s appearance. Wheeled in by his nurse, the old man was a commanding

voice a gravelly wh

offered a poli

"That's what my grandchildren call

" Ivy respon

alvatore said after taking his

ed in his raspy voice. "That comes w

re if she was ex

a gift for you, my dear. A

n the room. You cou

you give this family an heir, you wil

s paused mid-air, Isabella's fork clinked loudly again

"That's... very gen

"Family is everything. We

tened. "Nonno, thi

d man snapped.

xquisite, but Ivy could barely taste it. Every word from

g her lips with a napkin, "where

ying to keep her voice even

hy. "Such a shame, but not everyon

o work on your etiquette. A Martinelli w

eeks, but she forced a smile. "I'm

er a glance that could have meant anything. Ivy wasn't sure whether he

lass. "To our new bride. May she bear

are of all the eyes watching her. The

endured enough formality for o

he room, heels clicking on marble. Lore

that well," h

her expression guar

y'll get used to you. O

to me,"

ng close to vulnerability. "Try not to take it

y. "Then I'll ea

's face: respect? Surprise? Ivy couldn

show you t

-----

ing. It was ornate, enormous, and suffocatingly

d in silk. French windows overlooked the vineyard

you need anything, ring for

turned to leave. "Wait.

ll be in my room. It's across the hall

disappointment tw

lli," he said before clo

ent, in a room filled wit

t a time,

ured herself. Just like I'

-----

ike liquid gold, coaxing Ivy out of a restless sleep. She blinked at the

d saw the velvet chaise lounge, the fresh bouquet of white orchids on the n

li estate. She was marr

ike water. She had never slept on anything this soft, never known what it felt like to be s

her tiny apartment, she'd wake to the creak of the ceiling fan and the distant wail of t

Ivy quickly grabbed the silky robe drap

wrapping the plush robe

th salt-and-pepper hair neatly pulled back into a bun. S

m Anna. I'll be your personal maid

i. It still so

tentative smile. "You don't hav

l. "That is not allowed, ma'am. I

," Ivy sai

shortly," Anna said. "Mr. Martinelli has already left for

thout sayi

or a second. "Did he.

ied. "He rarely discusses h

course,

leamed beneath a crystal chandelier. Steam rose from the water, infused with

e," Ivy said, s

"Would you like me to a

ad quickly. "No,

de her skin itch a little. Ivy had always done things for herse

"Take your time, ma'am. I'll lay

, letting the warmth envelop her. She

den speakers, the way the bathroom had heated floors, the monogr

ise... but i

delicate lace sleeves. Ivy touched the fabric like it might disappear beneath her fingers.

nd showcase of polished floors, gilded sconces, and cold portraits of stern-looking men w

ietly, catching Ivy's gaze. "Mr. Lorenzo's a

at wasn't comfort

This one was massive and formal, with a long glass table that could seat th

ning out of the mansion, but she knew that wasn't possible. This was