The Kiss by Santa Montefiore

Author:Santa Montefiore [Montefiore, Santa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Published: 2022-04-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9 Giovanni’s vineyard

Once Blythe had disappeared down the drive in Elizabeth’s car, Elizabeth turned to Jack. ‘Darling, I wonder whether you would do me a favour. I need a letter delivered to Giovanni. Perhaps you could take it this morning. Madison can go with you. It will be a nice way of showing her a bit more of Tuscany. She can take my bicycle.’

Jack grinned. ‘You could have given it to Blythe,’ he said.

‘I didn’t want to give it to Blythe,’ Elizabeth replied crisply. ‘It’s an important letter and I want you to deliver it.’

He looked at Madison. ‘I take it you can ride a bike?’

‘Oh yes, that’s a gene I’ve inherited from the Seymours.’

He laughed. ‘I had to check. You never know.’

‘I might not be able to play tennis, Jack, but I’m a fiend behind the handlebars.’ Madison got up from the table. ‘Shall we head off, then?’

Elizabeth gave Jack the letter, which he put into his shirt pocket, and watched them set off down the drive on their bicycles.

Madison loved the feeling of free-wheeling down the hill, cruising over the shadows the cypress trees threw across the track, with the wind in her hair and the smell of wild herbs in her nostrils. She breathed it all in happily. Jack led the way until they reached the road at the bottom and then they were able to cycle side by side.

‘You’re so lucky to live in this paradise,’ she said, taking in the pretty farmhouses.

‘Dad bought the villa when I was a boy, so we’ve spent every summer here for as long as I can remember.’

‘Do you know, this is my first trip to Italy?’

‘No!’ He looked at her in disbelief.

‘Really. I’ve never been to Rome or Florence.’

‘You’d love Florence.’

‘I know. I’ll get there one day. This has given me a taste of Italy. I now want more.’

He smiled. ‘You know, we could go. It’s a couple of hours’ drive but I’d be happy to take you. You can’t come to Tuscany and not visit Florence. I would feel that, as your brother, I would have failed you.’

She laughed. ‘Then, as your sister, I’d love to take you up on your offer. I’m not sure Blythe will let you go, though.’

‘It’ll be a challenge, for sure. She’s been loads of times and I don’t imagine she’ll want to go again.’

‘Listen, if it’s difficult, perhaps Robert can take me.’

‘We could go together. Make a day of it.’

‘That would be amazing.’

‘Consider it done,’ he said firmly. But Madison secretly doubted he would get it past Blythe.

A few minutes later they turned off the road and walked their bikes slowly up a dirt track that cut between two fields of vines. They ambled in silence, enjoying the peace and catching their breath. Then Jack looked at her steadily. ‘Can I ask you some personal questions?’ he said.

‘Sure,’ she replied.

‘When did your mother tell you that your stepfather was not your real father?’

‘I can’t remember. I’ve always known that Tom wasn’t my real father.

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