Page 34 of The Housekeeper and the Brooding Billionaire

It was ridiculous to be undone by his words. But no one had called her beautiful and really meant it since her mother died. Passing compliments from men looking for quick sex didn’t count. Charlotte viewed her round face and ordinary features as pleasant, not outstanding, though her blond hair was a pretty colour.

But meeting Alessio’s gleaming eyes, she believed he meant it. She stood taller.

‘Thank you. So do you.’

He laughed, the sound snagging in her chest. He didn’t seem like the proud, reclusive aristocrat now. ‘You’re very kind.’

Not kind at all. It was an understatement. She hurried on, needing to change the subject. ‘You wanted to see me?’

‘I did. I wanted to loan you this to wear.’

Charlotte looked down to the case in his hands. Inside lay a necklace of flawless sapphires, the centre one as large as a pigeon’s egg.

She couldn’t prevent an audible gasp. ‘You were going to lend that tome?’

He put the case on the desk beside him, where the gemstones glowed under the overhead light. ‘You’re my hostess tonight, and I—’

‘Was afraid I wouldn’t measure up?’

Alessio’s eyes narrowed. ‘No. I was going to say I regretted putting you in a situation where you might feel out of your depth.’ He paused as if choosing his words. ‘I wanted to make amends and do what I could to make the evening feel less daunting.’

Charlotte was stunned. She’d seen a change in him as he spent more time with others, busy working with his community. But this was an extraordinarily generous offer. She had no doubt the gems were priceless heirlooms.

‘You said you were wearing blue.’ His voice dipped and dragged through her middle. ‘I wanted to see you wearing this. Sapphires would be perfect against your creamy skin.’

She swallowed hard. The way he spoke, it sounded like he’d made a study of her complexion. Deep inside, a tight knot of pent-up emotion loosened and frayed.

‘But I see my offer is unnecessary. Your own jewellery is perfect.’

Her hand went to her pendant. ‘Thank you. It’s precious to me.’

It was the only jewellery she had from her mother. Her father kept the rest locked away, though it was technically Charlotte’s. Because Charlotte had dared to defy his wishes in not marrying the man of his choice. Her father couldn’t abide being crossed.

Alessio moved closer. ‘May I?’ He nodded to the necklace.

‘I...of course.’

Deft fingers lifted the pendant from her décolletage, but that barely-there brush of skin on skin felt like so much more. Charlotte clamped her lips together and fought a shiver of reaction.

‘Baroque pearls and a fine ruby. Exquisite.’

He stood so close his words were a puff of warm air across her skin, and she caught the slight tang of clean male skin, cedar and exotic incense. Valiantly she fought not to meet his gaze, but the draw of him was too strong.

Had Alessio’s eyes always been that dark? Not with anger or impatience but something she’d never seen before.

She was leaning closer when she realised what she was doing and stepped back. Instantly he released her pendant and it fell to her breast, warm from his hand.

Her breathing faltered. To her overwrought senses, it felt like he’d touched her.

‘It’s an unusual design. Several hundred years old.’

Of course he could date it. He specialised in antique treasures. ‘I was told it came from a much larger piece that was broken up.’

Wealthy as her mother’s family had been, they’d fallen on difficult financial times. Until Charlotte’s mother married a successful businessman. But, as Charlotte and her mother had learned to their cost, money didn’t guarantee happiness.

Since her mother’s death, Charlotte had kept the piece in a bank deposit box, afraid of losing it or being tempted to sell it when she’d struggled to make ends meet. She’d only retrieved it before coming to Italy, not wanting to leave it behind.

‘Well, you wear it admirably.’ Alessio inclined his head. ‘Now, shall we go?’

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