Luc groaned. “It’s Giovanni’s boat, maman. The Piccione wasn’t available.”
“It’s not a problem,” Olivia assured his mother.
She served them a plate of rolls and tea, then poured a cup for herself and came to stand next to the bed where his mother was seated next to him.
“Right now the boat is getting a new sail and the wiring’s being fixed so I can enjoy what’s left of my holiday. But before Luc tells you about us being caught in a storm, you were anxious to hear how Cesar is doing.”
“I’m always anxious about him. He hasn’t been home since his win.”
This was one time when Luc’s mother was better off not knowing what went on behind the scenes. But it was as if Olivia could read Luc’s mind because in the next breath she said, “I don’t pretend to know a great deal about your sons, but from what little I’ve seen, they crave their down time away from the masses.”
Shut up, Olivia.
His mother had forgotten he was in the room. “What do you mean?”
“Cesar sits alone on his terrace high above Amalfi’s resting place, while Luc contemplates the world from this eyrie. It must come from being born on a hillside.”
His mother chuckled. “Their father is the same. He feels claustrophobic without a view to look down upon. You’re very observant.”
“So is Bianca. She fusses around Cesar like a grandmother with a beloved grandson. It was very touching the way she tried to protect him from me.”
She blinked. “From you?”
Olivia smiled. “Yes. Cesar told me he always spends a week there after a race and assured me the door would be open if I wanted to visit before I left for the States. I thought with the Gabbiano in for repairs, I would take a train ride and drop in on him.
“But when Bianca answered the door, she had no idea I was a cousin-in-law of sorts through marriage to Luc and Cesar. She thought I was one of the women from the track who flings themselves headlong at Cesar. Apparently it’s an occupational hazard.”
“It’s disgusting.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Especially since Cesar had already confided to me that a woman engaged to one of his best friends showed up at the villa a couple of years ago uninvited and caused him real grief.”
The croissant Luc had been eating fell to his plate.
“He never said anything about that to his father or me.”
“I don’t imagine that’s something he would want anyone to know about. He’s too much of a gentleman to hurt his friend. Bianca was witness to the whole thing and kept his secret. But I understand she’s been his self-appointed watchdog ever since.”
“Good for her!”
“I agree. That’s why it didn’t bother me when she practically threw my suitcase at me on my way out.”
“She was that rude to you?”
“I didn’t mind. In fact I admired her loyalty. Before she slammed the door, she informed me that the only woman who would ever be allowed to spend the night at the villa with Cesar would be his wife.”
“His father and I live in hope he’ll meet the right person one day.”
“He will. Right now he’s doing everything he can to be successful at what he does best. It’s hard when you’re the younger sibling.”
Damn if that tremor in her voice didn’t sound genuine to Luc.
“What do you mean, my dear?”
“Luc is like my sister Greer. You know. Perfect.”
While Luc sat there in shock, his mother patted Olivia’s hand. “Ah, you miss her. Of course you do being a triplet.”
“No one was ever good enough for her until Max came along.”