Page 36 of Unveiled As The Italian's Bride
‘That’s very unattractive.’ She tilted her chin and out-stared him, and his grin broadened into a laugh, which continued as they walked through the small, bustling station out into the forecourt.
‘What is?’
‘No one likes a know-it-all.’
‘That being the case...shall I take the chauffeur-driven limo and let you arrange your own transport to your parents’ house?’
But he was looking around as he said that and there was amusement in his voice.
Naturally, there were no taxis outside, and their wait for the car he had ordered was short, a matter of twenty minutes before a sleek, black car pulled up.
‘How on earth did you manage that?’ she asked, impressed.
‘Easier than you probably think,’ Dante admitted, ushering her into the back of the car. ‘I have extensive contacts with various driver services across many continents. I telephoned my PA and asked her to arrange for us to be collected here. The car would simply have to come from the nearest city. It was far speedier than I anticipated, so it’s likely they had finished a trip somewhere relatively close. Why are you so jumpy about this?’
The car was warm and comfortable and Kate turned to find him gazing at her with an inscrutable expression.
She opened her mouth and then hissed a sigh. ‘We have this...arrangement,’ she said with a helpless gesture. ‘I just didn’t want to... I wanted to keep it over there...’
‘So you said,’ Dante drawled, settling back against the cream leather and gazing at her thoughtfully. ‘What other little surprises are lying in store for me, I wonder?’
Here they were and, like an onion, the layers peeled off revealed yet more layers underneath.
Was this what he had anticipated?
No. In his world, women had always been remarkably straightforward, including his ex-wife, despite her outrageous and distasteful behaviour.
He had vaguely seen this as travelling down the same road with a woman who would be as predictable in her likes and dislikes as the many who had preceded her.
He had offered an arrangement that included more money than anyone could wish for and had closed the door on any unforeseen complications. It would be a simple trade-off—a huge sum of money, which she clearly wanted or needed, in exchange for a marriage in which no demands would be made on her. There’d be nothing beyond some public engagements and behind-the-scenes, mutual politeness and respect. His uncle would be happy, the traditionalists who sat on the family board would be happy. Angelina would be happy. Everyone would be happy and for him—there would be relatively little change in his life.
‘I never expected you to actually meet my parents.’
‘That would seem naïve to me, considering we’re about to embark on two years of wedded bliss.’
‘Two years being the operative words...’
‘Generally speaking,’ Dante murmured, ‘I would never have expected my role as husband-in-waiting to be heralded with so much trepidation and alarm. I’m thinking that many parents would not have slammed the door in my face.’
‘That’s because you live in a world where you’re surrounded by people who would do anything to be in your company.’ But he was right—he was the ultimate catch. ‘My mum and dad...’
‘I’m listening.’
‘Well, you’ll have to wait and see, but please don’t be offended if the welcome isn’t as effusive as you probably think it’s going to be.’
‘Thank you for the words of warning.’ Dante smiled and rested his eyes on her, taking her in, from the delicate pink of her cheeks to the sweet fullness of her parted mouth, and liking what he saw.
‘Just keep quiet,’ she said. ‘And leave the talking to me.’
His smile broadened and she blushed beetroot-red as he looked at her with lazy, leisurely interest.
‘Why not?’ Dante agreed, amused. ‘I can’t remember the last time I was given orders by a woman. But I am certainly willing to let you take the lead, Kate, and discover where it will go...’
CHAPTER SEVEN
THESNOWHADbeen a graceful reminder to Kate of what winters could look like in Lancashire, in the tiny, off-the-beaten-track town on the outskirts of which her parents lived. It had gathered pace by the time the houses, shops and lights of the small town centre had been left behind.
It was slow going—always was. From the chaos and adventure of a life spent travelling, her parents had ended up living in the most secluded and remote spot they could possibly have found, their only link to the place a tenuous connection via Kate’s mother’s side of the family. Her aunt and cousin still lived there and, in fact, had been very kind over the long weeks and months. That said, they lived in one of the busier parts of the county, and it was a trek visiting her parents.
