Rome in Love (23 page)

“I took your advice and told him no.” I smiled.

“Good girl.” His shoulders relaxed. “Let’s get on the set before Willy calls a search party.”

We did the dance scene on the docks, and Greg held me so tightly I could barely breathe. When Mr. Wyler yelled cut I almost jumped. I had forgotten about the cameras and the lights, I thought we were the only two people in the world.

Oh, Kitty, I know I’m being foolish, I can’t possibly think about Greg in that way. He’s older and sophisticated and Cary Grant plays bridge at his house! But you should have seen the way he looked at me when we danced; he has the kindest eyes I’ve ever seen.

Audrey

Amelia put the letter on the bedside table and reclined against the pink and blue satin pillows. She thought about Audrey Hepburn’s feelings for Gregory Peck and wondered if they were returned. Was it possible to fall in love with someone when you barely knew him?

She stood at the window and glanced at the sparkling Mediterranean. It would be lovely to hire a little boat and spend the afternoon exploring the inlets. But she didn’t feel like being surrounded by spectacular yachts or gleaming catamarans, all she wanted was to find Sophie.

chapter twenty-three

Amelia slipped on a yellow linen dress and white sandals. She tied a silk scarf around her head and put on oversized sunglasses. She grabbed her white Gucci tote and walked down the staircase to the lobby.

She spent the afternoon in her room; trying to think if she missed any clues. She finally glanced at the pink sky and realized it was evening. She would eat a quick plate of spaghetti before she caught her train.

She crossed the pink and white marble lobby and saw a man standing at the entrance. He wore a white collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up and tan slacks. He had a duffel bag slung over his shoulder and a leather watch on his wrist.

Amelia gasped and hid behind a palm tree. She didn’t know why Philip was in Portofino and she didn’t want to see him. She watched him approach the marble concierge desk and hesitated. She couldn’t risk him talking to the concierge and learning her true identity.

“What are you doing in Portofino?” She approached him. “If you came to get more details for your exposé, Sophie isn’t here.”

“These are pretty fancy digs for a hotel maid.” Philip whistled, putting his duffel bag on the floor.

“It was the only room available in Portofino. I used some of my savings. I had to come, Sophie is a good friend.” Amelia blushed, glancing at the marble columns and gold inlaid ceiling. “Now she’s missing and if I don’t find her in twenty-four hours her lady-in-waiting will tell her father. You’ve ruined everything.”

“I didn’t have anything to do with it,” Philip insisted, following Amelia onto the sidewalk.

“You keep saying that but I don’t believe you.” Amelia hurried toward the piazza. “It was printed in your newspaper.”

“Sophie gave Adam the photo,” Philip persisted. “She wrote the article herself.”

Amelia stopped and turned around. She took off her sunglasses and felt her heart pound in her chest.

“She came into his office with a manila envelope and said she didn’t want any money,” Philip continued.

“Why would she do that?” Amelia asked. “She adores her father, she would never disgrace him.”

“Maybe she’s tired of being a princess,” Philip mused.

“You don’t know Sophie.” Amelia bit her lip. “She takes her position very seriously.”

“I haven’t eaten anything except a packet of Signora Griselda’s digestive biscuits.” Philip touched her arm. “Why don’t we talk about it over a plate of linguini marinara and a bottle of Chianti?”

They sat at an outdoor table at Ristorante Stella and sipped glasses of prosecco. Amelia gazed at the brightly colored buildings and striped umbrellas and thought it was the most romantic spot in Italy.

“It’s like being in a mid-century fishing village.” Philip glanced at the laundry hanging out of windows. “But with a very high price tag.”

“We can get some fruit at the market,” Amelia suggested.

“I didn’t risk my life on the motorway to eat a bag of cherries.” Philip grinned, studying the menu. “The fish soup and seafood ravioli sound delicious.”

The waiter brought a basket of fresh bread and steaming bowls of soup. They ate Parmesan ravioli with calamari and mussels and prawns.

“I don’t understand why you left my apartment.” Philip buttered a baguette.

“I saw the photo of me and Sophie,” Amelia replied. “I thought you were following us.”

“Max takes photos of beautiful women and ancient monuments and churches.” Philip shrugged. “He always has a camera slung over his shoulder.”

Amelia took a bite of ravioli and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

“I can hardly believe it myself,” Philip replied. “The important thing is to find Sophie.”

“Maybe Theo knows something. I’ll ask him tomorrow.” Amelia glanced at her watch. “I should go, my train leaves in an hour.”

Philip reached across the table and took her hand. He turned it over and traced a circle around her palm.

“I borrowed Max’s car, I’ll drive you back to Rome.”

Amelia glanced at his wavy hair and dark eyes and felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She picked up the menu and smiled.

“In that case we have time for dessert.”

The waiter brought homemade lemon cake and vanilla ice cream. They drank coffee with Frangelico and nutmeg. Philip curled his hand around Amelia’s fingers and she felt the sultry air on her cheeks.

They hiked up the path to the Hotel Splendido and admired the view. The Castello Brown loomed above them and the sky was full of stars. Amelia saw the twinkling lights of the motorway and the yachts bobbing in the harbor.

“The Frangelico was stronger than I thought.” Philip pulled her toward him. “I don’t trust myself behind the wheel of a car. Maybe we should leave first thing in the morning.”

“Where will you sleep?” Amelia asked. “All the rooms in Portofino are taken.”

“I was hoping I might get an invitation.” Philip traced her mouth with his finger. “Considering I let you sleep in my apartment.”

“As I remember the bed wasn’t very comfortable,” Amelia whispered. “The sheets were lumpy.”

“I don’t mind lumpy sheets.” Philip kissed her on the lips. “I can even sleep on the floor.”

“What kind of a hostess would I be,” she murmured, “if I made you sleep on the floor?”

They crossed the lobby and climbed the stairs to the third floor. Amelia put her key in the lock and opened the door. She saw the white lace bedspread and her heart pounded in her chest.

Philip closed the curtains and unbuttoned his shirt. He slipped off his shoes and took off his watch. He walked to Amelia and kissed her on the mouth.

Amelia unzipped her dress and slipped off her sandals. She unsnapped her bra and placed his hand on her breast.

He tugged at her silk panties and Amelia caught her breath. She felt his fingers reach inside her and strained against his chest. She felt him push deeper until her body trembled. She let the pleasure well up inside her and carry her over the edge.

“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted you,” he whispered. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”

Amelia’s heart raced and she knew she had to tell him the truth. She opened her mouth but he kissed her softly on the lips. She kissed him back and ran her hands over his chest.

She lay on the white bedspread and pulled him on top of her. She clung to his back and pushed him to go faster. She held on to him until he came in one long exquisite shudder. She wrapped her legs around him and felt her body split open.

She listened to his soft breathing and tucked herself against his chest. She closed her eyes and blinked away the tears. It was too late to tell him the truth because she was already in love with him.

chapter twenty-four

Amelia stood in front of Philip’s blue Alfa Romeo glancing in both directions. She had gotten up early and ran down to the lobby to pay the bill. She stopped in the hotel gift shop and picked out a straw hat with a wide brim. She didn’t think anyone would recognize her but she couldn’t take the chance.

She would find Sophie and then she would tell Philip the truth. She pictured Sophie’s white-blond hair and large blue eyes and frowned. Could she really disgrace her father and let down her lady-in-waiting?

“That hat looks wonderful on you.” Philip approached the car, clutching two tall Styrofoam cups. “You look like a movie star.”

“I bought it at the gift shop.” Amelia flushed. “I wanted a souvenir of Portofino.”

“I got double espressos, we’ll need lots of energy,” Philip replied, handing her a cup.

“We do?” Amelia raised her eyebrow.

“We have to drive back to Rome and find Sophie.” He kissed her on the mouth. “And then we have to replay what we did last night.”

“The delicious dinner and the evening stroll?” Amelia asked, tasting coffee and cinnamon.

“I was thinking about what happened afterward,” Philip murmured, tucking her hair behind her ears.

Amelia felt a shiver run down her spine. She hopped into the passenger seat and fixed her sunglasses.

“Then we better start driving.”

They drove out of Portofino and onto the motorway. Amelia gazed at the tranquil harbor and the green inlets and felt her heart turn over. It was so beautiful: the magnificent villas, the cliffs covered with purple and white daisies. She wished they could drive forever, with Philip’s hand on her knee and the sun glinting on the windshield. She saw a group of nuns walking along the road, carrying a basket of fruit. Suddenly her eyes sparkled and her face broke into a smile.

“I know where Sophie is!”

“Where?” Philip asked.

“I’ll show you.” She grinned. “Just keep driving.”

*   *   *

They wound through the Sabine Hills and approached the village of Toffia. Philip drove down the gravel path and Amelia recognized the stone building with small lead windows. She checked her lipstick in the mirror and fixed her hat. She opened the passenger door and leaned in the window.

“I think it’s best if you wait here.”

She walked to the narrow wooden door and knocked. She waited and knocked again. Finally she heard footsteps and a tall nun opened the door.

“Signorita Ann,” the nun exclaimed. “What a pleasure to see you. Have you come to play with the children?”

“I’m looking for Sophie.” Amelia smoothed her dress. “I thought she might be here.”

“I haven’t seen Signorita Sophie since she was here with the American doctor.” Sister Lea frowned. “Would you like a glass of water before you go?”

“No, thank you.” Amelia sighed.

She turned back to the car, feeling the hot sun on her shoulders. She was sure Sophie would be here, it was the perfect place to hide. She heard someone running and suddenly a little girl with blond curls threw her arms around her legs.

“Pretty lady! Don’t go,” Gloria exclaimed. “You have to play hide and go seek.”

“I’m sorry, I have someone waiting.” Amelia pointed to the car. “But it’s lovely to see you.”

“You have to play,” Gloria insisted. “The pretty blond lady is hiding and I have to find her.”

Amelia stopped and turned around. “Signorita Sophie?”

“We play games all day, hopscotch and ring around the rosy.” Gloria nodded. “I always win hide and go seek, she won’t hide in small places.”

Amelia took Gloria’s hand and walked to the convent. “Show me where to look and I’ll find her.”

*   *   *

“I can’t believe Sister Lea lied that you weren’t here,” Amelia said.

“The nuns are serious about protecting people they care about from outsiders,” Sophie replied. “That’s how they survived the middle ages.”

Amelia sat in the small reception room gazing at her friend. Sophie wore a white cotton dress and beige sandals. Her hair was knotted in a low ponytail and tied with a yellow ribbon.

“What are you doing here?” Amelia glanced at the threadbare brown sofa and stained glass window. There was a wooden coffee table with a tray of deviled eggs and a pitcher of lemonade.

“In the mornings I help the sisters in the vegetable garden; we’re planting baby peas and butter lettuce and asparagus.” Sophie put a deviled egg on a plate. “Then I prepare lunch and read and play with the children. I discovered Thomas Hardy—they have his complete works in the library.”

“I mean what are you doing in Toffia?” Amelia asked. “I went to Portofino, Elspeth is worried.”

“You went to Portofino to find me?” Sophie’s eyes were wide.

“I thought Philip wrote the article about you.” Amelia bit her lip. “I let slip that you were a princess when I was drunk. I thought you’d never forgive me.”

“I had to write it.” Sophie fiddled with her ponytail.

“I don’t understand, how could you do something to hurt your father?” Amelia frowned.

“Lots of young royals spend the summer partying in Cannes or Monaco or Amalfi.” Sophie shrugged. “It would create a small scandal but the alternative would be worse.”

“The alternative?” Amelia raised her eyebrow.

“All I could think about was Theo.” Sophie sipped her lemonade. “I was about to do something terrible.”

“Does he know you are here?” Amelia asked.

“Of course not.” Sophie shook her head. “He called the morning after we kissed and asked me to go to Pompeii to visit an orphanage. He promised we’d have separate rooms.

“I packed a dress and sandals and a toothbrush. I folded my lace underwear and bra and realized all I wanted was to go to bed with him.” Sophie hesitated. “I couldn’t let that happen, my father would never speak to me again.”

“You could have told Theo you had to work and couldn’t make it,” Amelia said softly.

“But I wanted to go, I was falling in love with him!” Sophie exclaimed. “If I didn’t run away I wouldn’t have the strength to say no.”

“Why not just go back to Portofino?” Amelia asked. “Why did you have to lie?”

“If Theo knew I lied about who I am, he’d never forgive me,” Sophie replied. “I had to make sure it was over.”