Lucy Gordon - A Proposal From The Italian Count

‘You think I should have taken his money and used it for your convenience?’ she raged at Rik. ‘I’m not that stupid.’

Vittorio stepped a little closer, careful to keep out of sight but wanting to hear everything.

‘You just can’t recognise reality when it’s under your nose,’ came Rik’s reply. ‘You had the chance of a fortune. You could have taken it. But perhaps your fantasies are fixed on something else.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘It’s him, isn’t it? You refused his money because you’re hoping for a better offer! You think you can lure him into marriage, but you’re wasting your time. A man like that wouldn’t marry you in a million years.’

‘And I wouldn’t marry him in a million years. He’s cold—and arrogant enough to think that money can solve anything.’

Vittorio made a wry face. A wise man would have slipped away at this moment, but he didn’t feel wise. He felt as though Jackie had seized him and was holding him at her mercy in whirls of confusion.

‘It can solve a great deal,’ he heard Rik say. ‘It could pay a lot of my debts—many of which are your fault.’

‘How can you say that?’

‘If you did a better job this shop would be doing well, instead of sinking into debt.’

‘The shop was in a bad way when my father sold it to you. That’s how you got it so cheap. I heard you—beating him down on the price when he was too weak to fight you.’

‘Don’t try to blame me for your father’s failings. Luckily it’s not too late. You’ve still got time to find this Italian Count and tell him you’ll take the money.’

‘You think I’d—? You’re mad.’

‘I’m telling you to do it.’

‘And I’m telling you to go to hell.’

‘I warn you, Jackie, you’re walking a very fine line. Perhaps I’d better see him myself—’

‘Perhaps you should,’ Vittorio said, stepping out so that they could see him.

Rik noticed him first, and the shock on his face alerted Jackie, so that she looked behind her, also appalled at the discovery.

Rik assumed a severe manner. ‘We have business to discuss,’ he said.

‘The only business we have is for you to listen to what I have to say,’ Vittorio said bluntly. ‘For you—not a penny.’

‘But you have a debt to pay,’ Rik squealed.

‘Not to you.’

‘Jackie, tell him,’ Rik whined. ‘Tell him he’s got to pay you what he owes you.’

Jackie looked intently at Vittorio, but did not speak.

‘Do it now,’ Rik snapped. ‘Let me hear you say it.’

‘I have nothing to say,’ she replied coldly. ‘The Count’s debt is impossible to repay.’ She met Vittorio’s gaze and said emphatically, ‘Ever!’

Rik looked from one to the other, scowling.

‘So that’s it,’ he raged. ‘You two are in this together. As soon as I’m out of earshot you’ll take the money and cut me out.’

‘You can’t be cut out because you were never in,’ Jackie said fiercely. ‘You bought this business fair and square, and any debts are now your responsibility. Besides, I will never take a penny of his money.’

‘You’re insane!’ Rik seethed. ‘What kind of fool turns down that sort of money? Well, if money’s of no importance to you then you won’t be needing this job. Or the accommodation I’ve provided for you. You’re fired. I’ll give you one hour to clear out your stuff from upstairs.’

Rik stormed out, pausing at the front door.

‘One hour!’ he yelled. ‘I mean it.’

Then he was gone, slamming the door behind him.

Vittorio turned swiftly to Jackie. ‘Good riddance.’ he said. ‘Forget him. He isn’t worth bothering with.’

Jackie was shaken, but determined to maintain her dignity. ‘How long were you there, listening?’

‘I came to see you and arrived just as you were telling him what had happened.’

‘I never meant to tell him, but he made me so angry that I said it to knock the smile off his face. I could have strangled him.’ She gave a bitter laugh. ‘I’d have enjoyed that.’

‘Don’t worry. He’s bound to give you another excuse. He’s a pig, Jackie, and you’re better off without him.’

‘But this isn’t just my job. I’ve lived here all my life and now I’ve lost my home, too.’

‘Then we must find you another one. Get packing and we’ll be out of here—fast.’

‘I’ve nowhere to go.’

‘Trust me to arrange that.’

She knew an instinct to rebel against him. This catastrophe had happened only because he’d come to England and caused trouble. Now she’d lost her job and her home, and he was to blame.

But was he really? If she hadn’t been silly enough to tell Rik about the money this wouldn’t have happened. When was she going to learn to control her temper?

Never, she thought fiercely.

‘Let’s get you out of here,’ Vittorio said. He took her arm and ran up the stairs with her and began opening drawers and cupboards, working hard to help her.

‘Is that your only suitcase?’ he asked, regarding the one she had produced.

‘Yes, but I’ve got some plastic bags.’

Luckily the bags proved enough to take her few possessions.

‘Anything else?’ he asked at last.

‘No, that’s all.’

‘You have nothing else?’ he asked, looking astonished.

‘This is all I need,’ she said defiantly.

He gave her an odd look, as though wondering what madness had made her refuse his money when she seemed to own so little, but all he said was, ‘Then let’s go.’

She looked around nervously as they went downstairs, but there was no sign of Rik.

‘Where are we going?’ she asked as they went out into the street.

‘I’m staying in the Davien Hotel, a couple of streets away. We’ll get you a room there for tonight, then make our plans.’

She knew the hotel. It had a reputation as being costly.

‘I don’t think it’s quite the right place for me,’ she said uneasily.

‘If you’re worried about the money, don’t be. I’m paying. I landed you in this mess and it’s my responsibility to get you out.’

Suddenly she recalled Rik’s warning to her. He’d suggested that Vittorio was hoping to lure Jackie into bed with the empty promise of a great fortune.

Suddenly she was uneasy. Was that why Vittorio was taking her to his hotel at his own expense? Did he mean her to share his bed?

Only recently that thought would have excited her. Vittorio attracted her powerfully. The thought of lying with him in bed would have been a pleasure. But now everything was different. Was he trustworthy? Could she be sure?

A short walk brought them to the hotel. Vittorio went to Reception and chatted with the woman there as she typed something onto the keyboard. Nodding to her, he headed back to Jackie.

‘I’ve managed to secure you a room on the second floor.’

He escorted her upstairs, leading her to a door for which he had the key. She held her breath.

But when the door opened she knew she’d done him an injustice. There was only one single bed.

‘Th-thank you,’ she stammered.

‘If you need me I’m three doors along the corridor.’

He departed at once, leaving her standing alone, trying to take in everything that had happened. Only yesterday she had quarrelled with this man, and today he had come to her rescue and she had accepted his help gladly.

It doesn’t make any sense, she mused.

But nothing had made sense since she’d met him. Perhaps nothing ever would again.

He returned just as she finished putting her things away.

‘They do a good lunch here,’ he said. ‘I’ll have some sent up.’

‘Couldn’t we eat downstairs in the restaurant?’