Page 78 of Tempted By the English Marquis
Gideon smiled. “Il mio cuore.”
My heart.
Her English marquis had but a few words of Italian at his disposal, but he certainly knew how to use them to perfection.
ChapterForty-Two
Gideon’s eyes grew wide at the sight of the large bowl of glossy pasta as it was set down on the table between him and Serafina. How he was going to eat all that food was beyond him.
Now I understand why the Italians eat such a small morning meal. They are saving themselves for this enormous feast.
Two empty bowls and a serving spoon were placed on the table. Gideon’s gaze went to Serafina. She was grinning from ear to ear as she leaned forward. “You thought that whole bowl was just for you, didn’t you?”
He gave her a nod. “I did, and honestly couldn’t decide whether I was up to the task. My stomach is grateful that we are sharing the meal.”
Serafina sat back in her chair as another waiter arrived. To Gideon’s relief, the waiter wasn’t bearing more food—rather he held a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“Grazie. Posso versare il vino,” Serafina said.
The waiter bowed then departed. She turned to Gideon. “I said thank you and told him I could pour the wine.”
Gideon reached for the bottle. “A gentleman would never let a lady have to deal with the task of filling the wine glasses. Please allow me.”
While he set about the task, Serafina took the large spoon and heaped their bowls with hot pasta.
“Do you remember when you asked me what my favorite food was, and I told you Cacio e Pepe?”
She placed a bowl of steamy pasta in front of Gideon, then pointed at it. “That is Cacio e Pepe, the greatest dish known to Rome. And, in my humble opinion, the best pasta ever made. The other regions of Italy might put up a fight, but nothing comes close to the pure genius of cheese and pepper.”
How could he ever forget that day and the way Serafina had described the pasta? The mere thought of it threatened to have Gideon feeling all hot and bothered.
Serafina picked up her wine glass, and he followed suit. Gideon saluted her. “I know in English it’s the tradition to toast to your good health. So, in preparation for today, I did check in my phrasebook this morning. I hope I have this right.Alla tua salute.”
When their glasses touched together, they made a gentle clinking sound. It was pure perfection.
Gideon sipped at his wine. He found it to be sweet and fruity—not quite what he was used to drinking, but he could imagine that it would pair well with the savory taste of the pasta.
“The wine is the Nebbiolo grape. It’s a cask wine, but I know the restaurant likes to serve it to their customers in a bottle. Considering the fact that this place, Ristorante La Campana, has been open for over three hundred years, I would suggest they know what they are doing,” Serafina said.
Three hundred years.Gideon lifted his gaze, taking in the main dining room with its closely arranged tables, all of which were filled with guests happily tucking into food. “They must know the secret to keeping customers. I doubt that there is a restaurant half that age in London.”
They had done as best they could to find a table at the back, but the place wasn’t that big, and it was all in one room. There weren’t many spots where the two of them could sit and hide away.
“Do many people you know come here to eat?” asked Gideon.
He wanted to avoid the risk of any sort of public scene. If Serafina’s father discovered her here with him, Gideon couldn’t imagine the resulting conversation would be anything approaching quiet.
“Yes, a few. Augusta and I eat here at least once a week.” Serafina set her fork down, then reached across the table, touching her fingers to the back of Gideon’s hand. “But don’t worry. It’s Wednesday and most of the city’s leaders meet at various private residences today—my father included. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I’d thought there was a chance of encountering anyone that I might actually know.”
Gideon let out a sigh. While he was more than prepared to stand up for himself and Serafina too, he was mindful of the impact that any sort of ugly incident might have on their relationship.
He was also keenly aware of the fact that he had Augusta’s well-being to consider. His mother was more than capable of looking after herself, but he still didn’t want to put her in an awkward position. The situation with Lady Anne was far from resolved.
They settled back to eating. By the time Gideon had finished his bowl of pasta, he was ready to concede that Serafina had the right of it. He might enjoy an English roast, but he could certainly get a liking for pasta.
As long as I get to share it with you.
The bottle of wine sat half empty. He enjoyed a sweet wine now and again, but it wasn’t quite to Gideon’s taste. The small cup of black coffee which Serafina ordered at the end of their meal was most welcome.
