There was a slight hesitation before he responded to her question. ‘His mother probably got to it first.’
Kathy paled and looked away from him, conscious that he was uncomfortable with anything that reminded him of her criminal record. ‘Did you actually meet Gareth? When?’
Her question acted as a useful distraction because an unholy grin curved Sergio’s mobile mouth. ‘Last week when I went to London on business. Gareth’s mother slammed doors and ranted at him throughout my visit. He leads a dog’s life, but at least he had the courage to admit that he still had your possessions and hand them over.’
Kathy was incredibly touched that he had gone to so much trouble on her behalf. ‘I can’t tell you what this means to me. It’s like getting my roots back. When your family’s gone, sentimental things mean a lot.’ She drew in a deep breath, her green eyes suddenly filling with determination. ‘I honestly believe that you should at least talk to your brother and hear what he has to say—’
‘I’m not the sentimental type.’ His tone was impatient, for it was not the first time she had tried to open the controversial subject.
‘You haven’t even asked me what Abramo said when he came to see me in London—’
‘I’m not interested.’
‘He feels really bad about the past and he wants to make peace with you—’
‘He almost bankrupted this estate and he’s down on his luck. Of course he wants my forgiveness in terms of financial support.’
His cynicism provoked a reproachful look from Kathy. ‘He seemed sincere and unhappy and he didn’t look at all well,’ she sighed. ‘All right, I won’t say anything more, especially when you gave me such a great surprise.’
‘It was nothing.’ Sergio curved lean hands to the feminine swell of her slim hips to tug her closer to him. ‘Besides, I like it when you think about other people. You have a tender heart, bella mia.’
His keen dark eyes held hers and emotion welled up inside her. Sometimes she loved him so much it hurt. Although he had grown up with many privileges he had gone through tough and testing times, just as she had. He set a high value on loyalty, for, while many of his friends had dropped away after his father changed his will, Rashad and Leonidas had demonstrated their support by standing by Sergio and backing his first business ventures.
She understood the experiences that had given him his granite hard core, single-minded sense of purpose and cynicism. The acquisition of a wealth much greater than his own father had ever known had encouraged Sergio’s arrogant, ruthless outlook on life. Yet, when he went out of his way to do something that pleased her, Kathy recognised and appreciated how much he had changed where she was concerned. She could hardly credit that six weeks had passed since their wedding because the time had flown in. But then, life didn’t stand still around Sergio for longer than five minutes and it was now time for him to get back to his London office. The following day they were due to return to the UK.
Kathy was reluctant to leave Italy because she had been so happy there. The honeymoon had begun with Sergio giving her swimming lessons while banning her from even sitting on the pool steps when he wasn’t in the water. He had taken her rock climbing in the Dolomites, as well, teaching her how to sail a catamaran. When she’d got seasick he had made her work through it and she had ended up having a lot of fun. She suspected that her keen sailor husband was determined to get her on board the Diva Queen, to which Kathy had taken a fierce dislike sight unseen. She was willing, however, to acknowledge that in physical terms they were both very active and well matched. He was equally convinced that she would love skiing and had already pencilled a winter break into his schedule for that purpose.
Sergio was also encouraging her to take an interest in the charitable trust he had set up and plans had been made for her to accompany him on a trip to Africa to publicise the work being done there. In all the ways that mattered, Sergio was making space for her in his busy, energetic life and sharing his interests to a degree that she had never dared to hope he would. But he had yet to beat her at chess.
Ella remained the centre of their world, the meeting point that continually drew them together and united them. She was beginning to realise that during the first precarious weeks of their daughter’s life she had bonded with Sergio at a level she hadn’t grasped at the time. They had so shared much and it had added depth to their relationship. Although they had had a fabulous first few days alone as lovers, Sergio had missed Ella as much as Kathy and they had brought her home to join them early.
That afternoon Kathy cuddled Ella and tucked her into her cot for a nap. With her black hair, ever more green eyes and little button nose, Ella was super cute and sometimes Kathy had to force herself to put her daughter down to sleep. She had yet to forget the occasions when it had not been possible for her to hold her baby close.
An hour later, Kathy was just out of the shower when Bridget phoned her to announce that Renzo had asked her to marry him. ‘Oh, my goodness, I’m so happy for you!’ Kathy exclaimed, anchoring her towel beneath her arms. ‘You did say yes, didn’t you?’
‘Of course I did. He’s a good man,’ Bridget said fondly. ‘He didn’t want me to tell you but I think you should know. He’s been checking out all the facts of your conviction and the court case and he’s been following up every lead for months now.’
Kathy was astonished. ‘But why?’
‘He accepts that you’re innocent and he wants to help. There’s some good news, as well. A couple of silver items stolen from old Mrs Taplow’s collection were recently acquired by an antique trader in Dover. He listed them on his website and Renzo spotted them. If he can trace them back to whoever sold them, he might be able to identify the real thief.’
Kathy frowned. ‘It’s really kind of him to take such an interest, so please tell him how much I appreciate it. But I think too much time has passed. People won’t remember anything—’
‘Don’t be so pessimistic,’ Bridget scolded. ‘The trader called in the police and it’s already being investigated. The guy bought the silver in good faith and he stands to lose a lot of money. Aren’t you dying to know who the thief is? Of course you are!’
Kathy grimaced, for she had long since worked out the likely identity of the thief. Only one person had had the opportunity to lay the fake trail that had led to Kathy being convicted of a crime she hadn’t committed. But Kathy did not know how she could possibly prove the fact. Rather than burn up in self-destructive bitterness, she had chosen to get on with her life. Four years on, she had little time for false hopes and accepted that she would have to live with a criminal record to the end of her days.
‘Let’s hope for the best,’ Kathy responded with tact. ‘So when do you think you’ll be getting married?’
‘Well, we don’t want to wait long.’
‘I think it’s past time we let Sergio in on the secret—’
‘Renzo didn’t think it would be professional to admit that we were a couple before your wedding,’ Bridget shared ruefully. ‘Men!’
‘What secret?’
Thrown off balance by the interruption, Kathy spun round and saw Sergio poised in the doorway. His lean dark features were grim. ‘Kathy…I asked you a question.’