Page 55 of Bought For The Marriage Bed

Marc looked down at her troubled expression as she gazed out over the vista of ancient ruins. It was hard at times like this to imagine her as anything other than a thoughtful caring young woman with a soft heart for those who suffered. Where was the selfish little whore now? he wondered.

During the first few evenings Vito Marcello ate alone in his suite, sending word down, usually at the last minute, that he did not wish to join them, but on the fourth evening when Nina came downstairs a short time after Marc she found both Marc and his father waiting for her in the dining room.

At first the meal was a somewhat stilted affair but it became apparent to Nina that Vito Marcello was doing his best to make up for his rudeness on the first evening she’d arrived at the villa. He also seemed to be making an effort not to drink to excess.

‘Georgia is a beautiful child,’ he said at one point. ‘I have enjoyed my time with her each morning. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of getting to know her.’

‘I’m glad you have enjoyed her, Signore Marcello,’ Nina said softly. ‘She is very special.’

He gave her a lengthy look and added, ‘Lucia has told me what a good mother you are. And, since my son has informed me you speak our language, I must beg your forgiveness for speaking of you so insultingly the other night.’

‘It doesn’t matter. I’ve forgotten all about it.’

He cleared his throat and continued. ‘I must also apologise for the letter I sent you. Some of the things I said were…unforgivable. I am surprised you still agreed to marry Marc when you had such a weapon to use against us.’

Nina sat very still. Nadia had briefly mentioned a letter from Andre’s father but she hadn’t shown her the contents. Was Vito right? Had there been a way out of marrying Marc that her sister had deliberately kept hidden from her?

She felt Marc’s suddenly intent gaze and turned back to his father. ‘We all do and say things on the spur of the moment.’

‘You are very gracious,’ Vito said. ‘I had not thought you capable of it. I am afraid Andre did not paint a pretty picture of your personality.’

Nina found it almost impossible to hold the older man’s gaze. Lying to an old man, a dying one at that, seemed to her to be morally reprehensible no matter how altruistic the motivation behind it. She looked down at her plate, wondering how on earth she was going to get through the rest of the meal, when there was a knock at the door and one of the staff members came in at Vito’s command and politely informed Nina that there was a telephone call for her.

She felt the full weight of Marc’s gaze as she rose from the table, her legs threatening to give way beneath her as she made her way to the nearest telephone extension in the library down the hall. She closed the door behind her and, taking a deep breath, picked up the phone and held it to her ear. ‘Hello?’

‘Nina, it’s me, your alter ego,’ Nadia said with a giggle.

Nina’s hand tightened on the receiver. ‘How did you get this number? I told you not to call me! It’s dangerous.’

‘Surely I can call my own sister,’ Nadia said sulkily. ‘My married-to-a-billionaire sister,’ she added with a suggestive drawl.

‘You planned this, didn’t you? You purposely didn’t show me that letter.’ Nina asked. ‘You let me think I had no choice but to do as Marc and his father said, not telling me I had an escape route all the time.’

Nadia gave an amused chuckle. ‘You fell for it so easily. Now who is the smarter twin? You think you’re so clever with your university degree and gift with languages but you couldn’t even get out of the Marcellos’ plan for revenge.’

‘What do you want?’ Nina snapped. ‘I’ve transferred the money into your account. Don’t tell me you’ve already spent it.’

‘I have, actually,’ Nadia replied. ‘That’s why I’m calling you. I want more.’

‘More?’ Nina choked on the word.

‘You heard me, Nina. I want regular instalments, starting tomorrow.’

‘But I don’t have—’

‘Ask your husband to up your allowance.’ Nadia cut her off. ‘I want you to give me the bulk of it. That’s only fair, don’t you think? You have my baby so I should have your allowance.’

‘I can’t believe I’m hearing this. What’s happened to Bryce Falkirk and your big film career?’

‘Like most of the men I’ve been involved with, he’s shown his true colours and left me high and dry,’ Nadia said. ‘That is why I’m relying on you to turn my life around.’

‘Surely that is up to you?’

‘One phone call, Nina,’ Nadia reminded her coldly. ‘That’s all it will take. Or maybe I will pay your husband a visit. That would be even more effective, wouldn’t you agree?’

‘You wouldn’t dare,’ Nina said through gritted teeth.

‘Oh, wouldn’t I?’ Nadia goaded.

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