It was the “please” that got to her. It seemed the most unlikely of words coming from Jack. Joining him, she stood her ground, facing him. “I hope you found the meal satisfactory, my lord.”
“The meal, yes…” He paused as he puffed on his cigar.
She held her breath as she waited. She so wanted him to like her cooking, and it surprised her just how much it would mean to her.
“It was extraordinary,” he said, turning to look at her. “Truly, I’ve never had such a delicious meal.” There it was again, the tender smile that made her tingle from the top of her head down to her toes. “Wherever did you learn to cook like that?”
“Thank you, my lord.” Gaby could barely speak; she was almost mesmerized by the warmth in his blue-green eyes. “I—um—I don’t know…” She hesitated, hating that she was lying to him. “The recipes are clear in my head, but unfortunately, the rest of my life is a blur. I don’t remember.”
What would you say if I told you my family had one of the most successful restaurants in Chicago? You’d want to find out about it, but you’d find nothing because Trattoria della Vita won’t exist for another sixty years, when my great-grandfather Luigi D’Angelo opens it on Canal Street.
It was a shame she couldn’t confide in him, because she sensed if he were a friend, he would be a loyal one. She needed a friend and wished he didn’t suspect her of malicious intentions.
I wish I could tell you where I come from. I wish I could tell you what brought me here… I wish you would take me in your arms and kiss me.
That was a wish she didn’t expect to come true, and one that would only end badly.
His eyes seemed to drill into her. “I see you haven’t recovered anything from your earlier life. It’s almost as if you magically appeared out of nowhere.”
Gaby felt her cheeks warm, and she hoped in the dim moonlight, he couldn’t see. Jack had no idea how spot-on he was. “I’m sure I came from somewhere. I wish I could remember.”
“So, I’m to believe the only memory that has returned to you is the cookbook in your head.”
In the pit of her stomach, she could feel her temper begin to simmer. “No, my lord, but as you may have noticed, I speak English and Italian with an American accent. Certainly, the staff in the kitchen noticed and had some trouble understanding me, which leads me to believe that I was raised in the United States.”
“Perhaps the U.S. Department of State can help us. A missing person report may have been filed.”
“I wouldn’t have a clue how to go about that,” she stammered.
“I will look into it. Don’t you want to be reunited with your family?” he asked in an abrupt tone.
“Of course I do, more than you know.”
“Or perhaps there’s a husband who is frantically looking for you.”
“I’m not married—”
“How do you know that?” he interrupted, his voice sharp.
“I—I just know. That’s all.” She held up her left hand. “I don’t have a wedding ring, do I?”
“You could have lost it. It could have been stolen. Or you might have taken it off yourself.”
“Look, I’m not married; that’s that!” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm her nerves. “I appreciate everything that you and Lady Darling have done for me. Cooking for your aunt is my way of thanking her for her generosity. And when all is said and done, and I have to make my way inthisworld, then at least I have a skill that should serve me well. I am sure I could find a suitable position somewhere.”
“My aunt would never throw you out; she is far too kind to do that. And besides, you have more than cemented your place after you stepped in and saved the day with your cooking prowess.” He took a puff on his cigar and assessed her. “Besides, she’s taken a liking to you.”
Gaby knew she was playing with fire, but she could not stop herself from asking, “And you, my lord, would you throw me out, or have you also taken a liking to me?”
The rise of his brows showed his bewilderment. “You ask the most impertinent questions, Gaby. What would you have me say? I am as smitten with you as my aunt and wish you to remain within my protection forever? Is that what you are asking?”
Yes. No.“Oh, I would never be so presumptuous to expect anything of the sort from you.”
“You are the most exasperating woman I have ever met.”
“Well, you are the most arrogant man I’ve ever met.” She’d never held the upper hand in their prior exchanges, and the rush was enough to make her giddy and a little too daring. “But then, I’m sure you’re not used to any woman willing to match wits with you or a woman that won’t kowtow to your overbearing nature.”
Jack dropped his cheroot and ground it beneath his heel. He stared at her, and her pulse quickened.What is he thinking? Had she made him angry, he might do something rash, like throw her over the bluff. She’d witnessed both his temper and strength, which were formidable. But for some reason, she couldn’t walk away. She was frozen to the spot, her eyes locked with his, desperately wanting him to kiss her…
