Page 16 of Unveiled As The Italian's Bride
‘You might want to make a habit of it,’ Kate quipped, the sudden tension draining out of her, because he looked hassled but rather pleased with himself. Maybe also because he had assumed a three-dimensional aspect that he had been so determined to conceal, at least from her, a history that somehow pushed through all her preconceived notions of him. ‘You’ll soon realise that Daisy’s unrealistic adventures are as nothing compared to some of the other classics she enjoys reading. Monty the Rat will leave you puzzled for many days.’
He flashed her a sudden smile that knocked her sideways and she blinked in confusion.
‘Now, children...’ Antonio clapped his hands, summoning them to order and snapping Kate out of her temporary feeling of dislocation.
‘Is champagne called for?’
‘Your uncle...’ Kate cleared her throat. ‘Has...er...’
‘Pre-empted our announcement? I would have broken the news to you myself, Antonio, but I thought it best to wait until Kate got here with Angelina.’ Dante smoothly relieved her of her stuttering attempt to steer the conversation.
‘I expect Dante told you, my dear, about my health situation?’
‘He did, Antonio, and honestly—I’m sure you’re getting worked up over something that will be manageable. Times have moved on hugely when it comes to treatment for various cancers.’
‘I prefer not to rely on the possibility of good fortune, my dear. There is nothing worse than misplaced optimism. I had no idea, when I expressed my desire that Dante marry, that you and he were, how should I put this, perhaps already an item?’
‘We...we...er...’
‘The tentative beginnings,’ Dante said smoothly. ‘No shouting from the rooftops, naturally, but as you know that isn’t my style anyway.’ He smiled at Kate, inviting her to step into the story he was spinning. ‘But perhaps you hastened things...’
‘Well, I cannot apologise for that, Dante.’
‘You must be a little surprised,’ Kate ventured as she felt the brush of Dante’s arm against hers.
‘I am too old for surprises and too close to meeting my maker to question them when they come. Now, let us enjoy the moment for what it is. A time to celebrate! The finest champagne is called for.’
‘I take it there is no shortage in the fridge?’
‘Ah, Dante, how well you know me...what is a man without champagne?’
He moved away from her, strolling towards Antonio. There had been no display of pseudo-affection. As he’d said, not his style.
It wouldn’t be expected. Dante wasn’t a guy who did public displays of affection, and for him to change tack would be astonishing. That hit her in a flash. This would truly be nothing more than a business arrangement and, although that should have lifted her spirits, she felt a twinge of disappointment.
Was it because, with Antonio’s unexpected confidence, a box had been opened? Were opened boxes ever a good thing? Didn’t they usually herald unpleasant surprises?
She had grown accustomed to the travelling life she had led with her parents. But she could remember a time when she had been very young—maybe Angelina’s age—when her parents would sit her down, look at one another with barely contained excitement...and she would know, with a sinking feeling, that everything was about to change once again.
Time to move on. There’d be some weeks or months building up friendships, but then would come the call of the unknown, and the suitcases and boxes would be packed and onward bound they would go... While she had looked back through the window of whatever old car they had been driving at another disappearing view of what might have been.
Opened boxes weren’t for her. She knew that she would do well to remember that.
Champagne was popped and she smiled until her jaw ached. Overjoyed, Antonio was unquestioning when it came to the details of their sudden romance. Dante tossed some vague crumbs out there and Antonio accepted them and moved on. Perhaps he preferred mystery over chapter and verse, or perhaps he was just relieved that his nephew was going to marry and settle down.
She allowed her eyes to wander to the man she would marry and she shivered. Her gaze drifted from the harsh, chiselled perfection of his aristocratic features to the brown column of his neck and the latent strength of his broad shoulders.
And then it drifted further down as she half-listened to them both talking about some of the various strands of the D’Agostino empire that would require Dante’s input in preparation for his uncle fully retreating from all business concerns. This was the business end of their marriage, she thought: the way wealthy, powerful families operated. Giggly wedding planning wasn’t for them.
Antonio began flagging shortly after dinner was eaten. He waved aside Kate’s offer to tidy up. Staff would be back first thing and would be dismayed to find their job done for them.
Dante offered to accompany him to his quarters but was likewise waved away, and within minutes, he and Kate found themselves alone in the kitchen with the empty bottle of champagne on the table.
With a sharp tug of embarrassment, Kate banished from her head all wayward thoughts of the breath-taking physicality of Dante.
‘I would say that went smoother than expected.’ Dante raked his fingers through his hair and slanted her a glance. ‘Of course, he started fishing as soon as I got here. The fact that we were both going to be here for no particular occasion had his antennae bristling. You’ve been shopping, I see.’
Kate blushed and nodded, and felt awkward as Dante’s dark gaze rested briefly on her. ‘Youdidsuggest it...’
