His blue eyes darkened with an emotion she couldn’t put her finger on. “Mamma said it was a matter of life and death. After learning how desperate you are to escape the life your parents and fiancé have orchestrated for you, I’m inclined to believe she was telling the truth.”
His compassion filled her with feelings that threatened to overwhelm her. “Please—you don’t have to send my letter to the comte. It’s too much. I’ll find a way to do it,” she said in a throbbing voice he could probably feel.
“It’s a simple thing that needs to be done so he’ll call off his army. There’s no one like you, and no question he wants you back. Needless to say, you’re a royal prize he won’t tolerate getting away from him.”
Tuccia shivered because she felt he truly did understand the gravity of her desperate situation where Jean-Michel was involved.
A few minutes later another limousine drove them out of the city. They swept past farms and villas until they reached a small village at the base of a prominent hill. On the top she caught sight of a massive fortress. The ochre-toned structure with its towers and crenellated walls sprawled across the summit.
“That’s the ancient Castello Di Lombardi,” Cesare explained, “now a hotel ristorante.”
The one he’d helped to make famous. Tuccia was eager to see it up close and thought they would drive up there. Instead he asked the driver to take them to a pensione in the village. Evidently he’d made arrangements for her ahead of time.
Just as he helped her out of the limo and told the driver to wait, the padrona di casa came out of another door. She greeted them and showed them inside the attractive apartment. After a few explanations she left. Cesare lowered Tuccia’s suitcase to the floor and turned to her.
“You should be very comfortable here while I’m gone. I asked her to fill the cupboards and fridge with groceries to last several days. As you heard her say, if you need anything, just pick up the phone in the kitchen and she’ll answer.”
The last thing Tuccia wanted was for him to go, but she realized he was anxious to get back to Palermo and didn’t dare keep him. What a terrible position he was in!
“I don’t know how to thank you for all you’ve done for me. How can I make this up to you?”
He studied her features for a minute. “I’ve had two friends who helped me when I thought all was lost. It’s nice to be on the giving end for a change.”
She could feel her eyes smarting. “I don’t deserve this.”
“I remember telling them the same thing. A word of warning. Do you have a cell phone on you?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t use it for any reason and don’t go walking in the village. The only person who knows you are here is the woman who let you in. She’s a friend and will keep silent. When I return, we’ll talk. Until then, try to relax, watch TV. A presto, Principessa.”
“Alla prossima, Cesare.” She followed him to the door and watched him drive away, causing her heart to act up until it actually hurt.
Once he was gone, Tuccia went back in the living room for her suitcase. Then she walked to the bedroom so full of emotions, she didn’t know where to go with them. She didn’t know another person in the world except her aunt who would make a sacrifice like this for her. Cesare Donati was the most incredible man she’d ever known.
While she was in the shower, her mind focused on the chef he’d hired for his fabulous castello restaurant. He had to be a spectacular cook. How sad he’d fallen ill at the very moment he was supposed to go to Milan with Cesare.
She wished she could help him in some way during the short interim while the chef was recovering. Cesare had been so good to her and she wanted to find a way to repay him. She’d much rather stay right here. But of course the whole plan was to get her away from Jean-Michel and her parents.
You’re losing your mind, Tuccia.
* * *
On his way back to the airport Cesare phoned his mother, wondering what kind of a mess she could be in if the police had already found out she’d been harboring Tuccia at the villa.
She picked up on the fourth ring. “Cesare—where are you?” she blurted before he could say anything.
“You’ll be happy to know my mission has been accomplished. Are you alone?”
“Si.”
“Good. Now I can tell you the princess has been installed in a safe place.”
“Grazie a Dio. I can always count on you.”
She didn’t sound worried about the police yet. “I’m flying back to Palermo to be with you. If there are no complications, I should be there in about two hours. I’ll come straight to the hospital. After we’ve talked to the doctor and done all we can do there, I’ll take you out to eat and we’ll have a long talk. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful, except that there’s no point in your coming back unless you want me to help you find another pastry chef beyond Palermo. That could take months.”
“What do you mean another chef? I don’t understand. Ciro will get better with a treatment of antibiotics.”
“I thought so, too, but you’re not going to be happy when I tell you what I’ve just found out from the doctor. Ciro came close to dying during the night because he has developed a heart condition. The prognosis for a full recovery could be six months away.”
“Incredibile!”
“I know how upset you must be to hear that news, Cesare. I’m so sorry. He’s in the ICU and won’t be able to talk to anyone for a few days. There’d be no point in your coming right now. You might as well turn around and stay at the castello until he’s been given a private room and can have visitors. Then you can fly down and have a serious talk with him.”
The situation had gone from bad to worse. “Thank you for watching over him. I’m indebted to you.”
“Bless you for saving Tuccia’s life. What will you do about the chef position now?”
Right now Cesare’s concern over the princess had created the most stress for him. “That’s not your problem. I’ll just have to be the pastry chef myself and interview more applicants for the position. But let’s agree that finding someone who knows how to make Sicilian desserts with an expertise close to his or yours will be an endeavor in futility.”
“You make the best cassatine with almond paste in existence.”
“I learned from you, but that was years ago.”
“You never forget, but I’m desolate for you this has happened. What will Tuccia do? Did she talk to you about it during the flight?”
“Yes. She has a plan that might work.” For a day maybe. “I’ll think of something. Don’t you worry about it. Have you told Bertina her niece is safe?”
“I drove to the palazzo to tell her in person and give her Tuccia’s letter before returning to the hospital. She was so relieved she broke down sobbing before burning it.”
Good thinking on Bertina’s part. “Have the police questioned her yet?”
“Yes. She told them she knew nothing.”
“They’ll be contacting anyone who is friends with her, especially her cook. You’ll be receiving a visit soon. Don’t talk to her on the phone.”
“No worry. I’m at the hospital now and just finished reading Tuccia’s sweet letter to me before burning it.” He had a brilliant mother. “Thanks to your willingness to help the princess escape so fast, there’s no evidence