Mia asked, as she picked at her starter.
‘Nothing that needs repeating.’
‘Did you apologise?’
‘I never apologise for my sex life.’ Dante shook his head. ‘It’s no big deal.’
‘Well, she shouldn’t have slapped you.’
‘No, though I can’t blame her really. She was also here to deliver a slap from my mother. It probably was my mother who sent her or, if not, who encouraged her.’ He dismissed the incident with a wave of his hand. ‘I can’t be bothered with their drama right now.’
‘Have there been any more articles?’ Mia couldn’t bring herself to look and her phone was still off.
‘There have been,’ Dante said. ‘Though they are all in the same vein.’ He brought her up to speed on other things that had transpired while she’d rested. ‘An extraordinary board meeting has been called for nine a.m. tomorrow. I am to explain myself, apparently.’
‘What will you say?’
‘I don’t know,’ Dante admitted. He had never before felt nervous about facing the board, but he was now—not that he would admit it. ‘The photos should never have happened. I should have been more careful.’ Then he added, ‘Again.’ He was weak where Mia was concerned, Dante realised.
Two years spent holding himself back must have worn down all his reserves because, even with the problem they faced, even with his suspicious mind, he wanted her again. But there were serious issues that needed to be faced now. ‘The fact is, Mia, there is more that will soon be exposed than whatever those photos suggest.’
‘I can’t bear it,’ Mia gulped, but then fell quiet as their plates were cleared away, only resuming when Sylvia left. ‘It was bad enough being picked apart in the papers when I married your dad, but at least they were just implying I was a gold-digger. This is my very private life that’s being discussed.’
Dante had to suppress a smile, deciding it would be inappropriate, but by very private, he assumed she meant sex. ‘I think it is best you stay here for now, for a few weeks at least, and that way when word gets out, you will be shielded.’
‘I’m not staying here, Dante, hiding away. My family is in England and I need to work.’
‘Please.’
‘Oh, that’s right,’ she retorted. ‘I trapped you. Hooray, I never have to work again! Well, guess what, I don’t want your millions. I want my privacy, and I do not want my baby’s start in life to be some titillating article online. I am going to call work tomorrow and...’ Her voice trailed off as Sylvia came in to serve the next course and they switched to inane chitchat.
Their main was chicken, but Mia declined, and just picked at fennel, orange and watercress salad, which, though light and refreshing, seemed at odds with the subject matter, for her own carelessness was weighing heavily on her mind.
Yes, it took two and all that, but her mistake had changed his world and when they were alone again she told him a simple truth. ‘Dante, I messed up with the tablets. I’m sorry that I didn’t know. And I’m sorry I’m not sophisticated enough to be on the Pill, or carry condoms, or anything like that...’
‘It is me who should have taken better care.’ Dante halted her. ‘I apologise for that.’
They had been utterly lost in each other, Mia knew. ‘I was flustered and careless, but I did take the morning-after pill, Dante.’
Was he mad to believe her?
Possibly, but for that part at least, Dante did. ‘I know.’ He looked at her for a long moment and then gave her a slow smile. ‘The baby must really want to be here.’
‘Yes,’ Mia said, for she had come around to thinking the same, although it had taken her several days to do so. ‘But, Dante, I can’t just hide away here, waiting for word to get out. I’m supposed to be starting work tomorrow. I can’t simply not show up.’
‘Is the job with Castello?’
She nodded and when she did so Dante shook his head. ‘Castello’s a sleaze; I already told you that. He either fancied you or he gave you the job out of curiosity about me.’
‘Oh, so I couldn’t get it on my own merits?’
‘Well, I doubt it was for your excellent Italian, given the predicament we’re in. And it can’t be based on your reference, because I gave you a shocking one.’
Her mouth gaped. ‘You’re not allowed to do that.’
Dante shrugged insolently as he held her gaze. ‘I am, as long as it’s accurate.’
‘What did