Page 40 of Tempted By the English Marquis
“Two lions. Remember that when you try to find your way back.”
Yet after taking a few steps into the garden, it became apparent that every entrance into Palazzo Lazio boasted a pair of lion statues. Gideon retraced his steps back to where he had entered the garden and looked for a better landmark. A cracked tile on the third step from the bottom became his marker for finding his way home.
“It’s not exactly the north star, but it will have to do.”
The grounds of the palace were set out in a large square. High stone walls protected it from the outside world. The garden was the biggest Gideon had ever seen in a private residence. It put the Base Court and Fountain Court at Hampton Court Palace in the shade. Palazzo Lazio’s green space could fit two of the generous ornate gardens of Mowbray Park inside it, and there would still be room left over.
Serafina had once mentioned that her home was one of the largest residences in Europe. He hadn’t believed her. At the time, Gideon had simply put her words down to feeling the need to compete with the magnificence of the English royal palaces. Now he knew better.
Serafina. I wonder when I will get to see her.
Gideon took a deep breath as he made his way out from the main residence and farther into the night garden. For the first time in weeks, he could fill his lungs with fresh air.
The scent of the ocean had lost its appeal not long after he had set sail. His memories had been sullied by the stench of vomit and days of praying for death. Poppy Saunders could keep her life of the sailor and all the seven seas. Once this trip was over, the Marquis of Holwell had no plans to ever set foot onboard a ship again.
He paused for a moment, taking in the peace of the late night. The palace was located in central Rome, but the high stone walls which surrounded Palazzo Lazio kept all noise at bay. Gideon listened. Silence.
Hopefully it wasn’t the calm before the storm.
He moved away from the stone path, crossing the lush green lawn. He caught sight of a small grotto which was lit by lanterns, and he headed toward it. Inside the secluded space was a wide daybed, with plump blue and white-striped patterned cushions scattered across it.
“Now I could sleep here,” he said.
It was tempting to go back inside and get a warm blanket, but thoughts of what his host would think of him sleeping in the garden left Gideon with second thoughts.
His private musing over resting under the Roman stars was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the path. He turned around, the explanation that he was merely out for an evening stroll already on his lips.
“I was . . .”
Coming toward him was a vision of loveliness. The vision which had so often come to him in his dreams. One he’d never thought he would see again in this world.
His heart leapt with unexpected joy.Serafina.
Her long black hair hung loose, and the light breeze tussled it as she made her way across the grounds, her footsteps sure and with purpose. Around her shoulders was a thick, warm shawl. His gaze went to her face.
She was as beautiful as she had been the day, he had first met her. And the last. The time in between melted away.Serafina.
And then she gifted him with a shy smile. Her smile.
Ancient Rome may well have had its legion of mighty goddesses but compared to the brilliant power of Serafina de Luca’s warm smile, they were merely mortals. And while he might be mixing up his Roman and Greek mythology, Gideon would have undertaken all of the twelve labors of Hercules just to have been granted this moment with her.
She stopped and dipped into a deep curtsy. “Lord Holwell. I never expected to find you in the gardens of Palazzo Lazio. I must say, it is wonderful to see you.”
Utterly enchanted, Gideon bowed. “Don’t you remember your last words the day you departed London? You made me promise that if I ever found myself in Rome, I would seek you out. Here I am, making good on that promise.”
“Those weren’t the last words I said to you, but yes, I did make you promise to come to Rome.”
Memories of her standing on the deck of theCaelianthat chilly morning slipped into Gideon’s mind. Of Serafina’s lips moving, but from where he had been standing, he hadn’t been able to catch her words. But she had caught his kiss.
If I hadn’t been such a blind fool, I would have seen what was right in front of me long before it was too late.
He had thought himself not ready for marriage, but in letting her go he had lost the chance to grow with her. It was a bitter choice he had made. And one he still deeply regretted.
“How was your journey from England?” she asked.
While he was busy fighting the urge to wrap her up in his embrace and confess that he missed her, Serafina was playing it safe and engaging in small talk.
Of course, she is. She has no idea how you feel about her. Of the nights you have lain awake in your bed and wondered where she was.
