‘You’re thinking genetic problems,’ the dowager observed shrewdly. ‘Let me reassure you right away, it’s nothing like that, Leila. I’m thrilled you’re having a child, and there’s no reason to suppose your baby won’t be perfectly healthy.’
‘But is there something more I should know?’
‘What do you know?’ The dowager stared at her levelly.
‘Only a little,’ Leila admitted, hoping the old lady would fill in the gaps.
‘Drink your tea before it gets cold, dear,’ the dowager said, dashing Leila’s hopes.
‘I’m glad I’ve had this chance to meet you,’ Leila said to break the sudden silence. ‘It meant a lot to Raffa.’
‘And I’m delighted to meet the mother of my first great-grandchild.’ There was a pause, and then the dowager covered Leila’s hand with hers. ‘Forgive me, Leila, but there are things that cannot be discussed over tea. I’m sure Raffa will explain.’
‘Yes. I’m sure he will,’ Leila agreed without much conviction, her anxiety levels rising by the minute as she wondered what Raffa’s grandmother could mean.
‘How long are you staying?’ The dowager’s shrewd gaze met Leila’s over their teacups.
‘Not long,’ Leila said honestly. ‘Just long enough to choose some gems to display in Skavanga.’
‘At the museum you’re in control of,’ the dowager said with interest, putting down her cup. ‘Perhaps I’ll pay you a visit one day. Now where is my grandson?’ she said, turning in her chair. ‘Perhaps he’s choosing some gems to show you. We keep some of the very best in an armed vault in the house,’ she added with a touch of the familiar family steel.
Leila’s tension eased into a smile. ‘You are so like Raffa.’
‘Stubborn? Driven?’ the old lady suggested, meeting Leila’s gaze. There was a twinkle in her eye as she leaned forward. ‘Fiercely determined to have our own way? Something tells me you’re just like us, Leila Skavanga.’
CHAPTER NINE
‘TALK OF THE DEVIL!’ the dowager exclaimed as Raffa appeared in the doorway of the house.
The mellow sunshine and the beautiful garden provided a deceptively soft frame for a hard man. A hard man with a mysterious past, Leila now knew, determined she would get to the bottom of the mystery.
Would she always feel this way when she saw him? Leila wondered as Raffa strode towards them. Yes, she realised as he flashed a quick smile. And this was her chance, maybe her only chance to find out what his grandmother had meant when she talked about Raffa’s concerns regarding Leila’s pregnancy. As soon as he was within earshot she sprang up. ‘Could we have a walk round your beautiful garden?’ she asked the dowager.
‘Of course. Rafael, please escort our guest.’
The heady scent of the flowers was intoxicating, but that was nothing compared to standing close to Raffa, only inches away...feeling his gaze on her back as she bent down to smell the roses, or feeling his breath brush her neck when she straightened up.
‘So, what’s this about?’ he said as they walked towards a small bridge across the stream that ran through the garden. ‘What did you want to talk about that you can’t say in front of my grandmother?’