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Nicole saw the light die in Goldie’s eyes as they narrowed in on the photograph. ‘Oh, how delightful. May I see?’
Before Nicole could intervene, Goldie had reached out and grabbed it from Renata’s hands.
‘So nice of you to make plans with the grandparents, Nicole.’ Goldie’s lips pursed as she stared at Anna’s picture. ‘I’m not privileged enough to meet the little princess, you see,’ she said darkly.
‘Mum, why don’t we go outside?’ Nicole stepped forward, taking hold of her mother’s elbow gently.
Goldie shrugged her off. ‘I thought she’d have nice tanned skin, like her father,’ she mused, looking closely at the picture. ‘Thank goodness she didn’t get his nose, though.’
‘I’ll take that back, thank you.’ Renata reached out and plucked the photograph from Goldie’s hands just as Rigo appeared beside them.
‘Is everything all right here, ladies?’
‘Oh, here he is—the knight in shining armour,’ Goldie spat. ‘I’ve just had the privilege of meeting your mother, Signor Marchesi.’
She exaggerated the r’s with a roll of her tongue and Nicole suddenly realised her mother was roaring drunk.
‘Mum, perhaps you should go and drink some water,’ Nicole suggested weakly, seeing that her mother’s mood had shifted for the worse.
‘Oh, shut up, Nicole,’ Goldie said, pushing her hand away with vehemence. ‘Look at you—pretending to be all sweetness and sophistication.’ Goldie continued to raise her voice, looking to Renata, who was frozen in shock. ‘I’m the one who did all this for her. Me! You’d still be hiding away if I hadn’t drawn you out.’ She stepped dangerously close to Nicole, the smell of sour champagne heavy on her breath. ‘And suddenly you’re too good for me? You are nothing but an ungrateful little—’
Rigo caught Goldie’s hand just as it flew up into the air. The look of thunder on his face made Nicole’s stomach flip. ‘That will be enough,’ he said darkly.
The entire room full of guests had turned to watch the altercation. Nicole felt hot embarrassment sweep up her neck and into her cheeks. Rigo was fully prepared to deal with Goldie and send her out on her ear—she could see that clearly. But something in his face prompted her to step forward, placing her hand on her mother’s arm.
‘I would advise you to leave now if you ever hope to meet your grandchild at all,’ she said quietly, knowing Renata was still within earshot.
‘You owe me...’ Goldie slurred. ‘You know what I did—’
‘I owe you nothing,’ Nicole said with cold finality. ‘You are lucky that I’m still speaking to you after the way you’ve treated me. Now please leave before we have to do this the hard way.’
Goldie looked as if she was going to fight, and her eyes narrowed horribly on Rigo’s mother. But finally, with a heaving sigh, she shook her head and allowed Rigo to guide her across the hall.
‘I’m sorry you had to witness that.’ Nicole turned to Renata.
‘She is the one who should be sorry, my girl.’ Rigo’s mother shook her head. ‘You shouldn’t have to tolerate that kind of intimidation—least of all from your mother.’
‘She means well...I think,’ Nicole said.
Renata sighed. ‘You have a kind heart, Nicole. Take my advice and protect it from people who don’t take care with it.’
Nicole smiled, still preoccupied with watching Rigo’s progress across the room. It was a strange feeling, knowing she suddenly had someone looking out for her. That he was prepared to stand in her corner and fight. She had grown used to conceding defeat time and time again. The comfort of telling herself that she didn’t care had always been like a blanket, stopping her from changing or growing. Somehow knowing that he thought she was worth defending gave her the confidence to want to defend herself. She didn’t want to be weak anymore. She wanted to care enough about being treated badly that she would stand up and fight her own ground.
* * *
‘I want to wish my brother and his beautiful bride-to-be a long and happy marriage.’ Valerio Marchesi clapped his older brother hard on the back. ‘Cent’anni—to one hundred years!’ He shouted the traditional Italian toast, which was quickly repeated by the intimate gathering of guests at the rehearsal dinner.
‘Grazie, little brother.’ Rigo raised his glass briefly, before downing the champagne in one go.
All his senses were heightened by the presence of the woman by his side. Nicole looked so quietly radiant in her strapless black dress that anyone might think her silence all evening was simply a result of bridal nerves. But he knew better.
