‘When you’re up there the volcano looks very near because there’s nothing in between but clear air,’ Luke told her. ‘The least little murmur from Vesuvius, the tiniest puff of smoke, seems to be happening right on top of you.’
‘You mean things happen even these days?’
‘Nothing to worry about. The old man gives the odd grumble from deep in the earth, just to remind us not to take him for granted, but the last actual eruption was sixty years ago. Toni’s father saw it happen and he used to warn us always to tell the truth, because Vesuvius was listening and would growl with displeasure if we offended. So every time there was the faintest murmur we all used to jump nervously.’
At last they swung into the great courtyard of the villa. As they left the car a door in the house opened and his mother emerged, throwing up her arms in joyful greeting.
‘Mamma!’ Luke called cheerfully, climbing the steps, Olympia’s hand in his. ‘You see, I’ve brought her.’
His mother gave him a perfunctory kiss before welcoming Olympia eagerly, her eyes flickering over the red dress.
‘Perfect,’ she said. ‘It suits you, as I knew it would.’
‘It’s just an accident that she chose that dress, Mamma,’ Luke said quickly. ‘She told me so.’
‘Of course she did. Olympia, my dear, you are very welcome. Now come and meet the rest of my family.’
As Olympia went into the house Hope drew Luke aside, murmuring, ‘She’ll make a beautiful bride.’
‘Mamma, you don’t know her.’
‘I can tell these things. She looks like my daughter-in-law.’
‘For which one of us?’ he asked, amused.
‘Whichever one she will deign to have,’ Hope informed him caustically. ‘She may take her pick.’
‘Oh, no,’ he said at once. ‘She’s all mine.’
‘Congratulations, my son. Your taste is improving.’
As they entered the warm house Olympia turned towards her. ‘Mrs Cayman-’
Luke’s mother laughed. ‘Oh, my dear, I’m sorry. We’re all so casual about names. I’m not Mrs Cayman any more. That was years ago. I’m Signora Rinucci.’
‘Rinucci? You mean-?’
‘Toni’s name is Rinucci, and this is the Villa Rinucci.’
‘Then-you know Primo Rinucci?’
‘My stepson. He should have been here tonight but he was called back to England very suddenly. But of course, if you work for Leonate you must know him.’
‘No, I don’t. Somehow we’ve always just missed each other.’
‘Wait a moment,’ said Hope, going to a cupboard and reaching inside.
She brought out a large photo album and laid it down on a small table, turning the heavy pages until she came to a picture and pointed to it.
‘That’s him,’ she said triumphantly.
Smiling, Olympia gazed down at the face of Primo Rinucci. And her smile faded.
CHAPTER EIGHT
FOR a long moment Olympia felt absolutely nothing. What she was seeing was so impossible that there could be no reaction.
Her hostess was explaining, ‘Primo was the son of my first husband, Jack Cayman. His mother was a Rinucci and he took the family name when he came to live here.’
Olympia barely heard the words. Her stomach was churning as the dreadful truth finally became real, sharp. This was Primo Rinucci. The man she had trusted, confided in, to whom she had revealed her whole ambitious strategy, had been keeping this secret all the time.
What a laugh she must have given him!
‘So that’s Primo,’ she said at last, surprised to find that she could speak normally. ‘No, I don’t know him.’
She fought to remain calm. Nobody must suspect that she’d received a shattering blow. That would be to pile disaster on disaster. Instead she would smile and smile, concealing the turmoil in her heart.
‘I never knew him,’ she repeated quietly.
It was true. She’d thought she knew him so well, but all the time he’d been a stranger. The affectionate friend she’d trusted had never existed, because he’d been laughing at her, encouraging her to confide in him as she’d never done with anyone before, making a fool of her. When she thought of some of the things she’d said to him she went hot and cold.
Worst of all, she’d actually begun to believe that she might fall in love with him. And all the time he’d been sitting back, enjoying the situation at her expense.
She must hurry away from here, get back to England, leave the firm and go where she need never meet him again.
‘There you two are,’ Luke said, appearing beside his mother. ‘Mamma, everyone’s looking for you. There’s some sort of crisis in the kitchen.’
When she had hurried away he glanced at Olympia, concerned. ‘Are you all right?’
‘I’m fine, fine!’ she said brightly.
‘Come and have some champagne and I’ll introduce you to everyone.’
She followed like an automaton, while behind the façade her mind seethed.
She had only herself to blame because she’d always known he was a deceiver. That first day he’d pretended to be her secretary. Just a little tease, easy to pass off as a joke. But he hadn’t told her until someone else had exposed him. It had been a warning she should have heeded.
Instead, she’d blundered on blindly, convincing herself that it was only a game. But the bitter hurt that consumed her now was shocking, terrifying, and she almost staggered under its impact.
After the first concerned question Luke hadn’t spoken again. But he’d glimpsed the photograph and seen her horror. Now things were coming together in his mind and he had a suspicion of the truth.
So brother Primo had kicked over the traces, he mused. And with a vengeance!
He took her to meet his family-Toni, his father, his brothers, Toni’s elderly parents who were paying them a visit and were guests of honour. There were also some business acquaintances.
Now Olympia seemed pervaded by a glacial calm that Luke found disturbing. He’d lived long enough in Italy to be comfortable with shouting and smashed plates. But freezing control made him uneasy.
‘Do you want to talk about it?’ he asked gently.
‘There’s nothing to talk about.’
‘Well, my family are crazy about you, especially Mamma.’
‘I think she’s wonderful. She’s been so nice to me.’
Someone called Luke’s name and he turned briefly away. Olympia’s eyes sought out Hope and found her at the exact moment Primo walked through the door.
She drew a sharp breath and turned away, hoping she’d hidden her face in time. He wasn’t supposed to be here. Why hadn’t he let her know he was coming back?
Had he noticed her? Please, no! She needed a moment to get control of herself so that she could meet him calmly. At all costs she must be the one in charge of this situation. Just a few more minutes and she would be strong enough to outface him.
Hope was eagerly hugging Primo, exclaiming over his early return.
‘You made it! I thought you were going to be trapped in England for ages.’
‘No, I got through everything at the speed of light,’ he said. ‘I just wanted to hurry back here.’
This was true. The thought of what might be happening in his absence was making him nervous.
‘You’re here in time for the excitement,’ she told him. ‘Luke brought a really nice girl tonight. She’ll make him an excellent wife.’
‘You know that already, do you?’ he asked, grinning.
‘I knew the moment I set eyes on her.’
‘So all you have to do is persuade her.’
‘I’m halfway there already. I suggested-in the mildest possible way, of course-that she would look wonderful in a long crimson dress. And tonight she turned up wearing the very thing. She wants the same thing that I want and that’s her way of telling me.’
‘And what about what Luke wants?’ Primo asked with a grin. ‘Has anyone thought of asking him, or will he just take what’s supplied as long as it’s stamped Approved by Mamma?’