The American Contessa Read Online Free PDF

staring straight ahead without expression.   This woman was the most maddening he had ever met.   From the moment of their introduction, she
seemed to want to be anywhere but near him; an occurrence which didn’t happen very
often with Luca Manetti and the opposite sex.   For heaven’s sake, she was as skittish as a colt. He couldn’t let her
get away so easily.   With that thought,
an idea began to form in his mind.   Yes,
it was definitely worth a try!
    They
arrived at the door and Gaby opened her mouth to bid him a final farewell.   This man was upsetting her equilibrium on so
many different levels.   He was most
definitely an alluring and sexy man, when he chose to utilize those skills. But
that wasn’t the real Count.   She’d heard
what he really thought of her. Best not get drawn in by his facade of pleasant
host and keep her guard up.  
    “Carmina,
I’m planning to visit Montepulciano this weekend.   Perhaps you and your friend would care to
join me?” he asked casually.
    “Spending
the weekend with you and your horses is not exactly my idea of fun,”   Carmina teased.   “But if Gaby wants to …?”
    Both
sets of eyes turned to Gaby and she felt a little on the spot.   She’d like to get to know Carmina better, but
the Count?   He was a totally different
kettle of fish.   Yeah.   Fishy.   There was something definitely fishy about
his motivation in asking her to join him for the weekend.   According to his prior comments, he wasn’t at
all interested; she was a parasite, a tourist; a crass American.   Maybe he had a thing for Carmina, and was
using this ruse to get her alone for
the weekend?  
    “Do
you ride, Gabriella?” he asked, taking her by surprise.
    “A
little,” she replied nervously.   “My
cousin owns a farm in Idaho, and I used to ride his horse when we’d visit as
kids. I’m a little rusty, to be sure.”   Why the hell did she tell him that!   Stay angry and keep your guard up Gaby!
    “A
farm horse?”   He dismissed her answer
with a laugh, “Why then, you must come ride with me at my country home.   I have many horses.   None of which belong on a farm, I assure
you.”
    Gaby
glared at the Count and tried once again to escape the viselike grip he had on
her arm.  
    “Luca
collects Arabians.   He has some of the
finest horses in the country,” Carmina explained.
    Widening
her eyes at him, Gaby gave him a totally unimpressed look. “Really?”
    “My
horses are the most beautiful and well-bred you’ll ever ride,” he stated
proudly, ignoring her sardonic tone. “Please.   You must come this weekend to Montepulciano.”
    “I
don’t think so,” Gaby replied. “But, thank you,” she smiled, trying to sound a
little less rude.
    Luca
stiffened and looked insulted. “But why do you refuse me?” he said icily. His
hand tightened on her arm.
    She
finally managed to pull away from his grasp and rubbed her arm where his hand
had been. How dare he be angry with her for rejecting his invitation.   Of all the spoilt, self-righteous…
    Gaby
straightened herself, looked the Count directly in the eye, and spoke.   “Count Manetti, being good-looking and well-bred
doesn’t always equate with kindness and gentleness.”   Looking him up and down derisively she
continued, “Even the most pedigreed stallion can behave like a total jackass.   So I, once again, politely refuse your
offer.”
    Gaby
wondered if he got what she meant.   Luca’s mouth dropped open in surprise. Yep, he got it! Nothing lost in
translation. Take that Count Manetti!
    Turning
on her heel, Gaby beat a hasty retreat out the front door of the Villa, pulling
Carmina along with her.
    When
they were safely at the bottom of the stone staircase that led to the Villa,
Carmina turned to Gaby. “Now, would you like to tell me what that was all about?”
    “What,
what was all about?” she replied innocently.   Obviously the tension between her and the Count was palpable.   Carmina eyed