‘First of all, how are you feeling?’
‘At this time of night I feel fine; in the mornings not so much. But never mind all that. You said Bea’s daddy was some student, while all the time it was Fabio’s best friend! So go on. Talk.’
With a sigh, Rose went through her story yet again, with Charlotte exclaiming in amazement at intervals.
‘You were so brave, Rose, going through all that and never telling a soul, and all the while working so hard to make a living for Bea. Though, thinking back, the clues were there. You would never listen if Dante’s name came up, but I thought that was because of Elsa the Witch. I suppose he never mentioned her when he was charming the socks off my bridesmaid?’
‘Of course not,’ said Rose indignantly. ‘Otherwise—’
‘You’d have sent him packing! So now he knows about Bea, what happens next?’
‘I am ordered to marry him and take Bea to live with him at his villa.’
‘How masterful!’ Charlotte waited for a moment then sighed. ‘But you’re not going to do that.’
‘No. With help from my wonderful mother and your equally wonderful father, I’ve managed my life very well up to now. Dante can issue orders as much as he likes, but I’m staying put. And so is Bea.’
‘Damn! I wish I could nip over and see you, but Fabio is adamant about no travelling for a while. And, if I’m honest, I’m not up to it right now, anyway. If I send you the fares will you bring Bea here instead?’
The mere thought of being anywhere in the vicinity of Dante Fortinari made Rose want to kick and scream. ‘I can’t just now, love. Maybe later on.’
Rose checked on Bea and then stacked her pillows and got into bed to lean against them, waiting for the phone to ring. When it remained obdurately silent she removed two of the pillows and tried to settle down to sleep. Instead of issuing orders, all Dante had needed to get her consent was to tell her—and convince her—that he wanted to marry her because he loved her, not because she came as a package deal with their daughter.
When the phone rang later Rose shot upright and grabbed it, then sank back against the pillows when she saw the caller ID.
‘You took a long time to pick up,’ said Grace.
‘I thought it was Dante again.’
‘I gather you won’t answer when he rings.’
‘How do you gather?’
‘Because he rang Tom—he got the number from Fabio—and asked to speak to me. He’s desperately worried about you, love.’
‘Good!’ said Rose viciously.
‘I assured him that, healthwise, both you and Bea were fine, and told him it was best he doesn’t contact you for a while.’
‘And what did he say to that?’
‘That he would try to take my advice, but it would be hard.’
‘You should have told him not to contact me at all. Ever.’
Grace shook her head. ‘I didn’t do that because I know you only too well, Rose Palmer. If I had, you’d be utterly miserable. So I gave you the chance to change your mind when your temper dies down, as it always does, in time.’