Playing the Royal Game

‘There I must defend them.’ He came over and sat on the edge of the bed. ‘I know they can be unforgivably rude about your family, my father especially, but that reference to dropping in for tea this morning had nothing to do with you, or anything derisive about your family. It was aimed entirely at my mother.’ He saw her frown. ‘She had tea with your father apparently.’

‘She did.’ Allegra nodded. ‘My father got lost the morning after the party....’ Her mouth gaped open. ‘He’s jealous!’

‘Not jealous...’ Alex said, and then thought some more. ‘Perhaps.’

‘It was innocent.’

‘Of course,’ Alex agreed, and thought some more. ‘Maybe you are right about my parents, maybe my father was hurt more than he admitted about her indiscretion.’

‘Maybe he should tell her then.’

Alex shook his head. ‘That will never happen.’ He looked at her fringe and he wanted to see her eyes so he brushed it aside and winced at the large bruise. ‘Your hair is too long.’

‘I’m to grow out my fringe apparently.’ She gave a tight smile. ‘They want a more classical look for the wedding.’ And then she smiled a bit wider. ‘I can’t believe your dad’s upset by my father and your mum. I wish you knew my dad... I wish I could see him.’

‘I’m sorry that you miss them.’

‘I hear everything third-hand—Angel’s married your cousin.’

Alex smiled. ‘It was a very quick wedding.’

‘But even so, there’s my brother Ben and Natalia, my sister Ella and Hassan. She’s pregnant, and—’ All she did was hear about things when she wanted to live them. ‘I know you don’t understand but I miss them, I love them....’

‘I know you do,’ Alex said, but no, he didn’t understand.

* * *

He was actually wonderful company; if you had to spend two days in bed with a thumping headache then Alex made a surprisingly good nurse. His complete ease with silence was soothing, and he was so sparse with words—at least she wasn’t asked how she was feeling every ten minutes. He just told her she’d live when she moaned about her headache, or looked up from his computer when she staggered to the bathroom.

But late one afternoon, she returned from a bath run by the maid, dressed now in her Santina lace nightdress, and slipped into freshly laundered sheets. She closed her eyes, exhausted from the simple effort and then suddenly opened them again.

‘Has Angel rung?’

‘I spoke to her this morning,’ Alex said. ‘And your father too. I’ve been keeping them updated on your progress.’

‘What about Izzy?’

‘I have spoken to her too.’ He glanced over. ‘She’s still here in Santina, staying at the palazzo with my brother, Matteo.’

‘And she hasn’t been to see me...’ Allegra reached for her phone, craving the company of her sister, but Alex came over to the bed. ‘I told her you were resting.’

‘Well, I’m awake now.’

‘Allegra.’ He took the phone from her hand and put it on the bedside. ‘At the moment you are upset... Wouldn’t it be hard not to tell the truth to Izzy if you saw her?’

‘Izzy would never tell.’

‘She would not tell your brother Leo?’ He watched as she frowned. ‘It would seem that Leo is now seeing Anna, my ex-fiancée. Allegra, do you understand you cannot speak with your family as you once did?’ He saw a glare of defiance and chose to quickly change track. ‘As I said, I was speaking with Izzy and I’m sure you’re not aware, but Matteo organises a charity concert once a year, out at the amphitheatre. One of Izzy’s songs has been billed....’

‘Izzy’s singing?’ Allegra’s eyes narrowed. She’d heard his family’s reaction when Izzy had attempted to sing at the engagement party. She wouldn’t put it past them at all to have her up onstage in front of a huge audience, just for the cheap laugh they might get.

‘No.’ Alex shook his head. ‘But her song will be played and she is going to be watching in the wings. I said that we would attend. It will be nice for you to get out. I know you feel cooped up.’ He gave her hand a little squeeze. ‘Something perhaps to look forward to.’