Chapter Three
In the morning Vittorio again went out to the SIP to telephone this time to his friend in London. He was looking very pleased with himself when he returned. To Marie Rosita's frustration he said nothing of the outcome of his call. However he had Marie Rosita prepare and e-mail a number of documents, papers and memos relating to J Tanset ltd and the proposed takeover to his friend in London. Then clearly pleased with himself, Vittorio announced that on the following day they would set out on the first part of their journey to Otranto.
“How will we go? I mean which route.” Rosemary asked, glad to be told something and to be on the move again.
“I thought we could take the autostrada down through Parma, Modena, Bologna and Rimini. Then drive down the coast. It's a long way to drive but if we take our time it shouldn't be too much for you and the child.” Vittorio returned. Rosemary wondered what he would have done if she had disagreed with him, ignored her she suspected.
They visited the market to get food for that day and for the first day of their journey. Vittorio also insisted on buying a picnic basket, a cold box and a leather suitcase for Marie Rosita's new clothes. For someone who didn't have much money he certainly spent enough. Rosemary had quickly come to the conclusion that his family’s idea of not much money was not the same as hers.
Vittorio spent most of the afternoon and evening on the laptop going through his firms records again. By the time he asked Marie Rosita to show him how to close the system down correctly he had all the information he wanted.
The following morning Vittorio left Rosemary to pack her and Ricardo's things and make up bottles to be packed in the cold box, while he did some last minute shopping. When he returned they had a last cup of coffee and packed everything into the new car. The car Vittorio had acquired since their arrival in Milan was a much nicer one than the previous rust bucket. It was one of the more expensive and comfortable family cars on the market. It had straps that would hold the Moses basket, and while he had been out Vittorio had had a baby chair fitted in the back. There was also in the boot a brand new pushchair,
Vittorio said nothing about either of these. Rosemary realised that she was really going to miss being looked after when she got back to Cambridge. It was a pity she was not a little older and a lot prettier Vittorio would make someone a good husband. They took their time over the journey and it was Friday mid-morning before they arrived in Rimini. To Rosemary's surprise instead of driving straight through or around the town Vittorio drove to a quiet family hotel in a side street and stopped.
“I thought we could spend the rest of day here.” He explained quietly.
“Jonathan wants me to stay in close contact today. Things may be happening and if so he will need to consult me.”
He still hadn't told her what he and this Jonathan were up to, she was aware that he was waiting for her to ask. This had determined her not to; also if she couldn't trust him what was she doing travelling around Italy with him? Vittorio it turned out had booked the hotels only suite by phone the previous night. So they had not only two bedrooms and a bathroom but a sitting room as well. Having unpacked they sat in their sitting room drinking coffee.
“I'll need to stay near the phone.” Vittorio informed her, thinking not for the first time that he really needed to buy a new mobile phone. “But that's no reason why you should stay in the hotel all day. Why don’t you go out and do some shopping, or take a look in the museums. Your Italian has improved so you should be able to make yourself understood.” Rosemary thought about it for a moment.
“I'd like to go for a walk.” She admitted. “I don't seem to have had any exercise for days.”
“I'll get a map of the town for you.” Vittorio promised.
They looked over the map together and it was decided that Marie Rosita should take a taxi to the Arco d'Augusto and walk along the Corso di Augusto. Turning off to see the Piazza Cavour in which was the Plazzo Comunale and the Plazzo dell'Arengo
“Take your time.” Vittorio told her. “Have lunch at a restaurant, I'll give you some money and you can buy anything you need or want.”
“We could do with some more nappies.” Rosemary remarked reflectively.
“You could buy something for yourself.” Vittorio pointed out, well aware of how she would react.
“I couldn't waste your money buying things for myself.” Rosemary replied slightly shocked.
Vittorio thought of all the women who since he was seventeen had been only too pleased to spend his money on themselves. He opened his wallet and tucked some money into her hand.
“Think of today as a holiday.” He suggested. “Go and waste the money on yourself and Ricardo too if you must.”
It was late afternoon when Rosemary and Ricardo returned from their outing. She had had a wonderful time and walked for miles along the di Augusto and then beside the river. They had lunched at a small restaurant and had coffee at a cafe. She had however spent little of Vittorio's money, although she had bought new nappies and some more baby milk. The only thing Vittorio later noted she had bought for herself were the English financial papers.
Vittorio had gone out himself by the time Rosemary and Ricardo returned but had left a note for her.
Tired by her walk Rosemary having fed, changed and put Ricardo down for a sleep decided she might as well go to go to bed herself for a short time. It was early evening when she woke up; since Ricardo and the Moses basket were gone she got up to look for them. Vittorio was in their sitting room with Ricardo on his lap, he looked up when she came in and told her.
“I've given him his bottle.” Then mockingly, “Don't look so surprised Marie Rosita anybody even a man can heat a bottle and feed it to a baby. I haven't changed him though.” He continued handing the child to her. “You do that while I order you some coffee. Did you have a good walk?”
Having ordered the coffee Vittorio lounged in the bathroom door, watching while Rosemary topped and tailed Ricardo and dressed him in his night clothes, talking about all she had seen in the town. Once the baby was changed they moved back to the sitting room to drink their coffee.
Here Vittorio slipped a small package into Ricardo's hands as he sat on his aunt’s lap. Rosemary looked at Vittorio enquiringly but he only raised his eyebrows at her. She had been forced to admit to herself the she found this habit of his endearing, she was very much afraid that she was becoming far too fond of Vittorio, which could only lead to trouble especially since he clearly regarded her as a child in need of help. Rosemary rescued the parcel from Ricardo just as he managed to put it into his mouth.
The package was addressed to Marie Rosita happy eighteenth birthday with love from Ricardo. Inside was a jeweller’s box which held a beautiful gold charm bracelet with two attached charms. A baby in a pram and a key. It was all Rosemary could do not to cry as she put the bracelet on, put Ricardo down and crossed the room to kiss Vittorio on the cheek.
“Grazie.” She said her voice trembling. “That was very thoughtful of you.” Vittorio's manner became if anything even colder than usual.
“It's Ricardo you should thank.” He retorted, before quickly changing the subject. “If you're not too tired I've arranged for one of the maids to baby-sit while we go out for the evening.” He pulled a package out from under the chair and gave it to her; you had better go and have a bath and change.”
Rosemary obediently kissed and thanked Ricardo for her gift and then went off to the bathroom, she stopped in the doorway turning back to say softly.
“Your sister is a very lucky girl.”
While the bath was running she investigated the package. It contained an evening dress, blue with a full skirt which would reach halfway down her calf, a matching blue purse and sandals, to her embarrassment there was even some appropriate underwear. As she sat soaping herself in the bath Rosemary thought very seriously about their current situation. Vittorio was obviously used to buying clothes for women. However it was clear he didn't think of her in the same
way as the usual women he bought them for. He hadn't liked it when she had kissed him even though it was a perfectly innocent kiss, the sort his sister could have given him.
She knew she herself was in very great danger of falling in love with him, if she didn't want to embarrass him she was going to have to be very careful. It would hardly be good payment for all his kindness to her and Ricardo to involve him in a teenage crush, and she only hoped that's all it turned out to be. Finding a man as thoughtful and considerate as Vittorio at some time in the future was going to be very difficult.
As she stood before the bedroom mirror, having just put on her wig, she had to acknowledge that Vittorio had very good taste. The dress not only suited her, it also fitted beautifully. Vittorio gave her an evening to remember they dined at a restaurant overlooking the river then went on to a club where they danced till almost two in the morning. Rosemary had had little chance to dance before but Vittorio proved to be a very good dancer and a good teacher. Rosemary was very careful to behave like an old friend or a sister, burying her growing feelings. She was unlikely to see Vittorio again after she returned to Cambridge and didn't want to do anything to spoil the time she had left with him.
Having had such a late night they rose late the next day. Over breakfast Vittorio broke some unwelcome news to Marie Rosita.
“Jonathan wants me in London for a couple of days. If we plan to reach Falconara by Sunday I can fly out of there late that night and get a connecting flight to London early Monday morning.” He smiled at Marie Rosita's stunned face. “I should be back Wednesday or Thursday. I don't like to leave the two of you alone but you should be safe for a couple of days if you are careful.”
“I can look after myself.” Rosemary returned quickly. “You have done a lot for us you don't have to feel you have.” Vittorio interrupted quickly.
“I'm not abandoning the pair of you.” He told her austerely. “I wouldn't go if it was not necessary; it will also give me a chance to check that everything is well in Cambridge. The Alessi may be trying to cause you trouble over there as well. I'll be happier if I know you and Ricardo will be safe from them in Cambridge.”
“What do you want me to do while you're away then?” Rosemary asked subdued by his tone.
“We'll find a hotel or boarding house in a small seaside town and you and Ricardo can spend the time on the beach. I have no doubt that with Ricardo to look after you'll find plenty to do. I will phone every day to check that you're all right.” Vittorio assured her.
“What about your family might they spot you?” Rosemary asked.
“They are far less dangerous than the Alessi. If my father catches up with me the most he can do is quarrel with me and if he does, I shall treat him the way you did your grandfather and walk away from him.” He paused before admitting. “It's a strategy I have never tried.” And Rosemary, having recovered her peace of mind, laughed.
“It would probably make him very angry and angry people make mistakes which can then be taken advantage of.” She pointed out.
On Sunday they found a small hotel in a little village between Ancona and Falconara where the airport was. Passing through Falconara they had stopped at the airport and Vittorio had booked a ticket on a late evening flight to Milano and a connecting flight to London where he would arrive in the very early morning.
At the hotel they booked one large and one very tiny bedroom and Vittorio enlisted the direttore's wife in the care of Marie Rosita. The poor child being left with a small baby in a strange country with no family to protect her while her husband had to go and deal with some tiresome business. The maternal senora was only too pleased to take such a pretty young Spanish wife under her wing. Only she had noticed that the piccolo mama was not wearing a wedding ring. For once Vittorio was rendered speechless and it was left to Rosemary, who had managed to follow most of the conversation to clarify things.
Rosemary explained, in mixed Italian and Spanish that she would be happy to wear a ring if Vittorio would wear one also, since he wouldn't neither would she. This was only fair she pointed out she did have a ring she promised the Senora, and so she had Ricky and Sophie had bought wedding rings when they had bought Sophie's engagement ring. Rosemary then set at rest any doubts the Senora had by asking if there was an evening mass at the village church and on being told there was signified her intention of attending it.
“I thought your Grandfather was almost as famous for his atheism as he was for his temper.” Vittorio questioned when they were alone together.
“He was, for most of his life. He was accepted into the Catholic Church on his deathbed though. Typical of Grandfather leaving it as late as he possibly could. Sophie attended a local Methodist church it being the closest church to our house.” Rosemary explained quietly
“So you don't belong to any church in particular.” Vittorio asked, Rosemary answered hesitantly her manner embarrassed.
“I was receiving instruction in Mexico. Ricardo and I were christened at the same time.” She explained. “Father was a Catholic, Grandmother being a convert. Much to her families disgust apparently as if marrying Grandfather hadn't been bad enough they haven't spoken to our branch of the family since. Grandfather hadn't been very pleased about her converting either.”
“Your Grandmother must have been a very brave woman to marry your Grandfather never mind to go against his wishes.” Vittorio commented.
“When they married it was Grandfather who was thought to be brave.” Rosemary said her eyes alight with sudden laughter. “Grandmother was five or six years older than Grandfather and a don in a female college. She was a Lampton as well, a second cousin of Grandfathers. He used to say that they only got married so that they could quarrel in greater comfort. I've always wished I'd known her, she died before father was out of school.” Rosemary ended. Vittorio supposed he should not have been surprised to discover that her grandmother had been another intellectual.
“Was your Grandmother a professor as well or only a doctor.” He inquired amused Rosemary looked at him suspiciously.
“Grandmother had a doctorate.” She confirmed. “If you're going to Cambridge do you want a letter of introduction to my solicitor and my tenants?” She continued changing the subject abruptly. As usual, Vittorio realised, Marie Rosita had worked out what was necessary.
By the time he left Marie Rosita and Ricardo that evening Vittorio was satisfied that they would be well looked after until his return. In the airport at Milano he just managed to avoid a reporter who knew him. He wondered how Marie Rosita would feel if she knew it wasn't only his father he was avoiding but also the paparazzi, on the other hand he wouldn't be surprised to find that she had guessed. That girl had a mind like a razor.
On the plane to London Vittorio was recognised by one of the stewardesses who was startled to see him on such an early flight. Since it was now likely that it would become known he was in London he was pleased he had arranged to stay with Jonathan and his wife. Anybody looking for him would expect to find him at one of the most expensive of the London hotels. The paparazzi were certainly likely to be taking a strong interest in the playboy son of an Italian count who had been ordered by his father to marry a bride of his father’s choice or risk being disinherited.
Jonathan and his wife were very welcoming despite the fact that he arrived at their house just after six in the morning. They had just got up themselves having a small baby of their own. Margaret, Jonathan's wife, was very surprised when Vittorio proved to be an expert with tiny babies. Margaret had never met Vittorio, or Giannini di Balbini, which was his proper name before, and it amazed her that this cold and formal Italian could be so good with a small child.
Jonathan had arranged their business so well that Vittorio found very little to do apart from attending a shareholders meeting. By the end of the day they were both worth a lot more money than they had been that morning. Jonathan told Vittorio that he would be glad to help if at any time he came up with any more valuable information.
r /> On Tuesday morning Vittorio took the train to Cambridge to investigate the situation there. He visited both Marie Rosita's Solicitor and her tenants, but he was afraid Marie Rosita was not going to be happy with what he had discovered. However it might persuade her to accept a suggestion he had regarding her immediate future.
Talking to Marie Rosita while driving down to Rimini and then down the coast he had been surprised at the extent of her knowledge concerning the financial world. Marie Rosita had an encyclopaedic knowledge of companies and shares mostly those on the London stock exchange but also of all the leading world markets.
Marie Rosita had explained that, realising that the money she and Sophie had been left was being very badly managed; she had started to research the financial world. Being a Lampton she had of course gone right over the top in her researches. Vittorio wondered how much of her information had been gathered in the usual way and how many of the firms’ computers Marie Rosita had hacked into.
Vittorio phoned Marie Rosita twice a day to find out how things were going for her and the child. It seemed they were spending most of the time either on the beach or taking walks in the surrounding countryside. Marie Rosita told him she was being very well looked at the hotel only the Senora thinking she was far too thin kept trying to feed her up.
It was very early Wednesday morning when Vittorio arrived back at the hotel. However the receptionist assured him that Marie Rosita was awake and in fact had just asked for some coffee to be sent up. Vittorio changed the order to a pot and two cups as well as some sandwiches, and then he ran up leaving his things in the other room before tapping on Marie Rosita's, Marie Rosita was sitting up in bed feeding Ricardo, and her heart turned over when she saw Vittorio. She had missed him badly, but she managed to greet him calmly enough. Vittorio sat on the end of the bed and they drank coffee and ate sandwiches while he questioned her about all she had done over the last few days. This despite the fact she had told him most of it over the telephone.
Vittorio having travelled overnight then took himself off to bed for a few hours, promising to tell Marie Rosita all about his trip when he was rather less tired. He was up again in time for lunch, which they had at the hotel before taking a picnic and going out for a drive. Vittorio wanted privacy for the talk he must have with Marie Rosita. She was not going to be pleased with some of his news. They found a quiet bay and settled down for tea and a long talk. And Vittorio finally told her what he and Jonathan had been doing.
“Jonathan Benson and I were up at Oxford together, he's a stockbroker now, my stockbroker.” Vittorio explained. “He bought as many shares in J Tanset Ltd as he could using not only my money but on the information we supplied his own as well.”
“He must trust you a lot.” Rosemary interposed.
“He trusted the information we sent him. In his business information is money and our information he thought worth taking a risk on. Between us we acquired forty percent of the shares.”
“How much did you pay for them?” Rosemary asked interested.
“Between five and thirty seven pence a share. Stop interrupting Marie Rosita. Jonathan then contacted three of the other shareholders between the five of us we held over sixty percent of the shares. We called an extraordinary general meeting and asked for the company to be wound up and the proceeds from the sale of the company’s assets to be distributed to the shareholders. Since we held so many of the shares there was no trouble carrying the motion? We've arranged for a firm of solicitors to handle the matter it will take sometime of course, but from an outlay of only a few thousand pounds I can expect to gain at least eight hundred thousand pounds less tax.” Rosemary was stunned.
“All that just for reading a computer file.” She asked. “Are you sure?”
“Si caro, it’s only a small company with just two hundred thousand shares. A very conservative estimate of the value of the property of four million pounds would mean a share out of twenty pounds a share.” Vittorio assured her
“That means Ricardo and I would get three hundred thousand pounds for our fifteen thousand shares. If my trustees didn't sell them.” She mused reflectively. “I'll be almost rich at least if my trustees don't waste the money which I've no doubt they will.”
“Not according to your solicitor.” Vittorio assured her. “I had a long conversation with him. He recommends court action to replace your trustees. If you can show that they have been negligent or inefficient you should have no trouble replacing them.”
“I'd better go round and see him as soon as I get home.” Rosemary said happily. Vittorio seeing how pleased and relaxed she was, was sorry to be forced to upset her.
“Your house is being watched.” He told her calmly.
“What!!” Rosemary exclaimed. “What do you mean watched? Who’s watching it? Why should anyone be watching it? Is it those Alessi's?” She had become very, very agitated.
“For reasons that your tenant didn't give me the police have been keeping an eye on the house. It was they who noticed that someone else was watching it. Apparently they arranged a raid and arrested the watchers who proved to be private detectives. They were looking for you.” Vittorio explained. Rosemary spent several minutes deep in thought.
“Vicky's father must have been visiting.” She remarked absently. “He probably came over with the American secretary of state; he visited Britain this week didn't he?”
“Marie Rosita you wouldn't like to tell me what you’re talking about would you.” Vittorio asked plaintively.
“Vicky Hampton, the tenants wife, she warned us when they rented the house that her father is an expert on the Far East. Arabs, Israel all that. He advises the president. He's a minor security target so when he visits her special branch nose around.” She explained patiently.
“A good thing too.” Vittorio remarked. “Otherwise we probably wouldn't have known the house was being watched.”
“Do you think the Alessi's would try to get custody of Ricardo in the British court?” Rosemary asked angrily.
“You crossed Georgino Alessi and made a fool of him, he won't be able to forgive that. If he received custody of Ricardo you would probably never see him again. On paper, to someone who doesn't know him and his family, he could make a better case for custody than an eighteen year old girl.” Vittorio warned.
“But if we can't go home where can we go.” Rosemary asked aggrieved. She had no illusions about her chances of getting custody against all the Alessi could offer Ricardo. If she thought they would have given them to him she would have been in favour of the Alessi having custody herself.
That was why she had brought him to Italy after all, it was only since meeting them that she had realised that they were the last people to have custody of her beloved Sophie's child.
“I think you should come to Greece with me.” Vittorio suggested carefully. This was what he had been, carefully working around to. “I own a villa on the Greek coast; it belonged to my mother’s uncle. Until recently it was let to a retired Greek American. He kept an eye on his business in America from there by phone telex and internet. If he could do it I don't see why you couldn't do the same.”
“But I don't have a business to run.” Rosemary pointed out reasonably; she wished she knew Vittorio better he was up to something she just didn't know what.
“With your knowledge of the world’s markets and your computer expertise we should be able to acquire a lot of information, which my money could put to good use. As Jonathan said information is money.” Vittorio explained dispassionately.
“Computer hacking is illegal.” Rosemary said evenly.
“Even in Greece.” Vittorio questioned. “But that wasn't entirely what I was suggesting. You put the information together and I do the buying and selling of shares or whatever. With your abilities and my contacts we should be able to build up a business of our own. The villa is right of the beaten track; the easiest way to get to it is by sea. The road is bad and goes much further around. It would be almost imp
ossible for the Alessi family to find you there.” this was an argument that would appeal to Marie Rosita, he was sure.
“What about my affairs in Britain, our house and the trust.” She asked Vittorio was moving far too fast for her, she needed time to think.
“Your solicitor gave me a power of attorney for you to sign in case you wanted him deal with your affairs.” Vittorio told her.
He had thought of everything Rosemary realised, and she was suddenly very angry with Vittorio, with Ricardo, with the Alessi family, even with Sophie and Ricky but most especially with Vittorio. She rose to her feet and dumped Ricardo who had been asleep on her lap on Vittorio and stalked of along the beach.
She didn't stop until she was out of sight, around a headland. Then alone for the first time in weeks she sat down on the sand hugging her knees she had such a lot to think about. The most important decision of her life was staring her in the face and she had no idea what to do.
A year ago her life was simple when she wasn't studying she was computing. There was University to look forward to. The only complications were those caused by Sophie's frequent tantrums. Now she had lost Sophie and had Sophie's son to look after, and it seemed that even the haven of Cambridge was denied to her. Damn the Alessi's they didn't want Ricardo themselves but they would try to deny him to her. They were not suitable guardians for her nephew even if they had wanted to keep him themselves.
If she did go home to Cambridge would she be able to keep custody to Ricardo? It seemed unlikely. On the other hand should she go along with Vittorio's plan? He would at least look after her and Ricardo; she would have far less to worry about. She knew Vittorio was up to more than he had told her. He wanted revenge on both his father and the Alessi and also she thought his cousin in law. More was going on than he had told her; she had to decide if she trusted Vittorio. A silly question of course she trusted him she was very much afraid she was in love with him.
That was another problem she was going to have to deal with. If she was luck it might turn out to be only infatuation or a teenage crush. Rosemary thought it very unlikely that Vittorio would return such affection. The only thing she could do was to take a chance and hope that her feelings would die out, they would certainly not get any encouragement.
It was over an hour before she returned to Vittorio and Ricardo. Vittorio had been worried when she went out of sight and stayed away for so long but was very careful not to show it. He waited for her to sit down next to him and then gave her some wine out of the cold box. Rosemary sipped at it gladly; she had hardly ever drunk any before meeting Vittorio.
“Is Ricardo all right?” Rosemary asked anxiously. “I shouldn't have walked off and left him.”
“I don't suppose you went very far.” Vittorio replied with calm indifference. “And I was here. You obviously don't have cultural objections to men looking after children.” Rosemary, glancing at him, realised with a shock that he was teasing her.
“If I came to Greece with you, I would need my computer and laptop and the software. I've written a lot of my own programs.” She said soberly.
“Don't sound so sad Marie Rosita.” Vittorio said gently. “Life will get better for you. In a few years you will probably be able to go back to Cambridge. Then you could take your degree while Ricardo was at school. You will be better off financially by then and as Ricardo would have lived with you all his life nobody would be able to take him away from you.”
He was right of course and she would have seen this straight away if she hadn't been distracted by her emotions. She had never realised that being in love could have such a bad affect on ones thought processes!
“Francisca, I think I mentioned her didn't I?” Vittorio went on, “She's a widow and would be glad to have a job. I thought I would ask her to come with us as housekeeper. We will need more to live on than salads, and hopefully you will have enough to do without keeping house.” Vittorio explained.
He didn't think it tactful to admit to finding Marie Rosita's idea of doing housework up rather overpowering. By the time she had finished tidying a room up you were afraid to use. It looked more like a display room rather than one used for living in. Rosemary however was regarding him with some suspicion.
“Have I been tidying up too much again?” She asked uncertainly. “I like things to be neat, but I do go over the top sometimes. Especially if I'm bored.”
“Well I'll have to see you don't get bored then won't I.” Vittorio retorted blandly. But Rosemary just knew he was laughing at her! “As for your computer when I have you and Ricardo safely settled in Greece I'll go back to Cambridge and collect all your things. Most of them had better go into store.”
“We already have a lot of things in store.” Rosemary interrupted. “When we had to let the main part of the house we didn't want to risk our own furniture so we stored it. If we left the furniture in the flat we could let that as well. I just need some clothes and my computers and the programs. Oh and the family photo Albums.”
“I'm sure your solicitor and I can arrange things between us.” Vittorio said repressively.
“The tenants would help as well.” Rosemary went on ignoring his manner.
“Vicky had custody problems over her eldest, with her in laws, after she was widowed.” Then she went on more soberly. “Vicky was a good friend to Sophie.”
Vittorio looked at her sharply, six weeks was not long enough to come to terms with the death of your only close relative, your adored older sister. Marie Rosita was coping very well but occasionally her grief surfaced. Since she clearly didn't like it to be noticed he changed the subject.
“I could ask Stefano to come as well he can see to the car, the boat and I think there's a generator. We'll need someone to look after things when I'm away.” Vittorio suggested then in answer to a sharp look from Marie Rosita went on quickly. “I know you can look after yourself, you've told me often enough, but Greece is still a very ... macho country! You will get on better with a man to deal with the outside world and Francisca will be happier with a man around.”
“Would he give up his job to help you?” Rosemary questioned somewhat diffidently, Vittorio sighed softly.
“Stefano worked for my father, he knowing Stefano to be a good friend of mine sacked him, another attempt to put pressure on me. Stefano had worked for my father since he left school. His father and grandfather worked for my family all their lives.”
It was clear to Rosemary that Vittorio, although not showing it openly, was very angry about this. Having the same family working for you for generations was very feudal, Rosemary thought, and rather proved her theory that Vittorio was very much more than he had let on to her.
“We'd better be getting back to the hotel before Ricardo wakes again.” He now remarked. “Tomorrow we'll start driving down to Otranto again. I'd better phone Stefano and Francisca they can start getting the Villa in order for you. I just hope you don't find it to quiet.” Rosemary laughed hollowly.
“After the last year I think I could do with peace and quiet.” She pointed out.
It was early evening by the time they returned to the hotel and Ricardo was getting grizzly again. Rosemary had a very bad evening with him and was only too glad to go to bed early herself when he finally went off to sleep. She had found the day emotionally very draining, she could only hope she was doing the right thing both for herself and little Ricardo, it was a great burden having total responsibility for another person.
Ricardo slept through the night until six o'clock and consequently to Rosemary the world was a much brighter place in the morning. Whatever problems arose from accepting Vittorio's proposal at least it solved all her present difficulties and for the first time since Father had died she could leave someone else to cope without worrying about how they were going to manage.
Being the only member of a family with any common sense when you were also the youngest could be very difficult. Grandfather and Sophie could never be trusted to do anything without causing a fuss a
nd upsetting half the world. Vittorio on the other hand would cope with anything quietly and smoothly. After the volatility and temper of the Lampton's Vittorio's cold formal manner was like a nice cool shower on a hot day. He made life simpler whereas the Lampton's tended to make it as complicated as possible.
They travelled very slowly down the coast staying in small villages and towns in preference to the bigger towns and tourist centres. They spent two days in San Severo when Ricardo developed an upset stomach. Here Vittorio insisted on calling in a doctor much against Rosemary's wishes. Fortunately the doctor approved of Rosemary's treatment of Ricardo with a rehydration solution, and the child was soon better.
It was late one evening when they finally arrived in Otranto, and Vittorio drove them through the darkening streets to a house overlooking the sea. He went to knock at the door while Rosemary unstrapped the Moses basket. The door was answered by a man of about Vittorio's age, he was obviously a good friend of Vittorio and very glad to see him.
He was so taken up with greeting Vittorio that he quite overlooked Rosemary until Ricardo woken by the stopping of the car started to wail. Vittorio at once broke away from his friend and coming over took the basket from her, putting an arm around her and drawing her into the house.
“Stefano.” Vittorio speaking slowly in English. “This is Marie Rosita, Rosie my good friend Stefano.” Rosemary smiled at Stefano but was more concerned to see to Ricardo. Vittorio had put the basket down, so she unwrapped the baby and picked him up cuddling her against him to comfort him
Stefano meanwhile after one startled glance at her was speaking to Vittorio in quick Italian, Rosemary having had a lot more practise at the language was able to understand most of what was being said.
“Giannini, what on earth, and you're the one who told me about birth control when we were both only fifteen. What do you see in such a skinny child to make you lose your intelligence?”
Rosemary was tired, and she was also a Lampton, just because she had more control of her temper than the rest of the Lampton's didn't mean she couldn't be just as volatile as any of them. She handed the baby quietly to Vittorio who was also angry at Stefano's speech but not as angry as Rosemary was. She turned around and picking up a large glass bowl full of flowers, which was sitting on the sideboard, threw it at Stefano before erupting at him in mixed Spanish and Italian.
Vittorio was amused at the extent of Marie Rosita's knowledge of Spanish oaths, since they were not usually taught in language lessons he presumed she had picked them up during her stay in Mexico. Stefano dripping with water and flowers backed across the room in the face of her verbal onslaught. Finally up against the wall he grabbed hold of the girl, Vittorio intervene quickly.
“Stefano release her.” He ordered then his voice changed and he addressed Rosemary slowly in Italian. “Your understanding of Italian has improved considerably in such a short time Marie Rosita.”
Stefano had immediately let go of her and she turned to Vittorio, there had been a warning note in his voice which she thought prudent to take heed of.
“I couldn't kick him once or twice could I?” She asked plaintively in English and Vittorio's eyes gleamed.
“I don't think that would be a good idea, I think you've frightened him enough for today.” He handed Ricardo back to her. “Stefano will apologise to you, won't you Stefano.” His voice had gone frigid as he addressed his friend. Stefano looked from one to the other
“If I made a mistake I'm very sorry.” He said slowly. “I didn't realise you would understand.” He added Rosemary ignoring him and his apology turned to Vittorio.
“Is there a bathroom.” She questioned. “Ricardo needs changing.”
“Through that door and at the end of the passage.” He informed her.
“I'll bring the luggage in from the car, while Stefano sweeps up the glass.”
There were a couple of spare nappies and some baby wipes in the bottom of the basket so Rosemary put Ricardo in the basket and took him away to the bathroom. By the time she returned the floor while still damp was no longer covered with glass and flowers. She found the men in the kitchen where Vittorio was astonishing Stefano with his new ability to make up a babies bottle. With coffee for the adults and Ricardo sucking at his bottle they all went back to the sitting room.
As she fed Ricardo she realised Stefano was watching her and glanced angrily at Vittorio, calmer now she could see he was also angry with Stefano. Well in that case she could leave it to him to sort out she thought. It was Stefano who finally broke the silence.
“Who is she?” He demanded.
“I told you Marie Rosita.” Vittorio said idly. “She is also just eighteen, since the baby is two months old that would have made her not much over sixteen when he was conceived. For how long have you thought me a seducer of children Stefano?” He inquired his voice was as cold as ice.
Rosemary who had recovered her own temper wondered if it was her honour he was protecting or his own. It was all she could do not to laugh. Stefano was looking very uneasy at Vittorio's tone; Rosemary had no intention of helping him out though.
“Sono spiacente, Giannini I did not mean.” Stefano started to say.
“Did you not.” Vittorio interrupted. He was making things as difficult as possible for Stefano, Rosemary realised gleefully.
“Well if the child is not yours whose is it?” Stefano burst out.
“Sophia's.” Vittorio answered. He could be really nasty when he was annoyed Rosemary realised. She was very entertained and only kept from showing it so as not to give the game away.
“Sophia, who is Sophia.” Stefano was thoroughly confused.
“Sophia is, or rather was, Marie Rosita's sister. Her older sister.” Vittorio remarked. Rosemary was watching Stefano and saw immediately what was going through his mind.
“Now he thinks you had an affair with Sophie.” She observed thoughtfully. “He doesn't have a very high view of your morals does he? Is he really a friend of yours?”
The look Vittorio gave her almost made her wish she had kept her mouth shut, almost. It also strongly brought her father to her mind. She had made exactly the sort of remark he would slip into a conversation to liven things up a little. It was at this moment that Ricardo playing on his aunt’s lap took matters into his own hands. Grabbing hold of the wig and pulling it half off her head.
“Ricardo, are you trying to scalp me, you little monster.” Rosemary laughed taking the wig of properly and covering his face with kisses him. Stefano was stunned for a moment and then burst out angrily.
“A redheaded girl with a baby. Have you brought an Alessi under my roof Giannini?”
“No” Rosemary said firing up angrily in defence of Ricardo. “He's brought two Lampton's under your roof, but we can always leave again.”
“Both of you will behave.” Vittorio snapped. “Stefano will you see about a meal for the three of us. Marie Rosita can put the child to bed. We will discuss the matter after we have eaten.”