The Italian’s Rightful Bride by Lucy Gordon Page A

guess I was mistaken.’
    She was silent, recalling that night and how awkward their conversation had been. How astute of him to have sensed that there were words she longed to say! How blind not to have realised that they were words of love!
    From deep in the woods the owl hooted again.
    â€˜There was an owl that night too,’ she said, smiling. ‘That one’s probably descended from it. Nothing ever really changes here, does it? That was one of the things I loved about the place.’
    â€˜Nothing changes,’ he agreed. ‘And everything changes.’
    â€˜Yes,’ she said after a moment. ‘Everything changes.’
    Then, for a while, there was nothing more to say.
    Joanna found herself pervaded by an unexpected sense of peace and contentment. She felt that she could sit here forever.
    Gustavo remained in a chair, watching her as she looked out over the darkened landscape, her hair lifted by the slight breeze that was so welcome at the end of a hot day.
    Once she turned her head towards him and smiled, but they did not speak. Time seemed to slip past without hernoticing, and she was startled to see the first streaks of light in the sky.
    â€˜Is that the dawn?’ she asked.
    â€˜Yes, but it’s only about four o’clock.’
    â€˜That’s right. I used to stand at my bedroom window and watch it happen. It was glorious.’
    â€˜I expect you were dreaming of the great lost palace even then,’ he said with a smile.
    She had been dreaming of him, and the life they would have together. But she only nodded.
    â€˜That palace has filled my dreams,’ she agreed. ‘Being the one to uncover it means everything to me. I remember the day you told me about it, and took me to the place where it was supposed to have stood, fifteen hundred years ago.’
    â€˜But that wasn’t the right place, was it?’ he said.
    â€˜According to all the books it should have been there. Only the real thing turned out to be about half a mile away. Carlo said it was found by chance, when some of the earth settled, leaving a dent in the ground.’
    â€˜That’s right. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived. I’d have liked to be the one to take you there, and see your face.’
    â€˜I probably looked like a child on Christmas Day.’
    â€˜Yes, that’s what I’d have enjoyed. I remember you as always so cool and composed. It would be delightful to see you bouncing up and down with excitement.’
    Suddenly he stirred.
    â€˜Let me take you there now, Joanna, before the rest of the world awakens.’
    â€˜All right,’ she said eagerly.
    It took him five minutes to bring his car around, and together they drove slowly over the gradually lightening land.
    At last the site came into view, dim and silent in the soft grey morning. They got out and went to stand looking over it.
    â€˜It’s a slow business,’ she told him. ‘It’s only at this end that we’ve uncovered very much in the way of foundations. Over there it’s still covered in grass. We have to take it slowly to make sure that we preserve as much as possible in good condition.’
    â€˜How many times have I walked or ridden over this piece of land, and never suspected?’ he mused. ‘It just looked like everywhere else, but now, if I’m lucky, it might be my salvation.’
    â€˜In what sense?’
    â€˜I have to repay my debt to Crystal. When we married she put a lot of money into this place. Now she wants it all back. Of course, she’s entitled to it, so I have to raise the cash somehow.’
    â€˜Can you do that?’
    â€˜I’ve managed to pay part of what I owe her, which is keeping her quiet for a while. But I’m going to have to find a big lump sum quite soon.’
    â€˜It sounds as though things are pretty bad.’
    â€˜I’m not crying poverty. I live well, as you can see. Carlo has told me