Free Dante's Contract Marriage by Day Leclaire Page B

out of her first condition and into bed.
    By the time he’d showered himself human again and changed into dry clothes, she had dinner prepared. “I’m not very good in the kitchen,” she warned.
    “That makes two of us.”
    She shrugged. “In that case, we’ll take turns poisoning each other.”
    She’d done a reasonable job, punching up the canned soup with grated cheese, spinach, and roasted garlic. She’d also warmed up a loaf of bread and thrown together an olive oil and herb dipping sauce. Finally, she served them a salad topped with grilled chicken.
    “I thought you said you didn’t cook well,” he commented as he polished off the last of the bread.
    She lifted a shoulder. “You’ll see. It’s all downhill from here.”
    He grinned. “That’s only because I fix dinner next.”
    “You know, I’m discovering you have a very nice sense of humor,” she observed. “I like that about you. I worried during our negotiations because you were very…serious. Very autocratic.”
    His grin faded. “Having a sense of humor doesn’t turn me into Marco.”
    “And I’m not Caitlyn.” She shrugged again. “If we were honest, I think we’d both admit that we wouldn’t want it otherwise. Even though my grandmother adored your brother, she was concerned that I might fall in love with him.”
    “I gather she didn’t like that idea.”
    Ariana shook her head. “Not at all. She said he was all wrong for me. Charming, yes. A heart bigger than all of Italy, true. But he was missing something a husband should have.”
    “And what’s that?” He couldn’t have stopped the question if his life depended on it.
    “She said a woman should only marry someone who has a clear sense of right and wrong and that sliver of gray that divides the two. In that sliver lies compassion, she always claimed. It was a quality my grandfather had. Before we left for Verdonia, she told me she saw that sliver in you.”
    He couldn’t think of a higher compliment, though he doubted Penelope would still be of that opinion if she knew the real reason he and Ariana had married. “I like the way your grandmother thinks.” He tilted his head to one side. “How did she end up in a wheelchair?”
    “It was from a car accident. She and my grandfather went over an embankment on a remote mountain road while touring Germany. They weren’t located for two days. It was in all the newspapers at the time.”
    He stared, shocked. “My God.”
    “It was a hideous tragedy. My family kept the worst of the details from me, but I read copies of the reports on the Internet.” It took her a moment to continue. “They said my grandfather was thrown clear of the car, but was badly injured. He died shortly before the rescuers found them. If they’d gotten there sooner, he’d have survived.”
    “And your grandmother?”
    “She was trapped in the car. Her spine was damaged. She rarely speaks of the incident. I gather the only thing that kept her going was my grandfather. He couldn’t get to her and she couldn’t get to him, but they encouraged each other for those two days.”
    It made him see Penelope in an entirely new light. “How old were you when it happened?”
    “Just a year.”
    “So, you don’t remember your grandfather?”
    “No.”
    He covered her hand with his. “I hope you’ll find time to get to know Primo. I realize it won’t be the same, but maybe you can get a feel for what it would have been like to have had a grandfather in your life.”
    Tears welled up in her eyes. “Thank you. I’d like that, even if it’s only temporary.” She stood, strain showing on her face. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll read for a little bit before turning in. It’s been a long day.”
    “No problem.”
    Silence descended on the cabin as night fell. The temperature dropped, bringing a refreshing coolness. When he finally decided to turn in he discovered that Ariana had fallen asleep on the love seat. He debated picking her up and