Scandal and the Runaway Bride (Heirs to an Empire 1)

She laughed to herself.

That’s what I said. I also gave him some options that were more cost-effective, so we’ll see. I’d hate to lose a big client.

Her email was quiet for several minutes. Her dinner arrived, and she munched and sipped on the crisp wine. She had just poured a second glass when her mobile buzzed. A quick glance showed it was William.

She should ignore the little jump in her heart knowing it was him, shouldn’t she?

“Hello?”

“Emailing was annoying. I thought a call might be better. Where are you?”

“In a hotel in Milan, and then starting for home early in the morning.”

“You’re driving?”

“It’s faster than the train, even if it’s not as comfortable.”

“I’m glad you’re not driving back tonight.”

“Me, too. I drove up this morning, and ten hours of driving in one day is a lot. I’m glad I did, though. You were right

about the face-to-face meeting. If nothing else, I gave him something to think about before walking away.”

There was a pause, and Gabi frowned. What was William having trouble saying?

“Gabi, is...is Baresi in trouble? Seriously?”

She let out a breath. He’d seen her statements and nothing had changed. “No, not like that, Will. And I hope we don’t get to that point. I just think if a client as well-known as Cor...as this one walks away, others will follow.” She made the correction midsentence. There was no need to bring companies and sensitive information into it. There was trust and then there was professional discretion.

“Will you let me know if you ever get close to that point? Please?”

“I can manage, Will. I think I know what you’re getting at, but no. Agreeing to that sort of proposition is what got me in trouble in the first place. Baresi will get through this.”

“All right. The door is open should you need it.”

“I appreciate it, but we’re doing all right.”

Just all right. Her worry about others following if Corsetti left was a real one. They could withstand the loss of one major client. Maybe two or three, even. More than that and the books were going to take a major hit. She put her forehead on her hand, feeling the beginning of a headache start. Maybe the best thing to do when she got back to Perugia was to hold another meeting with the sales team.

“Gabi, are you still there?”

“Yeah, I’m here.” She needed to change the subject. “Do you know what I did after my meeting?”

“No, what?”

“I went into the Aurora shop. And I bought things.”

“Ooh,” he said. “What sorts of things?”

Some of the tension rolled off her. “A gorgeous sweater from the new fall line. And I saw the most amazing dress...a black evening gown. The attendant said that it had been designed for one of the family and then added to the fall line. Bit out of my price range.”

“Ah, yes, the halter back, right? Charlotte wore that to the BAFTAs in February. It’s lovely, isn’t it?”

“I also bought a bottle of scent that reminds me of the garden at the château. Lavender, but also spicier notes of rosemary and thyme, and then something else...something gentler and more floral. It was like the day I sat in the garden with the sun on my face. I closed my eyes and just felt everything. The world was a million miles away.”

“That’s lovely.”

“I would go back there if I could. Odd, but true. I felt half like a prisoner and half on vacation, but it really is the most beautiful, restful place.”