10 days to Book Three!

Here's another cheeky peek at Aurelio's story

‘Aurelio.’ Isabella broke off and looked at me awkwardly. She smoothed her skirt and tidied her hair as I looked her up and down.

‘You’re nineteen, Isabella—not nine. Try to conduct yourself more appropriately.’

She nodded. ‘Sorry, Aurelio.’

I turned to Alessandro. ‘I need you to take our sister to the movies tonight,’ I told him.

‘Sure. What do you want us to see?’

I sighed. It was always hard to tell whether he was being deliberately annoying or just a bit dense. ‘There’s no specific film I want you to see. I just want you out of the dining room tonight.’

‘Why?’ Isabella asked curiously.

Alessandro grinned. ‘He wants to dine alone with Rose, that’s why.’

‘You like Rose?’ my sister asked in disbelief.

I glared at Alessandro. ‘When I tell you something in confidence, I don’t expect it repeated.’

Isabella clapped her hands. ‘You do! That’s wonderful. Are you going to marry her?’

I couldn’t help a slight smile at her enthusiasm. She probably wondered why I’d never shown interest in a long-term relationship before. No doubt, they both hoped marriage would soften me. I doubted it would.

‘Possibly,’ I admitted lightly. ‘So make yourselves scarce tonight while I discuss it with her. Don’t tell her you’re going out either.’