Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 591(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 591(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
She clasped her hands behind her. “The housekeeper, Rosa, is visiting her sister, and Don Cavalieri is with Amara at her cottage.”
Again, I nodded sagely, not sure if I was expected to know who those people were or not. I was pretty sure Don Cavalieri was Barone Cavalieri, the head of the family who ran the winery. Amara must be his new girlfriend, who gossip said he met when she was a server at his son’s doomed wedding.
She tilted her head to the side and gave me a questioning look. “Did Matteo tell you when he was expected to dock later tonight? I just want to know so I can be prepared for his arrival. I’m here waiting for him.”
Porca miseria. That was probably something a fiancée was expected to know.
I winced. “Sorry, he didn’t.”
She gestured to the purse I clutched like a life vest in a storm. “Maybe you could call him and ask?”
I nodded slowly as I tried to think of a response. I threw my arm up as if upset. “Yes. That would be a great idea except that my mobile died.”
She returned my nod. “Oh.”
Another long, painful pause.
Peering around her toward the impressive staircase behind her, I asked, “Maybe you could show me to a room?”
Her face lit up. “Yes, of course. How silly of me. This way, please.”
“What’s your name?”
She flashed a smile over her shoulder as we ascended the stairs. “Lucia. I’m named after James Joyce’s daughter, who died in an insane asylum. My mother is Irish, but my father was Italian.”
“Wow. That’s definitely unique.”
Lucia wrinkled her nose as she smiled. “I sound a little loony myself whenever I say that, but I can’t help it. I blame a childhood full of kids assuming I was named after Lucrezia Borgia, with mean boys clutching their throats and pretending to die after asking me for a bite of my school snack.”
I laughed. “Kids suck, especially boys.”
Her nose wrinkled in that funny way again as she sighed. “They do, don’t they? It’s such a shame they grow up to be sexy men who torture us with their charming smiles and arrogant bullshit.”
An unexpected stab of hot jealousy pierced my chest.
Her seemingly nervous chatter.
Telling me she was waiting for Matteo.
Just how well did this woman know my fiancé? Crap, I meant my sister’s fiancé.
Was she some kind of girlfriend on the side, despite his new situation?
“Rosa allowed me to choose which guest suite to prepare for your arrival. I chose my favorite one which is above the library and has a view of the private enclosed garden. It’s also decorated in the most gorgeous emerald-green and golds,” Lucia continued in her same animated fashion.
I followed her down the impressive hallway, which was decorated with clearly priceless artwork and various small half-moon tables topped with statuettes and expensive vases.
Listening to her animated chatter, my momentary unease left me. It was silly to have even thought of it. It wasn’t like I was the one marrying Matteo. Right?
As she paused at a set of double doors, she asked, “What’s your name? Sorry, but Alfonso only told me to expect Matteo’s fiancée. When I called Rosa to ask for instructions, she mentioned it, but I forgot.”
I placed my hand over my chest. “How rude of me. My name is Antonella.” Following her lead, I said, “Unlike your interesting story, I, unfortunately, was just named after my father.”
“Yes, that sounds familiar. Although now that I think of it, I could have sworn Rosa said it was Antonia. I’ll have to let her know.”
This time, the spike of unease punctured my heart, draining every drop of blood from my body… or at least that was what it felt like. I forced a laugh past my stiff lips, which sounded more like a gruff bark. “Did I say Antonella? Sorry, that’s my twin sister’s name. I’m Antonia.”
After opening the doors, she turned toward me, brow furrowed. “Um… okay.”
My fingers pressed into my temples. “I’m just so worn out and tired, I barely know what day it is, let alone my own name.”
Her face softened. “Oh! Of course. Sorry for prattling on.”
“No, it was nice to meet you.”
“The villa is usually this crazy hive of activity and noise, but the family are all away for the night so most of the servants took the evening off. Until you arrived, it was actually a little creepy being here all alone.”
I could totally picture that. Despite the darkness, it was hard not to appreciate the massive ancient villa or the surrounding buildings and home that made up the Cavalieri estate.
According to an architecture and decor article I found online, it was updated back in the fifties when large house parties were all the rage. It was converted from twelve bedrooms down to six, plus a massive main bedroom. Each room was supposed to have its own ensuite bathroom, living area and even a fireplace.