Chapter 7
JULIUS
It’s unusual for me to dine with a woman I’m not fucking.
Even more to tread carefully and consider her needs above mine.
Rose makes it easy, though. If anything, it’s as natural as breathing, and she is a cut above my usual companions, anyway.
Usually they possess an air of having seen and done it all, and they probably have.
Conniving, searching for opportunity and desperate to live the easy life.
Rose already has it all, and I’m not just talking about the billions she will inherit.
I’m talking about her beauty, both outwardly and within her.
Convent living worked well for her because she has an inner peace that shines from her beautiful blue eyes as she gazes across the table at me, already aware that I am no match for her.
She is too good for me, and I’m good with that.
“What do you usually eat?”
I’m curious about her life.
“The food is good. Natural, wholesome and balanced.”
Her eyes light up as she talks about the convent, and I’m mystified about that.
“We grow our food in the walled garden. I love to help where I can.”
She considers the rich, decadent beef on her fork and smiles softly. “Meat is a luxury we are allowed twice a week. The rest of the time we eat vegetables and pulses.”
“What about alcohol?”
“Reserved for communion only, and that is just a taste on the tongue.” She shivers. “It’s not one I’m partial to if I’m honest.”
Her eyes sparkle, and it hits me hard inside. This is wrong. I’m not used to such sweet innocence. My job is to seduce her, make her fall in love with me and agree to be my wife. It’s not an unpleasant thought, but tricking this girl into believing I love her makes me a fool.
I say nothing more; it’s probably best if I don’t dwell too much on this.
The more I learn about her, the more I will second-guess my father’s decision.
It’s not as if we need the money. We have more than we can spend, anyway.
However, it is better in our control than in our enemies’ control, which would undoubtedly happen if they got their hands on the Diamond Dynasty.
The sister’s father was Enrico Zaferelli, the diamond king. He aspired to become the richest man in the world and achieved his ambition. He died before he could enjoy his wealth in his retirement, leaving his three daughters in the clutches of their wicked stepmother.
I wonder about Morgan Sorcusi. She is like most of the women I come across, and she hit the jackpot. I wonder what she would say if she saw Rose now and the company she is keeping. It’s an amusing scene to imagine.
“May I ask you a question?”
Rose pulls me from my thoughts, and I nod.
“Of course.”
“Why am I here?”
She cocks her head to one side and stares at me with curiosity rather than fear, and I wonder what I should say.
“My father is acquainted with Sister Agatha and promised to provide you with a job and lodgings while you experience life outside the convent.”
I go with the safer option, and yet her unnerving gaze causes me to squirm inside. It’s obvious she’s no fool, and I certainly feel like one as I gloss over the real reason she is here.
“What does the job involve?”
“You will be learning the business.”
“What is the business?”
“Import and export.”
Her unwavering gaze is causing me to squirm like a schoolkid, and I don’t recognize myself right now.
Women usually understand what I am, what business I am in, and yet, for some reason, I don’t want Rose to look at me differently.
If she knew she would be horrified, and yet I have no choice.
She stumbled into my world unwillingly and will never leave.
To crush a soul as beautiful as Rose doesn’t make me proud, and yet I have no choice.
But not yet.
“Will I stay in my own apartment?”
Her sweet smile cuts deeper than any blade, and I wish like crazy we had never started this conversation.
“Sister Agatha was happier if you stayed at the family home. You will live in a suite of rooms there, more like a small apartment, really.”
“I see.”
If anything, her smile dims a little, prompting me to ask, “You’re not happy about that.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just, well…”
Her words drift, and she sighs. “I’ve never been on my own, Julius. My entire life I’ve lived with my sisters, and I was kind of hoping to learn what that is like. To experience freedom and make my own way. It appears that I swapped one protected world for another, which wasn’t the idea.”
She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t wish to sound ungrateful, but well–”
“Well, what?”
I’m aware I am holding my breath as she leans forward and peers into my eyes with the most trusting expression I’ve ever seen and smiles. “This might not be the right thing to tell you, but it may help you understand.”
“Go on.”
I am resisting the urge to pull her closer.
To sample those sweet lips and understand what innocence tastes like.
I am mesmerized by this woman, and I expect it’s because she is untouched, forbidden almost, and corruptible.
It’s like a red flag to a bull, and I’m not known to be a man of restraint.
I see, I want, I take, I discard. That is the motto that I live by, and yet part of me wonders that if I took Rose without care, I would live hating myself forever.
“It’s silly really, and you’ll consider me a fool.”
The blush that steals across her pretty face causes me to smile.
“I won’t judge. It’s just the two of us in the clouds right now with only the angels to hear you speak.”
Fuck, since when did I speak like this?
I grab a glass of wine and almost down it in one because, fuck me, I hate this new me.
“There’s a gardener at the convent.”
What the fuck!
I say nothing, but I’m already sharpening my anger.
“He’s young, a little older than I am, I guess, and I’ve never said a word to him, but I can’t stop thinking about him.”
I swallow hard, steadying my breathing, because it appears my little angel isn’t quite so innocent after all.
“I’ve watched him through the bars of our small window in the sunshine and wondered what it would be like to talk to him.
I feel different when I look at him, and when Sister Agatha told me of the test, I wasn’t horrified, just excited.
You see, Julius, freedom is about choices, some good and some bad.
I want to make choices—my own choices. To date perhaps and to spend time with friends who aren’t related to me.
I suppose the reason I’m telling you is because it’s something I’ve never had.
No friends, no boyfriends and no sleepovers with the girls or trips out.
How can I do that when I’m under your lock and key?
It wouldn’t be a proper test, don’t you agree? ”
I swear I want to murder this gardener and probably will, just to scratch the itch that’s bugging me right now. She wants to date and to experience freedom. Not on my watch.
However, now is not the time to reveal that, so I smile.
“Your wish is my command, baby girl. If you want an apartment, you will have one. Your job will be surrounded by other people, and you will be free to form relationships.”
“Really.” Her eyes sparkle. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.”
The words grind against my teeth because how the hell is that going to happen? Rose’s job will be as my wife and the mother to our children, and that will be enough.
But she doesn’t need to know that yet.
There is still time to change her mind, and failure is not an option.