Page 68 of Tempted By the English Marquis
She knew her father wouldn’t get involved in such domestic issues—not unless it directly threatened his political purposes.
When the carriage slowed and turned left, Serafina glanced out the window. This wasn’t the way home.
What’s going on?
Serafina’s gaze moved back to her mother as the contessa took in a deep breath.
“I’m going to tell you something, and if you don’t listen to a single word I say after that, I don’t care.”
She has never been this way with me before.It was as if her mother had stepped out from behind a curtain and was revealing herself to her daughter for the first time.
“Serafina, this is the one rule you must live by. Never play second fiddle to anyone else in your husband’s life. And when I say that I mean no one. Not even your own children. Because the moment you allow that to happen, you cease to exist.”
So many things in her life that she had never quite understood finally snapped into sharp relief. As Serafina took the time to absorb her mother’s words, she framed them against her own experience growing up in Palazzo Lazio.
Donna Francesca has never let Father put her anywhere but at the top of his priorities. Her needs have always come first.
The more she thought about it, the more it made sense, but whether she entirely agreed with that sentiment Serafina wasn’t sure. Her brows knitted together as she continued to wrestle with what she truly thought of this and how much it had cost her personally over the years. How many times had her mother placed her own wants ahead of her children’s?
“You don’t believe me, do you? Well just remember that the first time Signore Magri commands you to remain in Rome while he goes to visit his country estate. Or when you lay in the marital bed, heavy with his child, while he spends the night somewhere else.”
“Does Papa have a mistress?”
She hadn’t seen or heard anything of the sort, but there was a distinct edge of bitterness in her mother’s words. It spoke of a private pain which still cut deep. “No. But he did when we were first married. He assumed that since ours was an arranged union, the rules of fidelity wouldn’t apply. I was six months gone with your brother Matteo when I told him he had to choose. And that when he did, that choice had to be forever.”
I have a feeling father has paid for that foolish, selfish mistake many times over.
This was the most personal conversation Serafina had ever had with her mother. It set Donna Francesca in a new light. At one of the most vulnerable times in her life, she had stood up for herself and demanded what was hers by right of marriage.
“So, what you are saying is that I should make sure Signore Magri is rid of his mistress as soon as we are married?”
The contessa leaned across the carriage and took Serafina by the hand. She gave it a not-so-gentle squeeze “No. What I am saying is that if you want out of this farce of a marriage, you need to find a way. And as far as I can see, that’s only going to happen if you are able to capture the heart of a worthy man. One who is willing to risk your father’s bloody wrath. And if that means the man in question ends up taking you far from Rome and your family, I think you will come to see that it is the only way you will ever find happiness.”
Her mother had not only guessed that Serafina had feelings for Gideon, but the contessa had all but just told her daughter to elope with the Marquis of Holwell.
Clever. Cunning. Thank you.
This was dangerous, and the price of failure would be heavy for both her and Gideon. But if they could do it, she would be happy. And if there was a chance that they could be free to love one another, that was a risk worth taking.
“What should I do?”
ChapterThirty-Five
The combatants moved across the floor in front of Gideon in a dance of flashing blades. As one man shifted forward, the other stepped back. Flynn, all elegance, and grace, lunged, touching the buttoned tip of his foil to the center of his opponent’s chest.
“Touché. . . again,” called Matteo de Luca.
Gideon clapped his hands together in appreciation, not bothering to hide his obvious pride over his fellow Englishman’s sword prowess. Matteo might have invited them to the fencing academy, but Flynn was his longtime friend.
He had been an average-at-best swordsman at school, but Flynn had excelled. Matteo de Luca was quickly finding out just how good the viscount was, and if the expression of frustration on the face of Serafina’s brother was any indication, he didn’t possess the skills to match him.
The fencing academy was the last place Gideon wished to be this morning. News of Serafina’s impending betrothal had spread through Palazzo Lazio like wildfire. There was a supper this evening at Signore Magri’s home. Everyone, including the Kembals, had been invited.
Not wishing to offend his hosts, Gideon had accepted the invitation on behalf of Augusta and himself, his mother having already departed for Tivoli with her gentleman friend.
He had hoped to speak to Serafina and confirm the dreadful news, but her maid Maria had politely informed him that the contessa and her daughter had already left the palace. They were visiting at the Magri house today and making final preparations for the supper.
I just want to talk to Serafina. To hold her and let her know that everything is going to be alright. We will find a way out of this together.
