Romance of a Lifetime

Romance of a Lifetime by Carole Mortimer Read Free Book Online

Book: Romance of a Lifetime by Carole Mortimer Read Free Book Online
Authors: Carole Mortimer
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, Contemporary, Large Type Books
her weight had fallen to a ridiculously low level, why her mother always fed her the most fattening things she could think of when Beth went to her apartment for dinner.
    'I'll just have a salad,' she shrugged, putting the menu down.
    Marcus gave her a derisive glance before turning to the waiter who stood quietly at her side, ordering their meal in perfect Italian, a new respect for him having entered the waiter's eyes before he left the table.
    'I see you learnt some useful things off your Italian grandmother too,' Beth drawled, although she had a feeling this man had needed to be taught little in his adult life, that he knew most things instinctively.
    'Nonna was always very proud of her heritage.' The grey eyes were unseeing, his focus inward, on memories that were for him alone.
    From his use of the past tense Beth realised his grandmother must be dead. And that Marcus had obviously loved her very much. It gave her a personal insight into this man she would rather not have had, into a vulnerability she would rather not have been privy to.
    Fortunately their first course arrived at that moment, making it unnecessary for her to pass any further comment on the subject. Not that she knew what to say anyway. After all, she couldn't really express sympathy for the loss of someone she hadn't known to someone she barely knew.
    Marcus had chosen a salad as a starter, a glorious concoction, and Beth enjoyed every mouthful. She was mellowed enough, felt gracious enough, to tell Marcus so.
    'Thank you.' He gave a teasing smile.
    He looked years younger when he smiled like that, his eyes glowing like molten steel.
    And she might just have had a sip too much wine on a relatively empty stomach! What other reason could there be for her actually enjoying his company?
    This wouldn't do at all; a man like this would see her apparent pleasantness as a definite encouragement. The magic of Venice would have to be resisted if she were to continue showing resistance to Marcus Craven.
    But it was difficult, very difficult. She felt sure stronger women than her had been unable to resist Venice by moonlight, and her pleasure was enhanced by the unobtrusive service of the Danieli staff, the refilling of her wine glass without her even realising it had been done, the warmth of the gentle breeze in her hair, and all the time Marcus talked to her warmly about the wonders of the city. He assured her that St Mark's Square was just across the Bridge of Sighs and around the corner, that she had to go there, that they could even stroll through the square after their meal if she would like that.
    A stroll in the moonlight, through the square reputed to have half a dozen or more outside cafes, most with live music of some kind, the sort of music for lovers to gaze into each other's eyes.
    It definitely wasn't for her!
    'I don't think so, thank you,' she refused politely. 'In fact…' she looked at the slender watch on her wrist '… I think it is time I went back to my room—it's been a long day.'
    Marcus gave her a chiding look. 'You don't look tired.'
    'Appearances can be deceptive,' she returned firmly.
    He sat back in his chair, his face suddenly in shadow. 'Yes,' he answered curtly. 'If you've finished your coffee…?' He indicated the empty cup in front of her.
    Beth eyed him uncertainly. Why had his mood suddenly changed? She had been nowhere near as dismissive as in the past, and yet this time he had accepted it without question.
    And she was disappointed. No, she wasn't disappointed, she was just surprised, that was all.
    But she had been right about his intelligence, had enjoyed his company in spite of herself.

    She looked at him questioningly as they stepped into the lift and he pressed the button for her floor rather than his own.
    'I always see a lady home after I've spent the evening with her,' he drawled.
    Always? she thought cynically. She doubted very much that all his ladies returned to their own home at the end of an evening spent in his

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