that had ended in disaster. Either she ran out on him or he walked out on her.
Marry me, Gemma.
That’s what he’d asked her moments ago. And what did she do? Throw his proposal back in his incredibly handsome face! That’s because you’ve been on the defensive from the moment he came back into your life, Gemma Rizzo!
No wonder he’d walked out on her. Why wouldn’t he? Didn’t he know she loved him with all her heart and soul? But he was a duca. And that made a marriage between them out of the question, even though it was what she wanted more than anything in the world. While he’d been holding her hands, her body had throbbed with desire for him.
Gemma lay there out of her mind with a new kind of grief. All these years she’d misjudged him so terribly. Now the truth of his revelations burned hot inside her. At this point she knew she was more in love with him than ever.
But the woman who owned the pensione had recognized Vincenzo as the new Duca di Lombardi. That revelation was the coup de grâce for Gemma. His title created a chasm between them that could never be bridged. His marriage proposal thrilled her heart, but she couldn’t marry him. In fact, everything was much worse.
While she worked at the castello, she would have to keep her distance from him. That she’d been crazy in love with him and they’d grown up spending as much time together as possible made it all the more difficult.
He had a potent charisma she found irresistible. Gemma didn’t trust herself around him. Vincenzo had a way of crooking his finger and she’d come running no matter how hard she fought against it.
But she couldn’t allow things to end this way. It was up to her to repair the damage and reason with him so he would understand. She hadn’t told him that her mother didn’t know about her new job yet. If Mirella had any idea he’d asked Gemma to marry him, there’d be even more grief, and Gemma didn’t want to think about that.
Unfortunately it was too late to see him tonight. Tomorrow after work she’d find him and ask him if they could go somewhere private and talk this situation out.
After she’d cried until there were no tears left, she went to the bathroom to get ready for bed, then she returned Filippa’s phone call. Her friend was excited because she’d received an affirmative response from one of the restaurants in Ottawa. “I’m flying to Canada tomorrow for the interview.”
“That’s wonderful.” Gemma was thrilled for her. “Call me when you get there and tell me everything. Just think. You’ll be closer to New York.”
“It’s very exciting. Now tell me, what’s the situation on your end?”
“You don’t want to know and I don’t want to burden you when you’re so happy.”
“Let me be the judge of that.”
Gemma spent the next while telling her all the shocking truths Vincenzo had revealed. “Although I’ve forgiven him, and I do understand, I’m still hurt he couldn’t tell me the truth before.”
“He was only eighteen, remember? And tonight he finally told you the whole truth.”
“But you haven’t heard it all yet. He’s asked me to marry him.”
“What?”
“Yes, and because I know a marriage to him is so impossible, I told him a duca doesn’t marry the cook!”
“Oh, Gemma...you didn’t! No wonder you’re a mess.”
“I am. During those early years we never had trouble communicating. Not ever.”
“But you want something that isn’t possible, because you’re not teenagers anymore.”
“I was more sane as a teenager than I am now. Forgive me for not making any sense tonight.”
“You’ve been in shock since his return. I’m pretty sure he’s in the same condition. Give it all time to sink in.”
“I don’t have another choice. Promise to call me from Canada and tell me everything.”
“Don’t worry. Now try to get a good sleep.”
“I don’t know if I can. Be safe, Filippa, and good luck!”
“Thanks. Be nice to Vincenzo. He could use it. Ciao.”
Those words couldn’t have made Gemma feel guiltier, but she knew her friend hadn’t intended anything hurtful. Quite the opposite, in fact. Filippa always made good sense. With a plan in mind to talk to Vincenzo tomorrow, Gemma got ready for bed and was surprised she didn’t have trouble falling asleep.
* * *
The next morning, she got up and ready for the day. With the formal meetings with the owners and staff out of the way, she dressed for regular work in a short-sleeved top and pleated pants rather than a skirt. Before she left Sopri, she would buy a few groceries to put in the mini fridge for future meals. In fact, while she was shopping, she’d buy a pool lounger to take out to the lake behind the castello.
Until the opening of the hotel, she and Maurice would be working midmorning hours on menus and ordering the staples. But for a few more weeks there’d be free time in the afternoons before the intense work began and she earned her keep.
In the past there was nothing she’d enjoyed more than watching the swans, especially when Vincenzo had joined her. She assumed the water fowl were still there and would be an attraction for hotel guests. For now, she could lie in the sun and read a good thriller before leaving to drive back to the pensione. Maybe she could ask Vincenzo to meet her out there later in the day so they could really talk.
Though she followed through with her plans, she discovered that Vincenzo had flown to New York and wouldn’t be back for a while. The news made her ill. She kept busy, but inside she was dying. He could have left Italy for personal as well as legitimate business reasons. She’d never know and speculation didn’t get her anywhere.
* * *
Four days later she was in the depths of despair when she overheard Cesare and Takis talking in the kitchen. Vincenzo would be arriving at the airport at eight thirty that evening. She hugged the information to herself, trying not to react to her joy so anyone would notice.
After she finished the day’s work with Maurice, she drove back to the pensione and kept busy until evening. Once she’d showered and changed into a sundress, she drove back to the castello. To her relief she saw the Maserati parked in front. Thankful Vincenzo was back safely, she hurried up the steps to find him.
One of the security men, Fortino, let her in the front entrance. This was the first time in ten years that she’d been here at night. The place was quiet as a tomb. Maybe because it was a Friday night and Vincenzo’s partners had gone out. It was too early for anyone to be in bed. Gemma had no idea about their personal lives, though she remembered Vincenzo telling her that they were both single.
She wished she had his cell phone number, but he hadn’t given it to her. If he wasn’t in the kitchen, he might be out with Takis and Cesare. Then again, he was probably exhausted after his long flight and could be up in his tower room.
A long, long time ago, she’d gone looking for him there after hearing he’d suffered a terrible fall from his horse, or so she’d been told at the time. Desperate to make certain he was all right, she’d made her way to his aerie at the top of the castello, afraid one of his father’s guards would see her. His door had been ajar and she’d heard him moan.
Summoning her courage tonight, she stole through the massive structure and made the same trek as before up the stone staircase at the rear. It wound round and round until she arrived at the forbidding-looking medieval iron door. This time it was closed. She held her breath while she listened for any sound.
Nothing came through except the pounding of her own heart.
Gemma knocked. “Vincenzo? Are you in there?” She waited.
Still