‘There is nothing more beautiful than looking out at the boats after dark,’ he said.
‘It’s magical,’ Georgia said, pausing to admire all the twinkling lights in the distance. ‘They look like fireflies, dancing in the dark.’
Luca stood close to her; close enough so that she could feel his presence, but without touching her.
‘Do you have an aversion to boat rides, by chance?’ he asked.
She turned, laughing at the playful look in his expression.
‘Thankfully, no. I would be more than willing to go for a boat ride.’
Luca nodded, and although she respected that he hadn’t asked, she decided to tell him anyway.
‘My parents died when I was a teenager,’ she said, turning back to look out at the water, finding it easier to talk about them when she stared into the distance. ‘It was years ago now, and I’ve long since come to accept their passing, but they died on a trip away.’
‘A helicopter trip?’ he asked, gently.
Georgia sighed, her memories of that day still vivid in her mind, impossible to forget even after all this time. ‘They were due to come home that day, and my mum had planned a helicopter flight for my dad. He was an aviation nerd, knew everything about every plane and helicopter ever made, and it was their twentieth wedding anniversary. Mum knew he’d love it.’
Luca moved closer then, standing almost in front of her so he could see her face. She forced herself to look at him, instead of taking the easier option and looking away.
‘The crash was fatal, the pilot lost his life as well, and ever since I’ve found it impossible to even look at a helicopter withouta shudder running through me. I don’t find any type of flying straightforward, if I’m completely honest.’
He touched his hand gently to her back, as if sensing that she needed to start walking, and they began to stroll again, with the river to their left.
‘Thank you for sharing that with me, Georgia,’ he said. ‘I can hear from your voice that you must have been a close family.’
Emotion clogged her throat and she quickly cleared it. ‘We were. I only wish it were easier to talk about.’
‘The passing of a family member is never easy. I don’t think it’s supposed to be,’ Luca said. ‘But I can see now why the sapphire must hold a special meaning for you, since it was left for a family member, when you don’t have either of your parents anymore.’
‘It is special, but restoring it to its rightful owner is important, too. If it wasn’t my great-grandmother’s to give?—’
‘I believe it was hers to give,’ he said. ‘I don’t know the details yet, but for a sapphire to be taken from the tiara? It had to be by someone who owned it, or someone who was close to it. If it were stolen, there would have been an uproar, a manhunt even, rather than a great mystery that’s lasted for so many decades.’
‘You truly believe that it belonged to her?’ Georgia asked.
‘I think there is much of the mystery that we’re yet to uncover, but yes, I believe it belonged to her. I believe that it held a special significance, which is why she left it behind for her daughter.’
‘A link to the father of the child?’
Luca shrugged. ‘Perhaps. Or perhaps a link to her family, a family that disowned her due to her being pregnant.’
Georgia hadn’t thought about that possibility, but now that he’d said it, it would make sense. Perhaps her great-grandmother had been treated unfairly in the same wayGeorgia’s father had, for choosing to marry someone who wasn’t from the right family or the right side of town.
‘Thank you, Luca,’ she said, stopping and watching him as he did the same. ‘Thank you for giving me such a great time, for making this trip so special.’
Luca surprised her by taking her hand, his fingers catching hold of hers as he slowly lifted her palm, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her skin as he looked into her eyes.
‘It’s me who must thank you for a magical evening,’ he said. ‘Had I known my day was going to end like this…’
She swallowed, wanting him to keep hold of her hand, wanting to feel his lips pressed against hers. She didn’t know if it was because she was on holiday and away from home, but something about being in Switzerland in the company of a man as handsome and charming as Luca…felt different. Or maybe she was finally relaxing and letting her hair down, allowing herself to just be rather than trying to be what she felt was expected of her all the time.
‘This trip isn’t turning out anything like I thought,’ she whispered. ‘I didn’t expect any of this.’
‘Then that makes two of us.’
His voice was a low whisper, and she found herself tilting her chin to look up into his eyes, imagining what it would be like if he kissed her.
