felt more confident that she had something to contribute to palace life. A plan was taking shape in her mind: a scheme to improve the living conditions of all Alessandro’s employees—though she had to admit to a moment’s concern when her private secretary said she knew of no one matching the old man’s description in royal service.
Turning it over in her mind, Emily returned to her desk to catch up on some correspondence. On the top there was a large red journal she didn’t recognise, and, opening it at the flyleaf, she saw it was from Alessandro. He had written simply, ‘For Emily from Alessandro—a record of your thoughts’. And then, at the bottom of the page, he had added the date of their forthcoming marriage.
‘Do you like it?’
She nearly jumped out of her skin. ‘I love it,’ she said bluntly, running the fingers of one hand appreciatively down the length of its spine.
‘Your secretary showed me in,’ he explained. ‘I hope you don’t mind?’
‘Not at all.’ The now familiar surge in her pulse-rate had reached new and unprecedented levels, Emily discovered as she continued to stare at Alessandro standing on the balcony outside her room. Surely there would come a point where she’d got used to seeing him? But how could anyone look that good in a pair of jeans and a simple dark linen shirt? She surmised he was off-duty, and wondered what he planned to do with his free time. ‘Is this a gift for me?’ she said, glancing down at the journal.
He answered with a grin and a shrug.
‘Five years of entries?’ she teased lightly. ‘I presume you couldn’t get any less?’
His silence allowed her to draw her own conclusions. ‘Well, I’ve never had anything like it before.’ she admitted frankly, ‘so, thank you.’
‘May I come in?’ he said, leaning on the doorframe.
‘Of course.’ She wondered if her heart would ever steady again. ‘I was only going to write some letters.’
‘But I thought you wanted to have a look around Ferara?’
‘I do.’ She tried not to read anything into the remark, but her pulse rate rebelled again. ‘I’m very keen to learn more. Actually, I’ve already made a friend of one of the gardeners.’
‘Did he tell you much about our country?’
‘He was a very interesting old gentleman, as it happens. And, Alessandro?’
‘Yes?’
Emily waited, noticing how his eyes reflected his thoughts—there was a something in his expression now that suggested this might be a good time to air her idea. ‘I know you’ve been very busy, and that small things aren’t always apparent, but…’
‘Get on with it,’ he encouraged with a gesture.
‘After talking to the gardener I got the impression that his apartment could do with some renovation—just some little touches that would make his life easier.’
‘And you’d like to take charge of these?’
‘Yes. I think it would be worthwhile.’
‘I’m sure it would,’ Alessandro agreed. ‘And as far as learning more about Ferara is concerned—well, I’ve taken the afternoon off, so I could show you around, if you like.’
A shiver of excitement raced down Emily’s spine as she let him wait for her answer.
‘The chocolate festival,’ he prompted, ‘the one I told you about? It’s usually held in February, but there’s to be a special demonstration in celebration of our marriage. Because of the heat at this time of year it’s taking place inside the grand hall of one of the municipal buildings.’
So, his talk of a chocolate festival hadn’t been a wind-up after all, she realised, feeling a rush of anticipation. ‘I’d love to go.’
‘That’s settled, then,’ he said. ‘We’d better leave right away if we want to catch the best demonstrations.’
When they arrived, Emily was amazed to find the streets of Ferara had been recreated within the cool, vaulted interior of the ancient building, complete with chocolate stalls, chocolate sculptures in various stages of completion, and crowds milling about. There was a ripple of excitement when Alessandro was spotted with his bride-to-be, but after the initial surprise they were able to move around the vast marble-floored exhibition area quite freely. It was Emily’s first real exposure to her new countrymen, and at first she held back a little self-consciously, but Alessandro grabbed her hand, drawing her forward, giving every indication of being proud of his choice of bride.
He was either a very good actor, Emily decided, or—a very good actor, she told herself firmly, knowing how easy it would be to let her imagination get the better of her where Alessandro was involved.
‘Let me get you some chocolate,’ he offered, weaving through the press of people, towing her behind him. He took her to stand beneath one of the towering pillars where an artist was already busy at work, then reached out and caught some of the glossy flakes as they showered down. He began feeding them to her, until Emily had to beg him to stop.
‘Stop? Are you sure?’
‘No,’ Emily admitted, laughing because she was sure her face had to be smeared with chocolate.
To anyone unaware of their tangled relationship they would have passed for two people in love, laughing and enjoying the festival for what it was—an explosion of happiness and goodwill to celebrate the marriage of a man who was clearly much loved by his fellow Ferarans.
Freed from the tensions imposed by their arranged marriage, they actually enjoyed each other’s company, Emily realised, smiling ruefully as she accepted the clean handkerchief Alessandro produced from his pocket.
‘Is there anything else you should have warned me about?’ she probed cheekily. ‘Cream bun fights, perhaps?’ She gazed up at him as she tried to wipe some of the chocolate smears off her face, loving the feeling of closeness that had sprung up between them.
‘I think I can safely promise you one or two more interesting customs throughout your time here.’
Emily’s smile faltered. Trying not to spoil the mood, she shook herself out of the doldrums. ‘Tell me about these different traditions,’ she pressed with another smile.
‘If you haven’t guessed already, our wedding’s a great excuse for giving some of the best a second airing. Everyone in Ferara loves a carnival. You’ll definitely be seeing my country at its best.’
‘I’m looking forward to it,’ she said. And she was, especially if Alessandro was to be her guide.
‘You’re still covered in chocolate,’ he commented as she made another attempt to clean her face.
‘Well, if I am it’s all your fault,’ Emily countered with a laugh that swiftly turned into an uncertain silence.
That remark was the closest she had ever come to flirting with him. And in view of his comment that seemed to remind her of the time limit on her visit, flirting was out. Not only that, but her teasing manner was attracting quite a bit
