Powerful Persuasion

Her boss at Hillier and Jones! She looked at Luciano now in surprise. ‘He never said, not even when I put in my notice. Was he aware of your plans?’

‘Only that I wanted you to work for me,’ he told her.

Thank goodness for that, she thought It was bad enough being duped into all of this without someone else knowing about it before her.

‘I think you’re a swine,’ she said furiously.

‘But you won’t let me down.’ It was a statement of fact, a warning, and his eyes glittered dangerously. He was being very calm but all hell would break loose if she dared to refuse.

Celena’s chin lifted. ‘I’m in a dilemma, aren’t I? You’ve cornered me. I either tell everyone what a bastard you are and hurt your precious great-grandmamma or I go along with it. There is no other choice.’ And the trouble was that she already liked Giacoma; she did not want to hurt this grand old lady. ‘The point is, Luc, how long are you expecting me to keep up this pretence?’

‘Only until after the engagement party,’ he assured her.

Could she believe him? He had not once told her the whole story; first it had been just a job, then would she please pretend to be his girlfriend, now she was expected to agree to becoming his fiancee. And what next? He had denied the marriage bit but could it be what he had in mind? Would she do herself a great disservice if she carried on with this play-acting? Would she end up in his bed, bearing his children? The thought was too horrifying to contemplate.

‘How can I trust you?’ she asked, grey eyes still fierce. ‘You’ve already forced me into coming here—maybe not physically, but with clever words and subtle persuasion.’

‘Forced you, Celena?’ he asked, black brows rising, tone brusque. ‘It was your decision—yours alone. Are you suggesting that you are easily led?’

She let her breath out in an angry hiss. ‘I can’t win with you, can I?’

‘There are no winners and losers,’ he said. ‘All I’m asking is a favour. You’ll be amply rewarded.’

‘I don’t want rewarding,’ Celena snapped. ‘I don’t want anything. I just want to be left alone to get on with my life as I used to.’

‘We cannot put the clock back.’

‘More’s the pity,’ she riposted. ‘I rue the day I ever set foot in your office.’ She could, of course, walk out of here right now and leave him to face the consequences, but because she was human and sympathetic, and because it involved other people besides herself, she knew that she would not do it. She moved away from him, staring at the ground, deep in thought. She paced the whole perimeter of the courtyard—and ended up back at Luciano’s side.

‘Well?’ he asked impatiently.

Celena heaved a sigh. The decision had been made for her. Two button-bright eyes and a pair of gentle, gnarled hands had done their persuasion. ‘I’ll carry on the pretence,’ she said slowly.

The harsh angles of Luciano’s face relaxed, and he took her hands in his, ‘You won’t regret this, Celena.’

‘I already have,’ she told him coolly, snatching herself away, ignoring the tingle that ran through her. ‘I’m only doing it for your great-grandmother.’

‘As am I,’ he reminded her tersely.

They walked around the courtyard together, Celena admiring the delicate white blossoms of the quince, their petals resting gently on shiny green leaves, and the bright yellow lemons that she had never seen growing before, and, below them, the purple tips of lavender just coming into flower. It would have been a peaceful place had it not been for Luciano.

His presence deeply disturbed her. She was in a situation that was proving more and more difficult as time went by. What had begun as an exciting new job had ended in her promising to marry Luciano—at least in the eyes of his family!

Gabriella came out to find them. Like each of his siblings she had glossy dark hair and an olive skin, though her face was much plumper and rounder than her elder brother’s and she was nowhere near as tall. In fact she was quite dumpy. Nevertheless she had a warm and friendly personality and she looked at Celena now anxiously.

‘We are all worried about you, Celena. We talk so much; we feel it is our fault you have a headache. How are you feeling? Perhaps you ought to lie down. I will send Francesca with some pills.’

‘Please,’ said Celena at once, ‘it’s not your fault. We’ve done a lot of travelling today; it’s probably that.’

‘You must look after her, Luciano,’ Gabriella admonished him.

‘Indeed I intend to.’ He put his arm about Celena’s shoulders and pulled her to him. ‘She is the most important person in my life.’ With a tender smile he pressed a kiss to her brow—and there was nothing Celena could do about it.

‘And so she should be,’ retorted his sister. ‘We have waited a long time for you to find yourself a wife. He is so choosy,’ she said to Celena. ‘We have found him many girls over the years, but no, he is waiting for the right one. And now you are her. We all approve; I think you should know. We are looking forward to your engagement party tomorrow.’

Tomorrow! Another bombshell! Celena tried to tear herself away from Luciano but his arm tightened and she had to wait until Gabriella returned to the house before she could break free.

‘You didn’t tell me the party was tomorrow,’ she said accusingly. She was not even being given time to get used to the idea. ‘How long has it been arranged?’

‘About a month,’ he replied with a shrug. ‘Does it really matter?’

‘Of course it matters,’ she retorted. One month! Not long after she had accepted his job offer. Lord, what unique confidence the man had. And how could she have been so blind as not to suspect that something was going on? ‘How many will be coming to the engagement party?’ she asked coldly.