Page 6 of The Housekeeper and the Brooding Billionaire

Forest-green eyes locked on hers, probing. ‘Please, take a seat.’

‘Is there news from Anna?’

‘Her daughter had an emergency caesarean overnight, but she’s doing okay, and so is her baby daughter.’ His mouth softened, and Charlotte sensed his relief. Perhaps his furrowed brow was a sign of focus rather than disgruntlement as he read the message. His next words seemed to confirm it. ‘We arranged for them to go to a private facility with the best care in Rome, so hopefully there’ll be no complications.’

We?Charlotte suspectedhe’darranged it. She doubted Anna would be able to afford top doctors, nor would her daughter and son-in-law, who she’d said were saving every penny for a home.

Yet the Conte didn’t have the smug look of a satisfied benefactor. There’d been unmistakeable tension in his tone earlier.

Face it, he’s impossible to read. And it’s not your job to try.

She moved towards a straight-backed chair before the desk, but the Conte gestured towards a pair of leather sofas. ‘Over there.’

She took a seat, put the salver on a nearby table and sipped her coffee, eyelids half closing in appreciation at that first taste. When she swallowed, she looked across to find him sprawled opposite her, long legs stretched out, eyes narrowed. Had she pushed him too far? Surely he wasn’t contemplating firing her before she’d started?

No, he was a man used to being waited on. He wouldn’t choose to fend for himself until he found someone to replace her.She hoped.

Charlotte sat back, crossing her legs. They felt cool, a reminder she’d had no time to pull on the tights she usually wore with her skirt and jacket as she raced to get ready and make his coffee.

As if he read her thoughts, he said, ‘You don’t dress like a housekeeper.’

The words emerged before she thought about them. ‘You think I should wear a white frilly apron?’

‘That’s a French maid, not a housekeeper.’

His expression didn’t change, yet she felt the blood rise in her cheeks and knew he was laughing at her. She couldn’t believe it. She never let belittling or sexist remarks get to her.

Yet for once her usual calm deserted her. Her new employer sparked responses that were anything but professional, which was curious given she prided herself on her unflappability.

Had she bitten off more than she could chew, coming here?

‘Is there a problem with my clothes?’

His gaze flickered over her straight skirt and down her legs. ‘No problem. But Anna doesn’t dress formally. You don’t look ready for cleaning, more for a business meeting.’

Charlotte shrugged. ‘In my previous position I had to look tidy for the guests, but I take my jacket off when I have to scrub anything.’ She offered him a tiny smile. ‘Sometimes I even wear trousers.’

His expression didn’t soften. ‘And whatwasyour position?’

She frowned. It might have been Anna who’d interviewed her, but she’d assumed the Conte would review her decision. After all, he was a renowned recluse. Was he really so uninterested in who lived under his roof?

No, that wasn’t right. That was exactly why he asked about her work now.

‘I was head of housekeeping at a luxury Swiss hotel. I also filled in as manager for a short period.’ It had been that experience which prompted her to look for a move. Charlotte was good at her job, but it was time for new challenges. She named the hotel and saw those expressive eyebrows rise in surprise. ‘I can get my references.’

‘That won’t be necessary. Anna would have checked those.’

More confirmation that he hadn’t been involved in choosing her. Yet now, it seemed, he had doubts.

Charlotte repressed a shiver of apprehension. This job was important to her. Most especially because one of the reasons she’d been offered her next position, a promotion to a famed Venetianpalazzohotel, was that she’d mentioned she was coming here to work as the Conte’s temporary housekeeper. Her interviewers had been visibly impressed. The Conte Dal Lago had a reputation for accepting nothing but the finest in everything. Working for him was a sure stepping stone to future success.

And she was undermining herself, trying to score cheap points against him because he rubbed her the wrong way!

Get a grip, Charlotte.You can’t afford to get the sack.

‘I know the place. It’s very well-regarded.’ He paused. ‘You seem young for such a position.’

Charlotte sat taller. ‘I’m twenty-six in a few months. I’ve been working in the hotel industry for over eight years.’

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