She hadn’t been able to, had she? Because she’d felt the same thing he had when their gazes had touched and locked. Somehow, over the course of this crazy day, they had connected. And on a level that was totally alien to Nico. Inexplicable and deeply disturbing but, at that moment, he would have overturned heaven and earth to protect Charlotte. To extricate her in a dignified fashion from this mess he had created.
He had no idea what had triggered such a strong urge. Guilt from knowing he’d pushed her into this? Or maybe he’d caught another glimpse of that lost and frightened child in her eyes. He’d certainly seen desperation that had been coming from not wanting to hurt somebody she loved so much. Maybe that explained why he was feeling as though the ground was shifting beneath his feet and that the rules he lived by were no longer relevant.
Knowing that Charlotte was capable of that kind of love when, to outward appearances, she was incapable of that much emotion. Knowing that she was such a different woman from the one he’d met years ago. Curiosity was a powerful motivating force and Nico wanted to put as many pieces of this puzzle together as he could before he moved on.
Maybe when he had the full picture he would be able to understand why he was feeling as if he was caught in some invisible web. And then he would be able to avoid it happening again. He liked his life exactly the way it was, thanks very much. He did not like this feeling of long-held beliefs wobbling and his footing being less than secure in his world.
Back at the table, Lady Geraldine waved a bejewelled hand and waiters willingly rushed to refill glasses and serve exquisite-looking desserts. Charlotte was sitting very still, staring at the chocolate creation on the small plate in front of her as though unsure whether it was, in fact, edible.
Or maybe she was unsure whether anything was real. Perhaps she was hoping to wake up and find that this whole evening had simply been a bad dream. Her grandmother was also watching her and then she turned to Nico and smiled. It was an expression of understanding. And reassurance. Charlotte just needed a little more time, the glance suggested. And then she would be able to embrace the joy of this new event in her life.
She certainly needed something. A gentle reminder of why they’d started this charade in the first place?
Nico smiled back at Lady Geraldine. ‘Tell me about tomorrow,’ he invited. ‘I hear you have an adventure planned. On the Orient Express?’
Lady Geraldine beamed at him. ‘It’s been a long-held dream of mine. One of them, anyway.’ She slid another glance at Charlotte and there was a moment’s pause as she sighed happily. Then she collected herself and focused on Nico. ‘Have you ever travelled on the Orient Express yourself?’
‘No. I’ve heard of it, of course. It has a wonderful history, doesn’t it?’
‘Right back to 1883.’ Lady Geraldine nodded. ‘It’s the world’s most famous train and it’s been totally restored to its original glory. You step back in time and travel in the kind of elegant luxury that only the very privileged could afford a hundred years ago. It’s an experience everybody should have at least once in their lifetime, don’t you think?’
‘Absolutely.’ Nico was happy to agree. This was what this evening was about after all. To make Charlotte’s grandmother happy. To encourage her to make the most of whatever time she had left in her own lifetime. To tick off those ‘bucket-list’ items. ‘I hear that the food is amazing and isn’t there someone that plays a grand piano in the bar?’
‘Oh, yes.’ Lady Geraldine’s smile was misty now. ‘Everybody dresses in their best and is on their best behaviour. We’ll all be thoroughly spoiled as we glide through Italy, Austria, Switzerland and France and back to London just in time for Christmas.’
She eyed Nico over a spoon containing a tiny portion of chocolate mousse. ‘I expect you’ll be visiting your mother for Christmas Day, Nico?’
‘Ah…no.’ Nico shook his head. ‘I believe her new husband has whisked her off to New Zealand to have Christmas in the sun.’
‘But you have other family?’
Uh-oh…Any moment now he was going to be invited to have Christmas dinner with Charlotte and her grandmother. He needed to head this one off at the pass.
‘Sadly, I have work commitments in London I can’t break. That’s partly why I’m taking a day or two at my leisure in Venice now.’ This was true enough, wasn’t it? He was always happy to work over family-oriented holidays to give his colleagues time off. He didn’t have a family to spend time with. And he didn’t want one. Nico shifted in his seat, which brought his knee into contact with Charlotte’s. He heard her sudden intake of breath and she finally seemed to become aware of her surroundings again.
Good. He needed some help here to avoid being pressured into joining the Highton clan for Christmas dinner. Who knew how many other distant but formidable relatives Charlotte might have waiting in the wings?
Lady Geraldine had a very benign smile on her face right now as she apparently enjoyed her taste of the dessert but Nico had the distinct feeling that the impression of a sweet old lady was probably deceptive. There was an ironclad will beneath that perfectly groomed exterior and that improbable red hair. What Lady Geraldine wanted, she would no doubt get. Except, maybe, the chance to live to an even riper old age.
He reached for his glass of wine. He increased the pressure on Charlotte’s knee a little to encourage her to say something but she was watching her grandmother, who was shaking her head as she put down her spoon.
‘Absolutely delicious,’ she said sadly. ‘But I can’t eat it.’
Nico could feel the tension in Charlotte’s focus. ‘You’ve hardly eaten anything, Gran.’
‘I’m too excited,’ Lady Geraldine said.
‘About the Orient Express?’ This was a good direction to steer the conversation back to. A safe one. ‘I’m not surprised. It’s probably a good idea to save your appetite for all that wonderful food.’
‘Mmm…’ Lady Geraldine nodded thoughtfully. ‘I am excited about the train trip but not nearly as excited as I am about this engagement.’ She reached over and took hold of Charlotte’s hand, bending the fingers so that the diamond ring took centre stage. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy.’ She was locked in eye contact with her granddaughter. ‘You will be, too, Charlotte Jane. I just know you will.’
Charlotte’s indrawn breath was ragged. ‘But…’
‘I know, darling.’ Nico could see the way Charlotte’s fingers were being squeezed. Lady Geraldine’s voice was soft. ‘And it doesn’t matter if I don’t live to see the wedding. This is enough. To know that you’ve met such a wonderful man and the attraction is strong enough to be totally irresistible. It’s a promise of a happy future for you…and I intend to enjoy every single moment of it.’
She straightened in her chair and turned her gaze to Nico. ‘I have two cabin suites booked on the Orient Express,’ she said unexpectedly. ‘I wanted both Charlotte and myself to enjoy this trip as much as possible, without being cramped.’
‘Good thinking.’ Nico nodded. Thank goodness the topic of conversation was getting back onto safe territory. ‘I’m sure you’ll enjoy every moment.’
‘Oh, I will. Especially now.’
There was something in the gaze from those faded blue eyes that made Nico feel like a small child again. A small child confronted by someone in ultimate authority.
‘Because of the engagement?’ Nico’s smile was a little forced. He should be pleased because this represented exactly what he’d set out to achieve but he had a sinking feeling that he wasn’t going to get off quite this easily.
‘Exactly,’ Lady Geraldine purred.
Maybe he was. Nico’s smile widened.
‘I