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

“It is good to have you home,” her mother decreed. “Your father is inside, and I’m making pollo arrabiata for dinner.”

“Mama. You know that’s my favorite.”

“Sì, gattina.” Her smile was warm as she touched Gabi’s face. “I know.” Then she looked at William again. “Come. I will show you

to your room, Signor Pemberton.”

Will tried winning her over with a charming smile. “Please, call me William. Or Will, if you like.”

She smiled politely, but William got the idea that he had some work to do where she was concerned. Normally mothers were not his problem. His bank account and the Pemberton charm usually worked fine, but maybe not so much in Italy.

The villa was gorgeous and homey, with oak beams creating an old-country look throughout. Signora Baresi’s decorations were warm and welcoming, and Will could understand why Gabi had wanted to come back here. The château was lovely, but this was a home.

Signor Baresi was in the kitchen, fixing a plate of what Will assumed was antipasti. A broad smile spread across his face as he saw Gabi enter the room. “Gabriella,” he said softly, opening his arms.

“Papa.” The way she said it went straight to William’s heart. There was so much affection there, so much love. She went to her father and embraced him, and Will watched as the man closed his eyes and hugged his daughter in return. It made Will miss his own father intensely. Not that they’d ever been the hugging type, but the unconditional welcome? That was familiar, and Will missed it horribly.

“Papa, this is William, Stephen’s brother. William is in charge of the fashion division at Aurora.”

“Signor Baresi. It’s a pleasure to see you again. We met, once a few years ago. And of course, Gabi has told me so much.” He held out his hand and Massimo Baresi shook it firmly, not like a man who was about to undergo cancer surgery. But there was something in his color that was off, and he looked tired around the eyes.

“Benvenuto a Villa Baresi, William.” Massimo glanced at Gabi. “I was sorry to hear that the wedding was postponed, but selfishly I’m hoping that when it is rescheduled I’ll be well enough to walk my daughter down the aisle.”

“I’m sure she would like nothing more,” William replied, smiling at Gabi. “Stephen will be joining us on Tuesday. We want to assure you that nothing will harm your relationship with Aurora. You need to focus on your treatments and recovery.”

Massimo wagged his finger at Gabi. “You are marrying into good people, Gabriella. But then, you have never disappointed us.”

Gabi’s cheeks pinkened. William wondered why. There was something frightening about being put on a pedestal, wasn’t there? Stephen had told him that once. Or maybe Gabi was feeling guilty for lying about her relationship with Stephen. What would her parents think if they knew the truth?

He looked at Gabi closer. For all her “I’ll tell the tabloids the truth” talk, he realized that if she did that, she’d also have to come clean with her family. Was she bluffing? He frowned. Maybe. Or maybe she’d risk their disapproval to ensure their business’s security. He somehow thought she would. After all, she’d been willing to marry his brother for that very reason, giving up her own life for a few years, and even bearing him a child. She would have been tied to Stephen for life.

He wondered how shaky the Baresi foundation was, really.

“Papa, I’m going to show William to his room. When I come down, I am going to devour that platter with you. I’m starving. William hasn’t tried the local prosciutto and salami yet.” She kissed his cheek and then looked at him closer. “Are you still allowed to eat it before your surgery?”

“A little, for now. Go. This will be ready soon.”

William nodded at Massimo. Signora Baresi went to her husband’s side with a smile and wrapped an arm around his waist. The Baresis were a loving and affectionate family, and William liked it. The Pembertons weren’t as physically demonstrative, even if love had always been evident and abundant.

“Come on, Will,” Gabi said quietly, leading him away. “Your room is up here.”

She led him to a guest room on a third floor. An open window let in a warm breeze and there were doors leading to a small balcony. The headboard of the bed was solid wood and sturdy, like the beams of the pitched ceiling. There were flowers on a table, too, and he wondered if they were always there or if they’d been placed especially as a welcome. Overall, it was relaxing and charming. And hot. But he could live with the heat. He was so used to cold and damp in London that he welcomed the Italian summer.

“We don’t have air-conditioning. Sorry.” Gabi ruffled her hair off her neck. “The villa was built centuries ago, and my grandfather renovated it. We keep at Papa to put in air-con, but so far...”

“It’s fine. And quite lovely. Don’t worry about me.”

“There is a pool. It’s especially lovely in the early evening.” She smiled softly. “I often swim before bed. I find it cools me off and I sleep better.”

His brain instantly conjured up an image of her in a bathing suit, slick with water from the pool, and he knew he would have to avoid an evening swim.

“Thank you.” He put down his bag and rolled his shoulders. “Your parents love you very much. It’s easy to see. It must be difficult lying to them. I’m sorry about that.”

Her face clouded, but before she could answer, there was a knock on the doorframe. “Gabi?”

The disturbed expression gave way to one of joy. “Giulia! You are here!”

“Marco and I just got back early from Rome and I came straight here. Are you okay? Truly?” She rattled off something in Italian. William picked up a few familiar words, something about the wedding and Stephen and an apology.