“I will give you a full tour of the palazzo when you’re rested. Perhaps tomorrow, hmmm?”

“I’d like that.”

Was that an overture of friendship? He realized she must feel completely displaced. Not even the room she’d be sleeping in now was familiar to her. He swung open the heavy, paneled door that led into her room. In the warm glow of the evening, the deep rose-pink drapes, edged in gold braid and tied back from the mullioned windows, looked friendly and inviting, as did the canopied 19th century bed that dominated the room.

“Oh my God, it’s like a museum. Are you sure I can sleep here?” Blair said with a nervous laugh.

“These pieces have been in my family—well—since they were new. We use them. That’s what they were designed for.”

Draco gestured to one of his staff to put Blair’s cases through another door on one side of the room.

“A maid will be along shortly to unpack for you.”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary. I can do that for myself.” Blair protested.

“It is very necessary. You look shattered. Why don’t you turn in early and in the morning we can start anew? What do you say?”

There was something in Draco’s eyes that went straight to Blair’s heart. Start anew. It was so appealing. If only she could start anew back to February when she was last here. Where would they be now? She certainly wouldn’t be here. She’d be back at Carson’s doing what she loved.

Well, she decided she could make herself miserable for the whole time she was here, or she could make the most of it.

“Thank you, I’d like that,” she replied softly.

Draco lifted a hand and traced one finger along the line of her jaw. Instantly her nerve endings went crazy. He hadn’t touched her since that brief moment when they’d clasped hands in the radiography room. Suddenly she realized just how much she missed his touch. Missed him. Tears sprang to her eyes. Stupid, helpless tears that did nothing to reflect the jumble of emotions that cascaded through her.

“I’ll let you rest then.” Draco turned to leave the room.

“Draco, wait. Where will you be?” To her horror a note of panic slipped into her voice.

“I will call in briefly to see my parents and then I will return. I’ll be just two doors further down the corridor, in my suite. Do not worry, Blair. I will not let you go far from my sight.”

Blair nodded, barely trusting herself to speak.

“Buona sera, Blair. Sleep well. And don’t worry about the maid when she comes, she will use the door that leads straight to your dressing room, so as not to disturb you.”

“D-dressing room? I barely have enough clothes to fit in a chest of drawers, and now I have an entire dressing room?”

“Perhaps we can fly to Livorno, on the coast, for the day, and do some shopping. Or even north to Firenze. Clearly, you will need a new wardrobe, especially as the baby grows.”

The excitement that began to bubble inside her fell immediately flat as she was reminded that the true purpose behind her being here was the baby, and the baby alone.

“As you wish,” she managed to say, because all of a sudden it was quite clear to her that despite the exquisite furnishings and the plush elegance of her new temporary home, she was here only at his bidding.

“Blair? It is not just as I wish. I would like to think you’re looking forward to this baby too. I know we said some harsh things to one another last week, but I meant what I said when I suggested we start over. Think about it, hmm? And I’ll see you in the morning.”

When Draco was gone Blair took a minute to familiarize herself with her room. The large en suite bathroom was as luxuriously fitted as the bedroom—although a great deal more modern, she noted with relief. She grabbed her toiletries and a night shirt from her case and prepared for bed.

Draco’s parting words still rang in her ears. Start over. It would be so lovely to do so. But what of her dreams? She’d finally taken Carson’s to five-star splendor, only to have to leave it in another’s hands. Granted, that person was her father, but still she felt cheated.

She slid between the fine cotton sheets, laundered with a hint of lavender, and rested her head onto the pillow. She’d thought she had it all under control, but where was that control now? Firmly in Draco’s hands, and there was nothing she could do about it. Absolutely nothing.

Nine

Blair was awakened the next morning by the clink of crockery on a tray.

“Buon giorno, Ms. Carson. I trust you rested well.” A uniformed maid bustled into the room and placed a tray on a nearby table. “I have brought you breakfast and a request from the Signore to be ready in an hour for a tour of the property. And Ms. Carson, the coffee is decaffeinated as per your doctor’s instructions.”




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