‘Naturalmente,’ said Dante harshly. ‘Did they find him?’
‘No. I refused to give his name.’
‘Dio!’ He raked a hand through his hair. ‘Your mother found this hard, yes?’
Rose nodded. ‘So did Charlotte. But she was hugely supportive, flew over to see me a lot during the pregnancy and even insisted on being present at the actual birth.’
‘She is a good friend,’ said Dante, nodding. ‘She was very unhappy about deserting you in Firenze, Rose.’
‘Is that why you volunteered to look after me?’
‘No. I was most delighted to do so.’ He eyed her narrowly. ‘I so much enjoyed our brief time together there, but you think it is a mistake to meet again, yes?’
‘I’m sorry I was so rude, but finding you talking to my daughter was a shock.’ She sighed. ‘When I first found out I was pregnant I was in such a state I begged Charlotte and Fabio to keep it secret from the wedding guests I’d met because there’s no father in the picture.’
‘Yet there is one somewhere who has no idea he has a daughter.’ Dante shook his head. ‘Having met your child, I feel sympathy for him.’
‘Too late to tell him now; he’d never believe me,’ said Rose flatly.
Dante looked at her in silence for a moment, his eyes intent on hers. ‘You are going out tonight?’
‘No.’
‘Yet your child has gone to stay overnight with your mother and Signor Morley, yes?’
‘Yes.’ Rose coloured. ‘Mum thought I could do with some time to myself.’
‘So what will you do? Read, watch television?’
‘Probably.’
‘While I go back to my hotel for a lonely dinner.’ He reached across the table and took her hand. ‘Change your mind. Dine with me, Rose.’
Now he was here, with the touch of his hand sending heat rushing through her, Rose found it hard to imagine why she’d ever said no to him in the first place. ‘All right.’ She ignored the warning bells going off in her head. ‘But you’ll have to wait while I made myself more presentable.’
His smile took her breath away. ‘Bene! I will go back to the hotel to make myself more presentable also and return for you later.’
‘Thank you,’ said Rose, wondering if she’d made a huge mistake. At least her mother and Tom would be pleased. They worried about her lack of social life.
‘And this time I will be more welcome, yes?’
Her eyes softened. ‘Sorry I was so hostile, Dante.’
‘Non importa,’ he assured her, and smiled as he collected his jacket. ‘Your daughter was even more hostile, no?’
‘It was a new experience for her.’
‘The friends who take you out do not call for you here?’
‘No. I meet them in town.’