the closer they got. ‘I’m sorry the road is not in better condition. Your car will be filthy.’
‘No problem.’ He sent her another one of his high-beam smiles.
She took an unsteady breath and looked forwards once more. ‘It’s very good of you to come up here like this…but I must warn you it’s probably nothing like you’re used to.’
Alex concentrated on negotiating the rough driveway that led to a dilapidated cottage in the shelter of the trees. He could sense her embarrassment and wondered how he could put her at ease. He’d seen his share of poverty-stricken homes during his various field trips to less developed countries, and knew how important it was to not jeopardise someone’s sense of dignity just because they didn’t live in a house that met the western standards he’d grown up with and more or less taken for granted.
‘It must be really peaceful living way up here,’ he commented as he parked the car underneath one of the trees.
‘Yes…it is.’
He came around and opened her door for her, frowning when he saw her scraped knees as she got out of the car. ‘You’ve hurt yourself. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have done something earlier.’
‘It’s nothing…just a scratch.’ She brushed her uniform back down over her legs.
‘I’ve got my doctor’s bag in the back. I’ll dress those grazes for you now.’
‘No, please…it’s fine…really. I have my own first-aid kit things inside.’
He didn’t press the issue; instead he followed as she led the way to the cottage, but he noticed how her brow was furrowed and her shoulders slightly hunched as if she carried a too-heavy weight on her back.
Amelia opened the front door but there was no sign of her father when she entered the cottage. ‘Papà?’ she called out.
Alex came up behind her. ‘Has he gone out?’
She frowned as she led the way inside. ‘He hardly ever goes out.’
She looked around the kitchen where the dishes her father had used that morning were still on the table. Her gaze went to a note propped up against a mug. It was in her father’s roughly scrawled handwriting informing her he’d gone somewhere with Silvio and would be back late and not to worry.
‘What does it say?’ Alex asked.
She folded the note and pocketed it, a shadow of unease in her hazel eyes as they met his. ‘My younger brother has taken him somewhere.’
‘Is that unusual?’
‘No…not really, except Silvio hasn’t been home or even in contact for two weeks.’ A small frown tugged at her smooth forehead.
‘Maybe he’s taken your father out for a meal or something.’
She nibbled at her bottom lip for a moment. ‘Maybe.’
‘Well, look on the bright side,’ he said. ‘You don’t have to cook dinner for him after all.’
‘But you came up to see him and now he’s not here.’
‘I can come some other time,’ he said. ‘It’s no trouble.’
‘Maybe something’s happened.’ Her frown deepened. ‘What if he’s taken a bad turn?’
‘Then your brother will take him to the hospital. Why not call the switchboard and ask if he’s been admitted?’ he suggested.
A tide of colour washed into her cheeks and Alex mentally kicked himself. Of course she couldn’t call the hospital. There was no electricity that he could see or any sign of a telephone. He could only assume she wouldn’t have the funds available for a mobile either. He reached for his own mobile. ‘I’ll give them a quick call myself. What’s his first name?’ he asked.
‘Aldo,’ she answered, twisting her hands together.
He made the call and after a brief conversation replaced the phone in his pocket. ‘No, he hasn’t been admitted.’
She blew out a tiny breath. ‘I can’t help worrying about him.’
‘That’s understandable, but at least he’s with your brother so you can take the rest of tonight off and kick your heels up with me.’
She gave him an apologetic glance. ‘I don’t think I should go out tonight. I’m sorry.’
‘I’m not taking no for an answer,’ he said. ‘You deserve some time off. A quick dinner by the seaside will be good for both of us. Besides, I gave you a lift home so you owe me.’
Amelia could tell by the determined look in his eyes that she was going to have a hard time convincing him to leave without her. The thought of spending the evening alone in the cottage wasn’t too appealing, but she felt she should at least put up a token resistance. ‘I don’t know…I have an early start tomorrow.’
‘No earlier than mine. Come on, get a wriggle on. We’re wasting valuable time here when we could be sitting watching the sun go down with a glass of wine in our hands.’
She could feel herself weakening. ‘I need to freshen up first. Do you mind waiting?’
‘I don’t mind at all,’ he said, and pulled out a chair and sat down. ‘I’ve got a couple of calls to make anyway. I’m expected at the castle tomorrow evening. I guess there’s some sort of protocol I’m meant to follow. I don’t suppose I can turn up there and slap the old guy on the back and say, “G’day, mate, I’m Alex Hunter.” I’d better check with the castle staff on how I’m supposed to address him.’
Amelia fought back a wry smile as she left him busily punching in numbers. She was certain he knew exactly how to address anyone from royalty to the lowliest commoner without turning a single hair. He hadn’t given any sign of being put off by the run-down nature of her family home, which made it all the harder for her to keep him at a relatively safe distance. Most men would have turned up their noses and backed out without even bothering to say goodbye. Her ex-lover, Benito, had been appalled by the distance he’d had to travel to pick her up, let alone the condition of the cottage when he’d got there. He had made her feel so ashamed, and in her youth and innocence she had failed to see the warning signs that their relationship was not as it should have been. But perhaps she hadn’t wanted to, she thought with a little pang of sadness as she moved towards the cramped bathroom.
After a quick, cold bath because there wasn’t time to heat water on the fuel stove, she spent ten minutes agonising over what to wear. Her choices were limited to start with, but she finally narrowed it down to the dress Alex had bought her or a skirt and blouse that had belonged to her mother. However, her mother’s outfit was ruled out as soon as she put it on. It had faded over time and did nothing for her, hanging off her slight frame like a sack.
With almost reverent fingers she picked up the dress Alex had bought and slipped it over her head, gently doing up the zipper at the side. She twirled in front of her mottled mirror, amazed at how the beautiful fabric brought out the creamy tone of her skin and the green flecks in her hazel eyes.
She rummaged
