Read Online The Count's Blackmail Bargain by Sara Craven - Free Book Online
Authors: Sara Craven
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brother?’ the Signora suddenly interrupted. ‘I thought you were an only child, signorina.’
Laura realised too late that was what she’d agreed with Paolo. Not just an only child, but an orphan too. It would save them many problems if she was without family, he’d decreed. And she’d just blown it.
Which meant she would have to warn him first thing tomorrow about her unguarded words.
In the meantime: ‘Is that the impression I gave, signora?’ She made herself speak lightly. ‘It was probably wishful thinking.’ She paused. ‘And now, perhaps you’ll excuse me, too. It’s been a long day, and I still have to negotiate the maze back to my room.’
Alessio rose. ‘Permit me,’ he said. He walked to the fireplace and tugged at the bell-pull that hung there. A moment later, Guillermo appeared, his face enquiring. ‘The signorina is ready to retire.
Please escort her,’ he directed quietly.
Laura was still suddenly, aware of an odd disappointment. Then:
‘Thank you,’ she said stiltedly. ‘And—goodnight.’
Alessio watched in silence as she followed Guillermo from the room.
As soon as they had gone the Signora was on her feet with a hiss of impatience. ‘Are you mad? Why did you not take her to her room yourself? It was your chance to be alone with the little fool.’
His mouth tightened in the knowledge he had been sorely tempted to do exactly that, and had deliberately resisted the impulse. ‘I know what I am doing,’ he told her curtly. ‘Or do you want her to take fright, and scuttle off to Paolo for sanctuary?’
‘Take fright?’ she echoed contemptuously. ‘That one? What are you talking about?’
Alessio sighed. ‘I merely wish to point out that she does not seem a girl one would pick up in a bar. I am—surprised.’
She gave a harsh laugh. ‘So that look of mock innocence has deceived you, my worldly nephew, as it has my poor boy.’ She spread her hand. ‘Can you doubt how besotted he is with her? To ask for Nonna Caterina’s ring so brazenly. The ring I planned for him to give to Beatrice. I could not believe it.’
‘Neither, I think, could she,’ Alessio said drily. ‘Are you really so sure they are in love, or does he simply wish to sell the ring to pay off his gambling debts?’
‘Love?’ She almost spat the word, ignoring his jibe. ‘What does that mean? She is attracted by my son’s background—his position in the world. She believes he is also wealthy.’
‘Then show her his bank statements,’ Alessio said coldly. ‘That will cure her, and save me a great deal of trouble.’
‘But it will not cure him. You saw him this evening. He could not keep his hands off her.’
‘So it would seem,’ Alessio agreed slowly. ‘It is as well, perhaps, that they are sleeping at opposite ends of the house.’
‘You have forgotten this sightseeing tour tomorrow.’ The Signora frowned. ‘No doubt they will go only as far as the nearest hotel willing to rent them a room for a few hours.’
Alessio felt his mouth twist with sudden and profound distaste at the image her words conjured up, and denounced himself with silent savagery for being a hypocrite.
He said icily, ‘Then I suggest, my dear aunt, that you too develop a sudden interest in the local attractions. You have not, after all, seen the Giotto frescos in the basilica at Assisi since their restoration.
Go with them, and act as chaperon, if you think it is necessary.
And take the dog with you. Teach him to bite Paolo each time he touches the girl.’
‘Oh, there is no reasoning with you when you are in this mood.’
The Signora swept to the door. ‘I will bid you goodnight.’ She turned and gave him a measuring look. ‘But our agreement still stands. Be in no doubt of that.’
When he was alone, Alessio walked over to the piano, and stood picking out a few notes with one finger, his face thoughtful. He found himself remembering the delicate flush that had warmed Laura’s pale skin when she’d
Laura realised too late that was what she’d agreed with Paolo. Not just an only child, but an orphan too. It would save them many problems if she was without family, he’d decreed. And she’d just blown it.
Which meant she would have to warn him first thing tomorrow about her unguarded words.
In the meantime: ‘Is that the impression I gave, signora?’ She made herself speak lightly. ‘It was probably wishful thinking.’ She paused. ‘And now, perhaps you’ll excuse me, too. It’s been a long day, and I still have to negotiate the maze back to my room.’
Alessio rose. ‘Permit me,’ he said. He walked to the fireplace and tugged at the bell-pull that hung there. A moment later, Guillermo appeared, his face enquiring. ‘The signorina is ready to retire.
Please escort her,’ he directed quietly.
Laura was still suddenly, aware of an odd disappointment. Then:
‘Thank you,’ she said stiltedly. ‘And—goodnight.’
Alessio watched in silence as she followed Guillermo from the room.
As soon as they had gone the Signora was on her feet with a hiss of impatience. ‘Are you mad? Why did you not take her to her room yourself? It was your chance to be alone with the little fool.’
His mouth tightened in the knowledge he had been sorely tempted to do exactly that, and had deliberately resisted the impulse. ‘I know what I am doing,’ he told her curtly. ‘Or do you want her to take fright, and scuttle off to Paolo for sanctuary?’
‘Take fright?’ she echoed contemptuously. ‘That one? What are you talking about?’
Alessio sighed. ‘I merely wish to point out that she does not seem a girl one would pick up in a bar. I am—surprised.’
She gave a harsh laugh. ‘So that look of mock innocence has deceived you, my worldly nephew, as it has my poor boy.’ She spread her hand. ‘Can you doubt how besotted he is with her? To ask for Nonna Caterina’s ring so brazenly. The ring I planned for him to give to Beatrice. I could not believe it.’
‘Neither, I think, could she,’ Alessio said drily. ‘Are you really so sure they are in love, or does he simply wish to sell the ring to pay off his gambling debts?’
‘Love?’ She almost spat the word, ignoring his jibe. ‘What does that mean? She is attracted by my son’s background—his position in the world. She believes he is also wealthy.’
‘Then show her his bank statements,’ Alessio said coldly. ‘That will cure her, and save me a great deal of trouble.’
‘But it will not cure him. You saw him this evening. He could not keep his hands off her.’
‘So it would seem,’ Alessio agreed slowly. ‘It is as well, perhaps, that they are sleeping at opposite ends of the house.’
‘You have forgotten this sightseeing tour tomorrow.’ The Signora frowned. ‘No doubt they will go only as far as the nearest hotel willing to rent them a room for a few hours.’
Alessio felt his mouth twist with sudden and profound distaste at the image her words conjured up, and denounced himself with silent savagery for being a hypocrite.
He said icily, ‘Then I suggest, my dear aunt, that you too develop a sudden interest in the local attractions. You have not, after all, seen the Giotto frescos in the basilica at Assisi since their restoration.
Go with them, and act as chaperon, if you think it is necessary.
And take the dog with you. Teach him to bite Paolo each time he touches the girl.’
‘Oh, there is no reasoning with you when you are in this mood.’
The Signora swept to the door. ‘I will bid you goodnight.’ She turned and gave him a measuring look. ‘But our agreement still stands. Be in no doubt of that.’
When he was alone, Alessio walked over to the piano, and stood picking out a few notes with one finger, his face thoughtful. He found himself remembering the delicate flush that had warmed Laura’s pale skin when she’d
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