He couldn’t in good conscience walk away and leave her terrified. Which all added up to one solution. Outlandish but unavoidable.
‘Forget staying here overnight. Or,’ he added when she moved as if to stand up, ‘coming back at three. Do you have a current passport?’
Those clear eyes widened. But instead of questioning him Ida slowly nodded.
Half an hour ago she’d have protested that she wouldn’t go anywhere with him.
‘I’ll have Lorenzo go to your flat and get it.’
She breathed deep, her soft breast pushing against his chest and messing with his head. But for once he was sure that wasn’t intentional. Nor was the nervous way she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. Ida was truly terrified.
‘There’s no need. I always carry my passport with me.’
That, more than anything else he’d seen tonight, proved her desperation. Unless she travelled constantly, which, given her circumstances, wasn’t an option, there was only one reason for that. Because she was always prepared for a quick getaway.
That solidified his sudden decision.
‘Good. You’re coming with me to Italy. Now.’
CHAPTER SIX
IDAWOKETOthe sound of someone moving about in her room.
Heart pounding, she jack-knifed up, wisps of nightmare still fogging her brain.
The fine cotton sheet slid against her skin and she realised she was naked. Instantly she clawed the sheet up around her shoulders.
Her breath sighed out as she realised she wasn’t in her cramped flat with its flimsy front door. The noise wasn’t her grandfather’s henchman breaking in.
Gradually her racing pulse eased.
Instead of seeing a tiny sliver of louring London sky, bright sunshine flooded across the honey-coloured wooden floor and a sumptuous antique carpet of blush roses on a cream background. A trim, grey-haired woman drew the floor-length curtains open.
Ida shaded her eyes. Through the tall windows was a cerulean sky with a single puffy cloud, cotton wool against the vibrant blue.
‘I’m sorry to wake you,signora. I’ve brought you a late breakfast.’ She nodded to a laden tray on a nearby table. ‘Signor Brunetti asked me to wake you so you can freshen up before the lawyer arrives at midday.’
Midday? Ida was usually working at dawn. Sheneverslept in.
But last night, or rather this morning, had been remarkable, she realised as impressions crowded her brain.
Cesare’s astounding determination to spirit her out of London. The ease with which he’d organised transport in the dead of night. A limousine to the airport, a private flight to Florence then a helicopter to his country home.
Most remarkable of all was the fact that she’d acquiesced! As if she were used to letting someone else take charge. As if every day wasn’t about the struggle to be free to make her own decisions.
As if she trusted Cesare Brunetti.
What choice had she had? Faced with either her unwanted husband or Bruno, there’d been no choice.
Besides, there was something powerfully appealing about, just once, having someone else solve her problems, albeit temporarily.
A shiver skated down her spine. It was a weakness she couldn’t afford to foster.
Deliberately she shut her mind against thoughts of the other weakness she felt around Cesare Brunetti. The insidious desire that still haunted her.
‘Thank you. I shouldn’t have slept so long.’ She paused, uncomfortable. She wasn’t used to servants. The only person who occasionally saw her in bed was Jo if their shifts worked out that way. ‘I don’t know your name.’
‘I’m Dorotea, the housekeeper.’ The woman smiled, though her eyes were wary. ‘Welcome to Tuscany, Signora Brunetti.’