‘Bella?’ Edoardo swung her around and gaped at her in shock. ‘What in God’s name are you doing?’
She put up her hand in a little fingertip wave and gave him a sheepish smile. ‘Hi …’
His expression went from shock to furious. ‘What the hell are you playing at?’ he asked. ‘I could have hurt you. I thought you were a burglar.’
Bella straightened her dressing gown, which had slipped off one shoulder in the tussle. Her body was still tingling from where it had pressed against his. Her heart was still jumping and her pulse as crazy as an over-wound clock. ‘Do you normally wrestle burglars to the ground?’ she asked with a wry look.
He scraped a hand through his hair. ‘Not usually.’ He let his hand drop back by his side. ‘Are you all right?’
‘I will be when I get my heart to get back where it belongs,’ she said with an attempt at humour. ‘You scared the living daylights out of me. I didn’t hear you make a sound. I thought you’d gone the other way around the house.’
‘What on earth were you doing?’ he asked, still frowning darkly.
‘I was taking Fergus out for a comfort stop.’
‘Then why hide in the shadows like an intruder?’ he asked.
She gave a little shrug, suddenly feeling foolish and gauche. ‘I didn’t want you to see me …’
‘Why not?’
She waved a hand over her night attire. ‘I’m not … um, dressed.’
‘I’ve seen you in a lot less,’ he said.
Bella was glad of the muted moonlight because her face felt suddenly hot. ‘So, how was your date?’ she asked.
A shutter came down over his face. ‘Where’s Fergus?’ he asked.
‘Good question,’ she said as she made her way back to the kitchen door. ‘I was trying to find him when you came home. He’s not very obedient, is he?’
‘He’s deaf and practically blind,’ he said. ‘You shouldn’t have left him on his own. He gets disoriented at night.’
‘You were the one who left him while you went off sowing your wild oats,’ she tossed back. ‘You find him. I’m going back to bed.’
It was mid-morning when Bella came downstairs the next day. She supposed Edoardo had been up since dawn, or maybe he hadn’t been to bed at all—or at least not his own bed, she thought with a niggle of pique.
She was halfway through a cup of tea and a muffin when she heard a car come up the driveway. She went outside and watched as a slim, elegant woman of about thirty got out from behind the wheel.
‘Hello,’ the woman said with a friendly smile. ‘You must be Bella. I’m Rebecca Gladstone. I moved into the area a few months ago.’
‘Um … hi,’ Bella said.
‘Is Edoardo about?’ Rebecca asked. ‘I was passing and thought I should check on Fergus.’
‘Fergus?’
Rebecca smiled. ‘I’m the new vet.’
‘Oh …’ Bella pasted a stiff smile on her face. Was this Edoardo’s latest lover? Beautiful, classy, educated, good with animals and probably children as well. She felt a tight pinching feeling close to her heart. Somehow she hadn’t been expecting him to go for someone so … so likeable. Did this mean he would get married and fill Haverton Manor with a brood of kids and pets? He had stolen her house and now he had stolen her dream as well. It should be her children and her pets filling up the place, not his. ‘Come this way,’ she said. ‘Fergus is asleep in the kitchen.’
Bella watched as Rebecca greeted the dog. Fergus, the old fool, practically gushed. His tail wagged like a metronome on steroids and he even gave a puppy-like wriggle of his hindquarters. Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. ‘He seems to really know you well,’ Bella said.
‘Yes, we’re old friends, aren’t we, Fergus?’ Rebecca said, ruffling his ears.
Bella wanted to hate her but she couldn’t quite do it. She decided to hate Edoardo a little bit more for choosing someone so damn perfect. Why couldn’t he have a shallow, self-serving mistress she could really have a good bitch about?
After a minute or two, Rebecca stood up from examining the elderly dog. ‘I’ll leave some vitamins in case he’s not eating properly,’ she said, taking out a little bottle and placing it on the table. ‘Irish wolfhounds don’t live much longer than eight or so years. He’s doing well for his age, but it’s best to be on the safe side.’
Bella tried on another smile. ‘Thanks.’
‘So, how long are you staying for?’ Rebecca asked.
‘Just a few days,’ Bella said. ‘I haven’t been home much just lately … Actually, not since my father’s funeral.’ Not since he gave away my home to my worst enemy, she added silently.
‘I’m sure Edoardo will be glad of the company,’ Rebecca said as she clipped shut her bag. ‘He works far too hard, but I guess I don’t have to tell you that.’
‘I’m not sure Edoardo enjoys my company too much,’ Bella said, pursing her mouth.
Rebecca looked at her quizzically. ‘Oh? Why do you say that?’
Bella wished she hadn’t been so transparent but it was a bit late to retract what she’d said. In with a penny, in with a pound, she thought. Anyway, why should she sugar-coat her relationship with Edoardo? He had probably derided her to Rebecca every chance he could. ‘He thinks I’m a spoilt brat who hasn’t grown up,’ she said.
Rebecca studied her for a moment. ‘You’ve known him a long time, then?’
‘Since I was seven years old.’
‘So you’re like brother and sister?’
‘Um … not quite,’ Bella said, blushing in spite of every effort not to. She paused for a beat. ‘We’re not exactly bosom buddies.’
‘He’s your financial guardian, isn’t he?’ Rebecca said.
Bella felt like a fool. Who on earth had financial guardians these days? Kids under eighteen or elderly people with dementia, that was who. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I expect Edoardo has told you all about it.’
Rebecca gave her a reassuring smile. ‘It’s all right,’ she said. ‘I didn’t hear it from him. He never talks about you. I heard it from Mrs Baker. She told me your father set things up in a rather complicated fashion.’
‘Very complicated,’ Bella said, blowing out a breath. ‘I can’t do anything without Edoardo’s approval. It’s incredibly annoying.’
‘I’m sure he would never stop you doing anything you really wanted to do,’ Rebecca said. ‘Anyway, it won’t be long, and you’ll be free to do what you like. I seem to remember Mrs Baker saying it’s only until you turn twenty-five.’
‘Or until I marry.’
‘Are you planning on doing that any time soon?’ Rebecca asked, glancing at Bella’s left hand.
‘It’s not official as yet,’ Bella said. ‘I’m just waiting until he gets back from a trip abroad before we announce anything.’
‘Congratulations,’ Rebecca said. ‘You must be so excited.’
‘I