Page 88 of Tempted By the English Marquis
He didn’t want to have to bring the subject of tonight’s developments into the discussion; the past hour should remain a private moment between him and Serafina. The de Luca women had played a clever hand, but if he were forced to show his cards, then Gideon would do just that. The end justified the means.
“What if my father says no? If he refuses your suit? Will you go to Signore Magri?”
Neither of those conversations would be pleasant.
I don’t owe Giovanni Magri a damn thing. Serafina isn’t his, and she never will be.
“I will make Enzo understand. As far as I am concerned, you are my wife. And no man will keep us apart.”
* * *
Standing at the window, Gideon stared out into the night. His mind was too concerned with what he might say to Matteo for him to consider sleep. Serafina’s brother was his one real hope for getting a fair hearing with Enzo de Luca. Nico was still another option he could possibly throw into the mix. The count had first-hand experience of what it took to marry someone from another country and help them adjust to a new life in a foreign land. But Matteo was who he really needed.
Nico is a man, a future duke, and he brought his wife to Rome to live. This isn’t quite the same. And bloody Enzo doesn’t want his nephew to help build his own empire. He wants his son.
Resting his hand on the cold glass of the window, Gideon considered other possible moves. Involving the Duke of Lazio was another avenue. The main problem with that notion lay in the fact that he barely knew Lorenzo de Luca.
“The late duchess was English, and he speaks the language, so there is that. And he has family still in England; I could possibly talk to him.”
The duke had done the same as his eldest son and married for love. But Gideon worried that any attempt on his part to involve the duke might only serve to alienate Enzo. Serafina was his daughter, not Lorenzo’s.
“Let’s see what the morning brings,” he muttered.
What’s the worst that could happen?
Gideon pushed back from the window. No. He wasn’t going to think about what they might have to endure if it came down to them having to flee Rome.
He picked up his long woolen coat and made his way to the door. If he wasn’t going to sleep, he may as well go and take a long walk around the gardens. Night walking was fast becoming another of his Roman habits.
As soon as he stepped outside, the chilly air gave Gideon a refreshing reminder that it was early spring, and the warmth of an Italian summer was still some way off. If things went according to his hopeful plans, he wouldn’t be here when the hot weather arrived. He and his new bride would be back in London, starting a long and happy life together.
“I won’t be able to make her my wife until we are in England.”
That horrid realization put fear into his heart. For their marriage and their children’s heritage to be legal in England, they had to marry in a Protestant church. Rome might be overflowing with churches, but they were nearly all Catholic.
This was a real problem. One he had to deal with as soon as possible. As long as Serafina remained legally a spinster, her father could do with his daughter whatever he pleased.
And if he thinks there is a chance of me stealing her away, he will have her and Signore Magri in front of a priest quick smart.
He needed his own priest. But where in all of Rome could he find a minister of the Church of England?
Flynn.
“Of course, he must know someone. Or someone who does know someone.”
Gideon started for the door. It was the middle of the night, but this was an emergency. His friend would have to forgive the ungodly hour of his visit.
Flynn, I will buy you a dozen hot meals if you open your door to me tonight.
He had made it most of the way back to the main building when Serafina appeared on the steps. She was now dressed in a long thick gown with her heavy cloak wrapped about her. Gideon halted in his progress. Should he tell her what he was about to do, or would that only serve to worry her?
You promised you would get her father to agree. But what if he won’t?
She crossed the green dew-covered lawn to him. “I saw you from my bedroom window. It seems that I am not the only one who cannot sleep tonight.”
They had been together, shared their bodies, known one another’s loving embrace. Gideon couldn’t stop himself from taking Serafina into his arms even if he wanted. She was his, and the world could go to the devil.
She shivered. “It’s cold out here. And my feet are now wet.”
