Page 39 of 2 Books in One Bundle

But the power, it notionally remained.

It had never been used for anything good. And it hadn’t saved her. The family name and preserving it was everything to the Bainbridges. Anything that might risk it was discarded, even people. Children, like her and Matty.

‘Sometimes I think you can know too much.’

‘I knew so little,’ Matteo said. ‘Apart from being dropped off at a hospital with a slip of paper pinned to my clothes, naming me Matteo. I suppose it was a kindness my adoptive parents kept my name. Or perhaps it meant they never really saw me as their family in the first place.’

‘I’m sorry,’ she said. They’d left the town centre now, moving towards the lake. ‘But I think family’s more than what you were born into. Anyhow, you can make your own.’

‘I don’t want a family. From past experience, they’re vastly overrated. I prefer being on my own.’

She laughed, acknowledging the truth of that statement. ‘Yeah. They are, aren’t they?’

They began laughing together.

‘We shouldn’t, you know,’ she said, through giggles. Wiping tears from her cheeks. ‘It’s not really something to laugh about.’

‘Better that than cry, Lulu.’

He’d used her nickname. A warmth settled over her as she wiped the tears of mirth away, bittersweet though they were because they were born of a shared pain. Anunderstandingsettling between them.

‘What if I’m crying from laughing?’ she asked, and they both laughed some more.

When had life ever been so much fun? She’d enjoyed the days tourists came to Easton Hall. Dressing up like one of the past women of the house. Showing people round. Answering questions. But she could never remember a time where her life seemed suffused with simple happiness like this.

They began to walk down a slope. Her shoes slipped a little. Matteo steadied her. ‘Take my hand. I don’t want you to fall.’

She slid hers into his and Matteo simplyengulfedher. His strength, his solidity. A breeze caught them as they strolled hand in hand along the roadway back to his villa. The air sweet with the drifting scent of citrus blossom. She looked up as they left the lights of the town, a few stars winking in the sky. The moon, bright and bold. Lighting their way.

It was perfect.

It’s not a date.

Though what did it matter if she pretended, just for a little while? She’d never go on a real date, and imagining didn’t hurt anybody. As always, her imagination had been the safest place for her to reside.

‘On a moonlit night you get a beautiful view of the lake from a balcony upstairs. When we get back home, would you like to see it?’

He’d used the word home again. It struck her that it was the first time he’d said it in a way that didn’t seem pejorative.

‘I’d love to.’

The large iron gates of the villa loomed in the distance. They made their way to the house then he led her upstairs to a private balcony she’d not visited before. The lake lay ahead of them, an inky mark on the landscape. Along its edge, towns and little villages glittered. Lights weaving up the hillsides like threads of silver and gold stitched into the landscape. The moon rose high in the sky, painting a silver stripe on the rippling surface of the water.

She stood there, her hands on the balustrade. Giddy with it all.

‘This is so beautiful.’

A breeze picked up; swirling round them. She clutched at her wrap and shivered. Not from the cold as such, but from...she didn’t know. It overwhelmed her. The dinner, this. So perfect. So romantic.

The emotion of it all. The need pulsing through her with every heartbeat.

When had someone cared for her like this? As if she was a woman, and not something fragile and breakable. Broken.

‘You cold?’ Matteo asked, shrugging off his jacket. Draping it gently round her shoulders. ‘Here.’

The residual warmth in the clothing left from his body seeped into her. The scent of him, rich spice, enveloping her. Going to her head. Matteo drew her close, then. Gently, almost reverently. Wrapped his arms loosely round her. She didn’t know what to do with any of it, but the way he felt... Strong, solid. Louisa relaxed into his arms. Placed her head on his chest. Closed her eyes. Allowed herself to imagine that this meant more. That it could go further.

Allowed herself to simplywant.