The Italian's Rightful Bride - By Lucy Gordon Page 0,45
talents weren’t enough in the long run.’
‘I got bored with him,’ she admitted. ‘He wanted us to settle permanently in Naples and have lots and lots of bambini.’
‘No, I remember that lots and lots of bambini never did fit into your schedule, did they?’ Gustavo said drily.
‘Well, anyway, we’re not together now,’ Crystal said, adroitly sliding away from the subject. ‘There was no way I was going to bury myself in Naples, bambini or no bambini. So I left him.’
‘Despite his remarkable talents?’
She shrugged. ‘There are other talented men in the world. I’m ready to start again, and I want the rest of my money.’
‘Crystal, for pity’s sake, I’m doing my best, but I can’t produce it just like that. Surely you can be patient a little longer?’
‘It seems that I’m going to have to be. Just don’t make me wait too long. After all, you’ve got that huge estate. You can borrow against it.’
‘Have you any idea how much I had to borrow to pay you the first half of the money? Of course not.’
‘How could I? In any case, I’ve never understood much about money unless it was in large, simple amounts.’
‘Well, we’re talking about a large, simple amount now, and it’s more than I can raise so quickly.’
‘Oh, really, darling, don’t be silly. Of course you can raise it. There’s always Joanna.’
His face tightened. ‘And what exactly do you mean by that?’
‘She’s worth far more than I ever was. People say you and she are as thick as thieves these days. So it’s easy. All you have to do is marry her.’
CHAPTER TEN
GUSTAVO stared as though he couldn’t believe what he had heard.
‘What—did you say?’ he asked slowly.
‘I said you should marry Joanna. Really, darling, don’t be dense. She’s got enough money to solve all your problems.’
When he still didn’t speak she came closer.
‘And then you could afford anything you wanted—including getting rid of me. Isn’t that a tempting prospect?’
‘That’s enough!’
There was genuine rage in Gustavo’s voice, enough to silence her, if only for a moment.
‘Don’t ever speak like that again,’ he snapped. ‘Don’t even think it at the bottom of your scheming little mind.’
‘All right, all right, there’s no need to be like that. I’m only thinking of your welfare.’
‘You were thinking of what suited you, and nothing else.’
‘Well, I don’t know what you’re making such a fuss about. You need a rich wife and there aren’t many who are richer than her. Goodness knows what she’s doing working for a living.’
‘Yes, you wouldn’t understand that, would you?’ he said harshly. ‘Joanna works because she loves her subject more than anything in the world, except her son.’
‘More than you?’
The question attacked him like a knife, making him draw in a sharp breath.
At last he spoke emphatically. ‘Joanna does not love me.’
She surveyed him, her head on one side.
‘Really? Well, I dare say you’d know all about that. Besides, there’s no need to despair. With a little effort I’m sure you could make her love you—’
‘Drop it,’ he said in a low voice. ‘Drop it if you know what’s good for you.’
Crystal sighed. ‘Oh, darling, how touchy you are. She’s your best chance, and you’d be wise to take it and then—’
She checked herself and backed off at the murderous look in Gustavo’s eyes.
‘Go to hell!’ he told her with soft fury. ‘Go to hell and stay there. Do you understand me?’
On the last words he raised his voice enough for it to carry faintly beyond the glass doors into the room, so that those standing nearest jumped and turned their heads. The next moment Gustavo erupted through the door and went straight to Joanna.
‘If you’re ready—’ he said.
‘Of course,’ she said, wondering what could have happened to make him so pale.
He got through the farewells to their hosts as quickly as he could square with courtesy before drawing her out of the room. The last thing Joanna saw was Crystal, looking like the cat that had swallowed the cream. It was a look she recalled from long ago, and it made her shiver.
Not until they were shut into the back of the limousine and the chauffeur was starting the engine did Joanna say, ‘For heaven’s sake, what happened? Why were you shouting?’
‘Because that woman…’ He clenched his hands, realising the impossibility of telling Joanna anything about that conversation. ‘I can’t talk to her without getting angry.’
‘Do you think she went there on purpose?’
‘Oh, yes, she knew we were going to be there.’
‘What about the fitness instructor?’
‘She