he said heavily.
‘But I promised to stay, and I’ll keep that promise. So stop worrying, Leonizio. It’s not going to happen again. If you need to go out, just go. I’ll always be here when you get back. Word of honour.’
He turned, looking her in the eyes as though he couldn’t quite believe what he heard.
‘Really? You mean that?’
‘When I give a promise I keep it. You have to trust me, Leonizio.’
‘I do trust you. Completely.’
‘But you’re still afraid I might betray you as she did.’
‘No. You’re not like her.’
‘Then relax.’
He smiled and squeezed her hand.
‘Actually, I need to go out again for a little while,’ he said. ‘Why don’t you rest, and when I return I’ll take you out for dinner? We can start to get to know each other.’
‘That would be lovely, Leonizio,’ she said.
He seemed to relax but she knew the pain and fear she had heard in his voice had been real. It was there in his heart, and she would always remember it.
‘Go out,’ she said. ‘And stop worrying.’
‘I’ll try.’
He departed, giving her a brief glance before he left.
She was glad to be alone again that afternoon. Since her arrival in Rome, everything that had happened had disconcerted her. Leonizio’s reaction had only underlined how little she knew him.
But something else disturbed her even more. It was the memory of their collision in the corridor, the way his arms had enfolded her. She knew he’d been protecting her from a fall, but the sensation of being held against his body had been shattering, recalling another time.
That night still lived in her heart, her mind and her senses. She, who had never before even considered a one-night stand, had gone willingly into this one, letting it tempt her as though it was the most natural and the most desirable thing in the world.
She had come to Rome because Leonizio had the right to know about his child, yet she was still determined to stay in control of herself and the situation. Perhaps it was going to be harder than she had thought, but she was strong. Whatever disagreements they might have, she would be the winner. On that she was determined.
She prepared for the evening ahead with a shower, followed by an inspection of her clothes. She had nothing glamorous, but a simple green dress gave her an air of quiet elegance.
She hesitated briefly over her hair, finally deciding to wear it pulled back, sending a silent message that tonight her controlled self was the one in command.
When she heard Leonizio’s key in the lock she positioned herself so that he could see her as soon as he entered, and was rewarded by the look of relief that dawned in his eyes as soon as he saw her.
‘Let’s go,’ he said.
His car was waiting below, with a smartly dressed chauffeur in attendance. He opened a rear door, bowing to Ellie.
‘Take us to the Venere,’ Leonizio told him.
Ellie gave him a quick startled glance.
‘Is that the Venere Hotel, near the Colosseum?’ she asked.
‘Yes. It’s got a fine restaurant. You know it?’
‘I’ve heard of it,’ she said.
Lelia, her Italian grandmother, had worked in the Venere and had described it as one of the most luxurious places in Rome. It would be fascinating to see it now, Ellie thought.
She understood its reputation as soon as they arrived. The building looked as though it had once been a palace. Inside, a waiter greeted them and led them to a table by the window, from which she could see the Colosseum, the huge amphitheatre built nearly two thousand years ago.
‘It’s eerie,’ she mused. ‘Once people crowded there for the pleasure of seeing victims fed to the lions. Now the tourists go because it’s beautiful and fascinating. And maybe we’ve all got somebody we’d like to see fed to the lions.’
‘You wouldn’t be aiming that at me, would you?’ he queried.
‘I’m not sure,’ she said. ‘I’ll let you know when I’ve decided.’
‘Well, I can’t say I haven’t been warned.’
‘Right. I can be a real pain in the neck. You’ll probably be glad to be rid of me.’
‘Forget it. There’s no way you’ll escape.’
She gave him a teasing smile. ‘Surely you don’t want a woman who’s a pestiferous nuisance?’
He returned the smile. ‘I might. They can often be the most fun.’
He held out his hand and she shook it. ‘As long as we understand each other,’ she said.
‘Perhaps we always did.’
‘No, I don’t think we ever did.’
While he was considering this a waiter approached with a menu, which he gave to Ellie.
‘Need any help?’ Leonizio asked.
‘I can manage the Italian but I’ll need you to explain the food to me. What’s Coda all Vaccinara?’
‘Stewed oxtail in tomato sauce,’ Leonizio told her.
‘It sounds nice. I’d like to have some.’
‘May I suggest the Frascati wine to go with it, signorina?’ the waiter said.
‘No,’ Leonizio said at once. ‘Sparkling water for the lady. No alcohol.’
‘And for you, signore?’
‘I’ll have the Frascati.’
When the waiter had retired, Leonizio said, ‘I know you can’t drink wine while you’re pregnant.’
She didn’t reply and after a moment he demanded, ‘Why are you glaring at me?’
‘I’m not.’
‘Yes, you are. You’d like to thump me.’
‘That’s very perceptive of you. All right, the way you made that decision without consulting me makes me think a good thump might be satisfying.’
‘You do me an injustice. I paid you the compliment of assuming that you would already have made the sensible decision. You’re such an efficient, businesslike person that—’
‘All right, all right. You can stop there. You always know what to say, don’t you?’
He gave her a cheerful grin. ‘Luckily for me, yes. With some combatants it’s a useful skill.’
‘Is that what we are? Combatants?’
‘Not all the time. But it’s something that’s going to crop up now and then.’
‘Now and then. I suppose that’s true.’
‘And while we can have an evening out like this, we can relax together and find a way to solve the problem.’
His tone was friendly, but a man working at a business arrangement might have spoken in just this way, she thought.
‘How are you feeling now?’ he asked.
‘Fine. That rest did me good. Now I’m in the mood to enjoy myself.’
‘You’re all right after what I put you through?’
‘You mean when you got so upset because I wasn’t there? I’m sorry for the whole thing. It must have been