Vin hadn’t gotten the invitation, because he’d instructed his assistant to toss anything from the Borgia family straight into the trash. “Um...”
“And now you are engaged as well, and expecting a child,” Maria said, her eyes shining. “Our family is growing!”
Beneath the fairy lights of the large courtyard, guests were dancing to the music of a small band. It didn’t even feel cold, with the heat lamps. A beautiful evening party, with a panoramic view of the moon-swept Tuscan countryside.
He looked back at Scarlett, already sitting at a table near the dinner buffet, a plate of food in front of her as she talked to Giuseppe and Joanne. Amid all the elegant suits and gowns, she was still wearing the same casual clothes she’d worn on her morning walk in Gstaad. But it didn’t matter. Just looking at her, Vin felt a flash of heat that blocked out all other thoughts and feelings. A welcome distraction.
As if she felt his stare, Scarlett turned. Their eyes locked across the crowd, and electricity thrummed through him, as if they were the only two people in the world.
Then his stepmother rose from the table, gesturing her to follow. Finishing a last bite of dinner, Scarlett rose. Lifting her eyebrow at him with a mysterious smile, she turned and disappeared inside the villa.
It was as if clouds suddenly covered the moonlight. Clearing his throat, Vin turned back to Maria, trying to remember what they’d been saying. “Ah...I hope you’ll both be very happy.”
“You, too, brother.” Her smile broadened. “But since you’re in love, getting married and having a baby, something tells me you’re about to be happier than you can even imagine.”
* * *
Ten minutes later, Scarlett was staring at herself in the full-length mirror.
“Thank you,” she breathed, looking at herself in the borrowed floaty knee-length dress with charming bell sleeves. “Oh, thank you so much!”
Vin’s stepmother, Joanne, beamed back at her. “It’s vintage, darling. Haven’t worn it in years. I’m just glad I had a dress with an empire waist!” She glanced fondly at Scarlett’s belly. “How wonderful it will be—” she sighed happily “—to have a new baby in the family. Now I don’t even have to pressure Maria about children for a while, because you’re making me a grandmother!”
From the moment Scarlett had met Vin’s parents, they’d treated her like family. While talking with them in the courtyard, Scarlett had shyly mentioned she felt woefully underdressed for the party, in wrinkled khakis.
“Your bodyguards just brought in your suitcase,” Joanne had said helpfully, but Scarlett shook her head, looking down at her casual clothes with regret.
“All my clothes look like this.”
“Don’t worry!” Joanne had said suddenly. “I know just the thing!”
Scarlett had immediately liked the dark-haired British woman, with her obviously kind heart. Now, blinking back tears, she reached out and impulsively hugged her. “I’m so glad we’re going to be family.”
“Me, too, darling.” Joanne smiled as she drew back, her eyes glistening with tears. “I can’t remember the last time I saw Giuseppe so happy. You’ve put our family back together and added years to my husband’s life. Now—” she shook her head briskly, wiping her eyes “—we just need to find you better shoes. I think Maria has some sparkly sandals about your size...”
After Scarlett was dressed, she brushed out her red hair and put on a bit of lipstick. Feeling nervous as Cinderella, Scarlett went back out to the noisy courtyard to join the party.
She’d hoped for a family reconciliation, but she’d never imagined a family like Vin’s—so loving, so warm, so ready to welcome Scarlett and their coming baby with open arms!
Vin’s father, Giuseppe, smiled at her as she returned to the festive tables on the edge of the courtyard. He said in accented English, “I’m glad you’re here. I can see the love between you and my son.”
Scarlett blushed and let the remark pass. She could hardly tell Giuseppe that she and Vin had gotten pregnant by accident. They didn’t love each other.