Page 41 of Tempted By the English Marquis
Gideon cleared his throat. “It was a long and tedious journey. I am not a good sailor, and I spent a great deal of time with my head in a bucket. The only comfort I can take is that at the end of the next voyage, I will be home once more in England.”
Serafina nodded. She stepped closer, coming farther into the light. Gideon drew in a shaky breath.
In the time they had been apart, she had blossomed into a strikingly beautiful woman. He hadn’t thought she could become more lovely, but the evidence stood before him. His memories of her, the ones Gideon kept so precious and deep, didn’t do her justice.
There was a confidence about her manner that signaled she no longer considered herself a sweet young lady. His body reacted to her sensual message with a racing heart and fevered blood.
A self-assured smile sat on her lips. “I’m fortunate that I tend to get my sea legs rather quickly. Though on the return journey to Italy, I found the sea off the coast of Portugal to be the hardest part of our trip. My brother Matteo suffered far worse than me. He hasn’t sailed much since then. He leaves the longer voyages to Nico and the other de Luca brothers.”
“How is Matteo? I haven’t seen him since I arrived. Then again, Palazzo Lazio is rather large; he could be anywhere in the palace, and I would never know.”
Serafina raised her eyebrows and softly chortled. “As I recall, I did tell you my home was big. And I was sure that at the time, you didn’t believe me, did you? But no, you haven’t accidently missed Matteo. He doesn’t live here.”
She glanced over her shoulder before turning back and meeting his eyes. “My sister-in-law doesn’t get on all that well with my mother. Donna Francesca demanded that Matteo’s wife be subservient to her, but Martina wasn’t having any of it. They had rows louder than Vesuvius erupting. When it came down to choosing between the contessa and his wife, Matteo wisely chose the latter and they moved to her parents’ home.”
He caught the wicked delight in Serafina’s voice. The self-important Donna Francesca had been shown just where she stood in her eldest son’s list of priorities. She was no longer at the top.
“I expect my mother will have to come to terms with that situation one day,” he replied.
All thoughts of merriment on his part quickly evaporated. What was he going to do when he eventually did find a wife? Would he also be forced to have to choose between his mother and his bride? The thought made Gideon a little nauseous.
Then again, if the Duchess of Mowbray didn’t return to England, he wouldn’t have to face that problem. It simply wouldn’t ever arise. It was one of the saddest things that would come from his parents separating. The future duchess wouldn’t have anyone to guide her into the role.
How awful. I was hoping Mama would help teach my wife how to be a success.
A seamless transition of the noble titles was the hallmark of a strong family. Those who had fallen into the forgotten cracks of history had often done so due to intergenerational failure.
Being the daughter of a duke, Lady Anne had come readily equipped for the role of duchess. Her mother, Lady Alison, had taught her well.
Gideon motioned to the nearby daybed, then stopped. He had thought to offer for Serafina to sit before realizing how inappropriate it would be for the two of them to be seated together.
“Would you care to walk?” he asked, attempting to cover his misstep.
“That would be nice. Though we really shouldn’t wander too far around the grounds alone. I am supposed to be working on my embroidery and thinking on my behavior.” There was the hint of guilt in Serafina’s words.
“Of course. I would never wish to get you into trouble.”
They moved away from the grotto and closer to the main house. Gideon kept a respectable distance as he walked alongside Serafina. This wasn’t an afternoon jaunt at Hampton Court Palace; this was her family home. If anyone did happen upon them, he wanted to be certain that there couldn’t be any possible accusation of unsuitable behavior on his part.
“Does Augusta know I am here?” he asked.
“Yes. My maid informed us as soon as G and I returned home. I am sorry we didn’t come to supper. Easter Sunday in Rome is one of the busiest days of the year. Lots of pilgrims crowding Piazza San Pietro. It can be quite overwhelming with the crush of people,” she replied.
Her words sounded true enough, but when she wouldn’t meet his gaze, Gideon was left to ponder if his sister was doing their mother’s bidding and avoiding him.
Come the morning, sleep or no, he would have to tackle the situation head-on. Just who was going to be left standing in the bloody aftermath was anyone’s guess. But for now, this was what he had, a moment alone with a beautiful woman in a garden. And he intended to make the most of it.
“I can’t believe it’s been more than a year and a half since we last saw one another. I know you were only in London for a few weeks, but it felt much longer. I was sad when you left.”
She stopped walking and for a moment, Serafina stood staring at the ground. When she spoke, she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “So was I. I would love to have had the right reason to stay on in England. I thought for a moment I had possibly found it, but just before I left, I began to wonder if it had simply been a mistake in my mind. That last afternoon in the maze at Hampton Court Palace confirmed it.”
Gideon’s heart skipped a beat. Had he been that mistake?
Oh, Serafina. Did I give up the only chance we ever had?
ChapterTwenty-One
Serafina lifted her head and took in the sight of Gideon. She would have given anything to touch him. To risk it all and throw herself into his arms. To offer up her lips and let him claim her with fiery kisses. For them to find their way over to the daybed and their heated bodies defy the chill of the night as they became one.
