Page 64 of Forgotten Mistress, Secret Love-Child
‘Of course I heard.’ Carys mustered a smile for her friend, trying to drag her mind back to the conversation.
She spent too much time fretting over what couldn’t be changed. Life with Alessandro was good. More than good. He was a great father to Leo, a stupendous lover. Even now the memory of his hands and mouth on her body quickened her pulse. He was kind, attentive.
And he trusted her. Her lips twisted, remembering his words and the depths of her disappointment.
He gave her more than he’d given any other woman. All he had to give.
It wasn’t Alessandro’s fault he’d never learned what love was. That he couldn’t offer it to her.
She would learn, one day, to be content. It didn’t matter that she’d craved love all her life. Or that she bestowed it on him unstintingly. She was thankful for what she had, and soon she’d stop wishing for the moon.
The best way to do that was to keep herself busy, as she had these past couple of months.
‘Yes, the tutor is terrific. I’m so glad I took your advice about hiring him.’ This time her smile was more convincing. If she was going to live here, she had to master the language, which was why she and Carlotta spoke Italian when they were alone. ‘I’m improving, don’t you think?’
‘You’re a marvel,’ Carlotta said with a smile. ‘Your pronunciation is great, even if your vocab has a way to go. You’ll be a hit when Alessandro starts entertaining on a large scale again. With that cute hint of an accent everyone will find you enchanting.’
‘You think?’ Carys glanced around the exclusive hotel restaurant Carlotta had chosen for lunch. Despite her new clothes and her determination to fit into Alessandro’s life, she felt a ripple of unease sometimes, as if she didn’t belong and everyone knew it.
The fact that Alessandro seemed to keep her apart from the demands of his social schedule didn’t help either. Yes, they went out, even had friends to dine occasionally, but it was obvious he turned down a lot of invitations he would normally accept. Because he wasn’t sure she’d cope?
‘I know, Carys. According to the grapevine, the young contessa is charming, refreshing and beautifully dressed.’ Carlotta laughed. It was she who’d steered Carys through the acquisition of a new wardrobe.
Carys smiled. ‘You can take a lot of credit there.’
‘Don’t be so modest. Now, tell me, how are you going with your speech for the annual charity lunch? Any ideas?’
Carys nodded. ‘A few.’ In truth, she’d been thinking of little else since she’d heard about it. Each year the Contessa Mattani hosted a charity luncheon in the ballroom of the Mattani villa. Proceeds, along with a sizeable donation from Mattani Enterprises, went to a charity of her choosing, a different one each year. It was a tradition dating back to the time of Alessandro’s grandmother.
Now it was a major event on the calendar of Italy’s social elite. Anxiety skipped down her spine as she thought of hosting it and delivering a speech to a throng of the country’s rich and famous.
‘You will be there, won’t you?’
‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world. And you’ll have Alessandro by your side too.’
Alessandro hadn’t spoken to her about it yet. Instead she’d learned about it from Carlotta, then had the date confirmed by the housekeeper. Tonight she’d finally remember to ask him for more details. She’d been meaning to for weeks, but somehow she often found herself…distracted around him.
Carlotta signalled for the bill. ‘I’m afraid I have to rush off. Special meeting with a special client.’
‘Then you go and I’ll pay.’
‘Sure?’
‘Of course. Don’t be late. I’ll just sit here a little longer.’ Because it was back again, that slight queasiness she’d experienced on and off lately.
‘Ciao, bella.’ Carlotta kissed her on both cheeks. ‘I’ll call when I’m back from Paris.’
Carys said goodbye and sat back, willing her stomach to settle. She paid the bill, sipping water, trying to stifle excitement that rose even stronger than the nausea.
She’d only felt like this once before. When she’d been pregnant with Leo. Her breasts were tender too. Or was that from Alessandro’s thorough loving last night?
A ripple of pleasure tingled through her as she remembered their passion. And at the possibility she could no longer ignore. Was she pregnant?
A brother or sister for Leo. Another child to love and cherish. Only this time with Alessandro at her side from the start. Would he be happy? They hadn’t taken precautions, so presumably he wasn’t averse to the idea.
