if it didn’t matter.’
‘My thoughts exactly,’ he breathed. ‘And the reason I am here today.’
The smile which accompanied his words was disturbing and Rosie couldn’t work out why. Because it felt strangelymanipulative?
Or because it was making her blood slug around her veins, as sweet and heavy as honey?
She blinked. It was almost as if Corso were playing with her, in the way an expert angler played a fish, before bringing it dry and gasping to the shore.
‘I want the world to see these jewels and marvel at their splendour,’ he continued softly. ‘I have a vision for Monterosso’s future, Rosie, and the collection will help me achieve that vision. I plan to take it on a whistle-stop tour of Paris, New York and London. Some of the most beautiful cities in the world, which will showcase our finest treasures.’ There was a pause before his gaze became shuttered by his thick lashes. ‘And I want you to come with me.’
