Page 77 of Tempted By the English Marquis
“The columns are made from Egyptian granite, while the capitals and bases were carved from white Greek marble,” added Gideon. “Though the two bell towers were added only recently in the building’s history.”
She had to hand it to him; he really did know his history. “They are known as the ass’s ears here in Rome. There has long been a push to tear them down as they don’t suit the building.”
Serafina folded her arms and tilted her head. Her raised eyebrows were a direct challenge for him to continue. A contrite-looking Gideon approached, hands held out in apology. The corner of his mouth turned up in a grin. He wasn’t the least remorseful.
This teasing and playing is so wonderful.
A future with Gideon would be fun. There would be laughter in their lives.
“Were you the boy at your elite English school who actually paid attention in ancient history class? My cousin Nico talked about them. He couldn’t stand hearing others tell him all about his Roman heritage.”
“Guilty as charged, your honor. I actually enjoyed history at school, and I studied it at university. But I must confess, I did pack several volumes of Gibbon’sHistory of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empirein my luggage. His use of footnotes was particularly clever.”
Her arms dropped and she let out a sigh. “Well, if you know as much as I think you do about the Pantheon, then how about we just go inside and enjoy looking at it? We can even do it in silence.”
They spent the next hour quietly wandering the marble floors of the Pantheon, constantly looking up at the enormous dome which towered overhead. Serafina had thought to spend a short time inside but found herself caught up in the simple pleasure of being with Gideon and sharing her world with him.
Gideon walked close to her, and every so often he would reach out and touch a hand to her back or to her arm. Sometimes it was accompanied by just the hint of a smile, but it told her all she needed to know. That he was never far away, and she was always in his thoughts.
At one point they stood to the side of the main floor, just observing people. The Pantheon and all of its incredible construction was something which took time to absorb. Each trip to this ancient architectural masterpiece added a little more to her understanding of it.
But today, was more about Gideon. Of watching his reaction to experiencing the concrete and marble wonder of the Pantheon for the first time.
When their hands brushed idly against one another, Serafina trembled. She dared not look over at him. The quiet between the two of them in this crowded space was sacred. His smallest finger twined with hers, and the warmth of his touch had her bowing her head in prayer.
Praying for a way for them to be together.
* * *
“It truly is a marvel of engineering,” observed Gideon, taking in the circular ceiling with its central oculus. “When you consider that this building was constructed by hand and the only thing supporting that concrete dome above us are the walls which brace it, you have to hand it to the ancients. We think we are clever and modern in the nineteenth century, yet I doubt you would find an architect in the world today who would be brave enough to try and copy how the Pantheon was originally built.”
If it meant being able to hold Serafina’s hand, Gideon would have stood there all day happily reciting all that he knew about the building. But time wasn’t something they had in abundance.
I can’t risk her being out here all day with me.
The chances of her maid being able to keep nosey servants away from Serafina’s door for the entire day were slim at best. And Gideon didn’t want his first real conversation with Enzo de Luca, the one where he raised the subject of him marrying Serafina, to be conducted on the back of her absence from the palace having been discovered.
“You promised to take us somewhere to eat. How does this sound? We go and find some food. Then I take you home,” said Gideon.
* * *
Serafina caught the hint of concern in his voice. She had also been reconsidering their plans and nodded her agreement.
“Food sounds good. And yes, I think it would be careless of us to push our luck by being absent from the palace for too long together. Anna seems a nice girl, and possibly is more loyal than Maria, but she is still new to me. I don’t want her to get into trouble with anyone.”
Their fingers slipped away, out of each other’s grasp. Serafina glanced at Gideon’s hand and tried her best not to think about when next she might be able to touch him.
I want us to be able to show our affections whenever we feel the need.
To let the world, know that they belonged together. And no one, not even her father, could keep them apart.
We have to find a way to be together, no matter the cost.
“Come, let me take you to a special place I know nearby. They serve the very best of traditional Roman food. And they have wonderful wine.” She went to step past Gideon but thanks to the magic of the highly polished marble floor, he was able to spin around and catch her in his arms in an instant. With his back to the other visitors, her quickfire Romeo bent and placed a welcome kiss on Serafina’s lips.
The thought that they were in a church briefly crossed her mind. His warm lips and tempting tongue sent her concerns scattering. She rewarded his bravery with her mouth, meeting his teasing kiss with her own silent demand for more.
When he finally drew back from the embrace, Serafina found herself gazing up into two blue pools of warm longing. “I love you,” she whispered.
