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Holly tilted her chin ‘You had no business forcing ht because I wasn’t ready for it I was unco in an ordinary world with ordinary jobs andordinary people and now I’m in this weird new environment,’ she framed between compressed lips ‘And I know everyone seems to think I’m in clover and it is wonderful not to have to worry aboutto take iven es…’

Vito had paled ‘You’revalid points I’m not a patient man’

‘And you don’t always live up to your pro within your power to o back to ithin a day of the wedding even though you have a son you barely know and a wife you don’t know much better If you want elo, that we’re not just new possessions to be slotted into your busy life and expected not to make any waves

You have to give us your time, Vito, take us places, show us around our new home’

Holly was challenging him and he hadn’t expected that from her She had thrown his words about trust back at hi dismally in the successful husband stakes He had h a wedding ring were more than sufficient proof of his commitment

And had Holly been Marzia it would have been sufficient Marzia had wanted that ring and his lifestyle She would have thrown a party to show off the castello and she would have invited all the most i audience She would have spent half the day at a beauty salon and the other half shopping for couture garned to impress Vito had lost count of the number of times he had returned to the town house he had once shared with Marzia only to discover that they were hosting a dinner when he was longing for a quiet evening Marzia had been easily bored and had needed others to keep her entertained Holly, in comparison, asked for and expected very little In fact she was asking for soed with a griaze

Farandfather had never put the bank before his fa of when he’d left Holly and Angelo to amuse theht

‘And tonight?’ Vito prompted

‘It was bearable I heard Celia and Jenna bitching about me but I stood up for myself and I couldn’t care less about their opinions But I would’ve been more equipped to enjoy myself and relax if I’d had more time to prepare’

‘I screwed up,’ Vito acknowledged broodingly

‘Yes,’ Holly agreed, sliding into bed while he still hovered ‘And sometimes I’ll screw up That’s life’

‘I’ up,’ Vito told her

‘Then you’ll try harder not to ain,’ Holly riposted sleepily

Holly slept in the followingShe ith a start, showered and pulled on jeans to pelt upstairs and spend soelo In surprise she stilled in the doorway of the nursery bathroo down by the side of the bath and engaged in dive-boelo’s aone into the bank as usual but it was clear that at soed his mind His jacket and tie were hooked on the radiator, his shirtsleeves rolled up