DINNER was served on the terrace. Champagne and delicious Austrian wines accompanied the meal. Conversation flowed and the ambience was delightful. For the first time since she’d known her husband Gabriella saw Ricardo really at ease. He laughed with them, told amusing stories, captivated his audience and was altogether different from the autocratic being she’d become so used to.
‘So. What about tomorrow?’ Ruddy asked, once they were all sitting in wicker chairs drinking coffee and partaking of after-dinner drinks. The moonlight reflected on the lake, sending a fine shimmering silver across the peaceful waters.
‘What about tomorrow?’ Ricardo rejoined.
‘We are going on another bike trip. Want to come along?’
‘Where to?’
‘We thought we’d head south, maybe stop by one of the other lakes for lunch.’
‘I really ought to be leaving tomorrow,’ he replied. ‘And you should be coming home too, Gabriella. There are several engagements that require your presence in Maldoravia.’
‘But, Ricky, this is the summer vacation. Gabriella’s having fun. Don’t spoil it.’
‘That wasn’t my intention,’ he said stiffly. ‘Of course, if she wants to stay that is different.’
He looked across at Gabriella, sitting between Constanza and Jamie. ‘Well?’ His tone implied that he expected her to obey him.
A sudden flash of anger gripped her. Just because she succumbed to him in bed it did not mean she was going to let herself be treated like some nineteenth-century wife.
‘I think I’ll stay. I promised the children that I would take them fishing. I would hate to disappoint them.’
A look passed between Ruddy and Jamie. It was not lost on Ricardo. He was about to make a pithy comment, then pressed his lips shut. ‘Very well. As you wish. I’m rather tired,’ he added, getting up and altering the mood as he took his brandy snifter with him. ‘If you’ll excuse me, Constanza, I think I’ll finish this upstairs and get ready for an early night. I’ll order the chopper for seven-thirty.’
‘I’m damned if I’m having that noise on the lawn so early,’ his sister protested. ‘Seven-thirty, indeed. How uncivilised, Ricky. No wonder Gabriella wants to stay, if you’re being unbearable.’
She was caught in a web. On the one hand she would have loved to be with Ricardo. But his whole attitude was so domineering and arrogant. Insupportable was the word that came to mind. He really believed that because she was his for the taking in bed she would simply comply with his every wish. Well, she wasn’t leaving and that was that, Gabriela decided, as she dressed to go on the excursion. There was no sign of Ricardo, who appeared to have left early. But she had heard nothing, and if a helicopter had landed then she’d slept through the noise.
At nine-thirty she descended to the large dining room, where breakfast was being served.
‘Ah, there you are.’ Constanza smiled and indicated to her to sit down. ‘I didn’t hear Ricardo leave, did you?’
‘No, I didn’t. Maybe he left by car.’
‘I’ll ask Hans the butler when he comes in. He must have seen him. So, are you off with the boys for the day?’
‘Yes. Though it’s a pity the weather doesn’t look too great.’
‘No,’ Constanza agreed as Gabriella sat down. She passed her the toast. ‘The forecast announced intermittent showers. You’d better take something to cover up, just in case.’
‘I will. I’m really looking forward to it.’
‘Good morning.’
Ruddy and Jamie entered the dining room, looking handsome and ready for the day’s fun.
‘We’ve got the bikes all set, and we thought we’d be off before eleven. Is that okay with you, Gabi?’
‘Fine. Constanza says the weather may turn bad.’
‘Think so?’ Ruddy went to the window and peered out. ‘It’s a bit cloudy, but nothing to worry about. If it starts raining we can stop off somewhere and have a drink or something.’
‘Sounds good,’ Jamie said, joining the ladies at the table and tucking in to a large plate of ham and eggs.
At eleven sharp the three were ready to go. Gabriella mounted the back of Ruddy’s bike and Jamie drove alone. Soon they were heading along the pretty lakeside road, and Gabriella clung tight to Ruddy’s waist as the bike gained speed and they whizzed around corners, then slowed to go through picturesque villages, with little white houses, painted shutters and people walking around in traditional dress—the girls in dirndles and the men in traditional suede jackets and green feathered hats.
An hour later they were well into the Tyrol. The clouds that earlier had seemed light now hung low and dark in the sky, and a rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance.
‘Let’s stop for a bite of lunch. I think that place is only a little further on,’ Jamie called as they rode side by side on the empty road.
‘Right.’
Ten minutes later they drew up at a small hotel on the banks of a lake. Outside long tables were laid, and a big array of smoked meats, cheeses and delicacies was spread on a large wooden table adorned with a bright chequered red and white cloth.
‘This is lovely,’ Gabriella exclaimed, removing her helmet and shaking out the long black hair that poured over her shoulders. Then she took off her jacket and looked up at the sky. ‘A bit risky to stay outside, don’t you think?’
‘Oh, I think we just might manage lunch,’ Ruddy said, his eyes following hers. As she sat down he gave her a speculative glance, but said nothing.
Once installed at the heurigen they ordered cold meat, cheese and sausage and a bottle of Weltliner, the local wine. Ruddy kept filling her glass, letting his hand lie next to hers.
‘Look, I want to go and visit a friend of mine who lives a few miles from here,’ Jamie remarked, pouring them another glass. ‘Would you mind if we split up and meet again in Graz?’
‘No, that’s fine,’ Ruddy answered carelessly.
‘Do you think that’s wise?’ Gabriella asked. The clouds were growing darker, and some people were beginning to head indoors. ‘You might get caught in the rain.’
‘Don’t worry about me, gorgeous,’ Jamie said, getting up and winking at her. ‘I’ll be fine. I’ll see you in a while. Give me a buzz on the mobile when you’re through,’ he murmured to Ruddy.
Gabriella frowned. It sounded almost as if this were a planned thing between them. But she shrugged it off. ‘I suppose we should get going too.’
‘Oh, no, not yet. We’ve got lots of time. Anyway, it’s rather fun biking in the rain. But first I want to show you this place properly. It’s very old and charming. Dates back to the sixteenth century, actually.’
Gabriella experienced a moment’s hesitation which she immediately banished. ‘I’d love to.’
‘Right. Well, why don’t we finish this wine, then I’ll give you a guided tour?’
A few minutes later Ruddy was leading Gabriella indoors. He spoke in German to the lady behind the desk, who beamed at him and handed him a key.
‘What’s that for?’ Gabriella asked curiously.
‘Oh, she thought you might like to see one of the suites. They’re beautifully decorated. All in the original style of the region.’
‘That would be very nice,’ Gabriella said, smiling at the woman and following Ruddy up the creaking wooden staircase, delighted by the small crooked windows with their ruffled curtains, and the scent of pot pourri. The place was truly charming.
At the top of the stairs Ruddy stopped, then turned right. ‘Here it is,’ he said, unlocking a large hand-painted door at the end of the corridor. ‘This is the prettiest suite in the house. Come in and take a look.’ He opened the door for her and stood aside for her to enter.
Gabriella stepped inside and was enchanted. The small living room had been beautifully decorated with wooden furniture piled with red and green cushions, all in Austrian patterns. A fireplace stood in the centre of the room, and through the windows at the far end was a magnificent view over the Alps. ‘It’s perfectly gorgeous,’ she exclaimed, moving towards the window.
‘And come and see this,’ Ruddy urged, taking her arm and leading her towards the bedroom, where a huge antique four-poster graced the room ‘Isn’t that delightful?’
‘Yes, it is. Thanks for bringing me here and showing me all of this,’ she answered, turning around and smiling at him.
‘No need to thank me, beautiful,’ he responded, his voice turning low and husky. ‘I thought that we might just spend a little time here together. I’ve been thinking of nothing else since the moment I met you, Gabriella.’ He reached out and to her shock pulled her into his arms.
‘Ruddy, no—this is ridiculous. I—’
‘Shush,’ he teased, stroking her hair, slipping his hand to the back of her neck and tilting her head back. ‘Just relax and enjoy it. It’ll be a change from that pokered-up husband of yours. He must be a royal pain in the ass,’ he muttered, laughing before bringing his mouth down on hers.
Gabriella felt a moment’s panic. Then she began to struggle. ‘Leave me alone,’ she cried, pushing him as best she could.
‘Oh, so we like a tussle, do we?’ Ruddy’s eyes gleamed and he threw her onto the bed.
‘Please, leave me alone. I never wanted anything like this to happen,’ Gabriella remonstrated, trying to move out of his hold.
‘Oh, come on, Gabriella. I know you’re young, but don’t let’s play games, darling. You’ve been hot for this ever since I arrived. I’ve seen the way you and your husband behave with one another. I’ll bet he rarely comes near you. Anyway, it’s a known fact that Ricardo lays that Mexican tornado Ambrosia. He’s not likely to give up a hot little number like that just because he married a schoolgirl. Now, come on, baby—let me teach you to enjoy yourself in bed. I’ll bet he hasn’t.’
Gabriella felt a rush of unprecedented anger grip her. And with it came a wave of unexpected strength. She raised her leg and gave Rudy a hard blow with her knee that sent him reeling back on the floor.
‘You little bitch,’ he muttered, grimacing. ‘You’re nothing but a tease.’
‘I’m leaving,’ Gabriella threw, getting up and hurrying into the living room.
‘Oh, yes? And how exactly do you plan to do that?’
‘I’ll take a taxi back to the castle.’
‘Really? Well, good luck to you. There’s a festival on,’ he said with satisfaction. ‘All the taxis will be busy.’ Gabriella felt a sudden rush of panic, but Ruddy shook his head ruefully. ‘Look, don’t worry. I’m sorry if I frightened you. Maybe I should have gone about this more tactfully. Let’s forget about the whole thing and stay friends, okay? I’m sorry. Really.’ He moved towards her, stretched out his hand and smiled disarmingly. ‘I got it wrong. I’m sorry. I’ll take you home now if you like, and we’ll say no more about it.’
Gabriella hesitated again. She had no desire to go to the end of the street with this man, and wished she’d done as Ricardo had said and left with him to go back to Maldoravia. But it was too late for regrets. Now all she wanted was to return to the safety of the castle.
‘All right,’ she agreed reluctantly. ‘Are you sure it’s not dangerous to ride in this weather?’ She glanced out of the window, to where heavy raindrops were beginning to fall.
‘Oh, Lord, of course not. We’re experienced riders. You’re not scared, are you?’ he teased, his eyes meeting hers in a daring challenge.
‘Of course I’m not scared,’ she scoffed, tossing her head back. She would not for a moment show any anxiety.
Back on the bike, they headed back on the road they’d travelled. To her horror, the bike picked up speed.
‘Not so fast,’ she shouted above the wind as a wave of nervousness overtook her.
But Ruddy just laughed, stepped on the gas and whizzed around the corners of the small country road at breakneck speed, forcing her to cling to him for dear life. In the back of her mind a niggling picture of Ricardo looking thoroughly disapproving haunted her. Oh, how she wished she had listened to him, and that he were here right now.
Another sharp turn had her screaming with fear. Then suddenly she heard the loud blare of a horn. The bike screeched, then swerved off the road, and she was flying through the air.
After that there was darkness.
Ricardo had not returned to Maldoravia, as he had led them to believe, but had merely driven to Salzburg for a morning of meetings. When he returned to the schloss at lunchtime he was met by his sister.
‘So there you are. Hans told me you had decided to stay. Why did you go to Salzburg so early?’
‘I had a meeting with a friend of mine from the music festival. I’m a patron. We had breakfast at the Sacher. Is my wife home yet?’
‘No, of course not. They only left about an hour and a half ago. I think they are going to lunch at a heurigen.’
‘I see.’ Ricardo looked stern. ‘I don’t approve of her going off with the likes of Ruddy Hofstetten. I don’t like him.’
‘Why on earth not? He seems a perfectly nice young man to me. And Jamie’s an absolute hoot. He tells such funny stories. I haven’t laughed like this in years.’
‘I’ve heard some rather disagreeable stories about Ruddy and his pals,’ Ricardo continued as they stepped into the drawing room. ‘I don’t like the idea of my wife being alone with him.’
‘Well, she’s not alone with him,’ Constanza pointed out in a matter-of-fact tone. ‘Jamie is with them.’
‘Hmm.’ Somehow he could not rid himself of the uneasy feeling that had haunted him all morning that all was not right. ‘Where did they go?’ he enquired, accepting a glass of champagne from his sister.
‘I don’t know, exactly. But why are you so worried? Gabriella seems to be having fun.’
‘That isn’t the point.’
‘Really, Ricardo, you’re acting like a jealous husband, for goodness’ sake.’
‘That’s ridiculous,’ he retorted. ‘I’m merely concerned about her being out in this weather with two reckless young men.’
‘God, you sound like her father, not her husband.’ Constanza gave him a look that spoke volumes but said nothing more. Perhaps he needed to come to the conclusion that he was far more taken with his young wife than he himself realised. If that was the case then she was happy. The more she knew Gabriella, the more she liked her. She just hoped that the two would work themselves out in the end.
It was four in the afternoon when a police car drove up to the Schloss and two solid-looking officers dressed in green marched up the steps. Hans opened the heavy front door. Moments later he was knocking anxiously on the door of the den, where Constanza, Wilhelm and Ricardo were watching a tennis match on TV.
‘Your Highness, you are wanted in the hall,’ he said, addressing Ricardo, his expression worried.
‘What? Who on earth would want Ricardo?’ Constanza exclaimed, her face tilting upwards in surprise.
‘I’m afraid it is not good news,’ Hans said, shaking his white head.
‘Gabriella.’ Ricardo was already out of his chair and marching into the hall, where he nodded to the two officers. ‘What is going on?’ he asked, in a voice that rang with authority.
‘I’m afraid it is your wife, Your Highness.’
‘What about her?’
‘There has been an accident.’
‘An accident?’ Ricardo paled, clenched his fingers tight and forced himself to remain calm.
‘Oh, my God!’ Constanza exclaimed anxiously, following him out of the room with her husband.
‘Where is she?’ Wilhelm asked.
‘The helicopter flew her to Salzburg, Herr Graf. We know no more than that.’
‘What about the drivers of the bikes?’ Wilhelm asked.
‘There was only one, sir. He was not badly hurt. They kept him in the nearby village hospital to check him out. The more seriously injured was Her Royal Highness.’
‘We must go at once,’ Ricardo said, tight-lipped. ‘Wilhelm, get a chopper.’
‘In this weather? Forget it. I’ll drive you. It’ll be quicker.’
‘Wait for me,’ Constanza cried, grabbing a couple of old Loden jackets lying on one of the hall chairs. ‘Thank you, Officer,’ she said to the policeman, then rushed out of the front door to jump into the back of the Range Rover that Wilhelm was already revving up.
‘You’re all right now.’ She heard a soft voice close by as she came to.
‘Where am I?’ Gabriella whispered, opening her eyes, a dizzy feeling making her close them again immediately.
‘You are in hospital in Salzburg. You had a motorbike accident and suffered a mild concussion. You also broke your arm. It was thought preferable to bring you here.’
‘Oh.’ She closed her eyes again, the scenes of earlier that afternoon playing out before her. All at once a rush of tears burned her eyes and she wished, oh, how she wished that she had listened to Ricardo, and had not let her pride dictate her actions. But it was too late for that. Ricardo would be furious when he found out what had happened. Now, instead of getting better, things would probably get worse between them.
‘Are you all right, my child?’ The soft voice spoke again and she opened her eyes to see a smiling face under a wimple. ‘I am Sister Perpetua,’ the nun told her, pressing a gentle hand on hers. ‘There is no need for you to be unhappy or frightened any longer. All is well, and you will be fine in a few days.’
‘Does—does anyone know I’m here?’ Gabriella asked in a small voice.
‘Yes. A message has been sent to your sister-in-law, Grafin Wiesthun. Apparently the young man with whom you were riding provided the police with the address. I imagine your family will be here soon.’
Gabriella nodded and swallowed.
‘The other good news,’ the nun said, beaming, ‘is that the baby is all right.’
‘The baby?’ Gabriela looked at her blankly.
‘Yes, my dear. Your baby.’
‘My baby? But—’
‘You mean you didn’t know that you were pregnant?’ the English nun asked kindly.
‘No! I… That is, I had no idea. How could this have happened?’ she whispered, trying to draw herself up in the bed, wondering if she was going mad.
‘In the usual manner, I imagine,’ the nun replied with a touch of wry humour. ‘You are a married woman, I gather, so it is to be expected.’
‘I didn’t think that—I just thought my period was late,’ Gabriella mumbled, almost to herself. ‘It never occurred to me that… Oh, my God,’ she whispered as the implications of what she had just been told sank in. ‘Sister, please, do not tell anyone.’ She turned in panic to the nun and clasped her hand with her good one.
‘But why not? Surely your husband will want to know that the child is all right.’
‘He doesn’t know yet and I—well, there are reasons why I would rather tell him myself,’ she said, a dull flush covering her cheeks.
‘Well, of course, my child. It is for you to break the good news. I will tell Dr Braun not to mention it either.’
‘Oh, please. This is such a surprise. It will be for him too, you see,’ she added quickly.
‘A happy one, I hope?’ The nun looked straight into her eyes, read the confusion there and squeezed her hand.
‘I—yes. That is, I don’t really know.’ Gabriella swallowed the growing knot in her throat.
‘Are you not happily married?’
‘Yes. No. That is… I must sound so stupid. But the truth is I don’t know anything any more. Everything is so confused and mixed up.’ Her hand trembled in Sister Perpetua’s.
At that moment a knock on the door interrupted her confidences.
‘Ah. This must be your sister-in-law now,’ the nun said, rising from the chair and giving Gabriella’s hand a last squeeze. ‘We’ll talk later. Now, don’t get too tired,’ she said, moving across the room to open the door.
But instead of Constanza it was Ricardo who stood in the doorway and then made his way quickly across the room.
‘Gabriella,’ he said, looking down at her and taking her hand in his.
‘Ricardo. What are you doing here?’
‘I could ask you the same thing,’ he said, looking down at her, his expression stern.
‘I…I’m so sorry. You were right. I shouldn’t have gone.’ Again a rush of tears surfaced that she could do nothing to stop.
But instead of showing anger, Ricardo’s face changed immediately. He sat on the edge of the bed and stroked her hair gently, then dropped a kiss on her brow. ‘Oh, Gabriella, darling, did you think I would be angry with you?’ he murmured, a smile hovering about his lips. ‘I’m just thrilled to know that you are all right and that nothing worse happened. I can’t wait to get my hands on that little skunk Hofstetten. The police report says he was driving far too fast and that the fault of the accident was entirely his.’
He ground his teeth and Gabriella felt the pressure on her hand increase. It was wonderful to feel him so close, to feel the pressure of his fingers on hers. Even in her diminished state she could sense that same familiar tingle course through her, and she let out a sigh. God only knew what he would do if he knew what had happened at that inn, she reflected.
‘Now, you must stay quietly here for a few days and rest,’ Ricardo said, pinching her chin and smiling down at her.
‘But can’t I leave? Go back to the schloss?’
‘Not for a couple of days.’
‘Oh, but please, Ricardo, I don’t want to stay here on my own. Please ask them if I can go back. I’m sure they’ll let me.’
Gabriella tried to put the other thing out of her mind. She would think about it in a few days—once she was better. She would have to think what to do. On the one hand she experienced a sensation of wonder. On the other she realised in a quick moment of clarity that once he knew she was carrying his child Ricardo might insist she stay with him. It was all so complicated, so difficult. How she wished that he really loved her and that she could confide in him. But the way he was being now was just because of the accident. Soon he would be off again, to the arms of Ambrosia, or to some other sophisticated worldly woman’s bed.
‘Darling!’ Constanza burst into the room, interrupting her inner thoughts, her arms overflowing with boxes of Mozart Kugelen—traditional Salzburg chocolates filled with marzipan—and flowers. ‘I’m sorry you had an accident. I’m furious with Ruddy. I heard it was all his fault. Which just goes to prove that Ricardo was right about him after all.’
‘What did you say about him?’ Gabriella asked uneasily.
‘That I think he’s a bad character and that I’ve heard a few wild tales of his behaviour.’ ‘Ah.’
Ricardo looked at her closely, his brows meeting over the ridge of his nose as they were prone to do when he was concentrating. Had something happened? he wondered. Gabriella looked pale. But that was natural in her present condition. Or was there something more—something she didn’t want to tell him?
For the moment he wouldn’t press her, he decided, as Wilhelm joined them in the room and came over to talk to Gabriella.
In the end they let her leave the next day, under strict orders not to overdo it and to stay in bed for a few days.
‘That’s odd,’ Constanza remarked, ‘usually nowadays they try and get you up and about in no time.’
‘Mmm.’ Gabriella made a non-committal sound as the Range Rover, driven by Ricardo, entered the castle gates and they drove up to the front steps, where Wilhelm awaited them.
‘Gabriella, how good to have you back among us,’ Wilhelm exclaimed, helping her to alight.
Ricardo watched her. She still looked very pale, and it was obvious that the accident had affected her more deeply than he’d at first suspected. Was there anything else upsetting her? he wondered, remembering his pithy encounter with Ruddy Hofstetten the day before. Ruddy had returned to the castle sheepishly, to pick up his things, but had not escaped a lashing from Ricardo’s tongue.
‘If I ever find out that you molested my wife in any way you will have me to deal with,’ he’d thrown bitingly. ‘It’s bad enough that you almost killed her. I advise you to keep away from her, or things will go badly for you.’
‘Are you threatening me?’ Ruddy had bristled.
‘I’m warning you. I don’t want to see your face anywhere near her.’
Ruddy had drawn himself up, about to retort, then thought better of it. Ricardo did not look like a man to mess with and, frankly, the idea of seducing Gabriella had grown old after the events of the past few days. Better to move on to pastures new, he’d figured with a shrug.
‘You don’t have to worry about me,’ he’d said with a little laugh. ‘You’re welcome to your schoolgirl wife. I like them more sophisticated myself. A bit more bedroom knowledge needed for my taste.’
A few seconds later he had been nursing his jaw on the floor of Wilhelm’s library. He had departed within the hour.
But now, as he observed his wife’s pallor, Ricardo wished he’d done him more damage. Somehow he could not get it out of his head that Ruddy had in some manner upset her. Oh, well, it was too late to go over that territory again, and the sooner he got her home the better. But rest she must, and he would see to it that she did—despite her protests to the contrary.
Once she was installed in her large bed Gabriella was finally left alone and could think. For the past forty-eight hours she had done nothing but reflect upon her present situation and all its implications.
A baby. A baby that would grow up into a child.
Ricardo’s child.
She swallowed and fingered the edge of the sheet nervously. What was she to do? If she told him the truth then that would be it. He would expect her to remain married to him. She would be shackled for life. Or a good number of years anyway. If only things were different between them—if she knew that he loved her it would be different. But she was certain that although he was fond of her, enjoyed taking her to his bed, he was not in love with her. His sense of duty was what drove him to be so kind and nice to her. And every time she allowed herself to believe that perhaps his feelings were more engaged than she’d thought, she recalled that image of him and Ambrosia, side by side on the forward deck of the yacht, the intimacy between them so palpable, so impossible to deny.
She didn’t want to be like other royal couples she could think of, with a third party in her marriage. If there was another woman in his life, then better that he live with her, not pretend that all was well with his marriage when all it would cause was unhappiness for everyone. Right now he was being charming—refusing to leave for Maldoravia until she was completely well, spending time with her while she rested. They had even played cards together and laughed at a TV programme. Then last night when he’d come to bed he had leaned over and kissed her so tenderly that she’d nearly collapsed with pain and wanting. He’d taken her into his arms and kissed her gently, prying her lips open and causing such new and deep sensations to ripple through her that she hadn’t been able to help submitting to his caresses.
Now she closed her eyes and remembered the way he’d stroked her breasts, the way his lips had followed where his hands had left off, how she’d cried with unmitigated delight when he’d brought her to completion then entered her, delving deep inside her being, far deeper into her heart and soul than she could have imagined possible.
Gabriella let out a ragged sigh. She felt trapped. Trapped by her own feelings and the impossibility of her situation. She had to face the truth—that she was in love with her husband and that he, although he treated her with the utmost respect and kindness, was doing no more than his duty in the completion of a promise to a dying man.
She had to get away—had to leave him now before it was too late and they were both caught for ever in a web that was not of their making. She couldn’t bear to live like this, to have him make love to her knowing that he was probably going to another woman. She would never know a moment’s peace or respite. Her life would turn into a living hell where she saw potential threat in every other woman. No. That was no way to live. She’d seen that movie once too often—friends of her father’s, whose wives had given them all they wanted but had maintained several mistresses in tow, some who even appeared socially and had to be tolerated. That was not how she planned to live her life. Whatever it cost her, and however much it hurt, she would make the break now.
But what about the baby?
Her hand slipped to her stomach and she closed her eyes. Was it really possible that from their few incidences of lovemaking this could happen? She had talked to the doctor and apparently there was no doubt about her pregnancy. That was why she had to rest longer than normally would have been required, must make sure nothing could harm the tiny speck of life growing within her. But what a responsibility it was to think of beginning a new life, just she and her child.
She would wait for a few days before taking her final decision. She would do nothing until she was entirely well again—until she felt stable and strong enough to make the right decision and stick with it.
It was only a day trip to London, with a business lunch at Harry’s Bar, then back on the royal plane to Salzburg. But Ricardo worried that Gabriella didn’t seem to be looking any better. In fact, since her return to Constanza’s home she seemed more tired, and looked paler still. He thought she had lost weight.
As the plane flew over the Channel to London he thought about the night before last, when he’d held her in his arms and she’d opened to him, about how he was experiencing new and wonderful feelings that he had not experienced with any other woman. It was crazy that at his age and after all the women he’d bedded his wife should turn out to be so very special, should have that certain something he’d been looking for all these years.
When she was better he would take her away for that honeymoon they’d never had, he resolved, a smile hovering about his lips as they flew over Windsor Castle and headed for City Airport.
It was raining hard as he headed towards the entrance of the terminal, where his car awaited him, and he was walking quickly through the milling throng when he saw a face he recognised.
Ambrosia saw him, handsome and tanned in a light grey suit, taking purposeful strides towards the main entrance. She lifted a manicured hand and waved, calling his name. He stopped, turned, and, smiling, moved to where she stood.
‘Hello, Ambro. How are you?’
‘Oh, fine. All the better for seeing you,’ she responded archly.
‘Are you going into London? Can I give you a lift?’
Ambrosia took a snap decision to dismiss the vehicle that had been hired to meet her. ‘Actually, that would be lovely,’ she murmured, linking her arm in his. ‘How long do you plan to be here?’
‘Oh, not very long. I go back to Salzburg tonight unless this meeting prolongs itself. Then I may have to stay over.’
‘Where’s the meeting?’
‘At the bank with Ludo. A loan Maldoravia wants approved for a new drain system throughout the country.’
‘I didn’t know Ludo was back in town,’ Ambrosia said thoughtfully, her mind working furiously. If she could get Ricardo’s meeting prolonged, then that would open up any number of possibilities. For Ambrosia was convinced that if she could get him alone for a single evening all would go back to the way it had been.
As she seated herself elegantly in the vehicle she smiled at him, a steely determination taking hold of her. She would not let this man escape—would not allow a child barely out of the schoolroom to displace her in this man’s bed and affections. Ricardo had brought too much into her life for that. She had never hoped for marriage, knew that was impossible. But she was damned if anything as trivial as his nuptials would change their lives.
When he dropped her off in Chelsea, she smiled regretfully. ‘If by any chance you do stay over, promise me that we can have dinner together. I miss you, Ricky. After all, we were good friends as well as lovers, weren’t we?’
‘Of course.’
‘So we should see more of one another. You haven’t been anywhere near me for the past couple of months, and that hurts.’ She could be very convincing when she wanted. In a quick feminine gesture she leaned forward and straightened his already straight tie, then lifted her face and touched his lips with hers. It was fleeting and affectionate. Then she looped her large Hermès bag on her arm and exited the vehicle, leaving a lingering whiff of Calèche in her wake.
As soon as the car drove off, and before the door could be answered by the maid, she was on her cellphone. ‘Ludo—is that you?’
‘Oh, hello, Ambro. What can I do for you?’
‘Something terribly important. I just drove in from the airport with Ricardo. He’s on his way to his meeting with you at the bank right now.’
‘Yes, and…?’
‘And I want you to make things drag on long enough so that he has to spend the night here in town. Make some excuse. Invent something. Be creative.’
‘Good Lord. Not up to your tricks again, are you, Ambro?’
‘No, just consolidating my position—which has been a bit risky of late.’
‘Well, I suppose I could do that for an old friend.’
‘You’re sure it’ll work out?’
‘Of course. Trust me, baby. Ricky’s very keen on this new drainage system he wants installed in the Principality. I’ll find a way of making him stay over.’
‘Good. Just make sure you do, okay?’
‘Fine. I’ll give you the position later on in the day.’
‘Thank you, Ludo. You’re an absolute darling.’
‘Any time, gorgeous, any time.’