Riches of the Heart (23 page)

Lily was intrigued.

When the man returned he was pushing a trolley, on top of which, to Lily’s surprise, was a dish with a flame beneath it. ‘Crêpes suzettes, sir,’ he said and proceeded with the intricacies of the dish. When he flambéed the crêpes, Lily gave a cry and sat back in her chair.

Vittorio watched with amusement.

The waiter placed two pancakes on her plate and spooned the liquor over them. ‘Bon appétit, mademoiselle.’

She tasted the dessert carefully, her expression one of pleasure as she ate it.

‘Is it nice, Lily? Do you like it?’

‘Mm, I do. It’s delicious! Could we have it again one day?’

With a smile, The Maltese said, ‘Of course, if that is your wish.’

‘Oh it is,’ she said. ‘At least twice a week.’

Whilst they ate their dessert, Lily said, ‘Tell me about yourself, Vittorio.’

He looked surprised. ‘Why do you want to know?’

Shrugging, she said, ‘Why not? I know nothing about you, only what people have told me. And no one can be
that
big a bastard.’

His gaze held hers. ‘Don’t be too sure, Lily. Most of it is probably true.’

‘Tell me how you started, how you became so rich.’

His expression didn’t alter. ‘All you need to know, my dear, is that I am. You will be well looked after, as long as you do as you’re told. Would you like some coffee?’

‘Yes, and a brandy, please.’ She felt as if she was going to need it, if only ‘for medicinal purposes’, as dear old Sandy used to say. This man gave nothing away. She wondered perhaps if it was because he had so much to hide. She determined she would learn as much about him as she could. Being his mistress ought to give her some advantage, and such information might come in useful some day. She pushed to the back of her mind the thought that such knowledge might lead her into danger, rather than be the means of her survival.

After leaving The Tivoli, Lily was delighted when Vittorio took her into a jeweller’s shop. He bought her an expensive cameo brooch and a diamanté necklace with matching earrings. ‘To wear when you perform in the club,’ he said.

There was an unexpected softness in his tone when he added, ‘I hope you like them, Lily, and the other things we bought today.’ She felt a pang of guilt. He did promise her all these things, but he need not have kept his word. She kissed him impulsively on the cheek.

‘Thank you, Vittorio. I’ve had a truly wonderful time.’

He looked both surprised and pleased. He pulled her into his arms and softly covered her mouth with his. It was the briefest of kisses, but it had a profound effect on Lily. Her knees felt like water. She looked at him with surprise. ‘Why did you do that?’

‘Because I wanted to. Now let’s go.’

That night, bathed and wearing a black negligée, Lily lay on the bed waiting for her lover. This, she thought, is where I start to earn my keep. She longed for Tom, to hear his voice, to feel his arms about her, his lips on hers. But it was not to be. She’d made her decision. Her dream of respectability was in ribbons for ever. But at least she was not on the streets.

Smoothing the silk sheets, she looked with childish delight across at the new wardrobe Vittorio had installed for her, containing all her new clothes. The hat boxes on top of the cupboard, full of expensive creations. How generous he had been. She recalled the feel of his mouth on hers. Now he could claim far more. She suddenly felt nervous.

The bathroom door opened and Vittorio, wearing a silk dressing gown, entered the room. Closing the door behind him, he stood and looked at Lily, waiting.

She could almost hear her heart beating, it seemed so loud. She felt tense and apprehensive.

Crossing over to the bed, Vittorio knelt beside her and stroked her cheek. Gently kissed her lips. Lily began to relax. She saw that around his neck he wore a gold chain, from which hung an exquisite ring. She held the ring in her hand. ‘What’s this?’ she whispered.

‘This belonged to my mother.’ There was great tenderness in his voice. ‘It’s my most valued possession, Lily. I always wear it.’ Slipping the straps of the negligée from her shoulders, he said, ‘Take this off.’

She did as she was bid.

His hands, soft and gentle, caressed her full breasts, playing with the pink nipples. His gaze studied her form, lingering on the soft and curly mat of her pubic hair. ‘You’re even more beautiful than I imagined. You have a body crying out to be loved. I know exactly what you want, Lily my dear, and it will also give me great pleasure to give it to you.’ He smoothed her hair. ‘You are such a wonderful mixture. Half-woman, half-child.’

Vittorio was an accomplished lover. His deft fingers, slowly exploring Lily’s body, touched all the places that sent her senses reeling. She was responding purely from passion that had been aroused by a master. His kisses, at first gentle and searching, became more passionate and demanding. She responded willingly to them. His kisses covered her body, teasing, taunting. She moaned sensually as she arched her back, unable to stem her body’s response to him.

‘You are truly more than I hoped for, Lily,’ he whispered against her lips. His mouth crushed hers. His kisses were filled with fire. With raw lust.

He slowly entered her and she cried out with delight.

When he reached the zenith of his passion, he quickly withdrew, spilling his semen on her. His eyes, piercing and demanding, looked into her eyes. She instinctively knew what he wanted to be told.

‘Vittorio, that was wonderful.’

He gathered her into his arms, kissing her neck, her ears, her mouth, until they both lay back against the pillows, exhausted and content.

Who was this man? she wondered. Sandy had warned her against him, but as yet she’d seen nothing in Vittorio to fear. She realised that this was only the start of their relationship. How would it progress? she wondered. Whatever was before her, the choice had been hers, and hers alone.

The following morning, Lily awoke clasped in Vittorio’s arms, still confused about her reaction to his love-making. She was not in love with The Maltese, but he’d stirred within her feelings she didn’t know she had. She looked at the sleeping figure beside her. His smooth olive skin shone and his dark hair was tousled. At this moment he didn’t look at all like a man who was feared by so many.

Beside her, Vittorio stirred. He smiled lazily at Lily and drew her closer. ‘Good morning,’ he said, softly nuzzling her ear. ‘Did you sleep well?’

‘Yes, I did.’

‘So did I. Thanks to you.’ He ran his hand over her breast as he kissed her gently. Raking her hair with his fingers, he said, ‘I like your hair like this. It makes you look like a child.’

Lily lowered her gaze. She’d been looking at his fine frame. The powerful build had not one spare ounce of flesh on it.

Slipping his hand beneath the bedclothes, he stroked her soft flesh. ‘You are everything I’d hoped you’d be, Lily.’

She looked puzzled. ‘And what is that?’ She felt his hand move between her thighs.

‘A little tiger.’ He gave a throaty chuckle. ‘I like it when you’re soft and naked in my arms.’ His finger slipped inside her. ‘And you are a creature of passion. I like that too.’

She felt herself responding to his caresses. He kissed her. ‘Lily, you’re getting lovely and wet. You are a delight.’ He lay on top of her and she felt his erection. They made love, but this time it was gentle and slow, even more satisfying than before.

When it was over, Vittorio sat up. ‘Much as I would like to stay in bed with you, I have things to do. Run my bath, Lily, whilst I sort out my clothes.’

When she returned from the bathroom, she saw he’d laid out an outfit for her. She frowned. ‘What’s this?’

With his back to her he said, ‘I’m having some important people to lunch today and I want to be sure you’re wearing the appropriate clothes. I particularly like this dress.’

She sat on the bed, suddenly defensive. ‘And you don’t think I would know, is that it?’

He looked at her with amusement. ‘Yes, that’s it exactly. How bright you are.’

‘Not “bright” enough to dress myself though.’

Walking over to her, he drew her into his arms. ‘Don’t sulk, Lily. You will be moving in different circles now. Dressing correctly is an important art. Think of this as part of your training.’

When Vittorio emerged from the bathroom wearing a towel around his waist, Lily was on the bed propped up by pillows, brushing her hair. She watched as he dressed with care.

He said, ‘I’ll send Beatrice up with your breakfast. Lunch will be served at one o’clock. I want you down in the bar to greet my guests at twelve-thirty.’

‘What am I supposed to do until then? Stay a prisoner in my room?’

‘Of course not,’ he said with an indulgent smile. ‘You can look around the club, familiarise yourself with the place. But don’t leave the building. I don’t want you wandering around and arriving back late. You understand?’

She tossed her hair back and with a flippant shake of her head, said, ‘Of course … I’m very
bright
, you said so yourself.’

She heard his quiet chuckle as he left the room. What a strange man he was. This morning, in bed, they had been as one, and now he’d become businesslike. Dictatorial. She found it irritating. She’d certainly never met anyone like him before.

There was a knock at the door and Beatrice came in, looking at Lily shyly as she put down the breakfast tray. ‘Good morning, miss.’

Lily liked that. It made her feel important. ‘Good morning. Now tell me the lay-out of the club, Beatrice.’

The girl looked startled. ‘What do you mean, miss?’

‘Mr Teglia has given me permission to look around later.’ She gave Beatrice a conspiratorial grin. ‘I don’t want to walk into the wrong places, do I?’

The girl grinned back at her. ‘No, miss. On this floor, apart from this room, there are others that Mr Vittorio keeps for his special guests. On the floor below are the girls with their rooms. Best not go into those, miss.’

Lily raised eyebrows in question. ‘No?’

‘They wouldn’t like it. Downstairs in the front you’ve already seen.’

‘And the back?’

Beatrice shook her head. ‘Apart from the kitchen, I don’t know.’

Lily was intrigued. ‘Really? Thank you, that’ll be all.’

Once dressed, she seated herself before the dressing table that Vittorio had installed for her and looked into the mirror at her reflection.

The red dress chosen by Vittorio, made of fine wool, looked elegant. The neck was round and neat and the long sleeves had a fine double frill at the cuff which matched the frill around the hem. She brushed her hair, patted it in place, quickly put on some lipstick then, taking a deep breath, left the room. When she reached the floor below, she saw three girls wearing silk dressing gowns standing together in a bedroom doorway, chatting. They looked at her with interest.

‘Good morning,’ she said as she walked by. Two of them smiled at her and answered, the other, a tall redhead, glared spitefully at her and was silent. But as Lily walked on she heard the girl’s remark. ‘So that’s Vittorio’s new whore. Nice and young, just as he likes them.’

Lily flushed with anger. She’d sort out that one as soon as possible. She wasn’t going to take any nonsense from any of them. Those days were behind her.

When she got to the dining room, her gaze went immediately to the double doors at the back of the room. She caught hold of the handles, but the doors were locked. George Coleman happened to be walking by at that moment and seeing her he asked, ‘Anything I can do, miss?’

‘No. I was just looking around.’

He eyed her carefully. ‘Perhaps I can give you a tour?’

She gave him a wide smile. ‘That would be lovely.’

He showed her the kitchen and introduced her to the chef. He walked her up on the stage for her to get the feel of it, for as he said, ‘I believe this is where you’ll be performing.’

She stood centre-stage and looked out over the dining room, feeling her stomach tighten. What if the patrons didn’t like her?

Sensing her dismay, George said quietly, ‘You’ll do just fine, Miss Lily. I heard you sing in The Lord Roberts, remember?’

‘I hope you’re right. What’s behind the locked doors?’ she asked casually.

‘No doubt Mr Vittorio will show you at some time, miss.’

He sat her down at the bar to wait with a cup of coffee and the morning papers. She couldn’t concentrate on the daily news, becoming more nervous as the time passed, and was relieved when Vittorio ascended the stairs from his office.

He walked over to her. ‘You look lovely, my dear.’ There was a sudden burst of laughter and conversation coming from the entrance and Vittorio glanced away. Putting out his hand towards her he said, ‘Come and meet my guests.’

There were four men in the party, all from the White Star Line’s
Olympic
: big bluff Ned Saunders, the Chief Steward; Teddy Green, the Head Chef; Reg Mathews, a quiet man smoking a pipe who was the Chief Engineer; and sophisticated Richard Carter, the Purser.

The men made their way to the bar, where they were greeted by Vittorio. Turning to Lily, he introduced her to his guests. They all shook her by the hand, Ned holding on to Lily for much longer than was polite. She noted the lascivious look in his eyes as he said, ‘I do hope this beautiful young woman is to be seated next to me at lunch?’

Vittorio gave a benevolent smile. ‘If that is what you want.’

The men drank heavily whilst they chatted. Vittorio refused several drinks on Lily’s behalf, which didn’t annoy her in this instance as she wanted to keep her senses about her. Finally they were led to the table by the head waiter.

The conversation was stimulating. These were men of the world and Lily plied them with questions about New York and life at sea. ‘You must come on board when we dock next trip,’ said Ned. ‘I’d enjoy showing you around.’

I bet you would, thought Lily. Before I knew where I was I’d be cornered in your cabin. Looking across the table at Vittorio, she said, ‘We could manage that, couldn’t we?’

With a slow smile he said, ‘I expect so, if you’d like to go.’