Page 45 of Tempted By the English Marquis
Gideon’s heart gave a lurch as his sister’s hands suddenly let go of the fabric. He moved out of the way as she rose quickly to her feet. As Augusta marched over to the window, he caught sight of her tightly fisted fingers. She had come to some sort of conclusion. Her skirts whooshed as she turned and faced him. A determined look sat on her face.
“I know why she hasn’t told me. Because she knows full well that the moment she does, I will demand that she take me back to England. While I am oblivious to the truth, she can use me as a pawn in whatever game she is playing with Papa.” Augusta’s voice was full of resentment. She clearly felt she had been betrayed by the duchess.
Gideon bit nervously on his bottom lip, unsure as to whether he should respond. He might well be furious with Lady Anne, but he didn’t wish to be yet another person working to manipulate his sister’s feelings.
Stick to the facts of the situation. Give her at least a sense of what is happening.
“I have been sent here to bring you home. You will not have to remain in Rome for much longer, G. And while I would love dearly to bring both you and Mama back to London, I am prepared to accept that she may decide not to come with us.”
Augusta screwed her eyes closed. “I can’t believe this is happening. I thought something was wrong, but I kept telling myself that it was just our mother being her usual stubborn self. I should have seen this; even Serafina had suggested that there was more to things than just . . . oh.”
There was no comfort to be found in his sister knowing the painful truth, but at least G could finally understand where she stood in her mother’s scheme.
“When do you intend to leave for home?” asked Augusta.
The thought of getting straight back on a boat and spending another six weeks at sea held little appeal for Gideon. His stomach had barely begun to forgive him for the outward journey. If he left now, he would arrive back in England a mere shadow of himself.
There would be enough to deal with once it became apparent that the Duchess of Mowbray hadn’t returned with her son and daughter. Gideon needed his health and strength intact to be able to support the Kembal family. To see his father through the hard times ahead.
“I think we can wait at least two or three weeks. I need time to recover from the sea voyage. And I am not prepared to give up on Mama just yet. She and I might be at loggerheads, but there is nothing to say that once she realizes you are coming home with me, she won’t reconsider her decision.”
The duchess was hot-headed and stubborn, but she had been a good mother. The prospect of never seeing her children again could well be the one thing which tipped the scales in Gideon’s favor.
There was another reason for him not wishing to leave Rome in any great hurry. And he secretly saw it as being just as important.
While he remained at Palazzo Lazio, he could see Serafina every day. Privately indulge in his love for her. Create more memories, good ones, which he could take home with him. The sort of memories which would keep him warm in the long, lonely nights ahead.
“You could spend some time seeing the sights of Rome while you are here. Serafina knows the city like the back of her hand. She makes an excellent guide,” said Augusta.
He tore his gaze away from her, afraid that his sister might see the joy which lit up his heart at her words. He’d not confided his feelings for Serafina to anyone, not even his Cousin Francis, who was one of his closest friends. Whatever his emotions, there would never be a good time to reveal them. This trip to Rome was one of duty, to help save his family. Only a reckless fool would seek to build on the doomed hope that he and the woman he loved could ever be together.
“It would be just the two of you, though,” Augusta continued, oblivious to his delight. “As Mama said, she and I will be heading to Tivoli tomorrow with her gentleman friend, and we won’t be back for at least a week.”
Gentleman friend???
“I’m sorry, did you say Mama has a gentleman friend.”
“Yes, Signore Arosio. He is a widower who owns a large estate outside of Rome. He is very attentive to Mama, which I think she likes.” Augusta sighed. “I hadn’t thought much about it, but now that I know she doesn’t intend to return to Papa, it sets the whole relationship between her and the gentleman in an entirely different light.”
His sister sounded as shocked and appalled by the thought of their mother being with another man as Gideon did. He just couldn’t decide who made him the more enraged. The duchess for being false with her husband, or this Signore Arosio for thinking he could possibly take the place of the Duke of Mowbray.
“Let me talk to Mama. But just so you understand how things are, you won’t be going to Tivoli with her. In fact, from this morning, you won’t be doing anything our mother asks without first consulting with me. Papa has appointed me your legal guardian.” He held Augusta’s gaze, steeling himself for a row. The thought of being in charge of his sibling didn’t sit well with Gideon, but he had been set that task by his father, and he was duty bound to carry it out.
“Good. That solves a lot of my problems,” replied Augusta.
Not what was I was expecting. But I am relieved.“What do you mean?”
“I just mean that I’m pleased I don’t have to go along with her schemes anymore. And if being under your protection means that I get to go home to England, I am more than content. Rome is wonderful but it is not my home. I thought we were coming here on an adventure, but to be completely honest, it lost its luster some time ago. If we are heading home, I only have one request before we leave.”
Augusta was sometimes so much like their mother it had Gideon grinning. Of course, her agreement to being his ward would come with a condition. But having made progress with at least one member of his family this morning, he was prepared to make concessions.
He gave a slight nod. “Go on.”
“We stay until Serafina’s wedding. I owe it to her to be there on that day.”
The smile disappeared from Gideon’s face.
“And when is that?” he asked as his heart sank.
