Page 37 of The Maid Married To The Billionaire

The afternoon of that same day in the privacy of the bedroom set aside for her to dress in his grandparents’ home, Skye recalled that brief exchange and wondered what would happen if Enzo didn’t arrive in Italy on time, because he was cutting it fine. What if he jilted her at the altar? Her tummy gave a sick lurch. No, Enzo would never leave it to the very last moment, nor would he ever seek to humiliate her.

As the owner of the packaging business, Eduardo Martelli, Enzo’s grandfather, had been in constant touch with the authorities and Enzo. Skye was already aware that arson was suspected. The fire was out but a great deal of damage had been done and the professionals were currently trying to decide whether a total rebuild of the factory or a restoration and an extension to the building would work the best.

Alana, vibrant in an emerald-green bridesmaid dress, literally burst through the door. ‘Enzo’s arrived! He wanted to come up and see you but his grandmother won’t allow it because she says it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the church!’ she gabbled and then she stopped to stare at her older sister. ‘My goodness, Skye...you look magical in that gown.’

Enzo was finally, safely under the same roof. Much of Skye’s anxiety drained away and a smile stole the tension from her generous mouth. She studied her reflection in the wardrobe mirror. Her dress was made of lace that sparkled when the crystal beads caught the light. It had long tight sleeves, a fitted bodice, a sweetheart neckline and a narrow skirt. Chiara had complained that it was dull but Skye didn’t like frills or too much embellishment. There was only a very small removable train and her veil was short and attached to the beautiful pearl tiara that Sophie Martelli had insisted on loaning her. The beauty of the gown lay in the exquisite lace from which it was fashioned and its classic design.

As she descended the imposing staircase with Alana at her heels, she passed by a framed photograph of Enzo as a teenager, an Enzo who, by the wicked sparkle in his eyes, was often up to no good. Enzo had never been an angel, she reckoned, but he had a surprisingly serious side to his nature. He had been devastated by the fire at Mackies, particularly when everything had been going so well there and now business was at a standstill. He intended to stay longer in the UK to supervise the rebuild. Once he committed to something, he stayed committed.

He had grown up in an old, gracious family house where he had been very much loved. Yet somewhere along the line his faith in other people had sunk without trace, filling him with restlessness and distrust. Had that change been caused by that long ago relationship that had gone wrong for him at university? Or was it simply the influence of the Durante wealth that he had not been allowed to escape? Sophie, who had asked Skye to call her Nonna, had shown her photo albums. Enzo was the very image of his late father, whose life had stumbled from one disaster to the next, and his grandparents had done everything within their power to ensure that Enzo enjoyed a different outcome.

He had come toherrescue, Skye conceded as she climbed with care into the beribboned wedding car with her sister and Eduardo Martelli, who, in the absence of any male relative on her side, had offered to walk her down the aisle. Enzo had so many positives going for him. He had been marvellous with her and the children, in spite of the fact that he was not a domesticated male, eager to settle down with one woman.

Enzo desired her but what was that worth at the end of the day when there was nothing surer than the fact that eventually another woman would come along whom he desired even more? Their marriage had an agreed end date and she needed to keep that in mind. She had signed a prenup, packed with cold, hard financial facts. She knew the score. She shouldn’t be continually thinking about Enzo, missing him or worrying about him. She had got in too deep, far too deep, she scolded herself, her fingers tightening round her bouquet.

‘You’re nervous. I wasn’t expecting that,’ Alana confided as they entered the big church in the village.

At first glance Skye felt as though she were standing in a field of flowers because every surface seemed to be decorated with beautiful blooms and ribbons and the candles were lit, illuminating the man at the altar. Enzo wore a dove-grey morning suit and he stood there, tall and strong and incredibly masculine from his broad shoulders to his long, powerful legs. He didn’t look remotely nervous, he looked cool as ice and confident, possibly even a little impatient for the ceremony to begin, and she smiled because that complete innate assurance was so Enzo.

There was something incredibly appealing about Skye’s smile, Enzo reflected calmly. He could see how nervous she was and it tightened something in his chest. The small quick wedding he had envisaged had turned into a massive elaborate event to which everyone who was anyone was invited, both the elite of society and the business world. The church was packed and his bride had done him proud. She was the picture of elegance, her slender delicacy encased in lace that somehow sparkled, just as her personality did. His grandparents loved her and the children, had already mentioned how much natural class she had and how admirable was her devotion and loyalty to her siblings. She was a hell of a girl and, for the first time, he found himself acknowledging that it was a great shame that their marriage would be fake.

That very thought shook him inside out and he paled, hands clenching into fists. So, he had grown fond of her and the children, even the stupid dog, well, that was no crime and hardly surprising in the circumstances, he told himself. He strove to ignore Shona, sitting on his grandmother’s lap and stretching out hopeful arms to him while Brodie sulked on Isabel, the nanny’s knee, having already made a break for freedom several times and been thwarted. He knew they would be lucky to get through the ceremony without the toddler throwing a tantrum.

He had got attached to them all and when they split up, he would keep on visiting them. At least until Skye met someone else. His teeth gritted fiercely at that idea, but he knew that she was far too lovely to be left on any shelf as a single parent. She was beautiful, intelligent and unfailingly loyal and honest. She would be a major catch for any man, just not him.

As they knelt before the priest, Skye noticed that Enzo seemed to have become very tense and she linked her fingers with his and squeezed and he sent her a gleaming glance of amusement. The elderly priest talked while Enzo quietly translated the gist of the ceremony. Before she knew where she was, Enzo was sliding the ring onto her finger and snatching her close for a kiss.

‘Enzo!’ she scolded and saw his grandmother laughing.

And then her lips shifted beneath the soft firmness of his and she quivered, heat sparking at the heart of her and stirring an ache that reminded her of just how long it had been since they had made love. The chickenpox had been as effective as a vote of celibacy and had kept her firmly clamped to the children and by the time they had recovered, she had been exhausted and stressed out and Enzo had told her to catch up on her beauty sleep.

A blaze of cameras awaited them outside the church and it was a relief to escape into the limousine and be ferried off to the hotel where the reception would take place. ‘I didn’t realise there would be so many guests,’ she confided.

‘There will be many more joining us at the hotel. The church wasn’t big enough to take everyone. I suspect children I played with in kindergarten may even have been included. Nonna wanted everyone I ever knew to have the opportunity to attend.’

Skye blinked, wondering if his former love from university had been included and asking before she could think better of the question.

Enzo slung her a stunned appraisal. ‘Of course not! Why would she be invited?’

Skye ignored the anger flaring in his dark golden eyes. ‘So, you didn’t stay friends,’ she gathered.

‘Why are you so curious?’ he demanded impatiently.

Skye widened her eyes. ‘You tell me that you’ve only been in love once in your life and you expect menotto be curious?’

Enzo shrugged a broad shoulder. ‘I don’t discuss it.’

‘Even though you know every good, bad and ugly thing there is to know about me?’ Skye questioned, lilac eyes bright with challenge. ‘And what’s more,expectto know it?’

‘Even though,’ he confirmed, determined to close the topic.

Total silence fell.

‘I didn’t even get to tell you how gorgeous you look in that dress.’

‘And that compliment is not exactly falling on fertile ground now,’ Skye pointed out without apology.

They arrived at the hotel to be engulfed by a flood of guests. The introductions seemed to go on for ever. Skye’s mouth ached from smiling and she flexed fingers stiff from handshakes. The instant she was free from the line-up she went off to reunite with her smallest siblings. Shona sat in her arms saying, ‘Zozo? Want Zozo.’

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