Bella tried on another smile. ‘Thanks.’
‘So, how long are you staying for?’ Rebecca asked.
‘Just a few days,’ Bella said. ‘I haven’t been home much just lately... Actually, not since my father’s funeral.’ Not since he gave away my home to my worst enemy, she added silently.
‘I’m sure Edoardo will be glad of the company,’ Rebecca said as she clipped shut her bag. ‘He works far too hard, but I guess I don’t have to tell you that.’
‘I’m not sure Edoardo enjoys my company too much,’ Bella said, pursing her mouth.
Rebecca looked at her quizzically. ‘Oh? Why do you say that?’
Bella wished she hadn’t been so transparent but it was a bit late to retract what she’d said. In with a penny, in with a pound, she thought. Anyway, why should she sugar-coat her relationship with Edoardo? He had probably derided her to Rebecca every chance he could. ‘He thinks I’m a spoilt brat who hasn’t grown up,’ she said.
Rebecca studied her for a moment. ‘You’ve known him a long time, then?’
‘Since I was seven years old.’
‘So you’re like brother and sister?’
‘Um...not quite,’ Bella said, blushing in spite of every effort not to. She paused for a beat. ‘We’re not exactly bosom buddies.’
‘He’s your financial guardian, isn’t he?’ Rebecca said.
Bella felt like a fool. Who on earth had financial guardians these days? Kids under eighteen or elderly people with dementia, that was who. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I expect Edoardo has told you all about it.’
Rebecca gave her a reassuring smile. ‘It’s all right,’ she said. ‘I didn’t hear it from him. He never talks about you. I heard it from Mrs Baker. She told me your father set things up in a rather complicated fashion.’
‘Very complicated,’ Bella said, blowing out a breath. ‘I can’t do anything without Edoardo’s approval. It’s incredibly annoying.’
‘I’m sure he would never stop you doing anything you really wanted to do,’ Rebecca said. ‘Anyway, it won’t be long, and you’ll be free to do what you like. I seem to remember Mrs Baker saying it’s only until you turn twenty-five.’
‘Or until I marry.’
‘Are you planning on doing that any time soon?’ Rebecca asked, glancing at Bella’s left hand.
‘It’s not official as yet,’ Bella said. ‘I’m just waiting until he gets back from a trip abroad before we announce anything.’
‘Congratulations,’ Rebecca said. ‘You must be so excited.’
‘I am,’ Bella said. Or I would be, if it weren’t for Edoardo standing in the way of my plans.
There was the sound of firm footsteps, and Bella watched as Rebecca Gladstone’s cheeks took on a pink hue as Edoardo strode in. He glanced at the dog in the basket before meeting Rebecca’s gaze. ‘What’s going on?’ he asked.
‘I was in the area and thought I’d drop by,’ Rebecca said. ‘I’ve left some vitamins for Fergus. They’ll boost his immune system.’
‘Thank you,’ Edoardo said. ‘How much do I owe you?’
‘Isn’t it me who owes you?’ Bella said with a pointed look. ‘He was my father’s dog, after all.’
‘You don’t owe me a thing, either of you,’ Rebecca said. ‘That’s just a sample pack in any case.’ She smiled up at Edoardo. ‘Want to walk me to my car?’
His expression was as blank as a sheet of paper. ‘Sure.’
‘It was lovely to meet you, Bella,’ Rebecca said. ‘I hope you enjoy your stay.’
‘I will,’ Bella said with a smile that cracked her face.
* * *
‘She’s in love with you,’ Bella said as soon as Edoardo came inside a few minutes later.
He reached for a glass and filled it with water from the tap. ‘And you can tell that how, exactly?’ he asked.
‘She blushed as soon as you came into the room,’ she said.
He turned from the sink to look at her. ‘Just because a woman blushes doesn’t mean she’s in love,’ he said. ‘Take you, for instance.’ He let his eyes run over her slowly but thoroughly. ‘I could make you blush within seconds. Does it mean you’re in love with me?’
Bella jerked her chin back against her neck in disdain, her cheeks feeling like they had been too close to a fire. ‘I would never fall in love with someone like you.’