Page 10 of Awakened in Her Enemy's Palazzo

She didn’t register his intention until he strode across to her and swept her up into his arms with a casual display of strength.

‘I am more than capable,’ she said, holding herself stiff while finding the depth and the intensity of her awareness of the hardness of his body, the warmth of his skin, deeply unsettling.

‘I’d like to arrive sometime this year.’

She gave a sigh of relief when he set her down beside a gleaming monster of a car, opened the passenger door and left her to climb in as he walked around the vehicle to the driver’s side.

By the time Grace had managed to clamber awkwardly in he was already seated and waiting.

‘It’s not far,’ she said, and immediately felt stupid.

Like he doesn’t know the way!

‘Directions?’ he said, seeming to enjoy her discomfort.

‘Are you serious?’ she asked as the car drew onto the road.

‘About what? Directions? No, I remember the way.’

‘You’re not really going to be staying here?’

He flashed her a quick malicious smile. ‘It’s a big house. I’m sure we’ll rub along nicely.’

CHAPTER THREE

ONCETHEYDREWup outside the porticoed entrance to the palazzo he unbelted and without looking at her spoke in a brusque voice, his eyes trained on the building.

‘I’ll send someone out for you.’

As if she was a parcel, Grace thought indignantly.

Before she could respond, he had vanished inside.

Grace had made her own slow and painful way as far as the shallow flight of steps that led to the massive metal-banded oak door when someone appeared. It was Marta, looking more flushed than normal.

‘Oh, you poor thing! How lucky that Theo found you.’

Grace’s lips tightened. She made it sound as though he’d been looking for her.

‘Sure, he’s my hero,’ she said, accepting the arm the older woman placed around her waist and obeying the instruction to lean on Marta with gratitude.

Marta seemed oblivious to her sarcasm as she supported Grace up the steps and through the open door.

‘We have rung the doctor.’

‘That really isn’t necessary.’

‘Theo said we should.’

‘I don’t care whatTheosays. I don’t want a doctor.’ She saw the hurt, shocked expression on the housekeeper’s face and stretched her lips into a smile. ‘All a doctor would say is use a cold compress, elevate my leg and take painkillers.’

‘Theo—’

Oh, give me strength, Grace thought, biting back a retort as thoughts of a lifetime of living with people who thought they knew better came into play.

‘Fine.’

The older woman looked approving, then doubtful when Grace grabbed the edge of the banister on the curving dramatic staircase that dominated the massive hall.

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