Читать книгу Exclusive!: Hollywood Life or Royal Wife? / Marriage Scandal, Showbiz Baby! / Sex, Lies and a Security Tape - Jackie Braun, Fiona Hood-Stewart, Fiona Hood-Stewart - Страница 10

SHE’D WON. BEST ACTRESS.

As she stood on the stage the following evening, receiving the trophy, Victoria was overwhelmed. She had made it, was being given one of the most prestigious prizes in film. Everyone was clapping, encouraging her, and tonight she felt good. This was recognition of her acting skills, not her beauty or her charisma, just her work. And for that she was grateful.

After a short speech she sat down next to Ed, who hugged her, while Anne glowed with pride on her other side. She knew she owed them a lot—everything, in a way. Had it not been for them, their patience and knowing how to get the best out of her as an actress, this would never have happened. But there was still all the press to face—more interviews, more emotion, another exhausting evening of being on show. And tonight she’d left her pills behind in the bathroom, hadn’t slipped one into her pocket as she normally did.

Never mind, she assured herself. Tonight was different. She would make it through the evening without mishap.

As they filed out of the theatre where the award ceremony was taking place, Victoria caught sight of Rodolfo in the distance. Across the crowd their eyes met and he smiled. For a moment she wished she could go to him, spend the rest of the evening in some quiet spot chatting. All at once she remembered his mention that he liked to cook. A vision of him tossing pasta in the kitchen of his own castle surfaced and made her want to laugh. But as she smiled back at him a flash went off in her face, reminding her of exactly where she was.

SHE CERTAINLY HAD tremendous talent, Rodolfo realised, watching Victoria move through the hall surrounded by paparazzi and moguls. He had seen her movie earlier that day and had come out impressed. There was something magical in her performance, something that reminded him of a young Audrey Hepburn in the way she floated across the screen—an ethereal quality coupled with a shining talent. Yet there was a vital and deeply emotional side to her that became apparent in her performance, and that had gripped him, stirred something deep within.

He glanced at his watch. The party would go on for a while yet. He was planning to leave tomorrow and return to Malvarina, but something made him hesitate. Perhaps he would wait and see if an opportunity to lunch with Victoria presented itself. He would really like to see her again before he departed.

SHE KNEW THAT if she was going to make it through the rest of the evening she simply had to disappear upstairs and take another capsule. She seemed to have increased the amount over the last few days. But that was okay. It was just for now. When she got home she would stop taking them completely. She glanced about her. She had to go, even if that meant displeasing Anne and the others.

Slipping away unseen, she dashed to the lift and rode it up to her floor. Then she hastened down the corridor and inserted the key in the lock of her suite. To her amazement the door was open. Had one of the hotel staff been in her room? She shrugged, threw her evening purse on the sofa and headed for the bathroom. The meds were where she’d left them, on the shelf in the bathroom cupboard in a little brown pharmaceutical plastic vial. Reaching thankfully for the bottle, she tipped one out.

She was holding it in her hand when suddenly a figure jumped from behind the curtains. A flash went off, then another, and another. Victoria stood in silent mesmerised horror, like a rabbit caught in headlights, unable to react. It took several minutes for her to take stock of the situation, for the full reality of it to grip her. She had seen the woman quite clearly—a photographer who had dressed up as one of the hotel maids and invaded her privacy.

She’d been caught in the act.

What was she to do? In panic she rushed to the phone and got Reception to page Anne. Minutes later she was pouring out the truth to her agent in person.

‘How could you, Vic? Why didn’t you tell me? It’s all gonna hit the fan.’

‘Can’t you do anything? Try and stop it? Not that there is any harm in me taking these pills—I mean they must be all right since the doctor gave them to me.’

‘Oh, Victoria. Are you really that innocent? Goodness only knows what your Dr Browne has put in this cocktail.’

‘But how did anyone know that I was taking anything at all?’

‘I don’t know. These paparazzi nose out everything. Maybe you were seen visiting the doctor’s office and that tipped one of them off. We’ll never know.’

‘Can’t you stop them publishing the pictures?’

‘I don’t know. This is France, not the US. They have different laws. I’ll have to tell Ed. He’ll be furious, and it’ll be my ass on the line. Oh, Vic. Why did you do it, for heaven’s sake? And if you were going to, why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped you out.’ Anne paced the room agitatedly.

‘I’m sorry,’ Victoria whispered, slouched on the sofa, her head thrown back against the velvet cushions. Right now she couldn’t think, couldn’t register. Had she mucked up her career? Was this the end? What had she done?

Next morning the answer came loud and clear, as Anne slapped the French newspapers down on the table.

‘Just look at what you’ve achieved,’ she threw. ‘Front-page headlines! Bravo! “Best Actress High On Drugs.” All the details of how you frequented the offices of that sleazy doctor in L.A. They’ve dug up the whole damn story. Wonderful. Ed is so mad, I can’t begin to tell you. He’s talking about dropping you from his next movie. And if you thought the press were on top of you before, babe, you ain’t seen nothing yet. They’re swarming all over the goddamn lobby. I don’t know how we’re going to get you out of here.’

‘Look, I’ve said I’m sorry, okay? What else do you expect me to do? I can’t make it un-happen.’ Victoria placed her cup back in the saucer with a snap, all desire for coffee disappearing.

‘I don’t know. I really don’t know,’ Anne said, dragging her fingers through her short spiky hair. ‘But we’ll have to come up with something mighty quick if we’re gonna scotch this thing. Nip it in the bud. That’s the only way. Maybe putting you into rehab is the answer…’ She shook her head and kept on muttering.

‘I am not a drug addict,’ Victoria protested, ‘I just took a few pills to help me through all this hype. I never would have touched them otherwise. I didn’t even know they were drugs in the real sense of the word.’

‘Well, guess what? It’s too late for that now. We’ll just have to see how to repair the damage and hope it isn’t too late.’

Victoria got up and left the room, her eyes filled with unshed tears.

She could bear it no longer.

RODOLFO SAW THE HEADLINES at breakfast and, putting down his glass of orange juice, read them, horrified. Was it possible? He read the details, then stared, eyes narrowed, at the picture of Victoria, one hand in mid-air, a bottle of pills in the other, her face a mask of terrified horror.

He experienced a rush of anger. At Victoria for indulging in this deplorable habit. At those around her who hadn’t given her a break and had probably driven her to it. And at the photographers who had hounded her night and day, giving her no privacy. It was scandalous.

Rodolfo rose and paced the salon of his suite, agitated. He knew he must do something for the girl—must help her if he could. Who knew what kind of a time Ed Banes and the others were giving her? Not that that was an excuse for her behaviour, he realised. But still…

Picking up his mobile, he dialled his assistant and told him to find out the number of Victoria’s suite. Minutes later the man called back to tell him she wasn’t taking any calls. He wasn’t surprised. Minutes later, as he entered the lobby, he got a good idea why. The place was abuzz with reporters, vultures agog with curiosity, avid to get a glimpse of their prey. Rodolfo watched them, disgusted. He was certain Victoria was hiding up in her suite.

Suddenly he took a decision. Heading up the stairs, he went to Ed Banes’s suite and knocked. A bodyguard answered.

‘Tell Mr Banes, His Majesty Prince Rodolfo of Malvarina wants to speak to him,’ he announced haughtily.

‘He can’t see you right now,’ the burly shaven-headed man answered in a Southern drawl.

‘He will. Tell him I’m here to help out Victoria.’

The man shrugged and continued chewing gum. ‘Okay. Wait here, sir.’

Rodolfo stepped inside. He could hear raised voices beyond the closed door. His determination to remove her from this place and these people’s company increased tenfold.

When the door opened and Ed Banes appeared he seemed choleric. His shirt was unbuttoned at the neck and he looked like a man who hadn’t slept in a while.

‘Hi,’ he said curtly. ‘What can I do for you?’

‘Actually, it’s what I can do for you,’ Rodolfo replied coldly. ‘I came here to see how I can help you in this tricky situation Victoria’s got herself entangled in,’ he said calmly.

‘Nothing you can do, I’m afraid. The kid’s blown it. Come on in. Might as well, since you’re here.’ He showed Rodolfo into the salon, where Anne was pacing the floor and two other women stood by the window busily talking on cellphones. ‘Trying to do some damage control,’ he said, jerking his head at the two. ‘What a stupid little fool. I can’t believe she didn’t even tell Anne what she was taking. We could’ve kept it all under wraps, gotten her the stuff ourselves, dealt with business.’

Rodolfo sent the man a withering glance.

‘Personally, I think Victoria’s health should be of primary concern,’ he replied coldly. ‘What I propose is that you create a diversion in the lobby—give a press conference or something. In the meantime I’ll spirit her out the back way. Nobody is going to imagine that she would be with me. Perhaps you could provide a disguise?’ he added, turning to Anne. ‘I shall take her on my private jet to Malvarina, where I can assure you she will be looked after. And not badgered by any members of the press, or given any more drugs,’ he added curtly.

Ed hesitated, rubbed his bald head and turned to Anne. ‘What d’ya think?’ he growled.

‘I think it’s a great idea. We were thinking of rehab, but this is a better option. What time do you want to do this, uh, Prince?’

‘Right away,’ Rodolfo snapped, taking the decision. ‘The sooner we get her out of here, the better.’

‘Hey, wait,’ Ed said, eyeing him curiously. ‘What happens if the press get hold of your ass?’

‘I am very well able to cope, Mr Banes. Right now I would advise you to concern yourself with Victoria and containing this awkward set of circumstances. I’m well able to take care of myself—and Victoria, too, for that matter.’

‘Fine by me.’ Ed shrugged and flopped into an oversized armchair. ‘Let’s get through this and move on. I have a movie starting in six weeks’ time. The kid’s under contract. I need her. But I can’t have this kind of crap flying around my set.’

‘Uh, right. Ed, let me deal with this,’ Anne said quickly, taking Rodolfo’s arm and guiding him to the door. ‘I’ll go up to Victoria with you. She’s pretty upset, as you can imagine. This is really nice of you to help out.’

‘Any time,’ Rodolfo murmured, casting a final withering glance at Ed, disgusted at his attitude and his lack of concern for Victoria’s wellbeing. Only dollars and cents seemed to count for Ed Banes.

Slipping into a service lift, Anne and Rodolfo managed to slip into the suite unnoticed.

‘Vic, there’s someone here to see you,’ Anne said, opening the door of the salon, where Victoria sat huddled in the corner of the large sofa, her feet tucked under her.

She looked like a waif, wearing jeans and a tiny white T-shirt, her hair falling straight over her shoulders and her eyes red from crying. Rodolfo’s words of censure died on his lips. There was a reason why she’d resorted to pills to help her through all this. For a moment he wanted to reach out, take her in his arms and offer comfort. But he knew that was impossible. Instead he looked at her hard.

‘I’m very sorry that you are having problems, signorina,’ he said curtly, stepping towards her.

‘What are you doing here?’ Victoria said in a shaky voice. ‘Why did you come? To criticise me? Well, let me tell you something—’ her voice trembled and she balled her fists ‘—I don’t care if it was wrong, and I didn’t know those pills were considered bad. The truth is that at least they helped me get through all those awful interviews and all that hype.’

‘Maybe. That is still no excuse for your behaviour,’ he said, sitting down next to her.

‘And what right do you have to come barging in here, judging me?’ she threw angrily.

‘None,’ he replied, taking one of her hands in his. ‘Except that I realise how hard it has been for you, that you aren’t cut out for this; you aren’t the kind of person who enjoys the sort of publicity you’ve been exposed to. I have come to help you, that’s all.’

His calm, low voice and his caressing hand soothed her. Victoria swallowed. She felt confused by his presence. For a moment she wondered if he’d come with some ulterior motive. Most people around her lately seemed to have one. But his mere presence was so comforting that she just accepted it. ‘What do you think I should do?’ she whispered shakily.

‘If you agree to come back with me to Malvarina for a while, there you can get proper medical assistance, relax, and get away from all this. I think that would be the best. I guarantee complete privacy.’ He squeezed her fingers reassuringly.

‘Ed’ll give a press conference in the lobby, and you and the Prince can escape the back way,’ Anne urged. ‘Here, put on this dark wig and these sunglasses. That should help. And go as you are. You look much younger, and no one will recognise you like that. Anyway, they’ll never think that you and the Prince would be together.’

Victoria took a deep breath and looked from one to the other. It seemed like a good plan, and there really wasn’t any other option. The thought of being able to escape the paparazzi seemed heavenly. She nodded. ‘Thank you,’ she murmured, smiling waveringly at Rodolfo.

‘It’s nothing.’ He gave a dismissive wave of a hand. ‘Leave your luggage. Anne can have it sent on to you. Take only your handbag and passport.’

Silently Victoria rose and obeyed. She wished for a moment she could take her pills with her. But then she realised that she must put a stop to her habit immediately. It would be hard, but she couldn’t abuse Rodolfo’s trust when he was being so generous and saving her from herself.

Minutes later Rodolfo had grabbed her hand and they were heading down in the service lift to the garage level of the hotel, then slipping through the work stations and kitchens and out into a back street, where a Bentley stood waiting. Hastily they jumped in and the driver accelerated swiftly away.

‘Thanks,’ Victoria muttered, letting out a long sigh of relief as she leaned back in the soft plush leather.

And for the first time in months she felt safe.

TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER she was staring out of the window of Rodolfo’s Gulfstream jet as it circled over the Mediterranean. Down below she could see the contours of Malvarina, its rich vegetation encircled by cerulean blue sea, rocky cliffs giving way to smooth, white, sandy beaches. She could distinguish what looked like large properties up in the hills and down by the water. Then a small town appeared and to the left, up on high overlooking the sea, stood a medieval fortress.

‘That is the Castello Constanza,’ Rodolfo said pointing down. ‘The fortress and the island have belonged to my family since they conquered it in the tenth century. It has been through many wars and difficulties. We fought the Saracens, and the Ottomans. But in the end we prevailed, and today I hope to make Malvarina into a modern, well-run, financially solvent society.’

Victoria looked over at him, surprised at the passion and intensity she detected in his tone. She’d thought of him as a sophisticated playboy, simply trying to extract as much as possible from his inheritance. Yet now she sensed there was far more at stake for Rodolfo than mere money. This was about honour, about the wellbeing of his people. She smiled, glad that she’d taken the decision to flee Cannes and join him here in what looked like an enclave of peace.

Soon they had landed at the island’s small airport and were swooped off in the Rolls Royce that awaited them on the tarmac. The car swerved through the sleepy little town of Malvaritza, and on and up towards the fortress. Peasants with well-loaded donkeys stopped by the roadside and waved. Victoria noted that Rodolfo always returned the waves, smiled and acknowledged them. She had the feeling he would always do this, however tired or absorbed by other worries he might be.

Then the vehicle slowed as they approached the castle and its portcullis entrance that stood just over an ancient bridge. The castle walls stood high, and Victoria experienced a moment’s doubt: what had she got herself into? After all, she had no way of knowing what this man was really like. Once she was inside those walls she would be virtually at his mercy.

As though sensing her unease, Rodolfo turned and smiled at her. ‘A bit daunting, isn’t it? But don’t worry. Inside we have all the mod cons. My grandfather, although quite antiquated in many respects, was determined to have the place modernised. I’m very thankful he did. It was quite a job to get everything shipshape.’

‘I’m sure it must have been,’ Victoria agreed as the car purred into a cobbled courtyard and immediately several members of the Prince’s staff, dressed in traditional costume, moved to open the doors.

‘Welcome to Malvarina and the Castello Constanza,’ Rodolfo said, slipping her hand through his arm and moving forward. ‘Let me show you around.’

‘I’d love to see the castle,’ she said. Though she still felt a little shaky, the dreadful episode of the night before began to fade from her mind as she looked around at her magical surroundings—at the worn stone walls topped with small turrets, the crooked windows and gables.

As they walked, she took a deep breath and exclaimed, ‘What a lovely scent.’

‘That’s jasmine. It blooms most of the year here. We have quite a few tropical plants as well. This is bougainvillea,’ he remarked, pointing to the lovely purple and white flowers creeping up the southern wall of the façade. ‘My mother planted most of it.’

‘Does she live here?’ Victoria enquired, as they headed into what appeared to be a great hall.

‘Both my parents died in an accident when I was twelve,’ he replied briefly, moving towards the window. ‘Please, come over here and take a look at the view. It is magnificent from this vantage point.’

How sad that he’d been orphaned, Victoria reflected, as she stepped over and joined him by huge French windows that gave onto a vine-trellised terrace overlooking the tranquil sea. A yacht glided across the clear blue stretch of water, leaving a pristine white trail rippling in its wake.

‘Where is that yacht headed?’ she asked.

‘Greece, probably. If you sail on you’ll hit the Adriatic coast. Would you like to sail?’ he asked, lifting her fingers to his lips and letting them trail over the inner part of her wrist.

‘Uh, well, I—yes…I suppose it would be very nice. I’ve never actually been on a yacht.’

All at once her pulse beat faster and her heart flurried. She had little or no experience with men. Nicky, her one boyfriend, had been just that—a boyfriend. She’d never felt attracted enough to contemplate going to bed with him. Now, as Rodolfo’s lips grazed her skin she shuddered. There was no doubt that she was experiencing an unadulterated new and intense draw to this man. And she wasn’t sure how to handle it.

‘Perhaps I should show you to your room before we make any further plans,’ the Prince remarked, letting go her fingers. ‘We need to have a doctor take a look at you, and I am hoping that your luggage will arrive later today. But, anyway, we can get you some stuff in town. Malvaritza looks like a sleepy little village but it has some very fashionable boutiques with all the top brands. I’m sure you’ll be able to find some suitable outfits and toiletries,’ he said, smiling.

‘Thanks. I’m certain Anne will have dealt with forwarding the luggage,’ she replied, aware that she didn’t even have a toothbrush with her. But that was a concern that was fast put to rest when she entered the ravishing suite of rooms allotted her.

Victoria gasped. Nothing in her short stay in Hollywood had prepared for the elegant refinement of the Castello Constanza. The reception rooms she’d spied were formally elegant and refined. But this! There was a four-poster bed decked with white voile curtains, and tapestries hung on the ancient stone walls, as well as an eighteenth-century Venetian mirror placed between crystal Murano wall sconces. Vases filled with freshly cut flowers graced the dressing table. A small plumped-up sofa had been strategically placed next to the window, through which the now familiar scent of jasmine invaded the apartments.

‘It’s lovely,’ she murmured, letting her fingers trail over the lace coverlet of the bed, her eyes resting on the flounced brocade of the skirt of the dressing table, where antique silver brushes lay. It was old-world and beautiful. Yet, as her eyes roamed, she noted a phone and a fax machine. In the corner an almost invisible panel hid a flatscreen TV.

‘I hope you will be comfortable,’ he replied with a formal bow. ‘Please feel free to stay for as long as you wish.’

‘Oh, gosh, that’s terribly generous. I don’t want to be a nuisance,’ she exclaimed, suddenly realising how unexpected her visit was—and perhaps inconvenient.

‘Such a beautiful woman as you could never be an inconvenience to anyone,’ he murmured, his eyes fleeting over her. ‘Why don’t you freshen up and join me downstairs for a drink?’

‘Great. Thanks.’ Victoria smiled nervously, brushed her golden hair back, and watched as he retreated and closed the door behind him.

She let out the breath she’d been holding. It was like a dream. Only this morning she’d been going through hell and now here she was, in a magical setting with the best looking, most sophisticated man she’d ever met.

To her surprise, when she opened the old rosewood armoire, a shimmering white and silver full-length sheath-style gown hung on one of the hangers. She lifted it out on the hanger and stared down at the high heeled silk sandals accompanying it. Was this for her? Then her eyes fell on a note, and she drew in her breath and opened it.

I hope this may serve its purpose until your luggage arrives.

She held the note, biting her lip, gazing at the bold black writing on the thick crest-emblazoned stationery. How had he managed to have this dress conveyed here so swiftly? And how did he know her size? A less agreeable thought crossed her mind. He probably dated so many women that judging their dress size was child’s play. Well, whatever. She would slip into the shower and then don the beautiful gown. At least she’d feel in tune with the setting.

An hour later dusk had settled over the island. The clear inky sky was dotted with bright flickering stars. Crickets chirrupped in a friendly fashion as she made her way down the wide stone staircase, hoping she wouldn’t slip in her finely tied silk sandals. Victoria had worn many gorgeous gowns since hitting Hollywood, but none compared to the ethereal beauty of this one, chosen for her by a man she barely knew.

When she reached the terrace she saw him, dressed in a dinner jacket, leaning against the stone parapet and gazing thoughtfully out to sea, a glass held loosely between his fingers. She stood a moment and watched him, etched against the horizon. How incredibly good-looking he was.

And how totally out of reach.

All at once reality sank in and she realised how poles apart their lives were: she, the unknown girl from a small English village who by a miracle had been chosen to star in a Hollywood success story; he, the noble Prince, whose lineage dated back a thousand years. She swallowed. Oh, well. Might as well enjoy it while it lasted, she reflected moving towards him. Perhaps it was just a ploy to get her to invest on his island, she reminded herself. In a way she wished it was. It would make it easier, and perhaps temper the irregularity of her heartbeat whenever he appeared.

‘Good evening,’ she said, trying to sound nonchalant and sophisticated. ‘Thank you for having this dress put in my cupboard. It was most thoughtful of you. The luggage still hasn’t arrived, so it came in very handy.’

‘I’m glad you like it. If I may say so it suits you very well.’ His gaze roamed critically over her.

A flush rushed to her cheeks. There was nothing bold in his look, but still she felt as though his eyes saw far more—as though they were divesting her of the flimsy fabric, and caressing her skin. A tiny shiver coursed up her spine and she felt her stomach tighten.

‘Would you like a drink?’ he asked turning to a tray of ice that hosted an array of soft drinks. He poured her choice into a crystal tumbler and handed it to her.

‘Thanks.’ Victoria took a quick gulp and then another. Suddenly she remembered the pills. Until last night she would have relied on them to help her through the evening, yet tonight she had no sudden urge to rush and pop one. Not that she felt terribly bad or ill at ease with Rodolfo, but he did seem so terribly suave and elegant in this magnificent setting, so terribly out of her league…

‘Come,’ Rodolfo said, as if sensing her discomfort, reaching for her hand. ‘Let me show you the rest of the terrace.’

Together they walked around and he showed her another view. In the distance she could see lights. ‘Is that Malvaritza?’ she asked.

‘Yes, that is the town. I’ll take you there when you’re feeling up to it. And we’ll also go for a spin on my yacht, the Mona Lisa, so that you can see the island from the sea. It will give you a better notion of the place.’

‘Thanks,’ she murmured, leaving her hand in his, relishing the feel of his fingers lightly caressing the inside of her palm. Then, when she least expected it, he was facing her, looking down into her eyes through the moonlight.

‘You are a beautiful woman, Victoria. Too tempting by far.’

She caught her breath as he drew closer, didn’t draw away when he reached out and pulled her close, his expression almost harsh.

Their eyes held and she fell under his spell. In one swift movement his lips came down on hers, hot and demanding. She gasped, held back, then gave way. She had never been kissed like this before. It was as though suddenly Rodolfo dominated her being. He plied open her lips, his tongue delved, and his hands pressed the small of her back, bringing her close up against him. She could feel the hardness of his desire, and experienced a rush of torrid heat flash like hot lightning from her head to her core, felt the peaks of her breasts go taut.

There was little she could do now but submit, her body supple and pliable in his arms. She could feel his hands roam over the curves of her rounded bottom, up her ribcage, then stop tantalisingly at the side of her breast. Half of her knew she should draw back, the other wanted to beg him to continue, to assuage the delicious yet agonising frustration mounting within her.

‘Victoria,’ he muttered, his thumb reaching to graze the tip of her breast.

‘Rodolfo,’ she whispered hoarsely. ‘We shouldn’t…we mustn’t. I barely know you. I—’

Reluctantly he drew back, eyes gleaming into hers. ‘I know it has all happened very fast, but I find you very hard to resist, cara.’

She returned the look, then glanced away, straightened her dress and moved towards the parapet picking up her glass as she went.

Rodolfo watched her, then followed suit, eyeing her closely, noting the hot flush on her cheeks. There was a definite chemistry between them. Her reaction had been timid at first, then as passionate and full of pent-up desire as his own. Yet there was something naïve and spontaneous in her reaction, something that spelled inexperience.

He must be dreaming, he reflected, as they sipped their drinks. A Hollywood actress, one who had taken drugs and was a big star, could hardly be an innocent.

‘Dinner will be served shortly,’ he said in a neutral tone. ‘I thought we should dine al fresco in the moonlight. Would that suit you?’

‘That would be lovely. Are you not cooking tonight?’ she added with a spark of humour.

‘Not tonight,’ he responded, with a laugh and a flash of white teeth, ‘But I promise to introduce you to my special Pasta Principesco in the very near future. Do you know that they have it on the menu in one of the restaurants in town? I was very flattered as the owner is an exceptionally good cook. But tonight we will have special Malvarinian dishes. I hope you will enjoy our local cuisine.’

‘I’m sure I will,’ Victoria answered, wondering if there was anything she wouldn’t like about this man and this amazingly enchanting fantasy world he lived in. But, she reminded herself, it was important to remember that it was just that: a fantasy, nothing more.

Dinner was as special as she had anticipated. Rodolfo made witty conversation throughout, and the servants served an array of delectable dishes, all of which were Malvarinian specialities. By the end, Victoria knew she couldn’t eat another thing.

‘That was simply delicious,’ she said smiling and laying down her white linen napkin. ‘You’ve spoiled me rotten.’

‘A woman as beautiful as you should be spoiled,’ he murmured, rising and coming behind her chair to draw it back.

‘That’s all very well,’ she admonished breathlessly. For, although she was far more at ease with him than she had been earlier, his presence so close sent frissons running through her. ‘One could get used to this sort of living,’ she said trying to sound light, ‘but, after all, it’s really just a dream.’

‘Not entirely. I like to believe that I’m very real,’ he responded with an amused smile.

‘Do you?’ She cast him a sceptical look and let out a sigh. ‘This is all so magical, so unreal. I think it’s heavenly, but then I remember that soon I’ll have to return to reality, to Hollywood and Ed and the next movie. And I don’t know how I’m going to manage it.’

‘Without the medication to help you, you mean?’ he enquired, his tone challenging.

Victoria’s face flushed. ‘I know it was wrong, but there’s no need to rub my face in it. I really had no idea what they were,’ she muttered, tossing her hair back.

‘I know you didn’t. It was very wrong of that doctor not to inform you of what was in them. But I am merely wondering if you think you can kick the habit or if you plan to continue on the same course? If you were my—’ He cut off, realising what he was about to say and the impropriety of it.

‘If I was what? I belong to nobody, and what I do is nobody’s business, either,’ she responded belligerently.

‘That is true. I’m sorry.’

‘Plus, you don’t know how difficult it was, there on my own. I knew nobody. Everyone expected me to fit in as if I’d been there all my life. When I met that girl and she gave me the doctor’s name I felt better, realising I wasn’t the only one who found it difficult to keep up the pace and—’

‘You don’t need to explain,’ he interrupted, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders. ‘I understand. I just hope that from now on you won’t feel the need to ruin your health, your youth and your beauty, that’s all.’ She looked up at him, read the sincerity in his gaze and swallowed. ‘If you hate Hollywood so much, why go back?’

‘I have a contract with Ed.’

‘But what about the actual work? I thought you enjoyed acting,’ he said, signalling to a servant to lay the coffee tray on a low Ottoman by the parapet.

‘I do. That’s why I have to overcome this stupid fear, these silly inhibitions I have. It’s absurd when I’ve been offered the chance of a lifetime. I’ve always wanted to act. Being taken to Hollywood and given this opportunity was all I’d ever dreamed of. It’s just that now I—’ She shrugged, looked out over the sea. ‘It’s all so superficial, so fake. Not at all as I imagined it. Again, just a sort of fantasy.’

‘That’s just how you described this place.’

‘Well, I didn’t mean it quite like that. It’s a different kind of fantasy.’

‘I’m glad you think so. I would hate to think that I live in a Hollywood dream world. I happen to have very real projects for this island.’

‘I’m sure you do,’ she said, seeing a gleam in his eye. ‘Very different to where I come from. That’s just pretty and old fashioned and comfortable.’

‘But you love it?’

‘Yes, I do. It’s home.’

‘And you regret the necessity of having to leave it?’

‘I—’ All of a sudden Victoria remembered Anne’s comments, her financial advisors’ insistence that she change her domicile, and all the reasons she hadn’t wanted to come to Malvarina surfaced. Was this man just trying to seduce her into investing in his island?

‘I’m sorry. That was a personal question and none of my business,’ he murmured. ‘But if, while you’re here, you would like to visit some property I can arrange it.’

‘Thanks,’ she answered, a cold chill rushing through her. ‘Would you mind awfully if I went to bed now? I’m really rather tired after everything that’s happened.’

‘Of course. You must be. I will accompany you upstairs and see that all is in order.’

‘Oh, please—don’t bother,’ she said hastily, getting up and taking a step back. ‘I’m sure I’ll find my way. Goodnight.’ She waved her hand abstractedly, then turned, quickly entered the large living room and headed towards the hall and the stairs.

WHAT HAD HE SAID to upset her? Rodolfo asked himself as he watched Victoria disappear into the shadows like a white and silver ghost. Had it been the mention of visiting property on the island? He had merely wanted to be of help. But he was fast realising that there was much more to this sensitive young woman than met the eye. Their kiss remained imprinted on his lips and the desire to possess her made him take a deep breath.

He stood pensive for a moment, then decided that he too would turn in early. He would have to take it slowly with Victoria. But he knew now that he definitely wanted to take her to his bed. But she was still fragile, and she was also his guest, and therefore he owed her every courtesy.

After a quick snifter of brandy he walked up the castello’s wide, ancient staircase, glanced at Victoria’s door, then with a veiled smile headed on towards his own suite of apartments and his lonely bed.