Page 9 of The Housekeeper and the Brooding Billionaire

He had to respect her composure. She looked politely interested, back straight, chin up, her expression serene.

Alessio knew what they said about him. Some people, eager to show their sympathy, had painted him as a pathetic, heartbroken hermit after his wife’s death. When he’d rebuffed their public attempts to offer sympathy, and thereby worm their way into his life, the stories had changed. Many regarded him as a cruel monster who’d forced his wife to drop out of society and kept her here, a virtual prisoner.

His gaze went to the family crest carved above the doorway. There was the winged beast, talons out, ready to seize whatever treasure took its fancy.

Sharply he turned his head. A thousand needle pricks tingled along his spine as Charlotte Symonds’ blue gaze meshed with his.

‘You have no qualms, working for me?’

‘Should I?’ She shook her head. ‘You need to know I don’t believe everything I read or hear. I’ve learned to judge people on their actions, not what the press says.’

Alessio was surprised she’d referred to the stories about him when most people were too scared to, and fascinated by that hard note in her voice that sounded older than her years. The sound of a woman who’d faced some harsh truths.

‘Besides,’ she continued, ‘you had great references.’

Startled, he sat straighter. ‘Ihad great references?’

She nodded. Was that a tiny smile flirting at the corners of her mouth? It disappeared before it could settle, and he told himself he was glad. ‘Anna clearly cares for you very much, and after putting me through one of the most thorough interviews of my career, I respect her judgement.’

‘She gave me a reference? What did she say?’

There it was again, that ghost of amusement curving the edges of her mouth. It made her regular but rather ordinary features suddenly compelling. He found himself noticing the attractive shape of her pale pink lips, the intriguing way her eyes tilted at the corners with laughter. The change accentuated her cheekbones too, giving definition to her round face.

‘That would be telling. I’m sure you understand that we housekeepers know how to keep confidences. But it was, on the whole, positive.’

For one astonished moment, Alessio felt a bark of laughter rise in his throat. It was so unprecedented his whole body stilled. Laughter belonged in another life.

‘On the whole?’ He raised one questioning eyebrow.

She nodded. Then, as the silence lengthened, she added, ‘I was warned under no circumstances to approach you in the morning unless I came with excellent coffee.’

This time Alessio couldn’t hold back. His laughter echoed around the room, the sound like a ghost from the long distant past.

That recognition instantly dimmed his humour. He was amazed he could laugh today of all days, but he refused to let the thought take root. If he’d paid more attention to the world outside himself, he wouldn’t now be confronted with a temporary employee he wasn’t sure he wanted in his home.

‘Your lawyer was also reassuring.’

‘It didn’t occur to you that he was biased because I pay his fees? For that matter, Anna might not have been wholly truthful.’

The woman before him narrowed her eyes. ‘I believe she’s honest. Besides—’ she paused ‘—one of my hotel guests vouched for you.’

Alessio frowned. So much for the confidentiality clause she’d had to sign before arriving.

It was unexpected and disturbing when she continued as if she’d read his mind. ‘Don’t worry, I didn’t discuss the job or you. I mentioned that I was thinking of coming to work in this region, and Signor Lucchesi mentioned thecastelloand a major charity event you host here. He was full of praise for it and for you.’

She must be talking about the spring festival. It had been a tradition for generations, celebrating the fruitful seasons, and in more recent years, Alessio had hosted a grand ball, raising money for projects to improve the lives of people in the region. The sort of projects that often slipped through the cracks of government funding.

Anna had pestered him about reviving the celebrations this year, but he’d deferred giving a decision. It was easier to follow his policy of ignoring things he didn’t want, knowing people would eventually give up bothering him. After all, he personally funded many local initiatives. He didn’t need a festival to remind him of his obligations.

Yet you forgot about the arrival of your temporary housekeeper.

Not forgot so much as ignored it, not realising how much time had passed, thinking Anna’s departure was still in the future. Though long-suffering Anna had tried to shift his attention to domestic matters. He’d brought this situation on himself.

He met Charlotte Symonds’ wary blue gaze and admitted she deserved better than the gruff welcome she’d received. Anna would have been ashamed of him.

‘I’m afraid it hasn’t been the most auspicious start for you.’

She blinked, and shock crossed her features before she smoothed them into a placid mask.

---