The Devil to Pay (19 page)

“Defend yourself? That’s rich!”

“Isabella is not my wife.”

“Very good,” she snapped, her chest heaving with the effort of breathing. “So how do you explain the wedding photograph? It speaks volumes to me.”

“It was a charity fashion shoot for a society magazine, a one-off in aid of a local orphanage, and all the originals were destroyed after the magazine went to print. That was one of the conditions of my doing it. I hated every moment, but Uncle Alonzo, Isabella’s
husband
, thought it might be good for her to channel her energies into helping some children instead of pining for the ones she would never be able to have.”

Rianna bit down hard on her bottom lip before continuing. “I don’t believe you.”

“You should believe me, because it’s the truth. Isabella’s playing nasty mind games with you and you fell for it.” He shook his head sadly and looked away from her. “You believe I’m capable of such a thing, that I’d use you like that. I’m very disappointed, Rianna. I thought you’d have more faith in me.”

Her voice was quiet. “Everything she said makes sense.”

“Everything she said was intended to deceive, to hurt and destroy. It’s what she does. She’s so bitter at the way her life’s turned out. She can’t bear to see other people’s happiness.”

Rianna sank back down into her chair and picked up the mute silver rectangle that was effortlessly ripping them apart. “So everything she said was lies?”

“Everything you’ve told me is,” he replied gently. “Apart from the divorce bit, she’s right. No Bracchi has ever divorced, so it’s important we get all this sorted out once and for all. I will marry for life, so I’ll never let you go once my ring is on your finger. You need to think long and hard about that. You must be sure you love me like you say you do. Or did.”

Rianna swallowed hard. “Can we get rid of this picture?”

“You need to look at it very closely first.”

“I don’t think I can bear to.”

Daniel picked the photograph up and held it in front of her. “Look at the eyes.”

Rianna forced her gaze downwards, willing the sickness she could feel welling up to disappear. “What about them?”

“Concentrate, look closely.”

Rianna’s trembling finger traced the image of his face. “They’re the wrong colour—”

“Since when were my eyes brown?” he replied softly. “And they’ve airbrushed out my little scar, see?” He pointed to the mark high on his cheekbone and felt his heart twist as she looked away from the photograph and into his eyes. “And her ring, even that’s not real. It’s a big chunk of costume jewellery, completely the wrong shape, and certainly not the Bracchi ruby.”

A tear fell onto his wrist and glittered in the evening sunshine. “You must hate me,” she whispered. “I got it all so wrong.”

“I don’t hate you,” he replied and wiped the wet smear from her cheek. “I love you more than anything, can’t you see it? The reason you don’t have a ring yet is because it’s still on my mother’s finger. It’s tradition for the engagement ring to stay in the family and be passed down. Alonzo had the ruby, Gino would have had the sapphire if he’d lived, and my fiancée will have the diamond.”

“But won’t your mother mind giving it up?”

“What mother wouldn’t want her son to be happy? She gets the daughter she never had in return for it, remember?”

****

His stomach clenched as he realised Rianna’s mother hadn’t been quite so accommodating. Her mother hadn’t given a damn about her children. He lightened his tone and squeezed her shoulder. “Besides, she’ll make Dad buy her something even more expensive as a replacement. Don’t you worry!”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you sent me packing after what I just did,” Rianna blurted with a sob. “I love you so much, Daniel. I couldn’t see through Isabella. I’m sorry. I was so stupid.”

“It’s over now,” he reassured her. “And we’ll go to Bardi tomorrow to see Dad and to tell him we’re getting married.”

“But what about your mum?”

“She’ll be just as happy with a phone call,
tesoro
, and will delight in bragging about us to all her ghastly friends in Barbados.”

“Do you forgive me, Daniel?”

“On one condition.” He smiled and took her hand. “Come with me and bring the photograph.”

“I hate it,” she muttered, but picked it up before he led her to the balcony edge.

“Let’s kill the lies, Rianna,” he said as the wind whipped their hair into sharp peaks. “Go on, throw the miserable thing onto the rocks. Get rid of it. To hell with Isabella and her poison.”

He watched the delight on her face as she hurled it into the sky. It twisted like a serpent, sparkling with a final burst of defiance before crashing onto the rocks. She laughed at the sound of the glass splintering far below, and Daniel wondered if he was always going to be enough for this incredible woman. She’d doubted him twice now, showing him her expectations of him were high and non-negotiable. Honesty would have to be a cornerstone of their marriage if it was to be a successful and happy one.

Was he strong enough to keep the last dark secrets from her? The secrets that could tear the Bracchi dynasty apart if they came to light? Could he bring himself to pray to a God he didn’t believe in for that strength? He couldn’t be sure about anything save the love he felt for the woman by his side, and the shadowy burden of lies was one he would have to carry alone and in silence.

Chapter Thirteen

Daniel’s voice echoed along the long dark corridor of the Castello Del Rhondda as he yelled out to the world he had arrived. And so had his fiancée. A singsong female voice called back in cheerful Italian, and presently a short, dark-haired woman appeared from behind a door in the wooden panelling of the walls and greeted them with a warm smile.

“Agneta,” Daniel began. “Please let me introduce Rianna.” He put his arm protectively around her shoulder. “Rianna, Agneta is officially here to wait on Dad hand and foot, but in truth, she practically runs this ruin of a place.”

Agneta touched the black knot of hair on the back of her head modestly. “Such nonsense, Daniel,” she said in English and grinned widely with pleasure. “And it’s about time you brought a nice girl home with you.”

“We may have some news for you once we’ve spoken to Dad.” He grinned conspiratorially, and gave Rianna’s shoulder a squeeze as Agneta stifled a squeal of excitement and fanned her cheeks.

“So how is the old devil today?” Daniel released his hold of Rianna and hugged the older woman affectionately.

“I assume you are referring to your dear old father?” She sent Rianna a wry look as she spoke. “He’s on the terrace, listening to his old jazz records. He’s been very excited about today, Daniel. Roast Welsh lamb for lunch no less!”

“We’re honoured!” Daniel turned his attention to Rianna who he could see felt a little tongue-tied and out of place with their obvious familiarity. “Now that particular dish is only ever served on the most special occasions! And fresh mint sauce I hope?”

“Naturally! I’m off to make it now.” Agneta quickly looked Rianna up and down with innocent curiosity. “I’ve tried him with the ready-made jars, but there’s still no fooling him it’s the real thing. He also insists on me using malt vinegar, not wine or balsamic. ” She shook her head with feigned despair. “He says it reminds him of the old days and good times, so...” She gave a weak smile and paused for a moment as she and Daniel shared a moment of quiet understanding. “So he must have it of course.”

“Yes, he must,” Daniel concurred. “But for your sake, it’s a blessing his tastes are so simple. Can you imagine if it were otherwise?”

“Oh, heaven forbid!” Agneta marched briskly down the corridor laughing softly.

“Come on then,” Daniel said happily once they were alone in the dark cocoon of the corridor once more. “Time to face the music.”

Rianna eyed him warily. “I’m not too averse to a spot of jazz actually.”

“I was speaking figuratively,
cara
, but yes, there is that aspect to it as well!” He paused for a second and noticing the way her eyes appeared to be a lot larger than usual and her shoulders a little smaller in the grandeur of the huge Bracchi home, he stroked her cheek fondly. “Don’t be afraid, it’s only your old friend Tomos, remember?”

“Yes. Of course. I’m just being silly feeling nervous, aren’t I?”

“Absolutely,” he replied and tugged her by the hand toward the sunlight and the crackly refrain of a nineteen-twenties Sophie Tucker number.

****

“Dad! Look who I’ve brought to see you!” Daniel called to the high back of a wicker chair set beneath the shade of a cream-coloured parasol. A grey head suddenly jerked up into view and within a few seconds, Tomos Bracchi stood with open arms on the terrace.

“
Mio figlio e mio erede!
My son and heir!” Tomos beamed with delight and embraced Daniel with the fiercest of hugs. He then turned his attention to Rianna, who smiled quietly at their truly Italian display of affection, and his smile faltered. A baffled look crossed his features and a frown forced his dark eyebrows together. “
Cosa sta facendo qui?
What’s she doing here?”

“Dad, it’s Rianna,” Daniel replied with an irritated sigh. “You remember, from Lewis Quarry. So speak English and don’t let yourself down in front of our guest.”

“You haven’t forgotten me already have you, Tomos?” Rianna laughed and held out a friendly hand in greeting as she went to kiss the old man on the cheek. “Not after all those chocolate biscuits you made me fetch for you.” To her surprise, Tomos took a step backwards to avoid her touch, and went to turn off the ancient stereo system that was still blasting across the valley.

“Of course, I remember you,” he replied gruffly. “But I was speaking to my son. What is she
doing
here, Daniel?”

“Dad...?” Daniel’s tone was tinged with awkwardness. “Rianna came over to persuade the board not to sell the quarry, the meeting Mike Pearson was supposed to hold until his wife went into labour?”

“Yes, yes, I remember all that.” The older man grunted. “But you had no reason to bring her
here
. To the Bracchi home, most inconsiderate.” He stared at them both from under his bushy eyebrows and his mouth twisted silently with what appeared to be ill temper. “She must go now, before your mother gets back and raises hell. You know how difficult she can be about female visitors.”

“Don’t be so ridiculous, Dad! Rianna’s the girlfriend I told you about. We met in a supermarket. You were delighted for me, remember? And Mamma’s in Barbados until next month. I know it for a fact, so don’t be so silly and besides,”—he crossed his arms across his chest with satisfaction—“you’ll be seeing a lot more of us from now on.”

“Us? You and
her
?” Tomos leaned unsteadily against the stone balcony of the veranda.

“Yes, I’ll tell all after dinner, but, suffice it to say, there will be some changes around here.”

Tomos stood silently for a moment, his expression softening and he let out a long, slow sigh. “Changes? There seem to have been so many of those recently...” His dark-grey eyes shimmered as he regained his equilibrium. With downcast eyes, he approached his son and patted him heavily on the shoulder. His movements reminded Rianna of someone commiserating with another at a funeral and concluded he was feeling embarrassed at his earlier outburst. This must all be a shock for him, she thought, noting he did look considerably older and less steady on his feet than she remembered.

“Go down to the cellar and fetch the vintage champagne. Dust it off properly. And some good brandy, my son.” He frowned when Daniel hesitated. “Go on then!”

Rianna nodded quickly to indicate Daniel should do as he was told and after watching him disappear though a stone archway, turned to make conversation. But the words died on her lips. Tomos was very agitated.

“Follow me,” he whispered harshly. “We don’t have much time.”

Rianna followed Tomos along the terrace through some double doors into what appeared to be a study. The walls were lined with bookshelves and Tomos went behind an enormous wooden desk strewn with papers. He took a key from the pocket of his waistcoat, wrenched open a drawer and gestured for Rianna to take a seat in the antique chair opposite the desk.

“You need to see some of these,” he announced as a leather-bound photograph album landed with a thump in front of her. Particles of dust swirled in the pale shafts of sunlight, which bathed the room, and Rianna began to turn the pages. Image after dog-eared black and white image extracted exclamations of delight and murmured astonishment from her.

Tomos pointed out some of the historic landmarks of Taff’s Weir. “See there? That’s John and Maria’s when they first came over, it was just coffee and ice cream then, you’ll know it as the Criterion Café.”

Rianna’s fingertips traced the outline of the stunning Art Deco bay window front. “It was so gorgeous then. Such a pity it’s fallen into such a state these days.”

Tomos quickly turned to the next page. “What about this one?”

“Oh, yes! That’s Oxbow Bridge! Isn’t it beautiful curving like that into the green of the valley wall? No industrial units on the bank then. And this one... The Maltsters Arms?”

“It was called The Griffin in our day,” he added gruffly.

Rianna instantly recalled the significance of the bridge in Daniel’s young life and the pain of its legacy, yet Tomos had given no indication whatsoever that there was a dark story in those mossy stones. Perhaps he had blanked it out or maybe he was ashamed of what had happened there. After all, Daniel had told her he’d received precious little succour from his parents at the time.

The elderly man within a few feet of her wasn’t quite the Tomos she had grown to know over the years. He seemed different somehow. But then again, it
had
been ages since they’d seen each other and everything seemed different in Italy, a universe away from Taff’s Weir. So it must be her.