Page 71 of Tempted By the English Marquis
Gideon stuffed the book into his pocket. “Damn. Pardon my language. But that is beyond the pale. Do your parents know?”
Serafina nodded. “My mother does, and that is what is important. As for my father, well, I don’t expect that holds any consideration for him. As long as Signore Magri supports his political position, the matter of a mistress will be conveniently overlooked.”
“Which means that if I punched your future husband in the face, it wouldn’t go down all that well,” he replied.
You are a passionate man, Gideon. I love that you feel the need to defend my honor.
“No, it wouldn’t. Not that I would attempt to stop you.”
He moved in closer but remained at a polite enough distance. “What do you mean when you say your mother knowing about this woman is important? Can Donna Francesca stop the wedding?”
If only.“No, but . . .” This was not the time nor the place for this conversation. Too many people were in the room, and her mother had already sent a warning glance her way.
Serafina caught her cousin-in-law’s eye, and she offered her a tight smile. To her bone-deep relief, Isabelle made her way over to them.
Isabelle greeted Gideon with a nod. “I’m sorry but a curtsy is out of the question; my back and knees are barely holding up as it is.”
He bowed to her. “Considering that we are in Rome, and you are a contessa, I think I am meant to be the one showing you the proper respect. Where is that rascal of a husband of yours?”
Nico had arrived earlier with Isabelle, but Serafina hadn’t seen him since the party had moved into the main reception room.
“He had to leave. Shipping business. One of the de Luca boats was damaged sailing up the coast. They had to put in a little south of Ostia, and he is now trying to organize another ship to take on the cargo.”
Serafina’s cousin wasn’t just the titular head of the family company; he worked to manage much of it. Nico was often called away to deal with such problems.
“Oh, that’s a shame. I was hoping to talk to him tonight.”
She suspected that Gideon would be keen to hear Nico’s opinion about her future husband already having a family. If the count’s thoughts were unfavorable, he might well prove to be a powerful voice of reason when Gideon attempted to speak to Enzo about his own plans for a future with her.
Isabelle rubbed her hand over her pregnant belly. “I should have probably left when my husband did. I am exhausted. This child is taking a lot out of me. I thought I was tired when I was carrying my first but dealing with a small child as well as being in this condition leaves me with little energy by the end of the day.”
“I could escort you back to Palazzo Lazio if you like,” offered Serafina.
Her presence here tonight was of little consequence. No one apart from her immediate family and friends even acknowledged Serafina. This gathering wasn’t the official betrothal ceremony—it was merely a prelude to it. A supper signifying that the marriage contract was all but signed and sealed. It was a night more for her father than the future couple.
“Augusta and I could also come with you,” added Gideon.
She was about to say that he didn’t need to offer to escort them, but Serafina stopped herself. If the Kembal siblings accompanied her back to the palace, she and Gideon might be able to snatch a few precious minutes alone.
I haven’t seen you all day, and so much has happened.
Serafina went in search of her mother, collecting Augusta on the way. “We are going to go home with Isabelle, and I need you to support me when I speak to the contessa,” Serafina told her friend.
“Shall I have a headache?” Augusta asked.
Augusta’s idea gave Serafina one of her own. They found the contessa holding her own mini court on the rear balcony of the house. As she and Augusta stepped through the door, Donna Francesca excused herself and came to greet Serafina. “You look a little pale, my dear. Are you well?” she asked.
It was the perfect leading question—one which gave Serafina the out she needed.
“No, I am feeling rather ill. And since the supper is over, and Signore Magri has disappeared downstairs to confer with one of his female servants, I was thinking I might go home with Isabelle and Augusta.”
She left out Gideon. Her mother wasn’t a fool. She would put two and two together and come up with the marquis.
Donna Francesca lay a hand on her daughter’s forehead. She could play a concerned mother when the moment called for it. “You are a little warm. I think you should go home. Get some rest and we can talk wedding preparations in the morning when you feel better.”
Serafina accepted her mother’s whisper of a kiss on her cheek. “Off you go. Make sure that when you get home you have your new maid wait in the front foyer just in case you need to send for a physician.”
Serafina had barely had time to meet Anna before leaving for tonight’s supper. But if her mother trusted the young woman to keep her mouth shut, that was good enough for Serafina.
