Page 6 of Tempted By the English Marquis
“Mama says that cook was complaining about you being underfoot yet again in the kitchens last week,” noted Gideon.
“I just wanted to borrow one of her cookbooks,” huffed Victoria.
Gideon didn’t quite know what to say. Duke’s daughters were not meant to be interested in food and the culinary arts. Victoria seemed determined to act contrary to her social status.
He privately envied her for having such a passionate nature. He, on the other hand, could see his life eventually becoming one focused on duty and protecting the Kembal family legacy.
Seated next to Serafina, Gideon cleared his throat. When Victoria finally paused for breath and began searching in her reticule for something—knowing her, it was more than likely a boiled sweet—he decided this was his chance to engage the stunning Miss de Luca in conversation again.
“What has been the best part of your trip so far, Serafina?” he asked. He ignored his sisters and their hopeful grins.
“I did like seeing the crown jewels at the Tower of London. Most of the wealth of Rome is kept at the Vatican and not on public display. Though I must say I wasn’t happy with seeing the wild animals caged as they were at the Tower. But please do not take that as a criticism of England; I don’t like the papal menagerie in the Cortile del Belvedere either. Wild animals should be just that—allowed to roam free.”
“And what about the food?” asked Victoria, closing her little bag, and slumping back in her seat. She clearly hadn’t found a sweet to stuff into her mouth.
More’s the pity.
Gideon liked his sisters and usually enjoyed their company, but he wished at least one of them had cried off today. He wanted to be utterly selfish and have Serafina all to himself. Just this day. This last day.
His fingers itched to slip beneath the lap blanket and touch Serafina’s hand. To secretly link their fingers together. To hold on and never let go.
I can’t believe just how sad I feel knowing that you are leaving tomorrow.
Serafina was beautiful, so people were naturally drawn to her, but Gideon hadn’t expected the emotional pull that she had on him.
“Yes, Serafina, what do you think of English food?” he added, desperate to push his thoughts elsewhere.
She kept her eyes cast down while at the same time, she fiddled nervously with her gloves. After a few uncomfortable moments of silence, she lifted her head. “The roast beef is nice. And I find the bread from the French chef your Uncle Charles Saunders employs to be of outstanding quality.”
Serafina fell silent once more.
Gideon couldn’t help himself; he chuckled. After all the places in London they had visited and eaten at over the past two weeks, Serafina’s take on the culinary skills of the world’s greatest city wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.
“Well then, our cook has a lot to make up for with today’s offering of food. So, tell me, Serafina, what is the one thing you love to eat the most in the whole wide world?” He was intrigued to hear her answer.
She turned and faced him, gifting him with that dazzling smile of hers. The way her entire face lit up had him enthralled. Never before had a woman stirred the heat in his blood like she did.
“Cacio e Pepe,” she replied without hesitation.
Oh, Serafina.
Gideon swallowed deep. It wasn’t what Serafina had said, because Gideon hadn’t a clue as to what it meant. It was the way she’d said it. That sultry curl of her tongue, which stripped him naked, then ran sweetly over his skin. How words could be so powerful and sexy was beyond him.
He shuddered as a frisson of lust rocketed through his body. It raced down his spine and settled in his loins. Thank heavens for the lap blanket. It was the only thing which kept her innocent gaze from seeing the bulge in his trousers.
Settle down, lad. You are not a thirteen-year-old boy; you are a man.
Having this sort of reaction to Serafina was wrong on so many levels. She was too young for him. He wasn’t ready for marriage. She was leaving tomorrow.
For heaven’s sake, say something. Don’t just sit here thinking of your lustful body.
“What. What . . .?” The words refused to form easily in his mouth.
“What Gideon is trying to ask, and failing so spectacularly at, is what sort of food is Cacio e Pepe?” asked Augusta. Victoria added a large indignant huff to her sister’s comment.
Sisters. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.
When Serafina let out a deep sigh of longing, Gideon feared he might expire on the spot.
