Vincenzo’s father drew closer. His biting brown eyes scrutinized her. Like his son he could almost make you believe he could see through you. He might be suffering physically, yet neither age nor cancer had robbed him of that aura of authority inherent in his son.
He reached for her hand and kissed the back of it. “I’ve been anxious to meet the woman who brought about this miracle,” he said in English.
“Miracle?” she inquired softly.
“I never thought the day would come when Vincenzo would change his mind and follow in my footsteps.” His gaze flicked to the painting. “My ancestor had a healthy fear of powerful women.” He eyed her again. “After talking with Dino about you, I can understand why. He believes you love him as if he were your little boy.”
Irena swallowed hard. “He’s very easy to love.”
Guilio pursed his lips. “My daughter-in-law is having a difficult time.”
Irena already knew that, but was surprised this would be the first thing he had to say to her, except that knowing Vincenzo even for such a short time, she shouldn’t have been caught off guard. Her husband had shocked her with his frank speaking every step of the way since their first meeting.
“I don’t blame her. There’s a fine line between a mother wanting everyone to love her child and accepting the fact that there’s another woman, unrelated, whose love for that child goes deeper than the surface.”
Judging by the strange flicker coming from the depths of his eyes, he didn’t know if he liked her answer or not. “What do you know about being a mother?”
The question assaulted her body, a body that was already carrying a child. Would she come to know this baby? Would the test be a success, or would she lose this precious baby growing inside her? The fear at such a loss almost overwhelmed her, but she fought to stay composed. “Only what I learned from having a wonderful role model in my mother.”
Vincenzo slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Why don’t you ask her about business, Papa? She grew up with an illustrious father who’s one of the most revered businessmen in all Greece. Chief among his holdings is Athens’s most prestigious newspaper. She grew up with it and worked in every department.”
His father stared from one to the other without saying anything.
“Until two months ago she headed the coveted position of lifestyle editor, traveling all over eastern and western Europe. The photographer who came to Italy with her told me Irena has been her father’s right hand for years.”
Irena didn’t know the two men had shared confidences about her.
“Rumor has it that when he’s ready to step down, her father will name her to succeed him, but it’s too late for that.”
“How so?” his father finally spoke.
“Because I’ve made her my new cochair. She’s going to help me run Valsecchi’s. I’ve been single too long and do not want to be separated from my new wife now I have found her. Instead, we will work and travel together.”
Irena almost dropped on the spot. She was surprised his father hadn’t reached for a chair.
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