The Italian's Rightful Bride Part 16

'Did you weaken after all, and tell him his father's coming?'

'No, I don't want to spoil the surprise. But he'll be thrilled. They're just kids together. My only fear is that Billy's growing up so fast that he's soon going to find his father a little young for him. But he's so kind-hearted that I expect he'll hide that.'

'Freddy's a lucky man. Tell me something-has Billy ever blamed you for Freddy's disappearance?'

'You mean in the way Renata blames you? No. But then Freddy hasn't actually disappeared. They're in touch all the time, either talking or texting.'

Gustavo sighed. 'Yes, that's it, isn't it?'

'Do you hear from Crystal?'

'I believe she's in Paris right now, with her gigolo. She's sent Renata some postcards, mostly talking about the wonderful time she's having.'

She squeezed his hand sympathetically, and he squeezed in return. But she knew it wasn't the moment to try to draw him back to the mood that had been shattered last night, especially with Freddy sitting just across the gangway.

At Rome they went through the formalities of entry. As they came out of Customs Joanna, who was walking first, saw Carlo with Billy. She made frantic signs for the boy to look behind her, then stepped aside, giving him a good view of Freddy. The next moment the child's shriek and the man's yell split the air.

'Dad!'

'Billy!'

Then they were in each other's arms, hugging tightly, swinging around and around, while people pa.s.sing by stopped to stare and smile at such happiness.

Laughing with pleasure, Joanna turned to see Gustavo, also watching them, and the look on his face broke her heart. There was no child here to greet him.

'Renata's in bed,' Carlo said quickly. 'She didn't sleep well last night, so Laura thought-you know-'

'Of course,' Gustavo said in a toneless voice. 'I'm sure Laura knows best.'

Getting everyone into the car was a tight squeeze.

'I didn't know there was going to be a third person,' Carlo explained apologetically.

'No matter,' Gustavo said. 'You all go ahead, I'll get a taxi.'

'I'll come with you,' Joanna said.

'No, go with your son.'

'Are you kidding? He's got his father; he doesn't need me right now.'

But Billy called to her, 'Come on, Mum. Come in here with Dad and me.'

'Go on,' Gustavo said quietly and walked away without waiting for an answer.

Billy came and grabbed her by the hand, pulling her to the car. 'It's gonna be great, all being together,' he said.

'Of course it is, darling,' she said cheerfully, not wanting to spoil it for him.

But inwardly her heart ached for Gustavo, returning to his home alone because there was n.o.body there who wanted him.

At the palazzo palazzo Joanna was greeted by the housekeeper with the news that her new room was ready. Joanna was greeted by the housekeeper with the news that her new room was ready.

'My new room?' she queried.

'His Excellency telephoned me with instructions that Signor Manton was to be put in the Julius Caesar room and move you to a suite on the next corridor.'

'I thought it would be nice for him to be next to Billy,' Gustavo said when she went to find him. 'I was sure you'd feel the same, since you are so anxious for them to enjoy each other's company. I don't think you'll have any complaints about your new accommodation.'

It was certainly magnificent, and it seemed as though nothing could be more genial than Gustavo's concern for his new guest, although she suspected him of a hidden agenda.

Freddy, popping along to see her, whistled at the sight, and immediately pinpointed her suspicion.

'He's taken care to put you a long way away from me, hasn't he?'

'Nonsense. He was thinking of you.'

'Sure, and I'm very glad to be next to Billy. But why did he move you as far away as this?'

'Freddy, I'll get cross with you in a minute.'

'That's right, darling, you do that. I always knew when I'd hit the nail on the head, because it made you so mad.'

He laughed and went off to find Billy, leaving Joanna wis.h.i.+ng she knew what to think.

Almost at once she was plunged back into work. The team descended on her, eager to bring her up-to-date, and for days she hardly left the dig.

She felt as if she was floating in limbo. She had shared with Gustavo a moment of incredible sweetness, spoiled by Freddy's untimely arrival. Now she longed to reach out and catch once more at the whispering shadows of that moment, perhaps even reclaim it entirely. But somehow the time was never right. Freddy's presence in the house was an inhibition, and Gustavo himself seemed content to let things remain like this, not going out of his way to be with her. Sometimes she almost wondered if she had imagined everything.

But then she would look up and catch an unguarded expression in his eyes. She hadn't imagined anything. What she'd sensed that night was still there, but he was trying to deny it.

He seemed to have withdrawn, not just from herself, but from everyone. He no longer tried to reach out to Renata, as though finally accepting her rejection and unwilling to risk a further snub.

To make matters worse Renata had an instant rapport with Freddy. He and Billy had quickly admitted her as a third to their mutual-adoration society and she knew no greater joy than to help Billy show his father around.

Freddy even knew enough basic Italian to get by with his son's help. Although academically useless he had a good ear and could muddle his way through a conversation, making up anything he didn't know, and reducing both children to giggles.

Sometimes the three of them came out to the dig. Renata had warmed to Joanna, evidently feeling that Billy's mother must be all right. She was there on the day Hal discovered an unusual decorative tile that caused everyone to become excited.

'This pinpoints it,' Joanna said. 'They used this style of decoration at the start of the fifth century, which means-'

She wasn't sure how much the children understood, but they joined in the cheers. In the middle of the commotion Joanna looked up to see Gustavo standing there, watching, isolated, and her heart ached for him.

That night he was missing from the evening meal, but as Joanna was about to go upstairs he opened his study door and beckoned her in.

'Do you remember Pietro and Maria Faloni?'

'Yes, they came to dinner when I was here before. They were-very elegant.'

She couldn't have spoken of them more warmly than that. They had been a newly married couple, pleasant company, but rather too socially conscious to appeal to Joanna. She was sure Maria thought her dowdy.

'They want to give a party in your honour,' Gustavo said.

'Really? My stock must have risen in the world.'

'You're a celebrity. I warn you Maria collects celebrities and she'll give me no peace until I take you.'

'I'll need some new clothes. I take it this will be formal.'

'Extremely. White tie and tails.'

Her eyes twinkled. 'I don't look good in white tie and tails.'

He had to think for a moment. 'Oh, yes, I see.'

'It was a joke,' she told him sadly.

'Of course. I'm sorry. I guess Crystal was right.'

'About what?'

'She always said I was too stuffy for any woman to put up with.'

'She didn't know what she was talking about,' Joanna said angrily.

'Maybe. I'm afraid my capacity for jokes has rather left me these days.'

'Don't take any notice of Crystal. Much she knows! Now let's forget her. I want to dress up and have fun.'

It felt good to be going to a glamorous party again, to have an excuse to buy a couture dress that made the best of her height, tiny waist and long legs.

Poor Aunt Lilian, she thought. You said most girls would give their eye-teeth to be my size, and I was so ungrateful. I'm not ungrateful any more.

The dress was black silk, narrow in the waist and low in the front, revealing a bosom that was more generous since Billy's birth. The side was slashed to just above the knee.

There was just time to have her hair cut and styled the way she wanted it. With dainty silver sandals on her feet and diamonds in her ears her appearance was complete. She returned to the estate with a pile of boxes, feeling like a pirate who'd just come back from a raid, and hid her booty in her room.

True to his word, Gustavo appeared in white tie and tails and she was taken aback by how well they suited him. With his height and breadth of shoulder, he might have been born for formal clothes.

He waited for her in the study and she entered casually, refusing to let him see she was eager for his reaction.

When it came it lived up to all her hopes. He said nothing, simply looking at her in silence for a long time. Then smiling.

'Will I do?' she asked lightly.

He nodded, and she sensed him struggling for words.

'You'll do.'

Detecting a shadow in his manner, she asked, 'Is anything wrong?'

'No,' he said a little too quickly. 'Let's go.'

She didn't press the point, but she noticed that he hastily locked a paper away in his desk drawer before turning back to her with a smile.

The chauffeured limousine was waiting outside. Gustavo offered her his arm and they went out together. Throughout the journey he sat turned towards her, his eyes resting on her. He didn't speak, but he didn't need to.

The Falonis lived in a palatial apartment on the Via Veneto. When the limousine had dropped them they went up three floors in the elevator to be received eagerly by Pietro and Maria.

Maria clasped Joanna in her arms then stepped back to take in her whole appearance, and give a little nod of satisfaction.

'I wouldn't have known you,' she said.

'Thank you,' Joanna said.

They understood each other.

'I am so excited,' Maria confided as she ushered Joanna inside. 'Everyone's been dying to entertain you, but I swore I'd get you first.'

'Really? Why?'

'Don't be modest, my dear. You're the the catch of the season. Everyone's talking about you and that discovery, but you hide yourself away like a mystery woman. My friends are going to be catch of the season. Everyone's talking about you and that discovery, but you hide yourself away like a mystery woman. My friends are going to be so so annoyed that I got you first.' annoyed that I got you first.'

Joanna enjoyed Maria's company more now than before. She was so blatant in her sn.o.bbery that it became amusing, and she showed off her guest of honour with a pride that gave a fillip to Joanna's ego, resist it how she might.

The Falonis lived at the top of Roman society, and the people Maria could gather was staggering. There were two government ministers and a film star, causing Joanna to doubt that she could really be the guest of honour. But this was Italy, a country with a vibrant interest in its own past. Everyone had met the other celebrities before.

There was even a well-connected journalist who wrote a waspish gossip column for the society pages. When he simpered and asked Joanna if the Montegiano site was really the find of the century, everyone held their breath.

But Joanna was equal to the challenge.

'Considering that this century is only a few years old, I think I can say definitely yes. If you'd asked me about the last century I'd have to be more cautious.'

Everybody laughed and there was a smattering of applause for the adroit way she'd avoided the trap. Even the man who'd tried to bait her raised his gla.s.s in salute, and a few minutes later he engaged her in a serious discussion that was at variance with his former manner.

The others began to crowd around, and soon she realised that she was practically giving a lecture.

Gustavo tried to stay in the background. He had a strange feeling of watching Joanna at a distance. The perspective seemed to change every moment, both confusing and delighting him.

He'd seen her in shabby old clothes, bustling around the dig, giving orders to her team, laughing with them but always very much the boss.

In England she'd been the comforting friend, offering her arms to hold him and her gentle wisdom to help him. Then he'd seen her as a bride again, and moved closer to an unknown land that he now realised had been haunting him for years. It was still there, tantalisingly just out of reach.

But watching her now, at ease in these surroundings, dominating the crowd with her beauty, wit and expertise, he saw a new Joanna. Marrying her would be like marrying at least four women.

He tried to shut his thoughts off there, but they persisted in straying into forbidden territory.

With sudden decisiveness he rose from his chair and went over to her. The 'lecture' was over and she was flirting with three men at once.