‘So what shall we talk about?’
‘You, Rose. Tell me why you started your own business.’
‘I applied for accountancy jobs but didn’t get the ones I wanted, so I decided to use my training for something else and eventually hit on bookkeeping.’
‘Ah,’ said Dante, nodding. ‘You went to college again for this?’
‘No. I did an eighteen-month home study course accredited by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, and managed to complete it in just over three months.’ Rose drained her cup and refilled it. ‘My mother was a huge help. So was Tom. He found a web designer for me and made sure I informed HM Revenue and Customs, and took out indemnity insurance to cover me while working in clients’ offices. I also got a practising licence...’ She paused, biting her lip. ‘This is probably boring you rigid, Dante.’
He shook his head decisively. ‘I am enthralled. You were so young to achieve all this, Rose. I am impressed.’
‘I had a lot of things going for me,’ she reminded him. ‘With such wonderful support from my mother and Tom, a home of my own with a room I can use for an office—and with my brain still in gear from my finals—I managed to get the new qualification quickly. I now divide my time between working at home and in travelling to small businesses grateful enough for my help and my reasonable charges to pass on my name to new clients.’
‘You make a good living from this?’
‘It was a slow start, but I’ve now done well enough to pay back the money my mother lent me for the original expenses for certification and optional exams and the web design and so on.’ Rose took a look at the clear-cut profile outlined by the light from her room. ‘So now you know all about me, Dante.’
He shook his head. ‘I think not. One day I hope to learn much, much more—but not tonight. I will leave you now to your sleep.’ He raised her hand to his lips. ‘Buonanotte. I shall see you in the morning. Since we must leave early, you would like breakfast brought to your room?’
Rose nodded. ‘Will you order it for me, please?’
‘Subito. And in the morning I shall ring you when it is time to leave.’ He went to the door and turned to smile at her. ‘Now lock it, per favore.’
* * *
Rose spent a restless night after the conversation with Dante. His talk of babies terrified her. If he found out that Bea was his child what would he do? What would she do, if it came to that? She eventually lapsed into a restless doze but woke early, and after a horrified look in the mirror stood under a hot shower until she felt, and looked, more human. By the time her breakfast arrived her hair was dry and she was dressed for travelling, her bags packed.
Soon afterwards, Dante rang. ‘Buongiorno, Rose.’
‘Good morning. I’m ready. I just have to sort the bill.’
‘I will be with you in one second.’
When Rose opened her door Dante smiled at her denim jeans and casual jacket. ‘You look so young, like a student again.’ He took her suitcase. ‘I will put this in the car, which is waiting outside. Forgive me if I stay there with it until you are ready to leave.’
‘Of course. I’ll join you as quickly as I can.’ Armed with her credit card, Rose approached the suave receptionist to ask for her bill.
‘All was settled in advance; there is nothing to pay.’ He handed her a receipted bill. ‘Signor Fortinari waits outside in the car,’ he added. ‘I trust you enjoyed your stay?’
She smiled. ‘I did. Very much. Goodbye and thank you.’
‘Arrivederci and safe journey, Miss Palmer.’
Rose felt uneasy as she left the hotel, wondering if she should have asked for an itemised version of the bill for Fabio, but forgot her worries when she saw the car waiting at the foot of the steps. It was sleek and scarlet and as handsome as the man who jumped out of the driver’s seat as she approached.
‘Wow, Dante, great car!’
He laughed as he handed her inside. ‘This is my one indulgence—she’s a sports car but also practical. She has four doors, also four-wheel drive, which is of much use to me in some parts of the country. You like her?’
‘What’s not to like? She’s obviously the love of your life.’
‘Davvero—see how she responds to me?’
Rose laughed and sank back in the seat, feeling the power vibrate through her body when Dante switched on the ignition. ‘What more can a man ask?’
He shot her a sidelong glance as he drove away from the hotel. ‘Those things a machine cannot do for a man.’
Annoyed to feel her face flush, Rose made no response as she settled down to enjoy the drive, content just to look at the passing landscape as they left the city. She relaxed as she breathed in the aroma of expensive new car, and whatever Dante had used in the shower. ‘This is a big improvement on the train journey,’ she commented when they were speeding along the autostrada. ‘I tried to look at the scenery I was passing through on the way here in the train, but I couldn’t concentrate.’
‘Why not?’
‘I was tired after all the effort it took to juggle appointments and so on before getting away.’ Plus her worries that Bea might be unhappy without her, and the strain of wondering what was wrong with Charlotte.
‘If your mother is looking after your business while you are away she will be pleased to see you back, Rose.’
‘Unless she’s cross with me for buying presents.’
Dante laughed. ‘If so, you may blame me for encouraging your extravagance. But you are very close to your mother, yes?’
Rose nodded, smiling. ‘But we have clashes of temperament sometimes.’
‘My mother had many with my sister Mirella in the past, but now she is Nonna to several grandchildren the clashes happen only when she spoils them too much.’
‘How many nieces and nephews do you have?’
‘Five. Mirella and Franco have two sons and a daughter, and Leo and Harriet one of each.’
‘Harriet?’
Dante nodded. ‘My brother’s wife is English. You would like her.’
Rose was intrigued. ‘How did they meet?’
‘It is such a strange story I shall leave it until next time I see you. I must concentrate now as the traffic is heavy.’
Dante insisted on waiting at Galileo Galilei Airport with Rose until she was ready to board the plane, and took note of her telephone numbers and her address while passengers surged around them as constant announcements filled the air. ‘I will be in London next month to meet an old friend of mine, Luke Armytage,’ he told her. ‘He is a master of wine and owner of a chain of wine stores which retail our best vintages. I shall come to see you then, Rose, but I will consult you first to make sure you are free.’
‘Goodbye then, Dante.’ Rose smiled at him brightly as her flight was called. ‘And thank you yet again.’
‘Prego.’ Without warning, he seized her in his arms and kissed her full on the mouth. He raised his head to stare down into her startled eyes and then kissed her again at such length they were both breathless when he released her. ‘Arrivederci, Rose.’
Afraid to trust her voice, she managed a shaky smile and hurried away after the other passengers.
Dante stood watching as his heartbeat slowed, his smile wry when it became obvious that Rose had no intention of looking back.
* * *
The flight home was tiring. Rose spent most of