The Escort - By Gina Robinson Page 0,38

That's it. When we get there, you'd be advised to watch yourself; married or not, it isn't going to stop most of those men from making a play."

"Thank you so much for your concern. Why didn't you set your friend straight?"

He only shrugged. He had no defense. Now she steadfastly refused to meet the man, Jim, who'd assumed the worst of her, and having done so, had refused to acknowledge her.

"No, I've been insulted." Besides which, she had nothing to wear. Tonio's elaborate preparations hadn't been lost on her.

"Suit yourself."

She was angry that he didn't try to persuade her. "I'll be in my berth writing a letter home. I have no desire to run into more of your friends."

"Wise choice. You can write?"

"I can do a great many things. And I didn't need to attend fancy schools to learn them."

"Brava, Angelina, neither did I. The most useful things I know I learned from life." He turned and headed down the aisle, pausing to call back over his shoulder. "Enjoy your evening, and don't wait up." She had no intention of waiting up for a man who would not defend her honor. She did not understand much about Tonio, but she felt him pushing her away.

Sometime around midnight, disappointed that Tonio had not come back for her, she set her partially written letter aside and laid her head down. She would rest a minute before getting ready for bed.

The sound of metal rings sliding across a rod woke her with a start. She sat up to scream. A hand clamped over her mouth so quickly that not a peep escaped. She tried to bite down.

"Calm down, Angelina. It's me."

Tonio stared at her from the dimly lit hall. His eyes were dark and serious and he smelled like whiskey and smoke. He uncovered her mouth.

"Tonio?"

He was drunk. She didn't know how she realized it. He showed none of the common signs. With both arms now free he reached in and scooped her into his arms. He said something in English, words she didn't recognize from her lessons with Aldo and Davida. Then, with her still in his arms, he kissed her, hard and passionately. She looped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

He released her mouth and spoke. "Angelina, I'm a bastard."

Then his mouth was on hers again and she didn't care what he meant.

Chapter 8

A discreet cough brought an end to their embrace, reminding them that there were others in the car. Tonio set her down.

"You don't tell me anything I don't already know," Angelina whispered. She traced the outline of his mouth lightly with her fingers. He didn't smile or laugh as she expected. His look was frighteningly solemn. She dropped her hand and nervously fingered her necklace. He covered her fidgeting hand with his own.

"That may be true. I need to talk to you someplace private. The salon car should be empty at this hour."

She was too nervous to look directly at him as he seated himself next to her on the plush red velvet couch. Heavy velvet curtains framed stained glass windows. Above, the ceiling was frescoed in mosaics of gold, emerald green, crimson, sky blue, violet, and black. She felt shabby and underdressed in such opulent surroundings, but Tonio seemed at ease and unimpressed. She skimmed her fingers across a walnut end table next to her and waited for Tonio to speak. Her heart thumped wildly.

"I hurt your feelings tonight. I wanted to apologize." He ran his hand along her arm. "I know you think I'm cruel for letting everyone believe you're an easy woman. I could have told them the truth, but they wouldn't believe it. There's something between us, Angelina. Let them believe it's only lust."

He nuzzled into her neck and whispered into her ear. "There are things going on here that you don't understand. I'm caught in the middle of a dangerous battle. It's better if you don't know anything. You're safer if they think you're incidental to me."

"What battle, Tonio?" His breath in her ear sent pleasant shivers down her spine. It took all her concentration to speak. He sucked her ear lobe and her heart raced out of control. What was he talking about? She kept expecting a declaration of love, but he stopped short and pulled back.

"Damned arranged marriages." He spoke the words with the force of an epithet. His change of course caught Angelina off guard. Only the alcohol on his breath and the odd jumping of his