His Final Bargain

But Alessandra wasn’t a difficult child to love. Eliza loved all children—even the most trying ones—but something about Leo’s little girl had planted a tiny fishhook in her heart. She felt it tugging on her whenever she thought of the day when her time with her would come to an end. Leaving Leo would break her heart, leaving his daughter would rip it from her chest.

‘I’m afraid that’s not possible,’ Leo said in a matter-of-fact tone. ‘Now, let’s go and get that picnic, shall we?’

Leo’s motor launch was moored amongst similar luxury boats down at the marina. It was a beautiful vessel, sleek and powerful as it carved through the water. The sun was bright and made thousands of diamonds sparkle across the surface of the sea. It was a poignant reminder that little Alessandra couldn’t see the beauty that surrounded them. But she was clearly enjoying being in the fresh air with the briny scent of the sea in the air. She lifted her face to the breeze as the boat moved across the water and giggled in delight when a spray of moisture hit her face. ‘It’s wetting me!’

‘The ocean is blowing you kisses,’ Eliza said and dropped a kiss on the top of the little girl’s wind-tousled hair. She looked up and caught Leo’s gaze on her. ‘It’s a gorgeous boat, Leo. Have you had it long?’

‘I bought it just before Alessandra was born.’ He brushed back his hair off his face with one of his hands, and although he was wearing reflective sunglasses she could see the crease of a frown between his brows. ‘I thought it’d be a great thing to do as a family. Get out on the water, sail into the sunset, get away from the madding crowd, so to speak.’ His mouth twisted ruefully. ‘I only ever take it out on my own, mostly late at night when Alessandra’s fast asleep in bed when Kathleen or Marella are on duty. I suppose I should think about selling it.’

Eliza looked at his wind-tousled hair and her heart gave a little leap of hope. ‘Is that where you went the other night? Out here on the boat…alone?’

His expression was self-deprecating. ‘Not quite what you were expecting from a worldly playboy, is it?’

Eliza was conscious of Alessandra sitting on her knee but she hoped the unfamiliar English words would not compromise her innocence. ‘When was the last time you were…um…a playboy?’

‘I took my marriage vows seriously, even though nothing was happening in that department, more or less since that first night. We agreed to leave things on a platonic basis. In the time since she…left us ten months ago…’ he glanced at his daughter for a moment before returning his gaze to hers ‘…I’ve had other more important priorities.’

Eliza stared at him in shock. For the last four years he had not been out with a variety of mistresses. He hadn’t been with anyone. Like her, he had been concentrating on his responsibilities, trying to do the best he could under difficult and heart-wrenching circumstances. The night she had thought he had been having bed-wrecking sex with some casual hook-up, he had actually been out on his boat—alone. Probably spending the time like she did back in her life in England, tortured with guilt and desperation at how life had thrown such a devastating curve ball.

Alessandra shifted on Eliza’s lap. ‘I’m hungry.’

Eliza ruffled the little tot’s raven-black hair. ‘Then let’s have breakfast.’

Leo met her gaze and gave her a smile. ‘How about you set up the picnic in the dining area while I teach this young lady how to steer a motor launch?’

‘Can I steer it? Can I really?’ Alessandra asked with excitement. ‘What if I run into something?’

He scooped her up in his arms and carried her towards the bow. ‘You’ll have me by your side to direct you, mia piccola. We’ll be a team. A team works together so no one gets into trouble. We look out for each other.’

‘Can Eliza be part of our team?’ Alessandra asked. ‘For always and always?’

Eliza blinked back a rush of tears and looked out at the ocean so Leo couldn’t see how much his little girl’s request had pained her. Why was life always so full of such difficult choices? If she chose to stay she would be abandoning Samantha and Ewan. If she chose to leave she would be breaking not only her own heart, but also dear little Alessandra’s.

As for Leo’s heart…did he still have one after what happened between them four years ago? She had a feeling he had closed off his heart since then. Yes, he loved his daughter, but he would allow no one else to get close to him.

‘She’s a part of our team for now,’ he said in a deep and gravelly tone. ‘Now, let’s get your hands on the wheel. Yes, just like that. Now, here we go—full steam ahead.’