Vittorio sat in one of two matching buttoned-backed velvet chairs and, with an amused expression, watched Lily inspect the room. Picking up the brushes she turned to him and impishly said, ‘You do well for yourself, don’t you!’
‘I like nice things, Lily. So will you.’
She walked to the wardrobe. ‘Can I look inside?’
He nodded.
It was packed with hand-made suits, next to a selection of shirts and ties. ‘There’ll be no room for my stuff,’ Lily complained. ‘That’s if you’re going to buy me new clothes, like you promised.’
‘You will need a cupboard of your own, of course.’
‘Of course,’ repeated Lily. Then with childish glee she said, ‘Because I’ll have a lot of clothes, won’t I, Vittorio?’
‘Yes, you will.’
Her expression changed. ‘I won’t be dressed like a whore. I want good-class stuff.’
‘Naturally.’ He looked at her with twinkling eyes. ‘I would certainly expect my woman to be as well dressed as me.’
‘You would?’ She was pleasantly surprised.
‘Of course.’
She saw a closed door and asked, ‘What’s in there?’
‘Open it and see for yourself.’
She did so. Inside was a bathroom and toilet. Her eyes lit up in delight. Hot water. No tin bath … no going outside to the lavatory. How wonderful. She closed the door quietly and turned to face Vittorio.
‘Very nice,’ she said.
‘We need to get a few things clear,’ he said. ‘Sit down, Lily.’
She sat on the edge of the bed, wondering what he was going to say.
‘I’ve agreed to all your demands, but now you must listen to mine.’
She felt suddenly apprehensive.
‘You will have all that I’ve promised you, but in return, you will not only share my bed, you will entertain my business guests.’
Her eyes opened wide with fear. ‘In what way?’
A soft smile lifted the corners of his mouth. ‘I don’t mean sexually. You will help entertain my clients. Chat to them. Make them feel comfortable. Flatter them. I’ll train you so you’ll know how to do so, although you have a natural rapport with people anyway. You’ll do well, I know.’
She breathed a sigh of relief. ‘What happens if after a time I decide I don’t like the arrangement?’
His expression changed. His eyes glittered. ‘I would not be pleased about that, Lily. Beside, why wouldn’t you be happy here with me?’ He studied her thoughtfully. ‘Why did you suddenly decide to take up my offer?’ The sudden look of vulnerability on her face touched him deeply. This girl, with her womanly attributes, looked so much a child at this moment, he wanted to take her in his arms and reassure her that all would be well.
She looked at him and said, ‘I just want to be taken care of.’
It was a simple request. The ring of truth in her words made him feel immediately protective towards her. ‘It will be my pleasure, Lily. I and I alone will be responsible for you, if you stay.’
She knew that this was the moment of decision. Sandy had been right: if she stayed, she was Vittorio’s. There would be no turning back. Looking around the room, thinking of all the things he’d promised her and gazing at the man who fascinated her so, she took a deep breath and asked, ‘Then when do we go shopping?’
‘Tomorrow,’ he said with a smile of satisfaction.
‘Right. But tonight I sleep alone.’
There was a devilish glint in his eye as he took her to another small bedroom and ushered her in. ‘Tonight this is yours. But tomorrow, you sleep with me.’ He closed the door behind him.
Lily lay on the bed, fully dressed, her limbs trembling. She’d made the decision, for better or worse and tried to justify it to herself. ‘I’ll never be hungry again,’ she whispered. ‘I’ll be working, earning money … excellent money. I’ll have decent clothes. I’ll never have to feel poor. I’ll be taken care of.’ Then there was Vittorio. He was the unknown quantity in all this. Without him, none of the other things was possible. And if this was whoring, at least it was with one man, someone she knew, not a stranger. Someone who was clean and presentable and who would care about her if she kept him happy. It had to be better than a quick fuck in some dark alley or shabby room. Was it such a bad deal? No, she didn’t think so, compared with the awful alternative.
Worn out by these developments, she undressed and climbed into bed. She could scarcely ask God to take care of her – that really would be pushing her luck. She settled down for the night, filled with trepidation about the morrow.
Lily awakened with a start. Standing before her was a young girl wearing a neat black dress. In her hands she held a breakfast tray. Before Lily could speak she said, ‘Morning, miss. Mr Teglia said I was to wake you.’
Sitting up in bed, Lily asked, ‘Who are you?’
‘I’m Beatrice, the maid, miss.’ Placing the tray by the bed, she went to the door and opened it, returning with some towels. ‘These are for you, miss.’ Walking over to the window, she drew back the curtains and peered out. ‘Not a bad day. May rain later, though. Sky’s a bit dark over yonder.’ Turning towards Lily she said, ‘Mr Teglia said to be ready in two hours’ time.’ She placed a small clock on the table. ‘You’re going shopping.’ With an anxious look she added, ‘He don’t like to be kept waiting, miss.’
‘Right. I’ll remember that. Thank you, Beatrice.’
When the girl had left, Lily stared longingly at the food, savouring the aroma before tucking in to the eggs and bacon, buttering the toast and drinking the coffee, luxuriating in its rich flavour. She stretched contentedly, like a cat. Later she lay in a hot bath, smothering herself with scented soap. If this was typical of her new life as Vittorio’s mistress, she was really going to enjoy herself.
Exactly two hours later, there was a tap on her door. With trembling legs she walked across the room and opened it. Standing on the threshold was The Maltese. Lily felt unsure of herself. But she’d got into this situation and now she’d have to see it through. Putting aside her concern, she smiled cheerfully at Vittorio. ‘Good morning.’
He, as usual, was dressed immaculately. He smiled back at her and, holding out his hand said, ‘Good morning, Lily. Are you ready for our expedition to the shops?’
‘Yes, I’m ready, but I’m warning you, Vittorio,’ she said with a cheeky grin, ‘I’ve very expensive tastes.’
He looked amused. ‘You really are an extraordinary creature. Fortunately, I’ve more than enough for your needs. Come along, I can see we are both going to have a stimulating time.’
Walking downstairs on Vittorio’s arm, Lily was aware that she was the centre of attention of many prying eyes. Doors were opened just a fraction, staff looked at her with interest, if unobtrusively. She looked straight ahead. Back stiff, head held high. After all, she was Vittorio’s mistress. Well, technically not until tonight, to be strictly accurate. But as far as anyone else was concerned … she already was.
Outside a taxi was waiting. As Vittorio helped her into the car, Lily felt very much the lady. She sat back against the seat, watching the passing scene.
The day exceeded all Lily’s expectations. Vittorio dismissed the taxi outside a small but exclusive gown shop. Gazing at the expensive models displayed in the window, Lily felt a surge of excitement. Was she really going to be wearing such wonderful clothes?
As they entered the shop, she looked around the swish interior. It had wall to wall carpets which her feet seemed to sink into as she walked.
‘Sit there, Lily,’ Vittorio commanded, pointing to a tall velvet chair. As she settled herself into it, Lily fingered her coat, knowing it was shabby in comparison to the exclusive clothing hanging on the rails. But she held her head with pride. From now on, things were going to change.
In an authoritative voice, Vittorio asked for the manageress. When she bustled towards them, he pointed to Lily and said, ‘I want this young lady taken care of. We want day dresses, costumes and several evening gowns. Money is no object here, you understand.’
Lily’s eyes widened at the attention bestowed on her. So this was what it was like to be rich. She smiled across at her benefactor in delight as the manageress measured her and sent several assistants scurrying off in all directions.
Vittorio sat in a chair, puffing a Havana cigar and watching as Lily emerged from the changing cubicle in one creation after another, deciding whether he liked it or not. Those he didn’t were quickly discarded.
Inside the cubicle, helping Lily into yet another dress, the manageress said softly, ‘Your husband is a very generous man.’
Looking at the woman with feigned innocence Lily said, ‘He’s not my husband.’ And hid a smile at the shock registered on the other woman’s face. ‘Wives don’t get all this – only mistresses.’ She thought the manageress was going to pass out with embarrassment. It added considerably to her enjoyment.
Vittorio went along the rack of evening gowns and chose four. ‘Try these on, Lily.’
She looked longingly at one in pale lemon that had taken her fancy. ‘Can’t I try that one too?’
‘No. I don’t like it.’
The tone of his voice forbade argument.
As Lily slipped a gown of beaded gossamer over her head, she thought of the gowns she used to try on alone at night in the back of Rachel Cohen’s shop, and wished with all her heart she could still be there. True, the gowns had seen better days and some of them had smelt musty from storage, but when she wore them, there was no price to be paid. What was it Rachel had told her? In life, no one does anything for nothing. What charge would Vittorio make against his generosity, she wondered. Would it be more than she was prepared for?
Vittorio picked out an exquisite claret-coloured coat, trimmed with black fur, and one of the chosen dresses, made of soft brown velvet trimmed in beige satin, and told Lily to wear them. Then he ordered the rest of the purchases to be sent to the club that afternoon. As they were about to leave the shop, the manageress came hurrying out with the clothes Lily had originally worn that day.
‘What shall I do with these, sir?’ she asked.
‘Burn them!’ snapped Vittorio as he opened the shop door.
Lily felt her cheeks redden with shame.
From there, they went to a shoe shop, where Vittorio chose several pairs for her. On to a hat shop, the packages to be delivered. And then, to Lily’s acute embarrassment and that of the assistant who served them, they visited the lingerie department of the largest store in town. Lily chose several sets of underwear in soft pastel colours. When she’d finished, Vittorio chose even more, in black.
Lily felt the anger rising inside her. How dare he humiliate her so. ‘I’m hungry,’ she said abruptly. ‘Good food was one of the things you promised me, so when do we eat?’
‘Something upsetting you?’ he asked caustically.
‘Why all black underwear?’
‘I find black sexually stimulating. The other colours don’t do anything for me. The black lingerie was to please me, not you.’ He looked at her, the corners of his mouth twitching with amusement. ‘After all, I must get some personal pleasure from today, surely?’
She glared at him. ‘You’re not going to order my food too, are you?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ His eyes twinkled. ‘Come on. You’re not the only one who’s hungry.’
Walking into The Tivoli restaurant was another strange experience, but wearing new clothes gave Lily the necessary confidence. Many heads turned to look at her and her companion. The waiter led them to a table and, holding out a chair for her, helped Lily to be seated. When he laid a napkin across her lap, she smiled sweetly at him as if this was an everyday occurrence.
She began to relax until Vittorio handed her the menu. Her fingers trembled as she held it. It was large and impressive, not like the simple one she’d been given when first she’d had a meal with Tom.
‘Would you like me to order for you?’
She shook her head. ‘No, thank you. I can manage perfectly well.’ If this was to be her new way of life, she thought, she had to start as she meant to go on. She deliberately ordered the most expensive dishes.
As she gazed at her surroundings, Lily knew she looked elegant in her new clothes. For once she felt as good as all the well-heeled clients sitting at the other tables. She experienced the first stirrings of the power that money could buy, and she enjoyed it. She couldn’t help but compare this moment to the time she had stood outside the fish and chip shop the night she first met Jim. The night she was near to starvation.
She watched carefully to see which cutlery her companion used, having been somewhat startled at the array beside her plate. Finishing her lobster soup, she waited for the steak to arrive. It looked and smelt wonderful. Oh, if only they could bottle this aroma, she thought, I’d wear it behind my ears. She remembered to eat slowly, not wanting to let Vittorio know that for the past weeks she’d been living on bread and scrape and potato soup.
‘Have you enjoyed your day, Lily?’
The quiet humiliation she had suffered still angered her.
You’ll pay for the black lingerie
, she thought. ‘You mean it’s over?’ she said innocently. ‘No more shopping?’
He looked surprised. ‘I thought we’d covered everything.’
Slowly she ran her fingers through her hair. ‘I seem to remember you mentioned jewellery, when you were trying to tempt me. I don’t want a diamond tiara, just a bauble or two to celebrate our new relationship.’
He shook his head. ‘You’re in the wrong business, Lily. You strike a harder bargain than any businessman I know.’
Nevertheless, there was a look of respect in his eyes. If I want to keep that respect, she thought, I must never let him think he’s got the better of me.
As she sat opposite him, she mused that he might be the blackest villain around the dock area, but he was a fine-looking man, with his olive skin, powerful build and jet-black hair. Dressed in a tailored suit and silk shirt, he blended well with the upper crust. His air of power was like a force field around him as the waiters hovered nearby, ready to fulfil his every wish.
Lily was consumed with curiosity about him. Who was he really, this man with whom she had made such a bargain?
‘Let me order the dessert,’ The Maltese suggested. ‘They have a speciality here that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.’ He called the waiter over and quietly spoke in his ear.