saw her onto the sofa, then stood back and regarded her uneasily.
‘Did I hurt you?’ he growled.
‘Not at all. But there was no need for you to get worked up. I just slipped out for a moment to buy a few things over the road. I’m here now.’
He sat down beside her.
‘You should have left a note saying where you’d gone.’ He spoke calmly but his face was tense.
‘Yes, perhaps I should have done that,’ she said, ‘but I knew I’d only be away for a couple of minutes, and I thought I’d be back here before you returned. I’m sorry. I really am.’
She spoke gently, regretting the distress she’d caused him. When he didn’t answer she reached out to put a hand on his shoulder.
‘Finding the place empty made you think I’d deserted you, taking your baby, as Harriet did.’
His shoulders sagged. ‘You’re right,’ he said heavily.
‘But I promised to stay, and I’ll keep that promise. So stop worrying, Leonizio. It’s not going to happen again. If you need to go out, just go. I’ll always be here when you get back. Word of honour.’
He turned, looking her in the eyes as though he couldn’t quite believe what he heard.
‘Really? You mean that?’
‘When I give a promise I keep it. You have to trust me, Leonizio.’
‘I do trust you. Completely.’
‘But you’re still afraid I might betray you as she did.’
‘No. You’re not like her.’
‘Then relax.’
He smiled and squeezed her hand.
‘Actually, I need to go out again for a little while,’ he said. ‘Why don’t you rest, and when I return I’ll take you out for dinner? We can start to get to know each other.’
‘That would be lovely, Leonizio,’ she said.
He seemed to relax but she knew the pain and fear she had heard in his voice had been real. It was there in his heart, and she would always remember it.
‘Go out,’ she said. ‘And stop worrying.’
‘I’ll try.’
He departed, giving her a brief glance before he left.
She was glad to be alone again that afternoon. Since her arrival in Rome, everything that had happened had disconcerted her. Leonizio’s reaction had only underlined how little she knew him.
But something else disturbed her even more. It was the memory of their collision in the corridor, the way his arms had enfolded her. She knew he’d been protecting her from a fall, but the sensation of being held against his body had been shattering, recalling another time.
That night still lived in her heart, her mind and her senses. She, who had never before even considered a one-night stand, had gone willingly into this one, letting it tempt her as though it was the most natural and the most desirable thing in the world.
She had come to Rome because Leonizio had the right to know about his child, yet she was still determined to stay in control of herself and the situation. Perhaps it was going to be harder than she had thought, but she was strong. Whatever disagreements they might have, she would be the winner. On that she was determined.
She prepared for the evening ahead with a shower, followed by an inspection of her clothes. She had nothing glamorous, but a simple green dress gave her an air of quiet elegance.
She hesitated briefly over her hair, finally deciding to wear it pulled back, sending a silent message that tonight her controlled self was the one in command.
When she heard Leonizio’s key in the lock she positioned herself so that he could see her as soon as he entered, and was rewarded by the look of relief that dawned in his eyes as soon as he saw her.
‘Let’s go,’ he said.
His car was waiting below, with a smartly dressed chauffeur in attendance. He opened a rear door, bowing to Ellie.
‘Take us to the Venere,’ Leonizio told him.
Ellie gave him a quick startled glance.
‘Is that the Venere Hotel, near the Colosseum?’ she asked.
‘Yes. It’s got a fine restaurant. You know it?’
‘I’ve heard of it,’ she said.
Lelia, her Italian grandmother, had worked in the Venere and had described it as one of the most luxurious places in Rome. It would be fascinating to see it now, Ellie thought.
She understood its reputation as soon as they arrived. The building looked as though it had once been a palace. Inside, a waiter greeted them and led them to a table by the window, from which she could see the Colosseum, the huge amphitheatre built nearly two thousand years ago.
‘It’s eerie,’ she mused. ‘Once people crowded there for the pleasure of seeing victims fed to the lions. Now the tourists go because it’s beautiful and fascinating. And maybe we’ve all got somebody we’d like to see fed to the lions.’
‘You wouldn’t be aiming that at me, would you?’ he queried.
‘I’m not sure,’ she said. ‘I’ll let you know when I’ve decided.’
‘Well, I can’t say I haven’t been warned.’
‘Right. I can be a real pain in the neck. You’ll probably be glad to be rid of me.’
‘Forget it. There’s no way you’ll escape.’
She gave him a teasing smile. ‘Surely you don’t want a woman who’s a pestiferous nuisance?’
He returned the smile. ‘I might. They can often be the most fun.’
He held out his hand and she shook it. ‘As long as we understand each other,’ she said.
‘Perhaps we always did.’
‘No, I don’t think we ever did.’
While he was considering this a waiter approached with a menu, which he gave to Ellie.
‘Need any help?’ Leonizio asked.
‘I can manage the Italian but I’ll need you to explain the food to me. What’s Coda all Vaccinara?’
‘Stewed oxtail in tomato sauce,’ Leonizio told her.
‘It sounds nice. I’d like to have some.’
‘May I suggest the Frascati wine to go with it, signorina?’ the waiter said.
