The Italian's Passionate Revenge

CHAPTER TEN

THE wedding was the quietest possible, taking place in a little side chapel of the great church. There was no grand bridal gown or bridesmaids similarly attired, no church packed with business associates passing as friends, no thunderous organ music, no procession down the aisle and back, no press interest.

Instead, with the bare minimum of witnesses, two people who were secretly afraid of each other, and of themselves, pledged mutual love and honour for the rest of their lives.

To please his mother, Vincente began their wedding night in Elise’s room.

‘Give her time to retire for the night, then I’ll go away and leave you in peace,’ he said.

‘Thank you.’

‘Are you feeling all right? You looked very pale during the service.’

‘I’m fine. I got over my bad spell at the beginning. The doctor says I’m strong again-strong enough to give birth to a Farnese son or daughter.’

‘I was concerned for you, for your own sake, not just as the mother of my child. But I suppose you don’t believe that.’

‘No, I believe whatever you tell me.’

Her voice was calm, emotionless, and he wanted to shout at her to look at him, respond to him-anything to awaken her from the chilly trance into which she had retreated. Horrified, he realised that anything he did would only drive her further into hiding. She’d found a place where he couldn’t reach her.

From the corridor outside they heard the sound of footsteps, followed by Mamma’s voice. ‘Goodnight, both of you. It’s all right, I’m not coming in.’

‘Thank you, Mamma,’ Vincente called in a strained voice. ‘Goodnight.’

If they had been uneasy before, the old lady’s heavy-handed tact made it a hundred times worse. It was clear that she was enjoying a fantasy in which the bride and groom stripped seductively, prior to making passionate love, not watching each other from each side of a yawning distance.

Elise turned away to the tall window and looked down into the garden where the servants were having an impromptu party.

‘They’re celebrating,’ she murmured.

Vincente came up behind her.

‘Of course. A wedding is always good news for a family even if…well.’

A yell of delight reached them from below. Some of the partygoers looked up to the window and raised their glasses in salute, laughing and cheering.

‘They can see us,’ he said, pushing the window so that it opened on to a small balcony. ‘It’s you they want.’

Taking her hand, he drew her out and a riot of good cheer soared up to greet them. Glasses were raised, greetings and congratulations were shouted. Elise could just make out the words la signora and bambino.

‘I suppose everyone knows,’ she said.

‘No, but they suspect and they’re hoping.’

She summoned up a smile, waving at the little crowd below, and they responded with a shout of joy. One middle-aged man called up daringly, ‘Bambino? Si?’

Elise put her hands over her stomach, smiled and nodded, which produced an explosion of cheering. Vincente too was smiling as he moved a little closer, laying a hand on her shoulder, close to her neck.

‘Look at me,’ he murmured.

As she did so he delighted their audience further by laying his mouth on hers. She accepted the kiss and leaned into it, prepared to seem willing because it was only part of the performance.

Elise thought she was braced for the feel of his lips, but then he did something unfair. Either by accident or design, his hand moved to the back of her neck, caressing exactly the spot he’d discovered when she’d last lain in his arms, the night he’d cynically inflamed her desire as a way to show her who was boss.

The result was the same now as then. Despite her mind’s resistance, a flash of lightning seemed to go through her, threatening all her resolutions.

Did he know? Of course he did, she thought bitterly. This man did nothing without calculating the consequences down to the last detail.

He put his hand on the other side of her face so that what appeared to the onlookers below was not a passionate kiss, but one full of tender consideration. Cheers rose to engulf them.

‘I think we should go in now,’ she whispered.

Nodding, he waved to the crowd and they went back inside.

‘They love you,’ Vincente said warmly. ‘You did everything right. Thank you.’

‘Don’t thank me,’ she said coolly. ‘I’m an old hand at this. Years with Ben taught me how to hide hostility with a smile.’

He was standing close, not touching her, but looking searchingly into her face.

‘Hostility?’ he echoed. ‘To them?’

‘Not to them.’

‘Elise-’

‘What did you expect? Have you forgotten the last time we met before you went away? You set out that night to show me who called the shots. And you did. You made it very plain who was boss and I got the message. Congratulations. Now you’ve got your wife and child safely secured under your roof, and all’s right with your world.

‘But listen to me, Vincente. Don’t ever think I’m just going to lie down for you to walk over me. Push me too hard and you’ll find that there are limits to your power.’

‘Perhaps power isn’t all I want.’

‘I’m afraid it’s all you have. But don’t worry, I won’t show you up. I’ll smile and parade and be nice to the right people. As I said, I got lots of practise with Ben.’

‘I’m not Ben,’ he shouted.

‘I used to think you weren’t,’ she said softly. ‘But I guess I’m not as good a judge of character as I thought. You’d better go now.’

He looked at her for a long moment. Then he walked out.

Elise guessed it wasn’t coincidence that he was away for the next few days. She was grateful to him for his tact. It gave her time to come to terms with her confusion. Lying alone in the silence of the night, she finally admitted that she had fallen in love with him. She wasn’t sure when, but it was some time ago, and too late now. She’d denied it to herself, but now there could be no more denial.

She had given her heart to a man who’d hated and despised her from the first moment, who’d pursued her with the fixed intention of destroying and humiliating her, and who had done it very thoroughly.

In fact, she thought wretchedly, he had no idea just how successful he’d been. At all costs he mustn’t realise that she’d been foolish enough to love him, because that would be his final revenge, the most bitter one of all.

But killing her love should be easy. She just had to be strong-minded about it and remember what he’d done. It would take time, but she would work at it. She could be as strong-minded as he.

And he would help deaden her feelings, for there was no reason to expect now that he would be faithful. No doubt from now on he would be spending more time in his bachelor flat, on the pretext of catching up with work.

But there she was wrong. Although he was sometimes late returning to the Palazzo, he never stayed away overnight unless he had to. His manner towards herself was always solicitous and concerned, just as it was to his mother, whose health was frail.

To Elise’s relief, her own health and strength returned swiftly. She began to feel equal to anything, even the party that was being planned to celebrate the wedding.

‘The whole of Rome is longing to see you,’ Mamma told her ecstatically.

‘Surely not.’ Elise laughed.

‘The whole of Rome might be an exaggeration,’ Vincente admitted, ‘but you’ve aroused much interest among my friends and associates.’

He gave her a couple of names. One, he had to explain, was the chairman of Italy’s most important bank, but she recognised the other.

‘Attilo Vansini?’ she echoed, stunned. ‘But he’s…’

He was a figure of enormous political power, always close to the president of the country, whoever the president happened to be. Elections came and went but Vansini maintained his influence, through a combination of wealth, shrewd dealings and corruption, so it was said.

Scandal followed him as dogs followed a scent: women, money, he welcomed it all.

‘He said not to forget to invite him to the party,’ Vincente told her. ‘At that stage I hadn’t thought about a party, so this is his way of saying he expects one.’

‘You must have a gown made for you by Menotti,’ Mamma said, naming the most exclusive couturier in Rome.

Elise would have liked to design her own gown, but realised that it was probably a little soon for that and allowed herself to be swept off to the Via dei Condotti. There they entered a tiny establishment, so unpretentious that it almost seemed to be cowed by the rest of the expensive street.

But inside everything was different. Luisa Menotti was the best, and everything in her salon whispered discreet, luxurious elegance. She took personal charge, exclaiming over Elise’s still-slim figure, admiring her fair colouring, and pronouncing, ‘Black. Nothing else will do.’

Since Elise had made the same decision, it was a successful visit. The gown that resulted was black silk, low-cut, but no more than modesty allowed, fitting snugly over her hips and sweeping the floor.

She had often entertained lavishly for Ben and was prepared to play a part in the preparations of the Palazzo, but she soon realised that the best thing she could do was to keep out until she understood the Palazzo better.

A hundred in-house servants were mobilised, a hundred more brought in from the Farnese estate in the country. Every inch of the building was cleaned. The extensive grounds were trimmed and prepared, for the party would spill out into the open. Fairy lights hung from the trees, leading far into the distance, creating a mysterious, glowing path.

The Palazzo boasted three kitchens, only one of which was normally used. But during the last two days before the party all three were hard at work.

Deliveries were made from nearby shops so that every guest would have a gift. Elise gasped as she realised what some of them must have cost. Could Vincente really afford all this?

‘Why not?’ he asked with a shrug when she mentioned it.

They were in the office that he used when working at home, and he had to look up from his desk.

‘Well, I know it’s important to impress people,’ she said. ‘Ben used to-’

‘Forget Ben. This is a different universe from the one where he operated.’

‘Only in the sense that it’s bigger,’ she retorted. ‘When we walk out there together you’ll be showing off your trophy in exactly the same way that he did. And I’ll walk down those marble steps very slowly and carefully, so that everyone gets a good look at your latest purchase, and tries to calculate whether you were cheated.’

‘They can think what they like. If I’ve been cheated I’ll know for myself, without asking anyone else’s opinion.’

‘And what’s your opinion so far?’ she challenged. ‘Am I worth it?’

He thrust back his chair, rising sharply to his feet and looking her up and down with cool eyes. ‘Not yet,’ he said at last. ‘But I intend that you shall be.’

She gasped. ‘Of all the-’

‘You started this conversation. If this is how you wish to regard our marriage, then fine, I’ll go along with it. I’ll give you an accounting now and then to let you know if your value has gone up. If it’s gone down I’ll tell you why and expect you to put matters right without delay. Anything less would make a fool of me in front of people whose respect I need, and that I won’t tolerate. Am I making myself clear?’

‘You bastard,’ she whispered.

‘It was your choice, so we’ll play it your way. I want the best from you, especially when I show off my acquisition to an admiring audience.’

‘Yes, we wouldn’t want them to think you were losing your grip,’ she said satirically.

‘Exactly; I’m glad you understand. So this would be a good moment to make sure you’re properly arrayed. Mamma says your gown is excellent, so all you need now is appropriate jewellery.’

‘I’ll go shopping tomorrow.’

‘No need, I have it here.’

Vincente turned to a well-armoured safe, keyed in the combination and took out several boxes, which he laid on the desk and opened.

Elise’s eyes opened wide as the sight of the most magnificent diamonds she had ever seen. There was a fabulous tiara, a large riviere to go about her neck, a heavy bracelet, long ear drops. Each stone was dazzling in its beauty. The effect of them all together was awesome.

‘I hope you feel these make a suitable wedding gift,’ Vincente said smoothly. ‘I’d have given them earlier but they were only delivered today. Turn around.’

Elise did so and he took up the riviere and draped it around her neck. His fingers brushed her gently as he fastened it, and she braced herself against the pleasure of being touched exactly there. Vincente seemed oblivious, which was almost as much of a relief as it was annoying.

‘I chose well,’ he said. ‘They suit you perfectly.’

‘But when did you choose them?’

‘Last week. I told the shop what I wanted and they did a good job.’

‘You told the shop? Suppose I had an opinion?’

‘Are you saying you don’t like them?’

‘No, they’re beautiful, but I would have liked a say in the choice.’

‘I know what suits your style, and I know what my wife will be expected to wear on such an occasion. You look magnificent. You’ll be a credit to me.’

A credit to him, she noted. There was no hint of giving pleasure to her.

‘You’d better leave them here,’ Vincente said. ‘I’ll put them in the safe until then. Afterwards they can go to the bank-all except this.’

He’d taken her left hand and was putting a ring on the wedding finger, saying, ‘It’s your engagement ring. You can’t appear without one.’

‘Did you offer it to me on bended knee?’ she asked ironically.

He matched her, irony for irony. ‘I’m afraid I can’t remember.’

‘I don’t want them,’ she said suddenly.

‘What did you say?’

‘I don’t want these. You talk about a wedding gift, but it’s a business transaction, no more.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with a business transaction as long as it’s honest.’

She met his eyes. ‘Are we honest? Were we ever?’ She began to remove the diamonds.

‘Be careful,’ he snapped, brushing her hands aside and taking over. ‘They’re valuable. Do you want to break them?’

‘Valuable things get broken all the time, Vincente. We both know that, don’t we?’

He grimaced. ‘You’re right, of course. How could I have forgotten?’

At last the jewels were off and he replaced them in the safe.

‘Best if you return them to the jeweller,’ she said. ‘I shan’t wear them.’

He turned on her. ‘You will wear them because they are appropriate to my wife, and I will allow nothing else. Is that clear?’

She gave a cruel laugh. ‘Perfectly clear. Ben himself couldn’t have said it any clearer.’

She stormed out, leaving Vincente to fight the temptation to thump the wall. That scene should have gone differently, with him making her a gift of diamonds and her perhaps even being a little pleased. Instead, she’d managed to drive him to the edge of his temper and he’d turned on her, hurling the gift at her contemptuously, thus justifying her worst thoughts about him.

Was that what she wanted? Did it give her a perverse pleasure to provoke his ugly side? He had a terrible feeling that this was exactly the truth.

As she showered and dressed Elise could hear the orchestra already beginning to play in the great ballroom where the party was to be held. Her hair was swept up in a style of elegant sophistication and her make-up was discreetly provocative.

She had changed, she thought. The woman who’d arrived in Rome months ago had considered herself experienced, but there had still been something unawakened about her. In retrospect she could see that. Regarding her reflection in the mirror now, she was struck by the difference. The face that looked back had learned many lessons-some ecstatic, some bitter. Good and bad, they would stay with her for ever.

There was a knock on her door.

‘Come in,’ she called.

Vincente entered, wearing evening attire and looking so handsome that she had to close her eyes in resistance.

‘I’ve brought your diamonds,’ he said.

‘Fine,’ she told him, smiling. ‘Please put them on for me but, before you do, can you zip up my dress?’

She turned her back to him, glancing over her shoulder so that she could catch his startled reaction to what he saw. The zip was a long one, reaching halfway down the swell of her hips and leaving no doubt about one thing.

‘You’re not wearing anything under that dress,’ Vincente said in a tense voice.

‘I can’t risk any lines underneath. You wouldn’t want me to look unsophisticated, would you?’

‘I’d want you to look decent,’ he snapped.

‘I will. Once you’ve zipped me up, nobody will see anything. The bust has support built in, so I’ll be entirely proper.’

‘That’s not the word I’d use.’

‘Just zip me up, please. People will be arriving soon.’

As though bored by the conversation, she turned her back on him completely, giving him a perfect view of silky skin. Scowling, he drew the zip up so that she was gradually enclosed. As she had said, from the outside her nakedness was impossible to detect.

But it was equally impossible to forget. It was there before his mind’s eye as he fastened the tiara, the earrings, the bracelet, the engagement ring and the necklace. When he’d done that, he rested his hands on her bare shoulders and their eyes met in the mirror.

She smiled, and it contained a message. She was letting him know that she could follow his thoughts right back to the first night they’d met. That night too, she’d worn nothing beneath her dress and he’d known, and later had accused her of inciting him deliberately. Which was true. The evening had been full of promise and excitement.

Now she was repeating the trick with the skill of a conjurer, but this time to underline how much had changed. No promise, no excitement, no hope. Only a blazing cynicism tormenting him with the reminder of what was over.

‘Satisfied?’ she asked lightly. ‘Will I do you credit? Will everyone look at me and know how much I cost?’

‘They’ll know I acquired the best,’ he agreed.

‘The best and most expensive. Don’t forget what really matters.’

‘Don’t talk like that.’

‘But surely you can pay me a compliment on how much my share value has risen tonight? Or will you wait until the end of the evening when you can judge the effect I’ve had?’

‘Stop it!’ he said explosively, while his hands tightened on her shoulders.

‘Be careful; you’ll leave bruises,’ she said, and he released her at once.

‘Let us at least try to seem amicable tonight,’ he suggested tensely.

‘Of course. You can rely on me to play my role to perfection.’

‘Then there’s no more to be said. Let’s go.’

As they walked towards the ballroom Elise caught a glimpse of them in a full-length mirror and thought how ironic it was that they made such a splendid, well-suited couple. Her appearance was dazzling, the diamonds and black silk setting each other off to perfection. And if there was a more handsome man in the room than Vincente, she would be surprised.

Their entrance into the ballroom was made down a flight of shallow marble steps. At the sight of them the crowd below burst into applause. Vincente drew her arm through his and, heads up, they walked down together.

There were nearly seven hundred guests, some of whom Elise had read about beforehand so that she was able to greet them knowledgeably. From the start instinct told her that she was making a good impression. The men gazed at her with frank appreciation, the women regarded her with envy, though whether they were eyeing her beauty, her diamonds or her husband she couldn’t be quite certain. She guessed a mixture of all three.

Secretly, she had to admit that she was glad of her jewels. They were costlier and more glamorous than those of any other woman there, and they marked her out as special.

There was an impressive number of government ministers present, also several film stars. One in particular-a young woman in her twenties who had just scored her first big success in Hollywood-gave Vincente a significant smile that made Elise wonder about their past.

Mentally she shrugged. What was it to her?

Attilo Vansini fulfilled all her expectations, being in his sixties with an unconvincing head of red hair, and an air of bonhomie that was almost violent. He kissed her hand repeatedly, paid a dozen compliments to her looks and demanded that she dance with him first.

‘But not before me,’ Vincente said, sliding his arm possessively around Elise’s waist. ‘After all, this is my bride.’

Vansini gave a riotous laugh. ‘I defer to love.’

Everyone applauded as the music struck up and the bridal couple began to dance, circling the floor alone.

‘He defers to love,’ Vincente said. ‘In their eyes we’re the perfect romantic couple.’

‘Don’t hold me so close,’ she said.

‘But I want to hold you close. I want to feel your legs moving against mine, and dream of how you look beneath that dress.’

‘That doesn’t concern you,’ she said lightly.

He tightened his hand in the small of her back, making her gasp.

‘Your nakedness concerns every man in the room, and if you don’t believe me, look at their faces. There isn’t one of them who wouldn’t take you here and now if he could.’

‘But that’s what you wanted-that they should envy you.’

He’d thought it was, but now he was ready to kill any man who dared turn his eyes on her. Like a malign spell, the words she’d once spoken from the depths of hatred streamed into his mind:

‘…there are going to be others, make no mistake… Are your special little touches yours alone, or do other men know them?…Never mind. I’ll have fun finding out.’

‘Not in a million years,’ he murmured.

‘What did you say?’ she asked.

‘Nothing. There’s such a thing as propriety. Try to remember that.’

‘You mean, us being such a respectable married couple. I’ll do my best.’

She laughed up into his face, knowing that she had him on the rack, and the onlookers smiled fondly to see newly-weds so adoring.

As the music slowed Vansini pounced, detaching Elise from Vincente’s arms almost by force and whirling her away. The orchestra struck up again and suddenly the floor was filled with couples.

For several minutes Vansini entertained her with outrageous compliments, while also praising himself.

‘I make love magnificently,’ he proclaimed. ‘No man is my equal, not even Vincente. Say the word and we’ll put it to the test.’

‘Of course,’ she said. ‘Any time you want my husband to bring your life to a sudden end, just let me know.’

He roared with laughter and she joined in. The onlookers murmured about how lucky Vincente was to have a wife who could get on the right side of such a useful man. They also made a pretty accurate guess at the conversation.

But then Vansini’s manner changed as he noticed somebody arrive. ‘My son!’ he exclaimed, beaming with pride. ‘At last. Come and meet him.’

He drew her across the floor to introduce her to the most astonishingly handsome young man Elise had ever seen. Carlo Vansini was tall and lithe, with a gentle charm that won her over in the first minute. She danced with him and later in the evening they fell into conversation as they ate from the buffet.

She was aware of Vincente watching her, but she pushed the thought aside. Carlo was saying things that greatly interested her. When he leaned down to speak in her ear she smiled and nodded at the thoughts he was putting into her head.

‘We must meet again,’ she said thoughtfully, ‘and discuss this further.’

‘I live for that moment,’ he said gravely.

She laughed, conscious of Vincente’s burning eyes on her, and returned to her other guests.