Ultimate Romance Collection. Rebecca Winters

tie her down with his own needs. For years her parents had exerted too much pressure on her to conform to their demands, and she’d run away.

      After the ecstasy of their kiss, Cesare wanted to marry her and never let her go. But Cesare sensed that would be the wrong thing to do. She needed time to develop her sense of self first.

      The greatest gift he could give her would be to hold back and allow her to become the incredible person he knew her to be. As long as she worked for him, he could keep her close to him until the time came when he had to tell her how he felt.

      On his way out of the kitchen he walked over to Gemma who was setting up for the evening crowd. It was a good thing tonight would be her last night as pastry cook. Her baby would be coming before long. She needed rest.

      “Tuccia and I will be here at nine in the morning.”

      “I’ll be watching for you. Is she nervous?”

      “She doesn’t show it.”

      Gemma smiled at him. “What about you, Cesare?”

      “I know she’s going to be fine.”

      “With you helping her, she couldn’t possibly go wrong.”

      If Gemma had seen him kissing Tuccia earlier as if his life depended on it—which it did—she would probably have told him to slow down. He kissed Gemma’s cheek and left the castello for his car.

      On the way down to the village he turned on the five o’clock news. Following the latest world events he learned there’d been a break in the case involving Princess Tuccianna’s disappearance. But the police weren’t revealing the details yet. That had to mean the letter had reached Jean-Michel.

      Pleased by the new development, he turned it off and pulled up in front of the pensione. Tuccia must have seen him arrive because she opened the door for him, appearing to have gotten some rest.

      This evening she wore the same print blouse and pants from a few nights ago. Her wardrobe didn’t consist of more than three or four changes of clothes. The apartment’s washer and dryer had been a necessity, but he intended to rectify the situation and take her shopping.

      She eyed the bag he carried. “More goodies?”

      “Maurice’s version of fettuccini.”

      “I can’t wait to try it. Then I can compliment him on it tomorrow. Come in.” Tuccia closed the door and followed him into the kitchen. She’d cleaned it spotless and had set the table. The TV was on in the living room. “I’ve been listening to the news.”

      “So have I,” he stated and reached for some plates to serve their dinner. “We both know what that new development in your case means. By now Jean-Michel will have called off the search. Within the next few hours he’ll make some kind of statement to the press. In the meantime I’m sure your aunt is going to be fine, otherwise I would have heard from my mother by now.”

      “I pray you’re right.”

      “Even so, the letter provides proof that you’re alive. Therefore your family will have to hire private detectives to look for you if they are still intent on finding you. According to Bertina, they’re hoping you’ll come home because they love you. So I’d say tonight is a time for celebration!”

      He reached for the Chardonnay and poured it into glasses before putting them on the table. “Where are your delicious rolls?”

      “There were four left. I put them in the microwave and will warm them up.”

      When they finally sat down at the table, he raised his wine glass. “Before we eat, I’d like to make a toast.” Her gray eyes sparkled as she lifted hers. “To the princess who overnight has turned into a pastry cook par excellence.”

      “I’m going to try.” They touched glasses and sipped their wine. “Now I’d like to make one.” She raised her glass again, staring straight into his eyes. “To her teacher, a man who is without equal.”

      Cesare wished it were true.

      Everything she said and did had such impact he didn’t know where to go with his feelings without betraying them. But he’d made himself a promise to keep things professional for a while longer. She, too, was behaving as if their soul-destroying kiss that morning had changed nothing.

      But they both knew that it had.

      All he could do was clink her glass and drink more wine.

      “Hmm,” she said after tasting the fettuccini. “This is exceptional. I can see why Maurice was hired.”

      “We’ve been very happy with him.” Cesare ate another of her rolls. “It’s a balmy night out. After we finish dinner, would you like to go for a drive while we talk about tomorrow?”

      “You must be reading my mind. I was afraid to ask.”

      She’d probably be shocked if she knew what was going through his. He’d rather take her in the other room and dance with her. Unfortunately if he did that, they would end up in the bedroom and not come back out for days. So much for him following his own advice to put those thoughts out of his mind.

      He took a deep breath. “I thought I’d show you around the castello estate to get you acquainted. You’ll enjoy seeing the swans on the lake.”

      “Ooh. How beautiful.”

      “It’s quite a sight on a moonlit night, though the moon won’t be out for several hours. When we return, I’ll finish off the granita and another slice of torte.”

      After they finished eating and had cleared the table, they walked outside and took off in the car. Tuccia turned to him in her seat. “I’ve wanted to see the fortress up close. It has such a rich history. I can hardly believe that Vincenzo’s family home has been turned into a hotel and restaurant.”

      “Vincenzo’s father and uncle squandered everything and the estate was seized by the government to be sold to the highest bidder. Vincenzo asked me and Takis if we wanted to pool our assets and buy it with him.”

      “When was this?”

      “The three of us were in New York at the time. He had the idea to turn it into the business proposition it is today. That way he could preserve his family legacy and do something honorable for the region. I thought it a fantastic idea. So did Takis.”

      “Bravo for Vincenzo,” she exclaimed. “I can understand that happening in a family as power-hungry as his. It’s the only reason my parents made sure early in my life that they would have a son-in-law with a fortune. That would be their insurance to keep them living their lavish lifestyle to the end of their days.”

      Her words caused Cesare’s stomach muscles to clench. He drove them to the summit and took the road that wound behind the castello.

      “This place is massive.”

      “You’re right.”

      Two sets of guests from the hotel were out walking. He drove the car past them until they reached the lake much further away. She rolled down her window. “It’s so lovely and peaceful, but I don’t see any swans.”

      “They’re probably hiding in the rushes, but they’ll come out.” Cesare turned off the engine and turned toward her. “Tomorrow will be here before you know it. Gemma is ready to ease many of your concerns. But I’d like to know what is worrying you most and relieve you if I can.”

      Tuccia shook her head. “Do you know what I wish? That I could have been a normal person you’d hired at one of your restaurants in New York. Think how much I could have learned from you.”

      He had news for her. If she’d come into his life back then, they’d be married by now. He wouldn’t have hesitated asking her. “Instead you’re learning to be a pastry chef here.”

      “But it isn’t fair to you,” her voice cracked.

      “Tuccia...”