Page 24 of The Italian's Marriage Bargain

‘So I’ve got it all wrong?’ Felicity retorted with a sarcastic sneer. ‘Or perhaps I’ve got it all right. I just didn’t “look the other way” quickly enough.’

An elderly couple was bearing down on them now, the man pulling open the boot, the woman shivering expectantly in the snow like a dog greeting its master after a long separation.

‘I suppose this is the infamous Rosa?’

‘She will be looking forward to meeting you.’

‘I must remember that when she calls me Anna,’ Felicity snapped. ‘And I expect you want me to switch into dewy-eyed newlywed mode now—after all, it wouldn’t do to disappoint the staff.’

Luca let out a low hiss. Wrenching open the car door, he walked around the front, forcing a greeting to the elderly couple who rushed over to greet them, his breath white in the cold mountain air. Felicity sat shivering, the icy cold air blasting in through the open door preferable to the cold black stare that greeted her as Luca wrenched her own car door open.

‘Come on, darling.’ His voice was like a caress, but Felicity was privy to the blind fury in his eyes. ‘I can’t wait to get you inside.’ In one lithe movement, ignoring her indignant wail of protest, he scooped her into his arms, angrily kicking the door closed with one very well-shod foot and fixing his bride with a menacing smile as he bundled her against him. He carried her up the steps with barely a breath, and through the front door for her first glimpse of her marital home, barely in focus as Luca marched purposefully through the hallway and the line of staff looked on with wide smiles.

‘Put me down, Luca.’ Her voice was soft, her forced smile staying in place but her eyes letting it be known she meant business.

‘When I am ready. As you said, we must not disappoint the staff.’

‘Luca—’ Still her voice was calm, but her anger was starting to mount; she utterly refused to be intimidated by him. ‘If you don’t put me down this instant I’ll blow this little charade out of the water.’ She knew she wasn’t going to win, knew the arms wrapped tightly around her would only let her go when he was good and ready, and she also knew that the delicious wide mouth would silence her in a second if she registered her protest.

Well, two could play at that game!

Boldly she pressed her mouth against his, registering his gasp of surprise as her tongue edged his lips apart. As their mouths entwined his grip tightened, his breath coming faster at her audacious response, his eyes closing involuntarily as he soaked in her delicious scent, but opening abruptly when Felicity pulled away.

‘Now will you put me down?’

For once he did as requested, but as he gently lowered her she almost wished he hadn’t, secretly missing the strength he had imbued her with as she faced the suspicious, curious looks of the gathered entourage, and beating back a beastly blush as Luca introduced her in rapid Italian.

‘This is Rosa and Marco.’ He guided her forward, and even as she put out her hand to shake Rosa’s she instantly regretted her rather formal greeting.

‘You’re supposed to kiss her on the cheeks,’ Luca said in a low voice, but his warning came too late, and as the elderly woman’s hand reluctantly shook Felicity’s she realised there and then that she had already lost a few Brownie points, that the rather proprietary Rosa wasn’t the sweet old lady Luca had so happily described.

‘Come.’ With something akin to a sniff she led them through to what Felicity assumed was the lounge, though the high walls and dark leather furniture, the cool marble of the floor and the ornate antiques that lined the massive occasional tables were a million miles from the soft, welcoming lounge of her parents.

Through heavily lidded eyes he watched her, something akin to a smile softening his features as she hesitantly worked the room.

The kitten was gone. Instead she reminded him of a cat now, Luca thought. Some gracious elegant feline, with suspicious, mistrusting eyes, a proud aloofness belying her fear, choosing her seat with the utmost caution, ready to pounce, to up and leave at the slightest provocation.

‘Here.’ As Rosa pressed a glass into her hands Felicity eyed the pale lemon drink with caution.

‘Limoncello.’Luca smiled. ‘It’s sweet and warm—just the thing for a cold night.’

Taking a grateful sip, Felicity nearly spat out the revolting mixture, screwing up her face and swallowing the strong sweet liquor as if she were forcing down medicine—to Rosa’s obvious annoyance.

‘You no like?’ she asked accusingly, and Felicity shrugged helplessly.

‘I’m sure it’s lovely, but I would think it’s an acquired taste.’

‘A simple yes or no would have done.’ Luca laughed as Rosa took the drink, returning almost immediately with a glass of water which Felicity accepted gratefully.

‘I am sorry.’ Rosa shrugged, but the smile of acceptance died on Felicity’s lips as the elderly woman continued. ‘It is just that Signorina Anna always likes a glass oflimoncellobefore she goes to bed.’

‘Ignore her.’ Luca laughed again as Rosa left the room. ‘She hates change, but she’ll soon come around. Anna let her get away with murder, which is why she misses her so much.’

‘What sort of murder?’ Felicity asked, curious despite herself, her ears still ringing from Rosa’s spiteful words.

‘Rosa likes thelimoncellotoo. When Anna was around no one really noticed the ever-decreasing bottles. I think she misses her ally.’

‘And you don’t mind?’ Felicity asked, smiling now despite herself. ‘Most people would hate their staff helping themselves to the drinks.’

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