in the garden, formal introductions were made. The maid served them iced tea and sandwiches. Dimi wasn’t inclined to talk about the funeral service. If anything he seemed intrigued by Filippa and asked her about her trip to Canada.
Vincenzo took advantage of the moment to get Gemma alone. “We need to talk. How long is your friend going to be with you?”
“She’s driving back to Florence tomorrow.”
“I’ll take the two of you to your place as soon as you’re ready to leave. Hopefully we’ll find time to be alone tomorrow after she’s gone.”
Before he could hear her answer, Dimi had walked over. “I’ve told Filippa I’d like to drive her back to the pensione later. What are your plans?”
This day wasn’t going the way Vincenzo had imagined at all. He’d thought he might be able to console his cousin, but it didn’t look like he needed it. Under the circumstances, nothing could have suited Vincenzo better than to get Gemma alone without offending her friend. He had something vital to tell her.
Gemma gave Filippa the key to the pensione. They all said goodbye and Vincenzo walked out to his car with Gemma. But when they left the heart of the city, he turned onto the A8 motorway.
Her head jerked around. “Where are we going? This isn’t the way to Sopri.”
“First you need to answer a question for me. What magic did you weave on Dimi that has caused him to want to keep his title? He has spent a lifetime telling me he despised it.”
“I’m glad he feels that way.” She sounded overjoyed.
He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Was that your plan? To get him on your side so he’d try to influence me?”
“I’d do anything to get you on my side! I’ve finally realized why you don’t want to keep the title. You think you can’t be a whole person unless you renounce that part that has pained you. But don’t you see? You’ve already done so many things for the community, for your country since you’ve come back. You’re an extraordinary man by being exactly who you are. I don’t want you diminished in any way, shape or form. I love you, Vincenzo, title and all.”
He didn’t know where to go with his emotions. It seemed he didn’t have to explain how his feelings had changed about the title and the good he could do with it. “I’m glad you feel that way, because I’ve decided to keep it. Does that mean you’ll marry me?” This was the last time he was going to ask.
“Yes, yes, yes!”
JOY ROCKED VINCENZO’S WORLD, but he groaned aloud. “Gemma—what a time to tell me! I’m driving and can’t pull over right now. The summer traffic will be bumper to bumper like this all the way to Lake Como.”
“That’s where we’re going?”
“If we can ever get there. Everyone’s trying to leave Milan at the same time.”
An infectious giggle came out of her, a happy sound he hadn’t heard in years. “We’ve practiced self-control for the last few weeks. Another hour won’t kill us.”
“You mean two. It’s killing me, you beautiful witch.” He reached for her hand and clung to it.
“I want to marry you, Vincenzo. I’m crazy, madly, terrifyingly in love with you. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get my head on straight. Please—while you can’t touch me and I can’t make love to you—tell me where we’re going to live. I want to know everything. Will we fly back and forth from here to New York every few months? The suspense is killing me.”
“One answer at a time. We’re going to live here permanently.”
“You really mean it?” That was pure happiness he heard in her voice. “Where is here, exactly?”
“That’s what I want to show you.”
“You mean at Lake Como?”
“The first night in Greece, when we were on the beach, you said that to live surrounded by water would be paradise. I’ve always wanted to live by water, too. There’s a place I’ve had my eye on for the last six months, never dreaming I’d find you again. And it’s not too far from the castello.”
“I’ve never been to Lake Como. Have you already bought it?”
“No. The Realtor has been holding it for me, but my time is almost up.”
“What town is it in?”
“Cernobbio, in the foothills of the Alps, where the scenery truly is magnificent.”
“Is it as fantastic as I’m imagining it is?”
“You’ll have to wait and see. I’m sure your mother will love it. She’ll be living with us, wherever we are. When the traffic is light, it’s only a little over an hour’s drive from Milan. There’s a private dock on the lake, so we’ll have to buy a boat.”
“She doesn’t know about us yet.”
“I didn’t think she did. When will she be back from her trip?”
“Tomorrow.”
“That’s perfect. We’ll drive to Florence tomorrow and tell her we’re getting married. She loves you enough to want what you want. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to her our marriage will work. But the ceremony has to happen before the grand opening, so we only have a few days left to plan it.”
“I’m so happy, I feel like I’m going burst!”
“Don’t do that while we’re still in this traffic.”
She grabbed onto his arm. “When we’re married, if the traffic is too horrible to drive home, we can always go upstairs to the tower room, and we’ll hibernate while I feed you sfogliatelli. No one will know where we are.”
Vincenzo didn’t know how much longer he could last without pulling Gemma onto his lap. “The one thing we won’t have at Lake Como is a beach. Almost no property has beachfront.”
“There’s only one beach I want. It’s in Greece. You’ve spoiled me. I know I’m dreaming. Do you care if I keep working?”
“I want you to be happy, whatever it takes.”
“Will you be happy living away from New York?”
“I have a confession to make. I was never happy there.”
“Honestly?”
“I’m an Italian. I was homesick.”
Gemma let out a cry. “Filippa said the same thing. That’s why she’s back.”
“Good for her. Where would you like to get married, bellissima?”
“I
