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as to ease the uncomfortable dryness of her throat.
    â€˜And can you say the same for your boyfriend?’
    â€˜What boyfriend?’
    She didn’t give Pietro the chance to answer that, rushing on instead in her determination to refute his implied accusations.
    â€˜Just who do you think I am? I have had nearly two years apart from you. Two years! And in all that time did I so much as give an interview or get my picture in a magazine?’
    â€˜You didn’t have your freedom then,’ he drawled coolly. ‘And you had a comfortable allowance that meant you needed to keep me sweet.’
    â€˜No, I didn’t. Do you ever check your bank statements?’Marina challenged when one black eyebrow lifted in a cynical questioning of her assertion. ‘Or do you find it hard to notice when a paltry million is missing—or not—from the many hundreds of millions you have coming in and out each month?’
    That had him finally sitting up straight. The flash of anger in the glare he turned on his lawyer was so sizzling that for a second Marina almost expected to see the elegant Matteo shrivel into a pile of smoking ash right where he sat.
    â€˜I said…’ Pietro began, but a strong sense of fair play had Marina rushing to the other man’s defence.
    â€˜Oh, I know—I can imagine what you said, or rather ordered , would be done. And I’m sure that poor Matteo did just as you commanded. But you can’t order me around. I’m not married to you now.’
    Pietro’s beautifully sensual lips twitched into a wry smile that mocked her passionate outburst.
    â€˜Are you implying that I was ever able to order you around?’ he enquired sardonically. ‘Because believe me, bella mia , that was never the case. In truth, I doubt that anyone has ever been able to order you to do anything. So are you claiming that you never used the allowance?’
    â€˜No—I’m not claiming !’ Marina pushed back the annoying strand of hair that had worked loose from her ponytail with an impatient movement. ‘I’m telling you: I never used the allowance you sent. Not a penny.’
    â€˜Why not? That money was for your keep.’
    â€˜Why not? I would have thought that was obvious. I don’t need to be kept. I have a job—I went back to the library. I earn my own living. I don’t want anything from you. I never did and, now that we’re not married, I never will.’
    â€˜Might I remind you that we are at present only separated?’ There was an odd edge to Pietro’s voice, one thatroughened it shockingly at the edges. ‘We are not yet divorced.’
    â€˜Not yet,’ Marina admitted. ‘But it can’t come soon enough for me. I just want it over and done with—signed and sealed so that I can get out of here with my freedom and never look back.’
    â€˜In that case,’ Pietro returned imperturbably, ‘perhaps you will let “poor Matteo”—’ he echoed her words mockingly ‘—get on with things.’
    But Marina had had enough.
    â€˜No, I don’t think so. I don’t think we will “get on with things”.’
    She pushed back her chair, thought about getting to her feet and then hesitated. A few moments more and it would have had much more effect. She was actually quite enjoying seeing Pietro off-balance for once. He didn’t quite know how to take her—and for now that was exactly how Marina wanted it.
    â€˜What things, Pietro?’
    She directed the question straight into his watchful face, seeing the faint scowl that drew his dark brows together, frowning over narrowed eyes.
    â€˜What things—more terms? More conditions? More dictates from the great lord and master, Il Principe D’Inzeo?’
    â€˜Marina…’ Pietro’s use of her name was low-toned, deep, a strong note of reproof on the single word.
    â€˜More “thou shalt do