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Emily sensed a dark storm of tension building within Ramon from the second the jet’s wheels touched down in Barcelona. During the flight he’d been happy to talk and their conversation had distracted her from her nerves. Now, as they travelled in the back of a chauffeur-driven SUV to his parents’ villa, he was silent and brooding.
Did he not get along with his family? The thought sent a shaft of dismay through her. If his relationship with them was strained, how would they receive her? Would they welcome her as a daughter-in-law? Or would she be the scarlet woman who’d trapped their son into marriage by getting herself pregnant?
She looked at the enormous rectangular diamond that glittered on her ring finger. Set in platinum and flanked by two sapphires and clusters of smaller diamonds on either side, it was a beautiful piece of artistry which had drawn a shocked gasp from her when he’d slipped it onto her finger. But after three days it still felt heavy and unfamiliar on her hand—as alien and disconcerting as the experience of meeting his family was going to be.
Her stomach threatening to rebel again, she rummaged in her handbag for a piece of crystallised ginger and popped it in her mouth.
Twenty minutes and three pieces of ginger later, their driver turned off the road and drove between two massive gated pillars. A long tree-lined driveway dappled with early-evening sunlight eventually opened onto lush, colourful gardens and led to a circular courtyard at the front of a magnificent two-storey villa. Before the vehicle had stopped, the villa’s big front door swung open and a slender, casually dressed woman emerged.
She was beautiful. A generation older than Emily, but still trim and fit-looking in white trousers and a simple sleeveless burnt orange top. Dark chin-length hair streaked with the odd strand of grey was tucked behind her ears, revealing a stunning bone structure that bore such a striking resemblance to Ramon’s, Emily knew at once that this was Elena de la Vega, his mother.
She smiled broadly as they exited the vehicle, then stepped towards her son, her arms extended. She spoke to him in Spanish and Emily didn’t understand the words, but she heard affection in the older woman’s voice, and saw the shimmer of restrained tears in her eyes. Her emotion, so visible and patently heartfelt, made Emily’s chest squeeze. But when mother and son embraced, Ramon was stiff, the hug he gave his mother awkward-looking in spite of Elena’s obvious delight at seeing her son.
Emily had no time to dwell on the odd dynamic. Elena turned, clasped Emily’s hands in both of hers and squeezed. ‘And you are Emily,’ she declared, her English accented but perfect. Her eyes shone, a rich shade of caramel-brown like her son’s. ‘It is a great pleasure to meet you.’
‘And you, Mrs de la Vega.’
‘Elena,’ she insisted. ‘My goodness, you are beautiful.’ She touched Emily’s cheek, her eyes glistening again. ‘Come.’ She motioned them towards the villa. ‘Vittorio has been feeling breathless today so he’s resting in the salon before dinner. But he is looking forward to seeing you both.’
As they headed indoors, Ramon placed his palm in the small of Emily’s back and murmured in her ear. ‘My mother can get a little over-emotional.’
‘It’s fine,’ she whispered, wondering why he felt the need to apologise. Elena de la Vega was delightful.
Vittorio de la Vega turned out to be a tall, commanding man who looked reasonably well, despite the heart problems Ramon had briefly mentioned on the plane. He greeted his son with a firm handshake, then welcomed his future daughter-in-law with an infusion of warmth similar to his wife’s, if less effusive. After kissing Emily on both cheeks, he politely enquired about their journey, then offered her a choice of non-alcoholic beverages. The subtle deference to her pregnancy made her blush, but she saw no outward sign of judgement or disapproval.
‘Have you set a wedding date?’
Elena posed the question the moment they were all settled on comfortable sofas in the beautiful, high-ceilinged salon.
‘Elena,’ Vittorio gently chided. He sent Emily an apologetic look. ‘You must forgive my wife. She can be very excitable.’
Elena flicked an elegant hand, unperturbed. ‘I’ve recently discovered I’m getting a daughter-in-law and a grandchild. I think a little excitement is perfectly acceptable.’ Her warm smile encompassed both Emily and her son. ‘You’ll want to get married befor
e the baby arrives, yes?’
‘When we decide on a date, you’ll be the first to know, Mamá,’ Ramon said.
If Elena found her son’s tone a little too sharp, she gave no indication. She addressed Emily. ‘Your mother must be very excited.’
Emily stiffened, her gaze shifting to Ramon. Had he told his family nothing about her? He covered her hand with his and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, his eyes offering a form of apology. To Elena, she said, ‘My mother died when I was born. I never knew her.’
‘Oh, my dear.’ Dismay clouded the older woman’s eyes. ‘I’m so sorry.’ She was silent, as though taking a moment to respect the depth of Emily’s loss. Then, ‘I would not wish to intrude but, if you need help with planning for the wedding or the baby, I would love nothing more. You may already know that Ramon and Xavier don’t have a sister, so I’ve missed out on all the exciting girl things. I would have loved a daughter...’ Her gaze flicked to her son. ‘But when Ramon came along, he was our miracle. We couldn’t have expected another.’
Ramon didn’t say anything, but the slight tightening of his hand over hers betrayed the sudden flare of tension in his body. She glanced at him again, but his face was impassive. Unreadable. Hiding her confusion, she smiled at Elena. ‘Thank you. I’d appreciate that. I think I’m going to need all the help I can get.’ And then, because Ramon’s ill humour was starting to unsettle her, she remarked on the splendour of the villa and asked Elena for a tour.
Less than an hour later, they sat down to dinner at one end of a long table in a sumptuous formal dining room.
‘Xavier couldn’t join us tonight,’ Elena said, her tone apologetic. ‘But he’ll be here tomorrow.’
Vittorio poured wine for the table and a sparkling grape juice for Emily. ‘Have you been to Barcelona before?’
‘No. This is my first time in Spain.’
Elena clapped her hands together. ‘Oh! That’s very exciting. You have so much to see! Ramon, where will you take her first?’
For the first time since they’d walked off the plane, a relaxed smile curved his mouth. ‘Barri Gòtic,’ he said.
‘Ah. Marvellous,’ Elena enthused. ‘The old city is magnificent.’
