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CHAPTER TWO

A FEW HOURS LATER , after lunch had been served on the terrace and Cassian Corti was in his office with his solicitor, Lili carefully juggled a tray of coffee and knocked lightly on the door.

Her boss sounded irritated when he called, ‘Yes, come in.’

Lili pushed the door open with her foot and went in avoiding looking directly at the men, one in particular, her boss, who had changed into faded jeans and a shirt. She did however, manage to notice that he’d rolled his sleeves up. He was standing by the window that looked out over the gardens rolling down to the lake. This was one of Lili’s favourite rooms, the library/office.

The solicitor, an older man, was sitting in a chair and stood up politely when Lili came in. Corti said, ‘Just put the coffee down anywhere, grazie, Miss Spirenze.’

She smiled at the solicitor who sat back down and busied herself tranferring the pot and cups from the tray to the table, along with the freshly basked biscotti.

They seemed happy to resume their conversation with her still in the room. Corti said, ‘I just don’t know if I want to sacrifice my freedom for the sake of the villa, it’s no secret that I have an ambiguous relationship with it.’

‘Of course, and no one is denying how much this place must remind you of what happened… ’

Lili ascertained they were referring to the tragic crash that had killed Corti’s entire family. It had happened somewhere not far from here. She couldn’t even imagine what a loss like that would do to someone.

Corti made a non-committal sound, and the solicitor went on. ‘But you can’t ignore the fact that Cortis have owned this villa for generations. The last thing locals want is for some celebrity to move in, or a hotel chain to snap it up and carve it into pieces.’

Lili took the tray and moved silently to the door, pulling it behind her again. She noticed one of her laces was undone on her sneaker and rested the tray against the wall before bending down to retie it.

The solicitor was speaking again and it was audible through the door. ‘Cassian, you’ve always known about this rule of inheritance—if you’re not married with an heir by the time you turn thirty-three in a year’s time, you forfeit the right to keep the villa and it must be sold.’ He went on, ‘All you need to maintain ownership of your inheritance, is a wife who is willing to give you an heir. She could reside here and never set foot outside the gate if she so wished.’

Corti snorted incredulously. ‘As if such a woman exists. Who on earth would want to hide away here forever?’

Everything inside Lili went very still. He’d literally just spoken her fantasy out loud. Living a quiet life here, feeling protected and at peace.

Now the solicitor snorted. ‘Haven’t you got a Rolodex of women lining up to bear a Corti heir? What about that blonde from last night?’

‘She wouldn’t last ten minutes in this villa without complaining about having nothing to do, and I can’t think of any woman who would willingly destroy their figure to bear my child. A child I do not want, by the way, nor a marriage. I lost my family once, I won’t ever take that risk again. I’m a racing car driver, I couldn’t be less suitable to be a father.’

‘Cassian, what happened was an awful tragedy but you can’t let that stop you from having a family of your own. Don’t turn your back on a legacy that is hundreds of years old. You won’t always be racing.’

‘I have a duty, is that what you’re telling me, Giorgio?’ He sounded bitter.

‘In a word, yes. A duty to at least try.’

Lili couldn’t move. It was as if she was frozen into that position, on her haunches, fingers on her lace. She was in shock. Stunned by what they were discussing and also shocked by Corti’s palpable grief. Not to mention cynicism. I can’t think of any woman who would willingly destroy their figure to bear my child… I have a duty, is that what you’re telling me?

Lili stood up, reeling. Her hand automatically went to her belly. She had always wanted a child. Above almost anything else. A child of her own that she could lavish with all of the love and attention she’d never received from her parents. Because the fundamental flaw in their ability to bond with her had been because they’d adopted her.

They’d tried to have children for years before eventually adopting and from what Lili had gathered over the years, her mother had just never bonded with her, not helped by the fact that Lili hadn’t been the delicate, petite girly girl she’d wanted for a daughter.

And then, a couple of years after adopting Lili, they’d got pregnant through IVF, and had twin boys. Lili’s brothers. Almost overnight, all attention and any scant care she’d received had been deflected to their biological children and Lili had been more and more neglected.

Her biological parents hadn’t loved her enough to keep her and her adopted parents hadn’t loved her enough either. A double rejection that had clung to her like a bruise her whole life.

Through those horrific days of the kidnapping, she’d fantasised about living in some idyllic place, with a child. Just the two of them, protected from the evils of the outside world. She would ensure no harm came to her child. She would protect them with every fibre of her being, showing them that she loved them. If they were ever in danger she wouldn’t hesitate to lay down her life for them.

She was well aware that a psychoanalyst would probably tell her that the child she wanted was herself and that she was just trying to heal that part of herself that had never got over the sheer cruelty of her parents’ negligence.

But, her deepest unconscious motivations aside, she had always felt the need to be a mother. To nurture someone outside of herself. To care for a life. To give and receive unconditional love.

The solicitor spoke again and this time he sounded like he was admitting defeat. ‘Are you really going to walk away from the legacy your ancestors and parents nurtured for you?’

Corti’s voice was cold. ‘That was an archaic rule set down in a time when the world worked very differently.’

‘And yet no Corti has failed to secure the next generation’s inheritance, until now.’

‘That’s a low blow.’

‘It’s the truth.’

Lili picked up the tray and left, walking blindly back down to the kitchen. Her head was buzzing with all she’d heard.

She could empathise with some of what Corti had said. As much as she wanted a child, she also had no desire to marry. The thought of being intimate with someone—emotionally or physically, made her break out in a cold sweat.

She’d learnt very young from her competitive siblings and cold parents that any show of emotion could be used to exploit vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

The ultimate example of how toxic it had been was when her own parents hadn’t wanted to hand over the ransom the kidnappers were demanding for her release. They’d said afterwards to Lili that if they’d gone public and paid the ransom, it would put the boys in danger, not to mention take the risk of further kidnap attempts. But the truth was that they hadn’t cared enough, and they’d been too mean.

Lili had been humiliated by her own parents. When she’d managed to escape the kidnappers and the police had brought her home, her parents had barely looked up from their dinner party. She would never forget the pitying look from the female police officer who had left her there like an unwanted returned puppy.

In that moment Lili had vowed that as soon as she was of age, she would walk away. She had, two years later, and sometimes she wondered if they’d even noticed.

Lili pushed painful thoughts of her family aside. She wondered now if she had just dreamed up that conversation between Corti and his solicitor? Because living here and being handed a licence to have a baby all of her own was almost too good to be true. She loved this place. She would happily nurture it for the next generation to fulfil the dictates of his inheritance. Cassian Corti wouldn’t even have to be involved. After all, she knew how easy it was for some parents to turn their back on their children and he’d stated explicitly that he didn’t want children.

She could also tell that he’d been torn about the decision. Obviously, if he’d been happy here with his family, this place must hold painful memories, but it was probably those very memories that were holding him back from fully letting go.

Lili’s gut churned with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Did she really have the nerve to go to him and suggest…herself? As a candidate to be his wife, the mother of his heir? They were complete strangers. You saw him naked . A flash of heat went through her. Not all of him. She felt a wildness thrum inside her at that prospect, and then the reality of what that would mean hit her. Being naked. Together. Her excitement drained away.

What was she thinking? She couldn’t do this. It was nuts. She hadn’t come into contact—willingly—with another human being in years. You don’t have to sleep with someone to get pregnant.

She shook her head at herself. She was losing it. She pushed all such rogue notions out of her head and got on with her chores and told herself that no matter what happened—even if Corti ended up having to sell the villa because he wasn’t willing to marry or have an heir to guarantee inheritance, then she would move on elsewhere.

She’d grown so much stronger in the past eight years since her kidnapping and then since she’d walked away from her family and any inheritance she might have been due. She didn’t need anyone. But, even as she went about the rest of her day and caught glimpses of Corti walking around the villa’s gardens talking to Matteo as dusk drew in, the tantalising vision of what she could have if she was brave enough to suggest it wouldn’t leave her head, or his words: As if such a woman exists. Who on earth would want to hide away here forever?

* * *

Cassian sat in the shadows outside, a bulbous wine glass resting in his palm, the dregs of the red wine he’d been drinking with his dinner at the bottom of the glass. A bold Barolo, his favourite. From his own cellar.

Dusk had given way to night and the stars were out. The evening air was like velvet. He could hear the faint lapping of the water down below.

As much as being here caused him pain, he also couldn’t deny the deep level of peace he always felt. Two contrasting states that battled inside him, making his insides feel jagged and tight.

Was he really going to give this place up? Because of an ancient clause demanding that he marry and have a child, or forfeit the villa—a jewel in the Corti crown, primarily because its very existence was a testament to the enduring legacy of the Corti family, passed down from heir to heir.

But, that enduring legacy had died for Cassian the day his family had died.

Did he really care if the community cribbed behind his back that he’d sold out on his ancestors? On his parents and little brother? And the little sister in his mother’s belly? That detail had never made it into the public domain.

His mother had told them the day of the accident that she was pregnant and that they’d have a little sister by the end of the year. Cassian and his brother had made ugh sounds at the prospect of a girl but he had been secretly delighted and so excited at the thought of being a big protective brother.

And then within a mere second, it had seemed, he’d been orphaned and his care taken over by a series of guardians, schools and nannies, approved by the board of trustees. They’d believed that sending him to a boarding school in the UK would be the best distraction for him. Cassian still had nightmares about those first rain-sodden months in a grim school in the middle of nowhere miles away from his beloved Italy and utterly grief-struck.

At that moment a soft sound nearby made him tense. He was about to call out when he saw the shape of someone in a short toweling robe walk towards the pool, not far from where he sat in the shadows, nursing his wine.

He squinted. It was female. He could tell by the small waist, flare of hips. Long legs. Slim. Pale in the moonlight. Long dark hair rippling down her back.

His housekeeper. Lucy…? No. Lili. But she’d been shapeless under those voluminous clothes earlier. A long dress and cardigan. And yet, her eyes, those distinctive blue eyes popped into his head.

She stopped on the edge of the pool and was perfectly illuminated in a shaft of moonlight. Cassian wasn’t sure why he didn’t call out, or make his presence known but for the first time since he’d arrived his mind was blessedly diverted. He felt a need. To see her.

As if answering his silent thought she unbelted the robe and let it drop to the ground. She was wearing a plain white one-piece. Cassian stopped breathing for a second. Far from shapeless, he’d never seen anyone shapelier. The curve of her waist and hips and the toned length of her thighs ignited a spark in his blood. Her bottom was like an upside-down heart, perfectly plump. The spark ignited into a fire.

As he watched, she lifted her arms over her head, and executed a graceful dive into the deep end of the pool, barely making a splash.

* * *

Lili swam length after length until her limbs were aching. Eventually, she flipped over on her back and let herself float. This was her favourite time to swim, at night. When everything was still and the warmth of the day lingered.

A throat being cleared somewhere near the pool made her almost flip over again and she swallowed some water, coughing and spluttering. A deep voice said, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I wasn’t sure if you were training to swim the lake from end to end, you were doing so many lengths.’

Her boss. Cassian Corti. Standing at the side of the pool. He was still dressed in those worn jeans that molded far too lovingly to his thighs. And the shirt. A few more buttons open now. Hair messy. She couldn’t make out the expression on his face in the dark.

She tread water. ‘I’m sorry, I probably should have checked this was okay, I’ve got used to having the pool at my disposal.’

He gestured with a hand. ‘Of course, it’s fine. You’re free to use the amenities.’

Lili’s heart was beating fast and it had nothing to do with the exertion. She swam to the shallow end but, suddenly aware of her undress, she didn’t stand up fully. Hoping her boss would take the hint she said, ‘I’ll leave you to your peace.’ She could see her robe on the ground and hoped he would just walk away but he walked over to her robe and picked it up, holding it out for her.

Lili froze all over at the thought of appearing in front of him in just a swimsuit. But then she remembered pictures she’d seen of Corti on yachts with far more scantily clad women and told herself she was behaving like a shy nun.

She took a breath and stood up and walked up the steps with as much dignity as she could muster, practically snatching the robe out of his hand, careful not to come into contact. She avoided his eye and moved back and pulled the robe on haphazardly, belting it tightly. Wishing it was longer. It felt positively indecent. And why did her breasts suddenly feel so large and heavy? Her skin hot all over when it should be feeling cool.

‘Do you normally swim late at night?’ he asked.

Lili shrugged. ‘Sometimes. I’m a night owl.’

‘Me too.’

Lili stepped to the side. ‘I’m sorry for disturbing you.’ She went to walk away, back to the sanctuary of the villa but then remembered her responsibilities. She stopped and looked at him. She could see his face now in the moonlight and almost lost her breath at the sheer masculine beauty. His eyes gleamed like pewter.

‘I should have checked with you earlier but you were on the phone after dinner…will you be leaving as planned tomorrow?’

‘I’m not sure. I have some things to think about, I might be here for a couple more days.’

Some things to think about. Like finding the woman who didn’t exist who would be willing to marry him and have his baby and live here in blissful peace and solitude.

Something about the time of the evening and the fact that darkness enveloped them like a cloak, made Lili feel a sudden sense of daring. It was now or never. She’d never have the nerve to do this in full daylight.

As if being prompted by a rogue devil inside of herself, she blurted out, ‘I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation with your solicitor earlier. I didn’t mean to but I had to tie my lace outside the study and you were…talking quite loudly.’

Corti’s mouth tipped up on one side and that tiny sign of humour added about another ten hundred percent to his appeal. For a second Lili felt dizzy.

He said, ‘I would have expected that to be a privilege in the privacy of my own home. What was it you heard exactly?’ He folded his arms now but that only drew attention to the corded muscles of his forearms.

Lili swallowed. ‘About how you have to marry and have an heir if you want to keep this villa.’

‘And this is interesting enough for you to bring it up…why?’

The night breeze skated over Lili’s bare skin making it prickle into goose bumps. She was very aware that she was wearing just a swimsuit and a tiny towelling robe, her wet hair streaming down her back. The sense of daring fizzled away, she was being ridiculous.

She shook her head. ‘It was nothing, I shouldn’t have mentioned it.’

‘But you did.’

There was a charge between them now. Something that felt almost tangible. ‘Yes, I did,’ Lili had to admit. But she felt too vulnerable half-dressed. ‘Would you mind if I changed into my clothes?’

Corti uncrossed his arms. ‘Only if you come back and explain why my conversation earlier was of interest to you.’

Hoist by her own petard. Lili said a little desperately, ‘But I’m keeping you up? If you’d prefer to go to bed—’

‘I can wait.’

Lili cursed her big mouth. But it was too late to go back now. ‘Okay, it’ll only take me a few minutes.’

She went back inside and speed-washed and changed into a dress and long loose sweater. She loosely plaited her damp hair and left it hanging over one shoulder. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror before she left her room.

She looked about as shapeless and colourless as a blob. She scowled at her reflection. There was no way that a man like Cassian Corti would ever agree to think about her as a prospective bride. But she’d opened her mouth and now she would have to see this humiliation through to the end.

* * *

Cassian was sitting down again with a refilled glass of wine. He was still absorbing the fact that underneath her voluminous clothes, his housekeeper was hiding an extremely alluring shape. He’d watched her walk up the steps out of the pool and his brain had gone blank for a long second, all of his blood migrating to his groin in a very base and uncontrollable response of a healthy virile male to a female who embodied lush sensuality.

Her legs were long and toned. Soft belly. And beautiful breasts. Full and high. Even with the robe on and firmly belted around her small waist, he’d seen the deep and tantalising valley of her cleavage.

It had been a long time since Cassian had seen a woman with such a full figure. It wasn’t fashionable in the circles he ran in, even with the body positivity movement. He’d almost forgotten how a woman should look and now that he’d seen his housekeeper like this he couldn’t un see it.

That’s why he was intrigued to hear what she had to say after admitting that she’d overheard his conversation with his solicitor. That didn’t bother him unduly. He was so used to being under a glaring spotlight since the worst day of his life when his family were killed, he’d long given up any attempt to control his privacy. He’d leant into the insatiable interest of the world’s curiosity, bringing them along with him as he’d lived fast and partied even faster.

It wasn’t that he had a death wish so much as no reason not to live life to the max and at full throttle. But he had to concede that he found the energy required to keep people entertained with his fast driving and fast living was becoming…harder to manufacture. These last few weeks, recuperating from a small bone fracture in his hand had been surprisingly pleasant. A respite. Stepping off the relentless merry-go-round. And yet as pleasant as that had been, it had also highlighted the void in his life, usually covered up by maintaining that relentless busy schedule.

He was bored. So bored in fact that when he’d faced the prospect of a debauched few days in a desert at an infamous annual party which was the stuff of legends, he’d opted to finally give in to his solicitor’s increasingly panicked demands for a meeting, here in Como, because despite his great reluctance to engage he’d known time was running out. He had a year from now to fulfil the terms of the inheritance or be the first Corti to fail to keep the villa in the family.

He heard a soft sound and looked up from his glass to see Lili hovering a few feet away. She was dressed in another loose dress, covered by an even looser sweatshirt. Long dark hair over one shoulder. Sneakers.

And yet now that he’d seen her, he couldn’t stop his pulse tripping. It was completely unexpected and unwelcome, obviously. She was his employee. He exerted as much control as he could over his rogue hormones. He put it down to the fact that his recent sexual encounters had left him feeling dissatisfied.

He stood up. ‘Please, sit down.’ He gestured to the chair on the other side of the table.

Lili came forward and sat down, looking as if she might bolt at any second. Cassian held up the bottle of wine. ‘Care to join me?’

She looked at the extra glass he’d placed on the table. Her skin went a pleasing shade of pink. ‘I don’t think that would be very appropriate.’

He arched a brow. ‘And yet, why do I suspect that what you’re about to say will push the boundaries of that propriety?’ He was no fool. He knew that not many woman could have heard that conversation today and not been tempted to think that they could put themselves forward for the position of his wife. He was just curious to know what her reasons would be. Apart from the obvious, of course. A lifetime of wealth and prestige.

She looked at him, eyes going very wide. They really were stunning. Bright blue, with long lashes, finely etched brows.

She bit at her lower lip and Cassian felt a wave of heat move over his skin and into his blood. Again. Her mouth was wide and generous. Lower lip as plump as—

She held out her glass. ‘Okay, just a small amount, please. I’m not much of a drinker.’

* * *

Lili watched as he poured the rich red liquid into her glass. As soon as he’d hinted that he might know what she wanted to talk about, she’d realised she’d need all the bravado she could muster.

She took a sip of the wine and winced a little at the strong robust flavour, but then it smoothed out as it went down her throat.

‘Not a wine aficionado?’

Lili’s face felt hot. Another reason why this was crazy. She might have come from a wealthy background but the difference in sophistication between them was as wide as the Grand Canyon. She felt gauche. She’d never felt as if she fitted into the world her parents had aspired to. Compounded by the fact that she knew she was adopted. She’d been too buxom and hippy as a teenager to be trendy and then the kidnap and the terror of what those men might do to her had shut down her burgeoning sexuality completely.

She was still a virgin. And that hadn’t bothered her. Until she’d seen this man naked, or as good as, and he’d just seen her as near to naked as she’d ever been in front of a man. Her breasts still felt heavy, under all the layers she was hiding under.

He sat back. ‘So? Would you like to elaborate on why you brought up the conversation you overheard?’

He sounded cynical, as if this was so unsurprising to him. It made her feel defensive, as did her awareness of him. ‘I think you already know that I might be interested in asking if you’d consider marrying me so that you can retain the villa. But it’s not for the reasons you might think.’

He took a sip of his own wine. His eyes were dark now. Hard to read. ‘Go on.’

‘It’s not for your wealth or anything like that. I love it here and would feel honoured to be given the opportunity to help you keep it in your name.’

Now an expression crossed his face, something between scorn and sheer disbelief. ‘Are you truly the one woman on the planet who doesn’t want me for my unlimited funds and the social status I bring with me?’

Lili lifted her chin. ‘I’d be willing to sign an agreement to prove that I want nothing more than a chance to live here in peace. You could get on with your life and never return if you so wished. You’d have the satisfaction of knowing the villa remains in your family for the next generation.’

‘Ah, the next generation. You’d also be willing to be the mother of my child?’

Lili forced out a sudden flash of this man’s naked body in the shower with water sluicing down over powerful muscles. She nodded. ‘Yes, I heard that bit too.’

‘And?’

‘I’ve always wanted a child of my own, so yes, I’d be willing to…’ She faltered, wondering how best to word it.

‘Have marital relations?’

Lili wanted to squirm. She put her glass down. ‘Well, not exactly. I’d be willing to discuss using IVF which I think would be appropriate given that we don’t know one another.’

She couldn’t read his expression and rushed on before he could say anything. ‘Maybe that would suit you better too? The marriage and having a baby, an heir, need not impact your life all that much at all? You could get on with your usual routine…’ And she’d remain a virgin. Possibly forever. That made her feel cold even though she couldn’t countenance the alternative.

‘I heard what you said about not wanting a child after…what happened. This way, you could fulfil your duty and have as little contact as you want.’

‘Hardly an ideal scenario for the child, is it?’

Lili squashed the yearning inside her for the kind of scenario that featured two loving parents. Two parents merely doubled the risk of not being loved. Better to have just one parent who adored you.

‘I would love this child and protect it above anything else.’

He asked, ‘It’s a lot to sacrifice just for a child.’

‘It’s not a sacrifice for me. My parents were wealthy but cold and unloving, obsessed with status. I’ve always wanted to have a child of my own, to do it differently. Give them a better experience than I had.’ Lili stopped. It was more than she’d revealed to anyone, ever.

* * *

Cassian stood up, towering over the table and then he walked over to the edge of the terrace where the rest of the garden was in darkness, leading down to the lake. He had to turn his back to this woman who was making him reel with her suggestion. Everything she was saying. He’d suspected what she wanted to talk about but she’d still surprised him. Maybe she really was someone who just wanted a quiet life. A child to love. Because of her own experiences.

And, he was no different really, wasn’t he a product of his experiences? Cassian lifted his wine glass and took a sip. His hand was trembling slightly. The thought of a child was something he’d managed to push down deep ever since he’d known about this requirement for keeping the villa in the family. Because it came loaded with terror. The thought of something so small, and vulnerable depending solely on him when he hadn’t managed to save his own family.

To his shame he knew this was probably at the heart of why he’d prevaricated over doing something about securing his Lake Como inheritance before now. The fact that he would have to have a family to do so.

But if what Lili was saying was true, then maybe, just maybe there was a chance he could contemplate it. If she could love the child and keep it safe. Clearly her experience with her parents made her want to lavish a child with the love she hadn’t had.

Cassian had had that. The love of two adored and adoring parents. They’d made him feel so safe and secure, like nothing bad would ever happen. But it had. The worst thing. So maybe someone like Lili would be a good mother, because she hadn’t had that experience. She wouldn’t fear the worst.

This child would be kept safe at the villa. Secure. And they would inherit the Corti legacy and Cassian would keep his distance, and they wouldn’t be tainted by his demons. The demons that still haunted him because he’d walked away from that crash without so much as a scratch. He’d survived an inferno and his family hadn’t and he still didn’t know why that was.

He turned around to face Lili again. ‘So, let me get this straight, you’re willing to sign a prenuptial agreement that gives you none of my fortune except the right to live here with our child. You’d be willing to go through IVF to have this child and you’d be happy for me to continue taking lovers?’

Lili nodded. ‘Yes. That’s why I couldn’t help listening when I heard you say how impossible it would be to find a woman who would be happy to stay here and who wouldn’t want more. That’s exactly what I want.’

He came back closer to the table shaking his head, genuinely curious about this woman now. ‘Forgive me but in spite of what you’ve said, I still find it hard to believe a young woman of…?’

‘Twenty-four.’

He continued. ‘Of twenty-four, would be prepared to give up her life for a marriage in name only and hide away with her child in a secluded Lake Como estate.’