wait for him. When he returned she said, “I know you see oil beneath the property. But what I see is a fertile field that has been here for centuries. Your plan would create giant, unsightly scabs.”
His eyes narrowed on the features of her beautiful oval bone structure. “If you’re imagining dozens of derricks, you’d be wrong. My gut instinct is to build several right here in the shadow of the mountain out of sight. The existing road to the south travels straight to the sea, where the oil would be transported to tankers. One would barely be aware of the activity.”
“And if you find it, does that mean more derricks?”
“We’ll make that decision later.”
Her softly rounded chin lifted. “What if you don’t discover any?”
“Preliminary reports from this part of Italy indicate vast reserves. We’ll find it, but we’ll proceed slowly with your father having the final say in how long we are allowed to drill. Let me ask you a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“If I were to appeal to Queen Joanna herself and explain the benefits, what do you propose she would say? Forget how long ago she ruled. Your father tells me you’re a historian writing a biography on her. Your research means you know her better than any other living person today. Was she a risk taker?”
He could hear her mind working.
“She backed Antipope Clement VII against the unpopular Urban VI. For that she was given this papally owned land eventually bequeathed to our family. So yes, I’d say she was a risk taker.”
Rini’s lips twitched—he was fascinated by the knowledge inside her brain. “You think she would have granted me an audience?”
She stared at him. “I have no idea.”
“Humor me and put yourself in Joanna’s place.”
A smile broke the corners of her mouth he found more and more enticing. “It was a man’s world. I wouldn’t have trusted any of them. You, particularly, wouldn’t have been given a second audience.”
“Why single me out?”
“Because you’re handsome as the devil, increasing the odds of Joanna being tricked. Give me a little more time to think about your ideas that have persuaded my father to give you a hearing.”
“You mean you’re not tossing me out on my ear just yet?”
She opened the driver’s door. “Of course not. That’s for Papà to do.” On that note she climbed in and started the engine.
He went around to the other side, glad to hear she wasn’t shutting him down yet. “In that case, let’s take the road that leads to the sea. En route you can tell me more about the subject of your future best seller.”
“I’d rather you gave me more reasons why you think this project of yours outweighs the many negatives. My father will want a report to run by my mother and her sister, Fulvia. The property comes through my father’s line, but he always leans heavily on the opinions of his wife and sister-in-law.”
“Who makes the ultimate decisions?”
“When it comes to business, the three of them go back and forth until there’s a consensus.”
“He’s a man surrounded by women.”
She smiled. “As my Aunt Fulvia says, behind every successful man is a more successful woman.”
Food for thought. “Do your parents love each other?”
“Very much.”
“That’s nice. Before my mother died, my parents had the same kind of relationship.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. It sounds like you’ve been lucky to have great parents too,” she murmured on a sincere note as they started down into the valley. “What does your father think of this latest idea of yours?”
“Though he and I are always in consultation over business, this is one time when he doesn’t know where I am, or why.” He angled his head toward her lovely profile. “I’ve taken this time to do reconnaissance work on my own. I told no one where I was going, not even my best friend. That’s why I was so surprised when I thought you were Dea. I couldn’t figure out how you could have known my destination.”
She darted him a questioning glance. “So it really was pure coincidence that you had business with our father?”
“I was introduced to her as Dea Loti. But the misunderstanding has been cleared up. The simple fact is, I thought you were she. But I shouldn’t have called out to you before I’d met with your father for an explanation, then none of this would have happened. To be honest, I wasn’t ready for you to disappear on me the way you did.”
Her pulse sped up. Did he just say what she thought he said?
“I was a mess and hoped no one would see me sneak in the castle.”
“Not from where I was standing.”
She swallowed hard and appeared to grip the wheel tighter. “When Dea and I were younger, we got taken for each other a lot. Not so much now that she’s become a top fashion model. She’s the true beauty. I’ve always believed I looked different even though we’re identical. But I’m aware other people can’t always tell the difference. Under the circumstances I understand why my shorter hair gave you a shock.”
Not just her hair. As he was coming to learn, many things about her were different from her sister and other women. She was so genuine and charming, it knocked him sideways. “Your hair is attractive and suits you.”
“Thank you.”
“I can see why your father wants to protect you.” Rini decided not to argue the point further when her physical beauty was self-evident. But Alessandra Caracciolo had been born a twin and he’d heard it could be a blessing and a curse, so he left it alone.
They’d reached a crossroads that would take them back to Metaponto and the causeway, but Rini wasn’t ready to go home yet. To his surprise he found he wanted to get to know her better. Much better. Besides her intelligence, she spoke her mind and was like a breath of fresh air. “Do you have time to drive us along the coast? I want to inspect the shipping access.”
“We could do that, but if you want to get a real feel, you should view everything by boat.”
That idea sounded much better. “When we reach Metaponto, let’s find a marina where I can charter one for tomorrow.”
“You don’t need to do that. I’m sure my father will want to take you out on our cruiser so you can talk business.”
“Then let me buy you dinner in town in order to repay you for driving me around today.”
“Thank you, but that’s not necessary. My parents are expecting you to eat with them and I have plans after we get back.”
He had no right to be disappointed that she’d just turned him down. She was probably involved in a relationship right now. Why not? She was a stunning woman. He imagined that men flocked to her.
After having shown him around the property for her father, she’d done her duty and had other things to do. Though it was none of his business, for some odd reason the possibility of her being interested in another man didn’t sit well with him.
* * *
Wednesday morning Alessandra was just getting out of the shower when her phone rang. She reached for her cell and checked the caller ID. “Mamma?”
“Buongiorno, darling.”
“I’m so glad you’re back home. How’s Zia Fulvia?”
“I thought she was better. That’s why I came home yesterday. But after your father and I finished having dinner with Signor Montanari last evening, we got a call from her. She’s