Shadows of the Past Read Online Free Page B

the square. She needed sanctuary — wanted to be alone, to think. What had she done? Was she running away? She could not think what had made her follow the road, what impulse had driven her to do something so foolish. It had not occurred to her that people would know who she was, that it would be impossible for her to remain anonymous. She looked different from the Caterinians, being so fair. She ought to have realized she would stand out.
    The church door was open. Running up the steps she went inside, sliding into a pew at the back. The interior was beautiful, rich with gold and with incredibly vibrant frescoes.
    As her eyes became accustomed to the surroundings she noted that there were several women kneeling in the front pews, their heads covered. Perhaps she and Luca had married in this very church. Luca, how the name tripped from her tongue. Yesterday he had been the conte and now in her mind he had become Luca and it had happened so naturally, as if she had never lost her memory of him. Yet as she pursued him further in her mind, nothing came to the fore. Just his name, Luca; she murmured it out loud as if this would trigger something but it did not, yet it sounded so sweet on her tongue and with it came a rush of feeling so potent it knocked the very breath from her body.
    Her stomach grumbled. It had been so foolish to come all this way without eating something. Yesterday she had not gone down to dinner and had sent word that she was going to bed early. She had eaten nothing but a couple of biscuits and now she had walked at least four miles. Having no purse with her, she knew she would have to walk back to the palazzo and uphill all the way, on an empty stomach.
    When she left the church the sun had dominance, it beat down on the shiny surface of the square. The men were still outside the bar; a man near the general store was swilling down the area in front of the shop with a bucket of water.
    The sound of a car’s engine caused her to pause before crossing the square. The car, a low-slung white two-seater sporty model, pulled up suddenly and the door opened to reveal Luca.
    With restrained elegance he pulled himself from the car and crossed to her side. ‘Alva,’ he murmured, ‘get in.’ Although he spoke softly, there was a command in his voice. She looked up at him, thought of saying she preferred to walk, but then realized that would be foolish. Her legs felt rather like a young foal’s and twice as unsteady. Gratefully, she slid into the passenger seat as he opened the door. Without looking at her, he slammed the door to close it; the noise of it seemed to echo around the square.
    As he drove past the bar, she saw the men watching their progress with interest. Turning she looked at Luca. He was looking stern and uncompromising. Obviously he was annoyed with her.
    ‘How did you know where I was?’ she asked.
    ‘A telephone call.’
    She clicked her tongue impatiently. ‘There was no need for that. Why would anyone do that anyway?’
    ‘Because they know you are not, shall I say, yourself, and they are concerned. You wander in the square at seven a.m. and you think it will not cause comment. Dio mio you must be mad if you think that!’
    ‘Well I am mad, in a way, isn’t that so?’
    ‘If you like.’
    Her stomach swelled yet not from hunger, there was a dull pain there and she could not explain it to herself. He was after all only agreeing with her and what did she expect? That he would understand her confusion.
    ‘You really don’t like me very much do you?’ She dared, even though she dreaded the confirmation.
    He said after a while. ‘ Va bene .’
    ‘What did I do to make you dislike me?’ She dared the question, yet dreaded the reply.
    ‘Now is not the time for this,’ he said sternly. His hands moved confidently across the steering wheel. They were capable, strong hands, darkly tanned. She thought of them touching her body and gave a little gasp. He turned to give her a quick