The Sicilian's Defiant Virgin

‘Signor Tebaldi,’ the chairman gushed, moving past Jen to greet his guest.

Wearing a dark, beautifully tailored lightweight wool suit and a crisp white shirt, garnished with a grey silk tie, and with sapphires glittering tastefully at his wrists, Luca Tebaldi looked every bit the billionaire connoisseur. She could see why the chairman hoped Luca Tebaldi would become as lucrative a source of income to the auction house as his father before him. She watched as the two men exchanged a firm handshake, but once that was done Luca’s stare switched to Jen.

‘Jennifer Sanderson—the courier you requested,’ the chairman said, introducing her.

Not wanting to seem overwhelmed by their guest, Jen seized the initiative. Stepping forward, she took a firm grip of Luca Tebaldi’s outstretched hand. It was like being plugged into a power socket. She snatched her hand away as the chairman started talking about an upcoming auction for rare stones, but not before sparks had shot up her arm, and far more sensitive parts of her body were responding with even more enthusiasm. This was crazy. She didn’t even know him. She didn’t have to know him to feel that primitive response to a man as blatantly sexual as Luca Tebaldi, Jen reasoned with concern.

He felt the girl’s reaction to him, and could see it in her darkening eyes. Last night she had been dressed in a skimpy and provocative costume, while today she was dressed as if butter wouldn’t melt. Would the real Jennifer Sanderson please stand up?

They stared at each other with naked interest. She was as curious about him as he was about her. What was the connection between the Emperor’s Diamond, Raoul Tebaldi, and Luca? she had to be thinking. She was smart. It wouldn’t take her long to come up with some answers, though they might be wrong. He would keep her guessing until they got to Sicily.

Nothing was simple. He admired her, and he hadn’t expected that. He had enjoyed her performance at the club. She’d given generously of her time and talent—such as it was. And she’d stood up to him afterwards. He was intrigued to find out how she’d react to the next part of her journey.

The chairman was saying something about another auction Luca might like to attend. He shut the man’s voice out, preferring to concentrate all his attention on the intriguing Ms Sanderson. Why did he find her so attractive? She wasn’t conventionally beautiful, and she certainly wasn’t as showy or as successful as many of the women he knew. And she definitely wasn’t biddable, as women of his acquaintance tended to be, for fear of losing his favour. She was challenging and spiky and unpredictable. And he found her utterly fascinating. Her strange mix of caution and boldness had him in its grip. To inflame him even more, just one of her glances was enough to tell him that it was immaterial to her whether he approved of her or not. She might be moneyless and powerless, but her spirit was strong. So what did she know about his brother’s will? And what would it take for her to relinquish her hold on Raoul’s estate?

He barely glanced at the precious stone when the chairman held it up for his approval. He was far more interested in Jennifer Sanderson’s face and trying to fathom what was behind that steady green gaze. Was it duplicity, innocence, professional interest, or something more?

‘If you’ll excuse me,’ the chairman said, distracting him, ‘I’m afraid I must leave you now. Another appointment,’ he explained with a brief professional smile. ‘I’ll leave you in Ms Sanderson’s capable hands.’

He raised a brow and the girl did too, he noticed. She had no interest in being a bonus to the deal, and her employer should have more sense than to suggest it.

‘Jennifer has my blessing to offer you any assistance you might need,’ the chairman added with an oily smile, adding to his damnation in Luca’s eyes. Luca’s only response was a brief nod of his head.

Jen tensed as the door closed behind the chairman, leaving her alone with Luca Tebaldi. ‘So you’re Raoul’s brother,’ she said. ‘I thought so last night. I haven’t seen Raoul for ages. I hope he’s well?’

‘My brother’s dead.’

‘Oh—’ Jen’s hand shot to her mouth. She was beyond shocked. She couldn’t believe he’d just blurted it out. Was Luca Tebaldi’s emotionless statement to hide his grief, or to test her?

‘He was killed a short time ago,’ Raoul’s brother revealed.

‘Killed?’ Jen repeated numbly. A chill gripped her. She couldn’t take it in. She gripped the back of a chair. There were no words. She was devastated. ‘Did he...?’

‘Did he suffer? Not as far as I’m aware. He was killed instantly in a head-on crash in Rome.’

‘I’m so sorry.’

Poor, vulnerable Raoul was dead. It didn’t seem possible. Her memories of Luca’s brother were so clear. She knew Raoul had led a complicated life, but she had never imagined it would come to this.

‘I should have known. I used to see him every night. I knew he was fragile, but—we used to talk,’ she explained as Luca stared at her.

‘Shall I get you a glass of water?’ he enquired.

She couldn’t speak, she could only gesture with her hands. She was still reeling at the thought that she would never see Raoul again.

‘You met my brother in the casino?’ Luca said as he poured her a glass of water.

‘Yes. I never saw him anywhere else. We were acquaintances who become friends, I suppose, but Raoul had his own life, and I had mine.’

‘What did you find to talk about?’

He handed her the glass. ‘Anything and everything,’ Jen said honestly, sipping the water. Another young life needlessly lost. Memories of the terrible day when Lyddie had been killed came flooding back. The police had been so kind to Jen, rushing her to the high-dependency unit of the local hospital with their sirens wailing where she’d found Lyddie still breathing. Still alive! Jen had thought, wanting to believe in miracles. Yes, the doctor had confirmed, her sister was still living, but her brain dead, he’d explained gently. Head injuries, he’d said when Jen had stared at him blankly. Irrecoverable brain damage, he’d said, before asking if she would consider donating Lyddie’s organs. Up to then she had fooled herself that Lyddie was asleep and would soon wake up. There hadn’t been a mark on her sister, just a small white bandage taped to her forehead. Jen could spend as long as she liked with Lyddie, the doctor had told her—but not too long, was the unspoken text, because decisions would have to be made—

‘Ms Sanderson?’

‘Sorry—’ She turned to focus on Luca. He was so like Raoul, though a bigger, stronger version, as if he was the positive imagine and Raoul was the negative. ‘I’m sorry. I keep wandering off in my mind. I’m just so shocked to hear about your brother.’

‘Raoul confided in you?’ Luca pressed.

‘We used to talk,’ Jen confirmed. Raoul had opened up about a lot of things, but she prided herself on her discretion.

‘Did you talk every night?’

‘What is this?’ she challenged lightly. ‘I knew your brother, and I liked him very much. We discussed a lot of things.’ She stopped and pressed her lips together, hoping Raoul’s brother would take the hint.

‘I apologise if I seem intrusive,’ he said. ‘I’m just trying to fill in the gaps.’

‘I understand your sense of loss. I’ve been through something similar.’