In the Italian's Sights by Helen Brooks Page B

she said softly, thinking Vittorio’s sister was suddenly overcome by the situation. She was only sixteen, after all, and emotion were hard to control at that age.
    ‘ Si, si —in a way,’ Sophia whispered, seeming quite different from the controlled young woman at the pool that afternoon. ‘I—I am in trouble, Cherry, and I have no one to speak to, to confide in. I am so frightened. At the pool—’ she sniffed and rubbed at her nose in a childish gesture ‘—you seemed to understand how I was feeling. But—but there is more.’
    Hoping the thought which had immediately sprung to mind was way off beam, Cherry said gently, ‘Can’t you talk to Vittorio? He does love you, you know, even if he is a little over-protective. He feels responsible for you since your parents died and wants to do the right thing.’
    ‘Vittorio is the last person I can talk to about this.’
    Oh, dear. When Sophia seemed unable to go on, Cherry took the plunge. ‘Are you pregnant, Sophia?’
    Vittorio’s sister shut her eyes and then nodded, tears seeping from under her closed lids. ‘But it wasn’t Santo’s fault. Not that Vittorio will believe that. I—I knew what I was doing. He wanted to stop but I needed to belong to him, properly. I wouldn’t let him push me away likehe’d done before when things went too far. He was beside himself afterwards.’
    ‘And you? What were you like?’ Cherry pressed quietly.
    Sophia opened her eyes, and although they were swimming with tears her voice was strong when she said, ‘I was glad. I still am. Although I didn’t expect… I didn’t think you could become pregnant the first time.’
    Sophia had probably had a first-class education, but Cherry dared bet the young Italian girl had little idea of the birds and the bees. Or had had before. She was certainly more well acquainted with that side of things now, Cherry thought ruefully. Sophia had been so protected all her life, so carefully brought up, and perhaps in her culture such privileged young women were virgins on their wedding night, with only a basic knowledge of birth control and so on. Of course Sophia hadn’t had a mother to explain things, and as Vittorio still considered his sister as little more than a child…
    What a muddle. Cherry passed Sophia a tissue. ‘And Santo? What does he say about this?’
    Fresh tears welled up. ‘I haven’t told him yet. I wasn’t absolutely sure, but today when I was shopping with Margherita I pretended I wanted a lipstick from the chemist and bought a kit. You know—it tells you if you’re expecting a baby or not. After I’d talked to you by the pool I worked up the courage to do it.’ She gazed at Cherry helplessly.
    ‘So there’s no doubt?’
    Sophia shook her head. ‘I’ve—I’ve missed two periods now. But I know as soon as I tell Santo he’ll come and see Vittorio and say he wants to marry me, and I’m so afraid of what Vittorio will do to him.’
    And with good cause, Cherry thought grimly. She had only known Vittorio for a matter of hours, but she wouldn’t want to be in Santo’s shoes for all the tea in China. ‘You have to tell Vittorio, Sophia. You know that, don’t you? From all you’ve told me about Santo he isn’t the type to elope or suggest you disappear somewhere with him. He’ll come and see Vittorio, and it’s important your brother is told the full facts by you first. It will give him a chance to calm down.’
    ‘I cannot, Cherry.’ Real fear crossed Sophia’s pretty face. She said something in Italian and then, realising Cherry didn’t understand, said quickly, ‘He has the temper, si ?’
    ‘But Vittorio has to know, Sophia.’ Cherry stared at the Italian girl helplessly. ‘You see that, surely?’
    ‘Would you tell my brother, Cherry?’ Sophia grabbed Cherry’s hands. ‘ Per favore ? Would you?’
    ‘Me?’ Cherry recoiled in horror.
    ‘ Si . You are a guest in our home. Vittorio will respect this. But me…’ Sophia rolled her eyes.