Page 150 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 5-8

‘Do you know the Duchessa Fabrese?’ he put to her.

She looked taken aback. ‘I know of her, hard not to! But I’ve not met her.’

‘Well, this is my invitation to her next charity bash,’ said Sanzio.

‘She’s famous for them,’ Eleanora commented. ‘When is it?’

‘Next week. I’m on her guest list—’ his voice took on a tinge of cynicism ‘—as I donate generously to her causes.’

Eleanora gave a crooked smile. ‘Well, that’s the way the world goes round.’ Her smile became a little more twisted than crooked. ‘I expect my father’s fallen off her list for the reverse reason. I’ve never heard him talk about going to any of her events.’

‘That figures.’ Sanzio’s tone was openly caustic now. He drew a breath, eyes resting on her. ‘I hope you can face coming with me,’ he said.

Her expression changed. ‘Me? The invitation is for you, Sanzio.’

‘It says ‘plus one’. That’s you, Eleanora, who else?’

Uncertainty flickered across her features. He registered it, expected it, but he ignored it deliberately.

‘I hope you won’t turn me down,’ he said now, his eyes holding hers. ‘As I told you, now the Falcones know we’re married, word will have spread.’ He paused significantly. ‘People will expect you to be there with me.’

The uncertainty on her face intensified. ‘Sanzio, I’m not sure.’

He helped himself to her hand, removing the invitation from her fingers. ‘But I am,’ he said. He did not let her gaze drop from his for a second. ‘I am sure. You can do it beautifully! It’s your world, Eleanora, not mine.’

‘But I’ve never—’

‘Then it’s time you did. More than time.’ He pressed her hand. ‘Time to take your place in the world you were born to.’ He kept his eyes on her. ‘I wanted a trophy wife to crown my climb to the top, and you are that wife. You showed me that when we dined at the Falcone. And you can show all of Rome at the charity gala.’ He changed his tone slightly. ‘The Falcones will be going—I checked with Nic—so you will have Francesca Falcone there, and didn’t she say her sister, your friend, is in Rome, so she’ll doubtless be there too.’ He paused again. ‘Your world, Eleanora.’

The world her sister had kept her out of.

A dark glint flared in his eyes. The timing of the Duchessa’s gala was perfect—perfect for his purposes…

He let it rest there, pouring out coffee for them both, flicking on the TV. They settled down to watch an old Hollywood movie and Sanzio saw Eleanora start to relax. She was leaving a good space between them, and he was glad of it. Too much proximity, even casual, was—

Dangerous.

He sat back, drinking his coffee. Staying well away from danger. Well away from temptation—temptation he must not yield to.

* * *

Despite her initial nervousness, Eleanora enjoyed her lunch with Adrietta and Francesca.

Their greeting as she arrived at the restaurant off the Via Corso was warm and welcoming. Adrietta was as exuberant as she remembered, and was agog to hear how Eleanora had come to marry Sanzio Bastoni—especially in the wake of Sanzio and Tonia having been an item. Eleanora glossed over the situation as Sanzio had, implying that her sister and Sanzio had parted mutually, not referring to Tonia having jilted Sanzio—with her sister opting for her marquis, and herself and Sanzio getting together instead, self-conscious though the latter made her feel.

Adrietta’s expression was speaking. ‘He’s made a loads better choice in you!’ she exclaimed roundly. ‘I know she’s your sister, but Tonia can be a total pain. She’s far too used to having men slavering over her, and it shows!’

Francesca put a restraining hand on Adrietta’s. ‘I know you’re not a fan,’ she said, ‘but—’

Adrietta cut across her. ‘Who is?’ she demanded. ‘No woman, anyway!’

Eleanora remembered what Sanzio had said about her sister being a man’s woman, not interested in other women.

‘Which is why,’ Adrietta was running on, ‘I’m very glad she’s decamping to Paris! Instead of making eyes at every man here in Rome—including,’ she said angrily, ‘our husbands!’

Again, her sister moderated the declaration. ‘I doubt she knows she’s doing it—it’s just her way, really.’

Adrietta rolled her eyes. ‘She knows perfectly well! Mind you,’ she said with satisfaction, ‘she didn’t get anywhere with your Nic—and my darling Pietro is terrified of her! As for Cesare, Carla saw her off promptly. Not that Ces would be the slightest bit susceptible.’