‘And you never knew that Elsa left me,’ he said very quietly and took her cup to put it on the tray with his.
‘No.’
He frowned. ‘Yet Charlotte was most insistent I delivered her letter to you in person in Firenze.’
Rose nodded. ‘Fabio sent money for me in the package so she needed someone to deliver it, and you just happened to be on the spot.’
Dante smiled wryly. ‘I was most happy to do it, but thought you would refuse to speak to me.’
‘I wanted to!’
‘Yet you agreed to dine with me.’
She shrugged. ‘The thought of eating alone in that rather grand hotel was so daunting I decided to make use of you instead. But why did you offer, Dante?’
‘You looked so unhappy when you read Charlotte’s letter I longed to take you in my arms and comfort you. Instead, I offered to take her place.’ He looked at her steadily. ‘You have more to tell me, I think?’
‘I do.’ Rose sat very erect. ‘That was the prologue. Now we get to the main part. I’ve decided to take your advice, Dante.’
He frowned. ‘What advice, cara?’
‘To tell Bea’s father he has a daughter.’
His eyes blazed in sudden, vehement denial. ‘No! I no longer think this a good idea. Do not, Rose. He is probably married by now. You are right; after all this time he will not believe the child is his.’
Rose looked long and hard into the impassioned blue eyes. ‘Is that how you would react in such circumstances, Dante?’
‘I believe not. I hope I would not. How could any man be sure of his reaction to such news?’
‘Now’s your chance to find out.’ She took in a deep breath. ‘Bea is your child, Dante.’
He sat like a man turned to stone for several endless seconds, his eyes wild on hers.
‘Cosa? What are you saying?’ His bronze skin drained of all colour. ‘It is not a thing to joke about.’
‘It’s no joke, I assure you. I’m deadly serious.’
‘Dio!’ Dante thrust a hand through his hair as he eyed her incredulously. ‘But, even so desperate to make love to you, I used protection that night.’
She flushed. ‘It didn’t work. After you’d gone I found it had split.’
‘Then what you say is really true?’
‘You honestly think it’s something I would lie about?’
He shook his head in wonder. ‘Beatrice is the result of our lovemaking that night.’
Rose sighed heavily. ‘I don’t blame you for doubting it. I couldn’t believe it myself.’
‘Why did you never tell me this before?’ he demanded with sudden heat.
‘How could I, Dante?’ she snapped. ‘You were already married by the time I found out. Which is why I was so obstinate about refusing to name the father. But, after seeing you and Bea together for the first time, my mother was sure it was you and said you had a right to know.’ Rose slumped back against the sofa cushions. ‘So now you do. But don’t worry; I’m not asking anything of you.’