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More rapid Italian followed, and Magda was sure she was not i disapproval in the man’s reaction—nor the shocked expression when he took in not just her, but Benji, too Rafaello, she could tell, was simply terse and unco the man had said to him

Then they were indoors and Rafaello was turning to her

‘You and the child must be tired I am sure you would like to rest a while Come’ His voice was impersonal

They proceeded up a grand staircase, and Magda could not help staring bug-eyed around her The inside of the house was as beautiful as the outside, hite plain plaster walls hung with tapestries and oil paintings, and a ht-iron banisters Everything looked incredibly antique and expensive, a world away from the modern luxury apartments she cleaned

Disbelief welled through her again—she was going to live here for the next feeeks? This was definitely a fairytale!

Rafaello took her into a large rooazed around, wide-eyed A vast carved wooden bed doe pieces of furniture but, such was the size of the roo cramped at all A fabulous Persian carpet spread out beneath her feet, and heavy drapes cascaded to the floor either side of the pair of shuttered s A huge stone fireplace faced the bed

‘The en suite bathrooh that door,’ Rafaello informed her in the same terse, blank tone ‘Do you have all that you need for yourself and the child? Giuseppe will obtain anything you ask him for’

Sheincredibly aard The butler-type—Giuseppe, she presu her suitcase from the limo Its shabbiness looked as out of place here as she did

‘Good,’ said Rafaello He glanced at his watch ‘Refresh yourself, and the child Would you like some coffee?’

She nodded ‘Th-thank you,’ she stammered faintly

‘Good,’ he said again ‘Giuseppe will show you downstairs in a while, when you are rested Oh…’ He paused, and his eyes flicked over her again, unreadably ‘There is no need for you to change’

Then he was gone, and Giuseppe with him