The Billionaire Who Saw Her Beauty Read online

  Alessandra cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, signor, but I’m not Dea.”

  Embarrassed to be caught looking so messy and disheveled after her diving trip, she ran up the steps without looking back. Her sister would never allow herself to be seen like this. All the way to the next floor she felt the man’s penetrating eyes on her retreating back and bare legs, causing her to tremble.

  Had her sister finally met the one she’d been looking for? Dea had always kept their family identity private. Because she was a model, she called herself Dea Loti so no one would know she was the daughter of Count Caracciolo. For her to divulge her secret to this man meant their relationship must have turned serious, otherwise he wouldn’t have known where she lived.

  No doubt she’d invited him to come. Did she want the family to meet him? But his scrutiny of Alessandra led her to believe he hadn’t looked pleased to see her here. Maybe Dea hadn’t told him she had a twin. Alessandra didn’t know what to think.

  If only she hadn’t arrived back from her dive trip until tomorrow, this wouldn’t have happened and she wouldn’t be haunted by that man’s image engraved on her mind. It shocked her to realize that at long last there might be an important man in her sister’s life. Alessandra knew her sister’s quest had been to find the perfect man while she made the most of her modeling career. Their parents would be overjoyed.

  Six years ago she and Dea had gone through a terrible experience involving a man, one Alessandra had hoped to marry. But when he met Dea, he fell for her and followed her to Rome. Their relationship didn’t last, but the pain of betrayal had cut Alessandra like a knife and it had taken a long time to recover. Since the falling out with her sister, no man of importance had come into either of their lives.

  In the last two years she’d tried to put the past behind her and get back the friendship they’d once shared. Dea came and went from home according to her hectic schedule and their family had enjoyed some good times. Evidently this past summer Dea had found romance after she’d gone back to Rome. Love on a yacht, no less... If that gorgeous man owned it, then he could keep her in the lifestyle she desired.

  But for some reason Alessandra had been oddly upset by the encounter in the foyer, unable to understand why. Except that she really could... These days her own love life was nonexistent.

  Once inside the bedroom, Alessandra plopped the duffel bag on the floor and got out of her clothes. Her mind was still on Dea, whom she hadn’t seen for six weeks. Her sister had developed an interest in fashion and modeling at an early age and that hadn’t changed.

  Alessandra led a different life altogether. She couldn’t remember when she didn’t have an interest in the archaeology of this region of Italy. The island castle itself was built on an ancient archaeological site. Since college she’d been involved in several multidisciplinary studies in the field of archaeology within a Mediterranean perspective, with particular emphasis on Southern Italy.

  Without being able to scuba dive, she could never have achieved her dream to do the necessary underwater work with friends she’d made among the archaeological staff at the University of Catania. Scuba diving wasn’t for everyone. Dea couldn’t understand her passion for it, but it didn’t matter because their parents approved and supported both her and Dea in their individual endeavors.

  After a shower and shampoo, she blow-dried her hair, then dressed in pleated tan pants and an ivory-colored linen blouse. With an application of coral frost lipstick, she left the room on khaki wedgies and went in search of her parents. They’d married for love and were very close. Unlike many couples, they did everything together whether it was for business or pleasure. Though Alessandra had never discussed it with Dea, their parents’ happy marriage had been the ultimate role model for both sisters.

  On the way to their apartment she saw Liona, the wiry housekeeper who’d come to work for them at eighteen and had been with them ever since. She was like another member of the family and ran the large staff with precision.

  “If you’re looking for your mamma, she left for Taranto two days ago to help your aunt, who fell and broke her hip.”

  “Oh, no! Poor Fulvia.”

  “She’ll be all right, but your mother will probably be gone for a few more days.”

  “I need to call them.”

  They started down the staircase together. “I’m glad you’re back. You know how your father worries.”

  Liona was the one who worried about Alessandra. She thought scuba diving was dangerous. Alessandra gave her a hug. “It’s good to see you. How’s Alfredo?” Liona’s cat had been sick.

  “The vet says he’s getting old and shouldn’t go up and down stairs.”

  “I’ll help carry him for you.”

  “Bless you. Did you have any luck on this last diving trip?”

  “I wish.”

  “Oh, well. Another time. Are you hungry? I’ll tell the cook.”

  “Please don’t bother her. I’ll find something to eat later. Thanks, Liona.”

  She hurried toward her father’s office, wondering if the male visitor was still with him, then scoffed with impatience because the man was on her mind at all.

  “Ciao, Papà.”

  “Alessandra!” Her grayish blond father stood up from his desk and hugged her. “You were gone too long this time.”

  “It was only a week.”

  “We always miss you. Did you have a good time?”

  “Yes, even if we didn’t find anything of significance.” She walked around to sit in one of the leather chairs facing his desk. “I’d much rather know about you and mom. Liona told me Zia Fulvia broke her hip and Mom went to Taranto to help her.”

  He nodded. “Your aunt will make a full recovery. Your mother could be back tomorrow.”

  “Oh, good. So tell me what else has been happening while I’ve been away.”

  His brows lifted. “Something unexpected. I’m glad you’re back so we can talk. More than anyone else I want your input because you have a fine mind.”

  “I got it from you and Mamma.” Her comment produced a chuckle. So maybe her assumption had been right. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with the man I saw in the foyer earlier this evening, would it?”

  He cocked his head. “Actually it would. When did you see him?”

  “I’d just come in the castle when he spoke to me.”

  “Did he introduce himself to you?”

  “No. It wasn’t like that. On my way up the staircase he mistook me for Dea before he headed for your office, that’s all.”

  Her father nodded. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Her face is everywhere.”

  “Papà—” She smiled at him. “Are you pretending with me?”

  “About what?”

  “Was he here because of her?”

  The count blinked. “Not that I know of.”

  “Oh.” She needed to keep her thoughts to herself. “Who is he?”

  He smiled. “If you didn’t live in your world of books and ancient underwater artifacts, you would have recognized him as the CEO of Italy’s most powerful engineering dynasty, Rinieri Montanari.”

  She stirred in the chair. “Of course I recognize the Montanari name. Who wouldn’t?” It explained the man’s aura of authority.

  Her father sat back and touched the tips of his fingers together. “His family has accumulated great wealth. He’s the brilliant one driving the company to new heights. A week ago he made an appointment to come and see me about a business proposition.”

  “That sounds interesting.”

  “I’ll give you a little background. Night before last he was on the news following the European Congress of Businessmen held in Rome. I saw the gleam in his eyes. He said he had secret plans to grow the economy. Today we talked and arranged for him to come back tomorrow to ge
t into the details.”

  He’d aroused her curiosity. “What is he after?”

  “He’d like to drill for oil on our property.”

  Alessandra shifted in the chair. “He and dozens of others who’ve wanted the same thing for the last half century,” she muttered. “Since he knows it’s not for sale, why is he coming back?”

  “This man is different from all the others. He wants to lease the land.”

  Lease? “Are you considering letting him?”

  “I’m thinking about it.”

  “Wow.”

  Her father eyed her curiously. “Why do you say that?”

  “I thought our property was inviolate.”

  “Leasing isn’t the same thing as selling.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Alessandra, something’s on your mind. Why did you ask if he was here because of Dea? Has your sister confided in you about him?”

  “No, Papà. In fact I haven’t spoken to her for almost two months.”

  “Hmm. If he’d met her before, he didn’t mention anything about meeting her to me.”

  “Why would he if he didn’t know anything about our family?”

  “But what if he does know? It makes me wonder what came first, the chicken or the egg?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He might have met Dea before he ever called me.”

  Alessandra was trying to understand what her father was getting at. “Why is this troubling you so much?”

  “I’m your loving papà. My daughters were born princesses of the Houses of Taranto and Caracciolo. Because of our family history, you know I’ve always wanted to protect you from unscrupulous men.”

  His explanation surprised her. “That sounds like medieval thinking. Papà, you don’t honestly think the CEO of Montanari Engineering fits in that category?” That gorgeous man? The one she’d envied Dea for meeting first? Alessandra didn’t want to believe it. Something about him had impressed her deeply.

  “Though we don’t use the titles anymore, there are some men who try to calculate the monetary worth of our family. There’s nothing they would like more than to acquire your bank accounts and assets more than your love.”

  Alessandra frowned. “The man comes from his own family dynasty and doesn’t need more.”

  “One would assume as much, but for some men one dynasty isn’t enough.” His gaze swerved to hers. “I don’t want to think it. But if he has targeted Dea to marry her and eventually gain possession of our property, I don’t like the thought of it.”

  She didn’t like it, either. Not at all. “Personally I don’t believe it.” Alessandra didn’t want to believe it. Not about that man. Whatever history her sister and Signor Montanari might have together, she didn’t want to think about it. To be with a man like him...

  Alessandra got to her feet. “Don’t let it bother you, Papà. Have you had dinner yet?”

  “No.”

  “I’ll bring you something.”

  “Grazie, but I’m not hungry.”

  “I’m afraid I am. I haven’t eaten since I got back. Excuse me while I grab a sandwich. If you want me, I’ll be in the library.”

  Alessandra left the office and headed for the kitchen to find something to eat. Afterward she walked to the castle library on the main floor, the repository of their family history where she could be alone. Years earlier she’d turned one corner of it into her own office, complete with file cabinets and a state-of-the-art computer and printer, plus a large-screen television for viewing the many videos she’d compiled. This had been her inner sanctum for years.

  She sat down at the desk and got back to work on the book she was writing about Queen Joanna. Just as she’d settled down to get busy, the phone rang. It was her father.

  “Papà?”

  “I just wanted to let you know I’ve got business in Metaponto. The pilot is flying me in a few minutes.”

  “Do you want company? I’ll go with you.”

  “Not tonight, piccola.” Her father’s endearment for her. When Alessandra was born, she was the younger twin by three minutes and the name little one stuck. “I’m sure you’re tired after your scuba-diving trip, so you get some sleep and we’ll talk in the morning. I could be gone a couple of hours and will probably get back late tonight.”

  “All right.”

  While she got back to work she heard her father’s helicopter fly away. She kept busy for another hour, then went upstairs to get ready for bed. But when she slid under the covers, she didn’t fall asleep right away. Memories of the past with her sister filtered through her mind.

  Though their personalities were entirely different, she and Dea had been as close as any two sisters until college, when Francesco had come into Alessandra’s life. She’d fallen in love and they talked about getting married. But before they got engaged he met Dea, who was more confident than Alessandra and had already started her modeling career.

  Her sister had a beauty and lovability that had drawn guys to her from her teens. By contrast, Alessandra felt rather dull and unexciting. Certainly she wasn’t as attractive. But she’d always accepted those truths and never let them affect their friendship. Not until Francesco had laid eyes on Dea. From that moment everything changed. Alessandra felt herself lose him and there wasn’t anything she could do about it.

  He followed her sister to Rome and she never saw him again. Francesco sent Alessandra a letter explaining he couldn’t help falling in love with Dea and hoped she wouldn’t hate him too badly. As for Dea, Alessandra didn’t see her for two months. When her sister came home, she told Alessandra she was sorry for what had happened. She explained that Francesco had done all the running, and she’d soon found out he was a loser. Alessandra was lucky to be out of the relationship.

  The trauma of being betrayed by Francesco and her sister had completely floored her. It had taken a long time to work past the pain. Though they’d shared sisterly love in the past, from that time on they’d had a troubled relationship and two truths emerged. Alessandra didn’t know if she could trust a man again and Dea would always be the beautiful one who usually got the best of Alessandra. People seemed to love her the most.

  Alessandra had to live with the knowledge that she was known as the clever one, a scholar with a sense of adventure. She’d thought that by the age of twenty-eight she would have finally gotten past her jealousy of Dea’s ability to attract men. But it wasn’t true. Otherwise meeting Signor Montanari, who’d met Dea first, wouldn’t have disturbed Alessandra so much.

  If her father was right, what a sad irony that this man might be using Dea to get what he really wanted, making both sisters appear as poor judges of character. First the chef Alessandra had fallen for who couldn’t remain faithful once he’d laid eyes on Dea. Now Signor Montanari, who looked like the embodiment of a woman’s dreams. But what if her father learned this man had a secret agenda? The troubling thought kept her tossing and turning all night.

  CHAPTER TWO

  ON TUESDAY MORNING Alessandra awakened and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. She dressed in jeans and a blouse. After brushing her hair and applying lipstick, she walked down the hall past the stairs to her parents’ apartment wearing her sandals.

  She knocked on the door with no result, so she opened it and called out, “Papà?” He was probably in the sitting room drinking coffee while he read his newspapers, but the room was empty. Frowning, she retraced her steps to the staircase and hurried downstairs to the small dining room where the family ate breakfast. Maybe she’d find her father there.

  The second she opened the doors, she received a shock. Her sister stood at the antique huntboard pouring herself a cup of coffee.

  “Dea! What a surprise! It’s good to see you!” She looked beautiful as usual in a stunning blue dress an
d high heels. Alessandra rushed over to hug her. “Where’s Papà?”

  “In the office.”

  “I didn’t know you were coming home.” She reached for a glass of juice and a roll.

  “Neither did I until I got a phone call from him last night.”

  “You did?” That was news to Alessandra. He must have called her on his way to Metaponto.

  Dea’s eyes darted to her without warmth. “He told me Rinieri Montanari had come to the castle to do business with him and wanted to know if I had been dating him. He seemed concerned enough that I decided to make a quick trip home to talk to him about it.”

  “He’s always trying to protect us, you know that.”

  They both sat down at the banquet-size table. “What I’m curious about is how you know Rinieri Montanari.” The tone of her sister’s point-blank question had an edge. There had to be another reason her sister had made a sudden flight home. Alessandra didn’t begin to understand what was going on.

  “I don’t! Didn’t Papà tell you? Signor Montanari was in the foyer when I came in from my scuba-diving trip yesterday. As I started up the staircase he called out to me. I had no idea who he was. He thought I was you.”

  “Did he say anything else?”

  “Only that he acted surprised you were here at the castle and commented that you’d cut your hair since he’d been with you on the yacht. He said you’d told him you had another show to do in Rome. I took it that’s why he seemed shocked to find you here. I told him I wasn’t you, then I went up the staircase. That’s it.”

  Dea sipped her coffee slowly. “So he mentioned the yacht.”

  “Yes.”

  She could hear her sister’s mind working. “Is that all he told you?”

  Dea sounded so worried, Alessandra was perplexed. “I swear it.”