‘You like children,’ Aristide appreciated.
‘I’ve always liked them. I just didn’t expect to have any of my own this side of thirty,’ she confided ruefully. ‘But I’m not thinking about that any more. It’s pointless. I’m pregnant. The babies will eventually arrive and I will get used to the idea of being a young mother. If Violet can adjust to becoming a mum for Belle, so can I.’
Chapter Eight
ANSUVMETthem at the airfield and whisked them to the Villa Renzetti. As Tabby sprang out of the car, a brunette hurtled down the shallow front steps of the imposing property and the sisters collided in a frantic hug on the driveway. They were talking nineteen to the dozen as Aristide left the car to greet their host, Violet’s husband, Tore Renzetti.
‘You won’t see Tabby again until the ball,’ Tore forecast, lowering the protesting little girl in his arms, who toddled off in the women’s direction. ‘Violet was so excited that her twin was coming that she couldn’t sleep last night and she has so much to tell her that she was making notes in case she forgot something. I propose that we make our own entertainment. I’ll give you a tour of this place and the village and we’ll grab a quiet snack somewhere.’
There was a wild flurry of introductions as the sisters realised that they had forgotten their men. Tabby, now clutching the giggling toddler to her chest, gave Aristide an apologetic smile over her shoulder as she followed her sister into the Villa Renzetti.
‘This is a fabulous house,’ Tabby told her sister as she scanned the sculptures adorning the classic splendour of the hall.
‘Tore’s into historic buildings,’ Violet told her as she showed her into an inviting library, fired past a formal dining room and confessed that they hadn’t yet furnished the drawing room. ‘The ballroom is an amazing space and fully restored.’
It was indeed amazing, Tabby agreed as she walked the length of the big room, taking in the carved stone pillars being industriously wound in decorative flower lights for the following night. Caterers were bustling round the bar and buffet niche and she moved out of their path to walk out through one of the line of ornamental doors leading out onto the terrace beyond and into the fresh air. Stepping onto the gleaming tiled floor, where a scattering of pretty table and chair seating areas were being arranged, she walked to the retaining wall to take in the wonderful view. Miles of woodland met her appreciative gaze. Below the villa, she glimpsed the first buildings of the picturesque little village that her sister had mentioned was within walking distance.
‘This is idyllic,’ she told her twin.
‘That’s good because you’re going to be a frequent visitor here,’ Violet warned her. ‘Let me show you upstairs to your room.’
‘I wasn’t quite sure what your preferred sleeping arrangements would be,’ her sister admitted awkwardly. ‘So I played safe and put you and Aristide in adjoining rooms—’
‘No, put him in with me,’ Tabby surprised herself by saying boldly, but, when she thought about it, it made sense because she didn’t like Aristide too far away from her. And why was that? And when had she startedfeelinglike that? Possessive? Even a tad clingy? Wincing for herself, she reddened as she caught her sister’s attention lingering on her.
‘You’ve got attached,’ Violet said worriedly.
‘Yes…no…well, maybe a little,’ Tabby conceded, crossing the beautiful bedroom her sister had prepared for her to take a sniff at the wonderful arrangement of fragrant peonies, lilies and roses in a jug on a table. There were magazines by the bed, a soft throw and a robe and mule slippers at the foot of it. Her heart warmed and lifted at the evidence of her sister’s care for her. ‘I did bring a dressing gown, you know.’
‘Don’t believe you. You always pack light and in a rush. So…’ Violet paused with a meaningful look.‘Aristide…’
Tabby froze. ‘He’s been very good to me. He takes an interest in everything, particularly in my pregnancy, but he’s got a nightmare ex who casts a big shadow and screws stuff up between us. It’s hard for me to know how I feel because I get so angry with him sometimes—’
‘Hold it there,’ Violet urged. ‘We’ll sit in the library. Stella will take Belle. I’ve got some smashing non-alcoholic rosé on ice ready for you. We’ll talk until we’re hoarse.’
Down in the cosy library, they curled up in comfortable velvet armchairs and talked behind a firmly closed door. The last thing Tabby wanted was for Aristide to learn that he was a topic of conversation. Snacks arrived and they nibbled and shared joys and grievances alike. They video-called their mother, delighted to see that their parent was feeling well enough to dress up and put some make-up on, and she was equally delighted to see her daughters reunited.
Only when Tabby mentioned the name of Aristide’s ex did the atmosphere grow fraught between the sisters.
‘Imogen Ross?’ Violet repeated that name in unfeigned dismay. ‘But she’s starring in the fashion show being held before the ball—’
Tabby couldn’t believe her ears. ‘What…fashion show?’
‘This is a charity event and we have to thoroughly entertain the guests to bring in the numbers,’ Violet explained. ‘The evening kicks off with a trendy designer showing off her range and Imogen is the leading light of her show. She waived her usual fee for the designer, who’s a friend of hers.’
Tabby rolled her eyes. ‘My goodness and to think we could’ve offered her free transport here,’ she mocked somewhat bitterly. ‘Seat us somewhere at the back.’
‘You’re the one with the official ring on your finger. Hold your head high,’ Violet contradicted. ‘He broke up with her and you may not know the details but it was obviously abadbreak-up if NDAs were required. What do you have to worry about?’
The four of them dined quite late that night, conversation waxing and waning until Tore and Aristide began talking business. Violet and Tabby returned to the library but not before Tabby took Aristide to one side and warned him that Imogen would be featuring in the fashion show. ‘I asked Violet to seat us at the back out of sight—’
‘No way. This ball is your sister’s big night as a hostess and we have nothing to fear from Imogen as long as we stand together. If there’s space in the front row, that’s where we will be,nothiding!’ he countered with derision.
Reassured by his adamant attitude, Tabby returned to the library. As the hour grew late, she was constantly stifling yawns, the travel and the excitement too much for her weary body and brain. Around midnight she parted from her twin, but her room was quiet and empty with no sign of Aristide’s luggage. She stared at the connecting door between their rooms and sighed. She didn’t know whether he had even gone to bed yet. The men had been talking of making a visit to the headquarters of Renzetti Pharma over dinner and she wondered if he had gone there even though it was late. That Aristide and Tore were getting on so well was great, she told herself. And Aristide couldn’t be in two places at once, even if she missed him. Even so, she went to bed and slept the moment her head hit the pillow.
‘I arranged for a hairstylist to come this afternoon if you want your hair done,’ Violet told her over breakfast the next day.
‘Lovely,’ Tabby replied, but she couldn’t hide her surprise.
