Italian Marriage: In Name Only (5 page)

‘But what about my business?’ Victoria asked now. ‘I can’t just leave it for weeks on end!’

‘You can. I will make all of that possible.’ Antonio swept across the objection firmly. ‘You are coming to Italy with me—it’s non-negotiable.’

‘For how long?’

‘I told you, for a few weeks—a couple of months at the most.’

‘And then we get our divorce?’

‘Yes.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Now, let’s move on, shall we? I have a busy day ahead of me.’

Victoria stared at him helplessly. She was sure there were other questions she needed to ask him. But she couldn’t think straight. This was all moving far too quickly for her.

‘We’ll bring the team through here,’ he continued. ‘It would probably be better than out in the restaurant anyway. It’s more private here.’

‘The team…?’

‘The people who are going to project manage your restaurant for you.’

‘I can manage my own restaurant!’

‘You’re playing in a different league now, Victoria.’

His tone reminded her of someone who was indulging a belligerent child and as he spoke he went to the door and beckoned her receptionist. ‘Tell my colleagues that they can come through please.’

Victoria watched as ‘the team’ filtered in through her door. In the restaurant their smart businesslike appearance hadn’t looked out of place, but in her tiny studio with its basic decor and furnishings they looked like aliens visiting a new planet.

‘We’ll use the coffee table.’ Antonio directed them over towards the sofa and Victoria watched as the woman picked up Nathan’s favourite teddy and moved it away from the area as if it were contaminated matter.

Awkwardly Victoria reached to take it from her and the
woman smiled coolly. ‘Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage.’

‘Thanks.’ Victoria didn’t know what else to say. She was surprised that anyone even knew about the wedding because Antonio had impressed upon her the need for secrecy when she had left his office last week. She darted a glance nervously over at him.

‘It’s OK—everyone in this room can be trusted to keep our secret.’

Did that mean they all knew it was just a marriage of convenience? she wondered.

She placed Nathan’s teddy back in the box of toys by the doorway and then stood awkwardly, watching the people who were now spreading files and books out on her table. She didn’t want them here—she wanted her life back.

‘Allow me to introduce you,’ Antonio continued. ‘Claire is in charge of relocating you, and putting together the design and layout for your new restaurant. Harry is one of my top chefs and he is going to oversee the day-to-day running of the restaurant while you are away. And Tom of course you already know—he will be overseeing expenditure.’

As Victoria’s gaze lighted on the familiar accountant he gave her a rather dour nod of acknowledgement. He obviously wasn’t happy with this arrangement.

Well, that makes two of us, Victoria thought.

‘Look, I appreciate that you are all just following orders and trying to do your jobs.’ She spoke briskly to the group before they could put any more files out onto her table. ‘But ultimately I would like to be the one who is making the decisions about my own restaurant—’

Everyone stopped and looked over at Antonio.

He shook his head and motioned for them to continue, which they did immediately. ‘You are in control here, Victoria. The team are answerable to you and are only here to help you.’

Who was he kidding? Victoria thought. These people were
here to do his bidding. But she said nothing—what was the point when she was so helplessly outmanoeuvred?

‘I’ve selected a few premises for you to look at,’ Claire was saying as she opened up one of the files. ‘This one is situated on Darling Harbour…and this one is in the Rocks area…’

Victoria’s eyes widened as the woman slid the books across for her. The addresses were all in prime locations, and judging by the specifications on the first few pages they all looked to be freehold and, under ordinary circumstances, well out of her reach financially. Slowly she flicked through the glossy photographs.

‘As per my remit I’ve selected premises that come with self-contained apartments,’ Claire continued. ‘This one also has an outside dining area for guests, plus a small private garden and swimming pool.’ She turned over the pages to show Victoria the one she was referring to.

The place was stunning! ‘That will cost a fortune!’ she murmured.

Tom Roberts muttered something under his breath that Victoria couldn’t catch but sounded a bit like,
Too right.

‘If you want it, Victoria, you only have to say the word and it’s yours,’ Antonio said smoothly.

She glanced over and met his steady gaze. She really couldn’t weigh this situation up, couldn’t weigh him up. One moment he seemed the most hateful of people and the next the most generous.

‘So do you like the one with the garden and swimming pool?’ Claire asked.

‘Of course she likes it!’ Tom interjected irately.

‘Tom!’ Antonio’s voice was deathly quiet yet held a warning note that made the man turn a shade paler and clam up immediately.

‘I do like it…’ Victoria acknowledged cautiously as she glanced down and read over the details. ‘But of course I will have to go and look at it.’

‘That’s not a problem. I’ll organize viewings for you this afternoon,’ Claire said immediately.

‘Well, I’ll leave you to go over the details,’ Antonio said as he glanced at his watch. ‘I have a meeting with my architect.’

‘You’re leaving us?’ Victoria looked over at him in consternation. She didn’t know which was worse—having him here or being left on her own with these people!

‘Afraid I must.’ He smiled at her. ‘But the team will attend to everything you need. And Tom will organize a line of credit for you to make sure that you are not struggling and the restaurant runs smoothly through this transition period.’ Antonio glanced over at his accountant. ‘You’ll make sure Victoria has everything she needs, won’t you, Tom?’

‘Of course.’ The words seemed to stick in the man’s throat and Antonio smiled to himself. He hadn’t liked the way Tom had dealt with Victoria over these past few months so getting him to kowtow to her now was, in his opinion, a just punishment.

‘I’ll leave you all to your work.’ As Antonio headed purposefully towards the door Victoria followed.

‘So what’s the catch?’ she demanded, closing the door behind her so that the people inside couldn’t hear.

‘Catch?’ Antonio turned and looked at her with a frown.

‘Come on, Antonio, you are moving me to a wonderful location and better premises, and now you are organizing a line of credit for me here…. What’s the payback?’

‘You know the payback.’ He turned to face her and she suddenly wished she hadn’t closed the door, because the narrow confinements of the corridor meant she was too close to him.

Her heart bounced unsteadily in her chest as she thought about what he was asking her to do. ‘I’m to be your wife in a business arrangement…but…how much rent will you want for these new premises? How much interest will you want back on the loan you are offering?’ She forced herself to meet the darkness of his gaze. ‘People don’t organize lines of credit without wanting steep returns.’

‘I’ve already stated my terms Victoria. I don’t want anything else.’ He said the words quietly. ‘There will be no rent to pay and you can look on the money as a gift.’

‘A gift?’

‘Yes, a gift.’ For a second his eyes drifted over her, noticing the wary expression in her green catlike eyes. But then, she’d looked at him like that from the first moment he’d walked into her restaurant, he reminded himself, and that was before she’d even realized who he was…before he’d offered her this deal. She’d obviously been very hurt in the past. Probably had difficulty trusting men even under normal circumstances—
and these were anything but normal circumstances!

He wondered what her story was, and then frowned. He didn’t care what her story was. They were just passing ships. ‘Look, Victoria…’ He paused for a moment as he noticed how she had tried to step back from him in the small space. ‘You have nothing to be frightened about…OK? Just stick to your side of the bargain.’

The sudden gentleness of his tone took her aback. ‘I’m not frightened!’ She looked up at him defiantly. ‘I just need to know exactly what you are expecting of me.’

‘I’m not expecting anything. All you have to do is turn up, become my wife, have a few months in Italy and then we’ll call it a day.’

‘You make it sound so uncomplicated but—’

‘It will be uncomplicated, Victoria. Because that’s what I want,’ he cut across her firmly. ‘In fact, we’ll probably be able to get the marriage annulled at the end of our time together as it won’t be consummated.’

In other words, not consummating the marriage would be the easiest thing in the world for him. The knowledge should have filled her with nothing but relief, and yet as she looked at him there was a raw swirling painful feeling inside of her that she didn’t understand. She supposed it was hurt pride—
which was ridiculous! She knew she wasn’t his type and she didn’t want to be!

‘Well, that’s one good thing!’ She tipped her head up proudly. ‘You know, I don’t understand why you just haven’t asked one of your girlfriends or lovers to do this. Surely it would have been easier?’

‘I don’t think so.’ His eyes held steadily with hers. ‘I don’t want any messy emotional entanglement, Victoria—that’s the whole point. That’s why you are so perfect.’

Humiliated colour flared in her cheeks. Did he have to be quite so blunt? She got the picture! She knew she wasn’t nearly glamorous enough or beautiful enough for him. Knew he was a player and not remotely likely to fall for her.

She angled her chin up even higher. ‘So, I’m to play the chaste little wife in Italy whilst you carry on as normal with your girlfriends? Is that the plan?’

He frowned. ‘Believe it or not, I do have some respect for the institution of marriage, Victoria—and I believe in being honest. I wouldn’t hurt anyone like that!’

‘I wouldn’t be hurt! I wouldn’t care!’ She flung the words at him angrily, hurt pride sizzling inside her like a cauldron dangerously close to boiling over.

‘That’s as may be, but I still wouldn’t do it.’ His voice was curiously gentle. ‘And I will look after you. Believe it or not I am capable of exercising restraint in the absence of temptation.’ His lips twisted wryly.

She swallowed hard. He could break a woman’s heart without even realizing he was doing it, she thought suddenly.

‘I can look after myself—’

He placed a finger over her lips, silencing her. It was a nonchalant light-hearted touch, but it made her skin tingle with heated reaction. ‘I will take care of you. It will be OK,’ he said softly. ‘You have my word.’

For a second his eyes rested on the vulnerable curve of her lips, then his gaze moved to lock with hers and she felt
the sharp pull of some strange emotion twisting painfully inside of her.

He released her abruptly and her stomach flipped as if she were dizzy.

‘The terms of our marriage will all be put in writing for you,’ he continued smoothly. ‘And I’ll send the contracts for you to read in advance of signing.’

How could he touch her like that and then blend the subjects of marriage and fidelity so smoothly into a business context? she wondered hazily. She swallowed on a knot of emotion that for some reason seemed to have lodged in her throat.

What the hell was wrong with her? she wondered angrily. She should be telling him in no uncertain terms that she would be scouring his contract for any anomalies because she didn’t and
couldn’t
trust him! But the crazy thing was her voice seemed to have deserted her.

‘Oh, and one last thing,’ he added. ‘Don’t take any nonsense from Tom—he’s just the accountant. You’re calling the shots with your business now.’

Did he expect her to thank him? She felt anger and confusion vying for first place inside of her.

But obviously no reply was necessary because the next moment he was heading back into the restaurant, leaving her staring after him.

She could still feel her lips tingling and she put her hand over them, willing the reaction to stop.

How could such a light touch disturb her so deeply?

Taking a deep breath she turned back towards her apartment and reminded herself fiercely that Antonio Cavelli wasn’t her ally—he was her enemy. The only reason he was telling her he’d take care of her whilst generously bailing her out now was because it suited him.

She couldn’t afford to lose sight of that. She had to keep all her barriers up and be wary.

Because next week, no matter how much he tried to play it down, there would be payback. Next week he was the enemy she would be obliged to marry!

A
S
V
ICTORIA
was swept along in the chauffeur-driven limousine she tried not to think in too much depth about what she was doing.

Best to keep her mind a careful blank, she told herself firmly. Because the mantra that had been helping her to keep everything together over these past few days was wearing thin. The line she’d been spinning herself about being able to deal with this wedding in a businesslike, detached way was sounding more and more hollow.

She hadn’t seen Antonio since the day he’d brought his team around to her apartment. But little by little he had been taking her over, letting her know from behind the scenes that he was in control now.

And the whole thing terrified her.

In fact, last night when she had brought down her old suitcase from the back of the wardrobe to pack for Italy she had felt almost sick with apprehension. She’d found herself remembering all the promises she’d made to herself on the day she left her aunt’s house about being in control of her own destiny, about never allowing anyone—
man or woman
—to hurt her or use her again.

She’d been scared back then, but she’d been determined to build a future that was secure and happy for her child. And
when Nathan was born and placed into her arms that need to love him and protect him and provide for him had grown ever stronger inside of her. She’d wanted him to have all the security she’d never had. And she’d tried so hard, worked so hard.

Yet failed. Here she was adrift and at the mercy of a man who…terrified her.

Victoria closed her eyes and willed herself not to think about the effect that Antonio Cavelli had on her. This marriage was just a short-term business deal, a stepping stone that would help to provide her son with the life she wanted for him.

When she signed on the dotted line this morning, and became Mrs Antonio Cavelli, not only would her finances be back in the black they would be healthier than they ever had before. She would be the owner of a new stylish business in one of the best areas in town, with no exorbitant overheads—a business that came with massive living accommodation, and a garden and swimming pool for Nathan to play in.

There would be no more scrimping and making do; she would be able to give her son the best.

And whilst they were away in Italy everything was going to be managed as per her requirements and set up ready for her return.

They were estimating that the opening day for the new restaurant would be six weeks.

One of the few moments of joy she’d experienced this week was telling her staff that they were all keeping their jobs and even getting a pay rise.

And they deserved it, because they had all worked so hard for her, had become like a family to her over the past few years, helping her through the tough times, covering shifts for her when Nathan was ill, helping keep an eye on him on evenings when she’d had to work and he was tucked safely up in his little cot in the annex room off the kitchen.

She glanced down at the little boy on her knee and kissed the top of his silky dark hair.

How could this not be the right thing? The money that Antonio had placed in her account would mean things were going to get easier from now on, she told herself fiercely. There would be no more having to lift Nathan from his slumber at midnight to carry him through to his other cot in the apartment when she’d finished a shift.

He’d never complained, always gone easily back to sleep. Her heart squeezed a little as she looked down at him.

She’d bought him a new outfit for today and he looked adorable in the white shirt and navy-blue trousers, teamed with a navy-blue waistcoat.

She loved him so much—surely anything that made his life better was the right thing.

The limousine was slowing down now and she glanced out of the window. They were nearing the registry office.

She swallowed hard.
This was just a business deal…just a means to an end,
she repeated the words fiercely. But they weren’t helping. For some reason every time she pictured herself saying her wedding vows, pictured Antonio putting a ring on her finger, her heart seemed to dip somewhere down into her stomach and dissolve.

Get a grip, Victoria, she told herself angrily.

The limousine pulled to a halt at the curb and the chauffeur got out to open the car door for her. She was aware as she stepped into the sunshine that a few passers-by turned to look over at her—probably expecting a traditionally radiant, beautiful bride in a white dress, she thought. Well, they were out of luck today. There was nothing traditional about this wedding.

She hadn’t even bought herself anything new to wear.

Antonio’s comment about not caring how she looked had stopped her from even trying to make a special effort. Why should she care if he didn’t? And anyway, she didn’t feel comfortable spending his money on her clothes—had decided that the money he’d advanced would only be used for either the business or Nathan.

So she was just wearing a plain navy-blue suit and white blouse that she wore for work sometimes. And it was perfectly adequate, she reassured herself, because as he’d pointed out quite succinctly, this
was
just business.

Holding Nathan tightly in her arms she thanked the driver and then slowly made her way inside.

She passed a young couple, obviously just married and very much in love, a group of friends surrounding them waiting to throw confetti. Their joyful laughter seemed to echo down the hallway as she stepped past them.

She’d told no one about her wedding. Her friends and colleagues had drawn their own conclusions when she’d told them she was going away for a few weeks. Most of them thought she was just going with Nathan on a well-deserved holiday. Emma, her receptionist, had taken it one step further and assumed she had a man in her life!

‘About time you indulged in a bit of romance and happiness,’ she’d said solemnly when Victoria had taken her leave of the restaurant earlier. ‘You spend far too much time working. Go and enjoy…make mad passionate love to this guy, whoever he is…’

The memory swirled uncomfortably now with the laughter from outside.

She didn’t know what on earth had put such an idea in Emma’s head. But the more she’d tried to deny it the more convinced Emma had become. She wondered what she would have said if Victoria had told her the truth, that she was being forced into a marriage of convenience with Antonio Cavelli—now she definitely wouldn’t believe that!

As she rounded a corner she saw Antonio standing at the far end of the hallway talking to a group of people.

She could hardly believe it herself, she thought nervously.

He didn’t notice her immediately and as she walked closer she was able to drink in every detail about him—the immaculate dark business suit that sat so well on his broad
shoulders, the pristine white shirt that emphasized his smouldering good looks.

He turned suddenly and as their eyes met she felt her heart starting to slam against her chest like a sledgehammer.

No, Emma would never believe that this handsome Italian was demanding to marry her, because he was completely out of her league. He could have had any woman he set his gaze on. She knew that—was achingly aware that other women were looking in his direction now, and no doubt would do a double take when they saw the plain woman he was marrying.

Not that she cared. She raised her chin defiantly as his dark eyes raked ruthlessly over her appearance. But part of her wanted to turn and run, get out of here while the going was still good. It took all of her courage just to keep putting one foot in front of the other to reach his side.

He smiled. ‘Ah, Victoria, perfect timing.’ The brisk businesslike tone helped to bring her back to some semblance of sanity—reminded her that her looks were of no concern to him and it really didn’t matter that he was out of her league. That basically he regarded her as little more than one of his employees. ‘We have some paperwork to complete before we go any further.’

She allowed herself to be guided towards a small side room that contained nothing more than a few chairs and a desk. And then she listened as Antonio introduced her to the two men with him as lawyers; one apparently had been hired especially to represent her and had read through the contracts on her behalf. The other was the Italian solicitor who had drawn them up.

Antonio’s gaze drifted over her as she shook hands with the men. Her suit was businesslike but shapeless; for a young woman she was particularly unadventurous when it came to selecting her wardrobe. It was as if she went out of her way to avoid anything that would be in the slightest bit revealing. Still, he wasn’t marrying her for her looks or her style, he reminded himself tersely as he pulled out a chair for her. ‘Did
you read the copy of the prenuptial that I sent over by courier last night?’

She nodded dumbly. She’d forced herself to read the papers in minute detail before going to bed, just in case there was anything in them of any detriment. It had made for sobering reading the night before a wedding, but basically, as far as she could tell, it just set out the terms he had already offered her and stated that she wasn’t entitled to anything else in the future.

‘And are you happy with everything?’ Antonio continued crisply.

The question made Victoria pause for thought. There were a few heartbeats of silence in the room as she looked up at him.

‘Well…I don’t expect—or want—anything more from you, if that’s what you mean,’ she answered huskily.

The honesty and vulnerability of her reply made Antonio’s dark eyes narrow on her.

One of the lawyers spoke to him in Italian and he pulled his gaze away from her and looked at his watch. Roberto was right—they needed to get a move on; the company jet would be fired up and ready to go in half an hour.

She was getting a good deal—there was nothing more to say, nothing for her really to complain about, he reminded himself briskly. He’d been more than generous with his terms. ‘Right, we’ll get this signed and then we can move on with the business of the day.’

Someone found a pen for her, and then the papers were placed before her.

Victoria hoped her hands wouldn’t shake when she started to sign her name. She felt strangely breathless.

Antonio watched as she tried to settle the little boy on her knee whilst pulling the papers closer.

‘Here, let me take the child.’ To her dismay he moved closer. ‘You can’t sign properly like that.’

‘No…really, I—’

But Antonio paid her no attention, simply bent and lifted
Nathan easily from her knee. She could smell the delicious aroma of his aftershave, and as his hand brushed accidentally against her body she imagined she could feel his touch burning through the thin cotton material of her jacket.

She glanced at the documents in front of her, her senses in a kind of freefall of chaos.

‘That’s better.’ He held the child casually at his side.

It wasn’t better as far as Victoria was concerned. She wanted her son back in her arms, wanted the reassurance and comfort of his little body close to hers. She hoped he would protest, but to her vexation he seemed quite happy.

She took another fleeting look in their direction; in fact, they presented a relaxed portrait that was very much at odds with the reality of the situation. And it suddenly struck her that because Nathan’s hair was so dark they could probably pass for father and son. The thought stirred up the strangest of feelings inside of her—feelings that she couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

What the hell was wrong with her? she wondered in agitation as she turned her attention back to the papers. Nathan didn’t need a father; they were perfectly happy as they were. And even if he did she wouldn’t choose someone like Antonio. He was a ruthless businessman, not father material. And anyway, in a few weeks time he would just be a distant memory.

‘So where do you want me to sign?’ she asked quietly.

One of the lawyers came across and, turning some of the pages, he placed an
X
in the relevant spaces.

Quickly she scrawled her name and stood just as the receptionist came in to tell them that the registrar was ready any time they were.

Victoria could feel the knot of apprehension inside her tightening.

This was it—once she walked through into the next room she would be giving herself to Antonio Cavelli.

But only for a few weeks, she reminded herself fiercely, and not in any kind of real or meaningful way.

He smiled at her and said something in Italian. The words sounded deliciously romantic and sexy, but of course she knew in reality they would mean something very different, something very practical or even dismissive. Probably something like,
Let’s get this over with.

She swallowed hard. ‘I’ll take Nathan now.’ She reached out for her son, but instead of handing him over Antonio gave him to his lawyer to hold.

‘You can have him back in ten minutes when we’ve exchanged rings and signed the registry.’

‘But—’

‘Don’t look so worried—Roberto is coming inside with us to witness the ceremony.’

‘Oh…OK…’ She smiled at the child as he held out his arms, wanting to go to her now. ‘In a moment, darling…be a good little boy.’

Antonio noticed the tenderness in her voice, the way she reached out and stroked a hand over the child’s face.

‘Whenever you are ready, Mr Cavelli?’ The receptionist was holding the door for them.

‘Yes…’ Distractedly Antonio glanced back at her. ‘Yes…let’s get this done. We have a flight to catch.’