Dante chuckled. ‘I will not be uncomfortable with her.’
Rose bit her lip as she closed her phone. He might change his mind about that once he knew the truth. But she would tell him this time, somehow. She had nothing to lose. If Dante refused to acknowledge Bea she was no worse off than before. Besides, she was only taking his advice. It was Dante who’d insisted Bea’s father had a right to know.
Grace’s reaction to Rose’s decision was a mixture of pride and apprehension. ‘At least I can now tell Tom. We can provide backup if you like, darling.’
‘That’s very brave of you, but this is between Dante and me. You can stand by to pick up the pieces if things go pear-shaped.’ Rose smiled ruefully. ‘I’ve always been afraid this would happen one day. Every time Bea smiled up at Charlotte and Fabio I was sure the penny would drop, but it never did.’
‘Only because they haven’t seen Bea and Dante together.’
‘True. They’re in for a shock.’
‘Not as big a shock as Dante.’ Grace patted her hand. ‘Are you sure you want to handle this alone, Rose? I’m perfectly willing to play the outraged parent. After all, Dante had no right to seduce you when he was about to marry someone else.’
‘Mum, he didn’t seduce me. One minute he was comforting me, the next minute we were so utterly desperate for each other we didn’t even hear his phone ring straight away.’ Rose sighed. ‘He didn’t want to answer it but I insisted, and you know the rest.’
Now she’d made her decision to tell Dante the truth Rose wished she could have done so right away instead of having to wait a week. None of her usual travelling was necessary for the time being, which enabled her to get through a lot of work at home and spend more time with Bea, who was delighted by the arrangement.
‘But you like it when Gramma looks after you?’
Bea nodded vigorously. ‘And Tom,’ she assured her mother, and then gave Rose the smile exactly like her father’s. ‘But I love you best, Mummy.’
‘I love you best, too,’ said Rose, clearing her throat.
She was reading to Bea on the sitting room sofa later when the doorbell rang.
‘Gramma!’ cried the child, sliding down.
‘I don’t think so. She’s gone shopping with Tom. Hold my hand while we see who it is.’
Rose opened the front door to find a vividly attractive brunette smiling at them.
‘Rose Palmer? I’m Harriet Fortinari. Sorry to take you by surprise like this, but I’m on a fleeting visit to my mother so Dante suggested I look you up.’ She leaned down to the child. ‘You are Bea, of course. I’ve heard all about you.’ She smiled so warmly she received one of Bea’s sunniest smiles in response.
‘How lovely to meet you. Do come in.’ Rose ushered her guest inside. ‘Dante said you were English, but I didn’t realise you came from Pennington.’
Bea looked up at the visitor with far more welcome than she’d given Dante. ‘Want a cuppa tea?’ she asked hospitably.
‘I’d love one, darling.’ Harriet grinned at Rose. ‘If that’s all right with Mummy?’
Rose laughed. ‘You’re honoured. Bea doesn’t offer tea to everyone.’