Chapter 5

ROBIN

Luca insisted on showing Robin to her room. There he told her to lie down while he went to the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, coming out with some pills for her headache.

“Take these. They will make you feel better.” He then went and checked the closets, making sure the help had put away all the clothes that had been delivered before they arrived back.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Rest now. I’ll see you at dinner. Wear the red dress and matching heels. I like that color on you.” Getting up, he walked out, leaving her alone.

Later, she wore what he had asked her to, adding a gold necklace. Standing before the mirror and turning from side to side, she smiled.

She had to admit she looked good; the dress fit her to a tee, and she hadn’t realized she had curves.

Her hair was shiny and felt so soft; it had always felt coarse and looked dull. She added a touch of lipstick and eye makeup, just the way the woman at the shop showed her.

After putting on the shoes that matched her dress, she headed downstairs only to remove them halfway down.

Shoes in hand behind her back, she quietly walked into the dining room where the others were waiting. All heads turned to her, a smile on Filippo’s face showing his admiration for her new look; he obviously approved.

Now Grazia was a different story. The look on her face showed she hadn’t changed her mind about Robin. In fact, she seemed to hate her even more than before, and when she noticed she was barefoot, she scoffed.

“We wear shoes, my dear. After all, we weren’t born in a barn.”

Luca glared at Grazia, warning her to keep quiet.

“I’m sorry. I had to remove them walking down the stairs,” she said, setting them down to slip them on.

The men stood and waited for her to be seated.

“I thought after dinner I’d show you around your new home,” Luca said, pouring her some water instead of the wine that the others were drinking.

“Make sure to show Robin outside as well. I bet she would love a hike through the woods. That way, you could show her where not to wander off to.

“We wouldn’t want her to get lost and eaten by a wild boar, now would we?” Grazia said, and an evil grin appeared on her face.

“I’ll be sure to do that. Thanks for your concern,” Luca answered sarcastically.

Later, Luca took her through half the castle, telling her he would show her the rest tomorrow since the place was too big to go through all at once.

The castle had everything—an indoor pool, a games room, and a massive gym where Luca worked out daily.

The library was her favorite room. It had a fireplace and a comfy sofa and the walls were lined with all different types of books. She would ask to borrow some to read, though she knew he wouldn’t mind.

They then went outside, but only as far as the garden since it was dark and she was still wearing heels.

“These flowers are beautiful. Would it be okay if I picked a few for my room?” she asked, and for the first time since being here, she smiled.

LUCA

Her smile took his breath away. It lit up her whole face, making her look even more beautiful than she already was.

“Yes, anytime you want.” He stood back and watched as she picked some pink and yellow roses, being careful not to prick herself on the thorns.

Back inside, he handed them to one of the maids and told her to put them in water and take them to Robin’s room.

“Tomorrow, I’ll show you around outside, and please, feel free to explore. First I want to show you my special place. It’s where I go when I want to be alone. No one is allowed to go there, not even you, my bride-to-be.

“It’s beautiful, Luca, the view from here is amazing,” she said as she went over to the window and looked out. Though it was dark, the full moon lit the area, making it possible to see.

“I agree. I come here to get away, to think. It’s my private spot. I hope you’ll respect my wishes and stay out.”

“If that’s what you want. A shame, though; this would be a great spot to have breakfast.”

“It is late; let me walk you to your room.” He held out his arm for her to take.

ROBIN

Inside, she removed her shoes.

Seeing the disapproval cross his face, she explained. “I’m still getting used to them, going up and down stairs is tricky. I almost fell down them coming to dinner.”

Luca nodded. “I understand.”

At her bedroom door, he leaned in, kissed her cheek, and bid her goodnight.

***

Rising early, Robin went down to the family room but stopped when she heard Grazia talking to someone. She couldn’t hear the other person, so she figured Grazia was on the phone.

She sounded angry. She was about to walk away when she heard her name.

“Get your ass down here right away before it’s too late. I don’t know what he was thinking. Her name is Robin. She won’t be much of a problem, she’s nothing but poor white trash. Okay, good, I’ll see you next week. Bye.”

Robin quietly walked away, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping. It kind of had her worried. What did Grazia mean by her not being a problem?

She would ask her, but knowing how much she hated her, she doubted that Grazia would tell her anything.

Later Luca, true to his word, showed her the rest of the castle and the grounds outside, including the stable. “My horses will be here tomorrow. Do you ride?” he asked her.

“Yes, but only bareback.” Seeing the way he looked at her, she explained. “My uncle didn’t have any saddles. He said there was no need for them.”

This seemed to anger him. “You telling me those horses have never been ridden with a saddle?”

“That’s right,” she answered, backing away.

“Shit, now it will be up to me to get them used to one. I was hoping to start riding them right away, that miserable old con man.” He turned to her when she giggled. “What?”

“I thought there was nothing you couldn’t do. If you want, I’ll teach you how to ride bareback unless you’re too afraid.”

As he went to reach for her, she giggled again and turned to run, but he caught her, pulling her into his arms. “I’m not afraid of anything.”

He brought his mouth down on hers.

She was shocked when he kissed her. It wasn’t a peck like the ones he had given her before, this one was rough and demanding as he forced his tongue into her mouth, and she felt a warm sensation heat up her insides.

Wanting to push him away, she placed her hands on his chest, feeling how hard his muscles were. She didn’t know how or why, but a moan escaped her mouth as he continued his attack on her lips.

Feeling something hard pressing against her lower region, she pulled away, breathing heavily as her chest rose and fell rapidly.

What she was feeling was new to her, and she backed away, staring at him.

“I’m sorry. I should not have done that. Do not be afraid.” He moved closer and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.

“But I must be honest; I liked it, the kiss. I also think you enjoyed it as well.”

When she didn’t answer, he smiled. “Lunch will be ready. We should get back.”

***

When they were done eating, he told Robin he had to go out to a business meeting, leaving her alone with Grazia. She tried being pleasant but only got insults from the woman.

“If you think those clothes and hair will make any difference, you’re sadly mistaken. You’ll always be nothing but poor trash, and you don’t belong here. Do yourself a favor and tell Luca you won’t marry him.”

“I tried that. He won’t listen.”

“Try harder then.” Grazia jumped to her feet, shrieking at her. “I’m warning you, if you go through with marrying Luca, I’ll see to it that you are destroyed.”

“Why do you hate me so much? And what is it to you who Luca marries?”

Before Grazia could answer, the butler walked in and announced to Robin that her tutor, Miss Cartwright, had arrived. She was the one Luca had hired to give her etiquette lessons.

Walking past Miss Cartwright, Grazia scoffed. “Good luck with this one. You’ll need it.”

For three hours, the tiny woman, no more than four feet and eleven inches tall, taught Robin proper table manners and how to behave like a lady around people.

Robin still couldn’t understand why so many forks and spoons were needed or so many glasses; it was such a waste.

When the woman left, Robin went up to change for dinner. She found she had missed Luca and was anxious to see him.

After that kiss, he was all she could think about. The way his mouth felt, so warm, the way his tongue traveled along the roof of her mouth, tickling her tongue.

She wanted more of his lips and was disappointed that she had stopped him. Hurrying down the steps in her heels, she slipped and tumbled down the few remaining stairs, letting out a scream.

A staff member came running to check on her before going to get Luca, who was there by her side in a flash.

“My god, Robin, are you okay?” His eyes held compassion as he felt her arms and legs, making sure nothing was broken.

Neither one noticed the spot of grease on the one step.

Rubbing her arm, she looked into his eyes, her own stinging with tears. “I…I think so. I don’t know what happened.”

She felt his arms going under her, then he picked her up.

“I’ll take you back to your room, and I’ll have a doctor come check you out.”

“That’s not necessary. Put me down, Luca,” she cried out in embarrassment.

“Do not argue with me,” he said as he continued up the stairs, somehow not seeing the grease and being able to avoid it.

Meanwhile, someone, using rags, wiped up the spill and scurried out before anyone noticed them.

LUCA

Luca laid her gently down on the bed and sat next to her. He moved her hair from her face, and his fingers lingered.

Seeing her lying on the ground, he’d felt a weird sensation in his heart, a first for him. “It must have been your shoes. You are not used to wearing them yet. Until you are, no more wearing them when you are using the stairs.

“I’m sorry, Luca, I’ll never be the lady you want me to be. I’m clumsy and have no social skills. I have tried, but…” She stopped talking when he placed a finger over her lips.

“Shh, do not put yourself down. You’re doing good. Besides, I kind of like the way you are, spunky and a little wild. It’s kind of hot.”

She smiled when he did. “If I am to be your wife, Luca, I will try harder to be the kind you want.”

“Don’t change too much.” He went to kiss her but was interrupted when there was a knock at the door.

“The doctor is on his way, sir,” the young maid said and then left the room.