Rose stared at him in disbelief. ‘You obviously didn’t tell her,’ she said at last.
‘Ah, but I did.’ His mouth twisted in distaste at the memory. ‘It was a painful revelation to see someone so physically beautiful turn into a strega before my eyes. She spat at me that she was expecting my child, which, as she knew well, gave me no choice. Nonna died the next day and in my grief I felt only relief that Elsa abandoned her plans for a big church wedding. She arranged a hasty civil ceremony instead in her determination to become a Fortinari.’
‘So what happened to the baby?’ asked Rose, stunned.
‘There was no baby. Elsa lied. On our wedding night, she told me there had never been a child and never would be.’ He dropped his hands and turned away. ‘I was an arrogant fool, she told me, to imagine she would ruin her figure that way, even more fool to think I could jilt Elsa Marino, the supermodel all men lusted after. I stared at this beautiful woman saying these ugly things and felt such revulsion I did not touch her that night or ever again.’ He gave a mirthless laugh. ‘People pitied me when she left me for another man, but I rejoiced.’
‘You never told anyone the truth about this?’
‘Only Leo. Therefore, Harriet must know also.’ He turned to look at her. ‘If I had known that you were expecting my child, Rose, nothing would have made me go through with the farsa of my wedding to Elsa.’
‘You must have found it hard to live with her after that?’
His mouth tightened. ‘I did not do so very much. With Leo’s help, I made sure I was often away on my travels when she was home, which for Elsa meant her flat in Firenze. She hated the Villa Castiglione.’
‘But you love it,’ said Rose quietly.
‘Very much. After Elsa left with Enrico Calvi—and my fervent blessing—the house was my sanctuary.’
‘Yet your family tried to get you out of it as much as possible.’
‘To show the world I was not heartbroken. My parents were enraged that Elsa had treated me in such a way. It was my mother’s greatest wish that I find someone else as soon as possible.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Therefore, every time I dined with my parents, or with Mirella and Franco, even Fabio and Charlotte, there was always some woman invited for me.’
‘How about your brother?’
‘Leo told me I could find my own woman, and Harriet lured me from my house by asking me to do the babysitting for them—which is when I learned to change a bed quickly! I enjoyed this much more than the socialising. But the one I am most grateful to is Charlotte Vilari. She sent me to Firenze to find you again, Rose.’ He paused, his eyes searching hers. ‘Are you truly sorry that I did?’
Rose eyed him thoughtfully. ‘You really told Elsa the wedding was off because you’d met me?’
‘Yes.’ He raised a dark eyebrow. ‘You do not believe me?’
‘I want to,’ she said honestly.
‘But you still have doubts.’ He stood back. ‘Non importa. I shall ring you next week to learn when you are free to leave. I will make the travel arrangements.’
‘Right. I hope Bea will take to air travel.’
‘With both of us to care for her, there will be no problem.’