Coward,whispered a harsh voice.No, Lili told herself now. Not a coward. She was just protecting herself, and after what had happened to her, she had a right to protect herself however she wanted. She didn’t owe anyone anything. She’d cut all of her ties—
She startled when a stone was kicked onto the steps beside her. She whirled around to see Tommy, Matteo’s gangly teenage son.
‘Hi, Tommy.’
The young man blushed. ‘Morning, Lili.’
Tommy went down the steps to the little stone pier and started to get the rope ready to secure the boat. Just when Lili was wondering if the bosswaseven on his way she heard a faint sound that grew stronger and louder.
She saw the outline of a small boat slicing through the small waves of the lake, someone standing at the helm. Tall and broad. Dark. She shivered and it wasn’t from the morning chill. She couldn’t shake the sense that once this man arrived, nothing would be the same.
* * *
Cassian could see the familiar outline of the Corti villa rising up on the hill above the green and lush foliage. One of the less ornate villas in the area, it was still impressive with its cream walls and three stories. The terracotta roof. The whimsical wing that had been added at the turn of the last century with a turret.
The gardens were famous, designed by an iconic British landscape gardener back in the 1800’s.
Cassian wished that he could look upon this view and feel nothing but it was impossible. It thrummed inside him like a second pulse.His home.The place where he’d been so happy and the place that filled him with the most pain because that happiness had been brutally shattered.
As he drew closer to the small pier memories and voices whispered over his skin and into his ears.Cassian and Lorenzo, come inside now! I won’t call again and we will eat all your gelato!
Giggling and laughing so hard his stomach had hurt. Tugging his baby brother behind him as they’d climbed up through the gardens, mucky and aching all over from climbing trees and exploring…
His mother’s voice now:It’s been so long, Cass…we’ve missed you.
No. He would not let this return after more years than he liked to admit to unsettle him. This was just a place. It did not have any power over him. He’d carved out a life apart from it. Apart from his tragic past.
He had a decision to make now—to endeavour to keep the villa with all of its poignant and painful memories and past, or let it go, which he would have to do unless he complied with the strict and demanding rules of inheritance.
But even as he thought of cutting ties with his past and his family legacy, his insides clenched painfully and guilt burned like acid in his gut.
Sufficiente!He was a rational, intelligent man. He would decide on the course of action that made the most sense.
He could see the pier now and the slight figure of a young man. Cassian squinted. A very tall young man. Was that Tommy? He must have shot up since he’d seen him last. More guilt.
And there was another figure. Cassian could see it was a woman with long brown hair. But apart from that he couldn’t make out much else because she was dressed in something cream, and long and loose with what appeared to be an equally long cardigan pulled over her chest, under crossed arms. She was wearing sneakers.
The new housekeeper.It must be. What was her name again… Lucy? Something like that. Cassian knew he should care more but his head was still throbbing slightly and all he wanted was a coffee strong enough to stand in. The Lake Como air had done little to clear it. On some level he knew that he’d had to have a fuzzy head to come here and he hated himself for it.
He killed the engine and the boat bobbed gently to the pier wall. Tommy called out a greeting and Cassian forced a smile at the young man. ‘Ciao, Tommy, you’ve grown!’
‘Grazie, Signor Corti.’ The young man went brick-red but he was smiling. Cassian jumped athletically from the boat to the pier and handed the rope to Tommy, letting him secure it. He walked towards the woman who seemed to be watching him warily.
He took in details. Long dark hair. Not styled. Average height. Indeterminate shape under the loose clothes. Nice enough face. Big eyes, that he saw were a startling shade of blue, as he got closer. That realisation jolted something to life inside him but he dismissed it. He was tired and hung-over.
He stopped and saw how her eyes widened, looking him up and down. Why did he suddenly feel defensive? Aware of his stubbled jaw and creased suit? His dry mouth.
‘Buongiorno… Miss…’ He searched his brain frantically, cursing himself for not remembering he’d be meeting his newest staff member.
Her eyes moved back up to his face. They really were arresting. Like bright blue jewels. With long dark lashes. No make-up. It had been a long time since Cassian had seen a woman with a bare face. It felt curiously…intimate.
She spoke. ‘I’m Lili Spirenze. Your housekeeper.’ Her voice was immediately pleasing. Low and slightly husky.
She stepped back. ‘I’ve prepared some breakfast.’
‘Coffee?’
‘Of course. It’s on the terrace.’
