The Italian’s Rightful Bride (9 page)

‘I meant to be here sooner,' Freddy said, ‘but I got a bit delayed. Sorry to break up the party and everything, but could I talk to you, please, Jo? It's really you I came to see.'

‘Can't it wait until later, Freddy? Like tomorrow?'

His smile was beguiling. ‘Ah, there's a problem about that. I'm only here for this evening, and there are things we need to discuss.'

‘In that case, I'd better give in,' Joanna sighed.

Gustavo would have taken a wager that people usually gave in to Freddy because of what he described as his charm.

Whatever his charm was, Gustavo was sure he was immune to it.

Joanna shrugged at him helplessly. ‘Sorry about this. I have to go.'

‘To be sure. I must rejoin the party. Good evening, Mr Manton. It's been a pleasure meeting you.'

He walked out quickly.

He did as he'd said, returned to the party and spent the rest of the evening being the perfect guest. He smiled, he laughed, and all the time he wondered about Joanna. Had Freddy departed yet? And if not, what were they doing?

Then he saw them standing just inside the door, absorbed in conversation, or possibly in each other. Suddenly Freddy moved fast, sweeping her into the dance, twirling her around exuberantly. It was hard for him to make out her face as it flashed past, but Gustavo could tell that she was laughing as though she enjoyed his company.

After a while he made his excuses and went to bed.

 

As soon as he was alone with Joanna Freddy said, ‘I can't see any sign of Billy.'

‘No, he's not here. He was terrified he'd end up being a pageboy in satin—maybe even white satin.'

Freddy closed his eyes and winced in sympathy.

‘So he kept well clear,' Joanna finished.

Freddy laughed. ‘Wise man. Where is he, then? Not still in Italy on that dig he told me about?'

‘Yes. I'm going back there tomorrow.'

‘So when can I see him? I miss him like the devil, Jo.'

‘Come and visit him at Montegiano. I'm sure Gustavo won't mind, and Billy will be thrilled.'

‘Thanks,' he said, as eager as a boy himself. ‘Now come and talk to me. We've got a lot of catching-up to do.'

She acquiesced, chiefly for Billy's sake. She would rather have been with Gustavo, but that was ruined for the moment. Once broken, the spell could not be recaptured tonight. But there would be another time, she promised herself. And soon.

In the meantime, she made the best of it and found, yet again, that, if you weren't married to him, Freddy was great company. They spent a couple of happy hours discussing Billy, and finished the evening on the dance floor.

‘What time do you have to go?' she asked as the lights began to fade, and the band packed up.

‘Go?' Freddy asked innocently.

‘You said you were only here for a few hours.'

‘Ah, yes, so I did.'

‘I see,' she said with a resigned sigh.

‘I only came on the off-chance because I heard you were going to be here at the last minute. I thought Billy might be with you, or, at any rate, that we could have a good talk. Which we did.'

‘But why didn't you just call me and ask about Billy?'

‘Ah, well…' He became mysteriously awkward. ‘There was another reason but—let's leave that for the moment.'

‘All right. Do you have somewhere to sleep?'

‘Yes, they're letting me have the groom's bed, since he's gone now.'

‘Fine, then I'll see you in the morning.'

She kissed his cheek and went in search of Gustavo. But there was no sign of him, and someone told her that he'd gone to bed.

 

On the day after the wedding Gustavo was down early, hoping to catch Joanna alone. There was no sign of her in the breakfast room, where a buffet meal was laid out, so he poured himself a coffee and went to look out of the window.

The next moment he drew back out of sight. In the distance he'd seen Joanna and Freddy wandering beneath the trees, deep in conversation. It was too far for him to tell what they were saying, but their heads were close and they seemed at ease with one another.

Gustavo risked one more look and saw that they were heading towards the house. He went to the table where the food was laid out and tried to help himself to something, but all he could hear was the echo of Freddy saying, ‘I'm only here for this evening.'

Something had happened to change his mind. Had that anything to do with Joanna's welcome, which had obviously become warmer when they were alone?

They were nearer now, enough for him to hear Freddy saying, ‘I can't help it if I've got a magnetic appeal.'

And Joanna's reply, ‘Yes, and you live on it.'

‘I have to. It's all I've got.'

‘Oh, no, it isn't. I gave you a very good settlement.'

‘True, but actually, I was hoping to—'

‘How much?' Joanna sounded both amused and resigned.

‘I've got this opportunity for a little investment—'

‘I know your little investments. I should by this time. Oh, all right. Put down the details and I'll call the bank.'

‘You're a darling. And you still find me appealing, don't you? You laugh at my jokes, anyway.'

‘You make good jokes, I've never denied that.'

‘You see, you still care for me.'

‘I've never denied that either. You're great fun, Freddy, but I wouldn't be married to you again for all the tea in China.'

‘You wouldn't get the chance. I've replaced you several times over.'

‘You didn't wait for the divorce to do that,' Joanna said wryly.

There was a brief silence before Freddy said, ‘And may I remind you, my darling, that there's more than one way to be unfaithful? Oh, forget it. We agreed, no hard feelings on either side.'

‘Yes,' she said, and Gustavo wondered if he only imagined the note of relief in her voice.

He was ashamed of himself for eavesdropping, but once he'd started to listen nothing could have made him draw back. For some reason he needed to know what sort of relationship Joanna had with the man whose wife she'd once been. What he heard left him not knowing what to think.

But he would have given a good deal to know how to interpret ‘there's more than one way to be unfaithful'.

A moment later there was a step outside the room, and Gustavo turned to see Freddy enter alone.

‘Coffee?' he asked politely.

‘Thanks,' Freddy said. ‘Well, well, fancy it being you!'

‘You mean you've heard that old story? Well, it's history now, and there's no more mileage to be had out of it,' Gustavo said, keeping his voice light.

‘Anything you say.' Freddy accepted the coffee and spooned in a generous amount of sugar. Seeing Gustavo regarding him he said, ‘I've got a very sweet tooth.'

‘So I would have imagined.'

Freddy gave a slight frown. He wasn't normally quick on the uptake but there was no mistaking Gustavo's tone.

‘Meaning?' he asked. ‘Meaning?'

‘Let's just say that Joanna is a very generous woman.'

‘Oh, you heard that last bit? Well, yes, she is a generous woman, but I'm a very tolerant man. It's not easy for a man when she's so much richer than he is. There's always that inequality, and you can't help feeling it. But I did my best to cope.'

Gustavo turned away to conceal his disgust. But in the next moment a picture flashed into his mind.

Joanna's suite at the Ritz, the most expensive the hotel had to offer. And his own single room, so much cheaper.

There's always that inequality, and you can't help feeling it.

Who was he to censure this man for seeking Joanna's money?

He recalled the indulgent half-contempt in her voice as she'd yielded to Freddy's pleas. She was used to men who were after her money. They were probably the only kind she'd ever known. Starting with himself.

And, like the voice of the serpent, there came into his ear the sound of Joanna saying, ‘You abandoned my large fortune for her small one. I call that honourable.'

‘Hey, are you all right?' Freddy clapped a hand on his shoulder.

‘Yes,' Gustavo said, with difficulty. ‘Yes, I'm all right.'

He got out fast before he did something violent.

On the way up to his room he met Joanna coming down. She smiled and touched his arm.

‘I'm sorry to dash off and leave you last night, but I really had to talk to Freddy.'

‘Obviously there was a lot to talk about,' he said, trying to keep an edge out of his voice, and not quite succeeding.

‘It was mostly about Billy. He isn't seeing as much of him as he'd like, so we had to work something out.'

‘And it took all night? He was supposed to be leaving yesterday.'

She smiled wryly. ‘He only said that to get my attention. I'm afraid Freddy tends to say whatever is convenient at the moment. That's the kind of man he is.'

‘Astonishing!'

‘What does that mean?'

‘Nothing, I'm just in a bad mood.'

‘Gustavo, I have a confession to make. Freddy wants to see Billy. He has every right and Billy loves to be with him, so—'

He groaned. ‘So he's coming to stay with us? When?'

‘I don't know. Do you mind?'

‘Would it make any difference if I did?'

Laughing ruefully, she shook her head.

‘Hello there!'

The shout behind them made them turn and groan simultaneously.

‘What's up, Freddy?' Joanna said.

‘Well, I thought it was time we were on our way to Italy.'

‘We?' Gustavo echoed ominously.

‘Yes, didn't Jo say she'd invited me?'

‘She has just informed me of the honour of your visit,' Gustavo said glacially.

‘Honour? That's very kind of you but there's no need to go overboard. A bed in the corner will do me.'

‘I think we can manage a little better than that,' Gustavo said with terrifying courtesy. ‘So, we three shall travel to Rome together.'

‘Jolly good!' Freddy whipped out his cellphone. ‘I'll let Billy know now.'

‘No, don't.' Joanna put a hand on his arm. ‘Surprise him. Think of his face when you walk in.'

Freddy beamed. ‘What a sight!'

‘I'll call and book the tickets,' Joanna said.

‘Be sure to let me know how much I owe you,' Gustavo said firmly.

‘Get first class,' Freddy called. ‘More leg room.'

‘You'll fit yourself into whatever I can get,' she called back cheerfully.

Left alone, the two men eyed each other. Gustavo's dislike was mixed with unease, but he doubted if anything in the world could make Freddy uneasy, unless it was a bill and no Joanna to pay it.

J
OANNA
managed to get three first-class tickets to Rome, landing at seven o'clock that evening.

‘I called Billy and said I'd be there tonight,' she told Gustavo as they flew over France later that day.

‘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 passing 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 nobody there who wanted him.

At the
palazzo
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 wishing 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 hast
ily 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
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
annoyed that I got you first.'

Joanna enjoyed Maria's company more now than before. She was so blatant in her snobbery 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 glass 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.

‘If you're tired we could go home,' he suggested.

There was a roar of disapproval and cries of ‘Spoil-sport'. Joanna looked at him, her eyes glinting with fun.

‘Am I tired?' she teased.

He laid his hand persuasively on her arm.

‘I think you might be,' he said softly.

‘In that case—'

She stopped because a man behind her had given a sharp intake of breath. Gustavo too had seen something that filled him with dismay. Turning her head, Joanna saw Crystal standing in the doorway, as beautiful as the fairy on the tree.

In that frozen moment only one thought pervaded Joanna's mind.

Dammit! She
would
have to be wearing black too!

It was ludicrous, but for a moment it would serve as a shield between herself and the full wretchedness of the situation.

Like Joanna, Crystal had gained from the years. She was as dainty as ever, her hair as perfectly blonde, but experience had added a knowingness to her face.