Forbidden Noble Page 5

  She twisted her nose like this was a hard question and then said, “Can we come back another time, but soon? I’m more excited to see Avce.”

  It was best for both of them to go to Avce, deal with the paperwork, and decide where they’d go next. Looking into her eyes, he said, “Let’s make it a date and book the room for thirty days from now.”

  She gently pressed her elbow into his on the counter. “Sounds great.”

  The clerk confirmed their return date for them and wished them a good day.

  As they left the counter to get off the ship, he steered Clara at the last second from running right into Max Fionalli, who was way too close to her.

  Clara instantly stood next to him as Max said to her, “I was sorry that you didn’t take me up on my offer, Your Grace.”

  His skin boiled. He’d missed something. He held Clara tighter as he asked, “Max, what offer?”

  Max waved like Astorre wasn’t there at all. “I wasn’t talking to you.”

  Clara kept her arm in his and he said, “So long, Max.” Astorre guided his wife toward the exit. Pride meant he wouldn't question Clara in front of Max, and his chest was tight despite their steps away from the fortune hunter. In silence, they headed down the gangplank and once they were back on solid ground, he asked, “What did he mean?”

  Clara turned pale. “When I was with the dressmaker and hair and makeup yesterday, Max came to my room to warn me not to marry you.”

  His heart thundered and part of him wanted to go back and punch the man in the face. He massaged his scalp so that he wouldn't be violent.

  He wasn’t evil like his father. He couldn’t be now that he was married to Clara. He swallowed and walked beside her as he said curtly, “You should have told me.”

  She smoothed her hand down the side of her black dress. “I didn’t think it was important.”

  He reached for her hand. “Honesty is always important.”

  “True.” She patted him on the chest like she wanted him to relax. “I forgot about him the second I walked down the aisle and saw you.”

  If he was completely truthful, the moment she'd stepped toward him out of the mist, it was like he’d seen an angel appear in the darkness. They trekked together to his limo. “What did he say?”

  She rolled her eyes as they stopped and the driver held the door for her. “That you broke up your sister's and his true love.”

  Her tone was mocking. Somehow he relaxed his shoulders and followed her inside the limo. “Nonsense.”

  The driver closed the door and she ensured their arms touched. “I know. He also said that you’re not good for me.”

  Well, Max Fionalli would never get to Clara or Olivia again, but he had to give the man credit. “He’s right on that account.” He raised his voice for the driver. “Let’s get going.”

  The quick ride to the airport was nice as Clara pressed against him instead of sitting three feet away with her legs crossed like when they’d started traveling together. For once in his life, he had a purpose and a goal.

  He’d protect Clara and keep her for himself without ever revealing the ugliness inside him.

  They arrived at the airport and the driver stopped on the tarmac near Astorre's private jet. He ushered her out and toward the metal stairs leading up. Clara stared at it, shaking her head like she realized this was now her life forever as she climbed.

  He grabbed the dried fruit tray for snacks as they passed the kitchen area toward the seats. She took the one by the window and he joined her, placing the food on a pull-down table. “I can’t imagine how you’re used to flying in a private jet.”

  He offered her a fig. “This isn’t the first time for you now.” She accepted the fruit and had the same look of delight as when she'd eaten them before. “It’s the first time as your wife.”

  Her wide eyes made his heart tick differently, as if he was proud. The plane lifted off and there was a slight shift in cabin pressure, nothing else was out of the ordinary. But when Clara first started flying with him, she’d been alarmed, but now barely noticed.

  Clara slipped off her new black flats with the pointed toes like they hurt. He offered her another fig. “We’ll be in Avce soon to ensure we’re officially registered there and you can meet my sister, Olivia.”

  She finished the second fig and moved the arm support so she could rest her head on his shoulder. “It has to be hard for her to live there.”

  Olivia hadn’t wanted him to give up his claim. She’d been adamant, though she’d be the next duchess since she wasn’t thirty yet, but then he feared she’d be even more of a hermit. “You can ask her yourself when we arrive.”

  Clara ran her hand up and down his shirt as she said, “I just want to enjoy the now.”

  He helped move her legs on top of his so that she was on his lap. “Last time on this plane, you sat at least three meters from me.”

  “That’s clearly changed for the better.” Clara laughed and kissed him. “I’m not used to using the metric system.”

  In high school one of his teachers had once told the class that "a happy wife is a happy life." While he’d never be good enough for Clara, he’d do what he could to make her happy.

  So, he showed her how they could be even closer with most of their clothes on.

  * * *

  Hours later, Astorre memorized the curve of Clara's cheek as she dozed on his arm.

  The plane had stopped a short while ago, but he’d tired her out in the best way. He waited until she stirred and knew she was awake from her slight movements. He said, “Here we are.”

  She opened her eyes and took a few minutes to adjust her dress appropriately.

  When she was ready, they exited the plane to the tarmac surrounded by olive trees. Clara gestured to the greenery around them as they walked to his limo. “The airport is nice.”

  He agreed but said nothing until they reached the limo and then he told her and the driver, “We’ll head to Haren Hall, Rossie and Stephano’s estate, for lunch.”

  Clara slid inside the limo and he went in next. As he settled back, she teased him, “Delaying your return to the house?”

  Forever if possible. But that wasn’t to be. Once they did the minimum they could leave, or burn the house down for all he cared. “After we establish you as the proper duchess, we don't have to return often. My sister will inherit her dowry that she can retire on, and she can have the dower tower as neither of us have parents.”

  The limo drove off the tarmac to a main road. “What happens to my whole baron thing that I inherited? I’d like to learn more about that.”

  Now that she'd mentioned it, it was time to talk children. He’d need to have at least one so there was never a question in the future of who inherited. The laws grew trickier as new rules replaced old ones that were still on the books. “Well, you’ll have a choice. If we have one child he would get both our titles. If we have two you can give the barony to the second born.”

  Her entire body stilled and her eyes grew wider as she thought this over. He waited for her answer by holding his breathe, but the she blinked and turned bright red. “Huh. I hadn’t meant about children. I can’t imagine myself as a mom.”

  His neck muscles tightened. “We don’t have to have any if you don't want to.”

  “Good.” Clara brushed against his knee. “Let’s table that discussion. I meant, what happens to the title and the money and stuff, now.”

  Understood. He wouldn't rob her of whatever she had--he wasn’t sure what the Baron de Dona’s coffers were like. “As my duchess, no one will refer to you as my lady. You’re now ‘Your Grace.’”

  She nodded like she needed this information. “Are there lots of responsibilities I’ll need to somehow master?”

  Clara had clearly been uneasy about the baby conversation. Time was a good thing for them to have before kids and he needed to focus on them being in Avce without her finding out how rotten his soul was. “Probably not, but if you want to funnel the money
to your unborn, it’s best to let that sit and live off your allowance.”

  Her lips pressed together. “Allowance? That makes me sound like a child. I can and will do whatever work I need.”

  She had a point. The word "allowance" sounded horrible. “I assure you as Duchess of Modena the money involved is nothing childish. And unlike my father, I excel at financing.”

  She tilted her head as they drove onto the vast estate belonging to Stephano, and now Rossie. Cut grass and olive trees lined the road toward their home. “Guess we’ll figure out how to live together over time, but I’m happy to know you have a skill. I don’t excel at anything unless you need me to fix something. I worked repairing wood arrows at a Ren festival once.”

  Finance meant sitting at his computer and calculating risk. This wasn’t a skill so much as training from college. “You do yourself a disservice, Clara. You excel at seeing right through people so clearly, which is something I could never do.”

  The car stopped in front of a three-tiered estate home that was much nicer than his own and very well-kept. Clara grabbed his arm. “There's something I wanted to talk to you about before we see our friends.”

  He motioned for the driver to close the door and asked, “What’s that?”

  She met his gaze and her eyes seemed full of… emotion as she said, “You have a reputation with women.”

  “Before you,” he said fast.

  His father’s love for another woman, her mother, was the poison that had eventually destroyed him. He’d never let Clara or any children if they had them believe they were second choice.

  Her eyebrow quirked. “So that means you’re willing to be faithful?”

  He was a good negotiator so he traced her side and said, “As long as you keep the bedroom doors open between us, I won't glance at another.”

  She lifted her chin. “Or sleep with another?”

  A laugh escaped his lips. “No sex. No touching inappropriately, anyone but you.”

  He gently pinched her backside. She beamed at him and her smile lit up the limo. “See Astorre, there you go, proving you’re a great guy.”

  He could never let her see the full truth of who he was, but he reached for the door to let the driver know they were ready. “That I’m not, but let’s go in now.”

  She scooted out and took his hand as they stepped on the driveway, smiling as if she was really happy. He wanted to make sure that she was always taken care of and happy like this. It was the best he could do as she’d never understand the monster inside him.

  Chapter 7

  Astorre let her hand go the moment they made it up the front step of the huge manor house.

  The door opened and her friend rushed to her like she’d actually been missed.

  Clara hugged her best friend and the closest person she had to family though they weren’t blood, and hadn't been raised together.

  Astorre massaged her back and then went to greet his friend, Stephano.

  Rossie had been the only person who actually cared about her for a while now.

  So yeah, Clara should have called, or listened to the twenty-six voicemails. But at the time, she’d thought the one person who knew her best would remind her that life had to return to normal. That Clara would have to go home to Miami.

  She owed her best friend an apology.

  Rossie walked with her, arm-in-arm, as the men followed them into the huge home. Rossie brought them to a side room with plush blue chairs.

  Rossie’s husband pointed to another room, and Astorre winked at her. He was attentive and sweet with his silent question as he gazed at her. She waved for him to go and the two men disappeared into the next room.

  Rossie closed the door and Clara was enveloped in blue from the blue chairs facing the window to the blue tapestry on the wall.

  Her friend would have a color-coordinated house. For years Rossie had talked about color schemes for her wedding business so her house would be no different. Clara perched on the edge of a blue cushion. Rossie quickly sat beside her and studied her face like she was staring at an alien when she said, “Clara, you’re glowing.”

  She pressed her hand to her heart. Was it written on her forehead, what she and Astorre had done? Clara avoided Rossie's gaze as she shook her head. “That’s silly.”

  Rossie took her hands and squeezed like they were still sisters and Clara hadn’t ignored her for twelve days. “But you are. There's something different about you.”

  Clara ignored the zip in her pulse as she studied the tapestry until she had the right words to change the conversation. “You’re being dramatic, when you’re the one that’s clearly happy.”

  Rossie’s expression showed her excitement--flushed cheeks, sparkling eyes, but her friend had always lived how she wanted. “I know everything with Stephano was fast but we’re settling into our lives now and it’s been very nice.”

  “I can imagine.” Rossie lived without hesitation--her best friend had taken on the world with her effortless style.

  Clara ensured her new silk black dress was still straight as Rossie bounced in her chair and said, “Well, I’m dying to see your new husband’s estate, Clara. Stephano has taken me to quite a few empty mansions so that I can get a sense of how the others live--then I can decorate to my heart's content, but we never went to either of yours.”

  Rossie always loved making the world beautiful. She’d worked in weddings and now she was making her own mark with this blue room. The rest of the house must also be in a state of transition as Rossie was likely to change things around.

  Maybe Clara would ask Rossie for her help in making her own home stylish. She said quietly, “Astorre said it’s haunted.”

  Rossie laughed like Clara had just told her a joke. “Now I really want to go.”

  Clara sucked in her bottom lip and met her friend’s gaze. This wasn’t meant to be a joke, but she'd made the same mistake. “He said his father killed his mother there.”

  Rossie froze like she’d been caught off guard. “Oh. Well, being as it's been the scene of a crime dampers my enthusiasm. But if any wife can understand parents' deaths, you’re perfect for him.”

  Clara hugged her sides so Rossie didn’t see how her hands had clenched at her light-hearted remark. “My parents died when I was an infant. My adoptive parents died in a car crash. It’s not the same thing as murder.”

  Rossie rested her finger against her cheek in thought. “No, it’s not, but it’s still loss…"

  It was true that Clara understood Astorre, and he did her, too. She couldn't stay upset with Rossie, who hadn't meant any harm.

  "I see that you’re actually happy.”

  Time to tell the truth. There was part of Clara that wasn’t the same, and she owed that to Astorre. “I’m… I’ve been kissed.”

  Rossie snapped her fingers like she’d just heard the best news ever. “You’ve been more than kissed. I just hope he keeps you this happy.”

  The door behind them squeaked as Astorre said, “That’s my intention.”

  “I didn’t know you were back.” Clara hoped that her body wouldn't give her away and start to tremble.

  Both men walked into the room. Astorre said, “We finished our talk. Stephano made sure the palace received notification so anyone who might challenge our marriage will be stopped.”

  Rossie gave her husband a pointed gaze as Clara asked, “Challenged? Seriously?”

  Rossie turned toward her and explained, “You both took off. Stephano’s friend, Matteo, married Sheena--and her ex showed up, so apparently the marriage can be challenged.”

  That didn’t apply for her. “Well, I don’t have an ex.”

  Astorre squeezed her shoulder from his stance behind her. “I made no promises to any other woman. I was intent on dropping my claim to my inheritance, and banishment.”

  * * *

  No one was going to challenge Astorre or her so this was a non-issue. Rossie arrived at the same conclusion when she said, “So yours shouldn’t be
a problem. Where did you go after Sheena’s wedding? You’ve been gone for two weeks.”

  “Astorre decided to take me on a European tour since you were busy. We went to Paris, Venice, Florence, Barcelona and then we married in Gibraltar,” Clara said.

  That almost sounded romantic.

  Stephano patted her husband’s arm and said, “Astorre, I’m supposed to show you the balcony.”

  Interesting. Rossie clearly wanted them to be alone and had already figured out how to communicate without a word to her husband.

  Once the men left, Rossie sat back. “So why didn’t you answer for weeks, not just a day?”

  Heat rose inside her and she wasn’t sure how to explain. She relaxed into her chair and stared at the afternoon sunshine outside the window. “I…for once in my life, I was enjoying myself and not worrying about anything. I didn’t want to be reminded this was all short-term. Now it’s not, and never will I be Clara the unfortunate again.”

  Rossie had a gleam in her eyes as she asked, “Because you’re in love now?”

  Flutters grew in her stomach and her skin broke into a sweat. She swallowed and shook her head as she wasn’t sure how to answer. “I… let’s not talk about that. I'm going to assess Astorre's home and then figure out what I want to tackle first. I might need your help in the house. His sister lives there so I need to ensure I don’t step on any toes while we're adjusting.”

  “I’ll always help you.” Rossie leaned closer and asked, “So he doesn’t know how you feel?”

  Rossie wasn’t going to give up. Clara’s heart raced but she said, “I’m not even sure what I feel so, no.”

  "Hmm." Rossie tapped her cheek. There was a knock at the door and Stephano popped his head in. “Are you ladies ready for lunch?”

  Clara stood and met the warm gaze of her handsome husband who stood beside his happier but less interesting friend. “We’re on our way, Astorre. We were talking about decorating and how Rossie is a wonder at making everything sparkle with beauty. She offered to be my ear.”