Page 95 of Tempted By the English Marquis
They stuck to the darkened edges of the grounds. Using the cover of the trees to hide their progress made for slow going. It was a good ten minutes before they finally reached the gate which led to the hillside path. Once they were through, the contessa halted.
“What are we waiting for?” whispered Serafina. She was keen to get down the path as quickly as possible.
“For signs of your English lord. And also, for anyone else who might think that this is a good place to try and intercept us.”
Serafina pursed her lips. Her mother really had put thought into this escape. She was ashamed of her own lack of preparation and made a silent vow to do better in future.
If Gideon and I are able to make it through this trial, I promise to be the best and most dependable wife in all of England.
The trail ahead was clear, and they made their way to the first turn in the switchback. They had gone a few more yards, when a crack from the side of the path stopped them both dead in their tracks. Someone was hiding in the tree just to their right.
Serafina’s fingers went to the hook which held her knife sheath closed. She flicked it open. A figure stepped out from the darkness and approached them. The contessa moved to stand in front of her daughter. She brandished her own sharp weapon.
“I would rather not die today if that’s alright with you. I have a friend’s wedding to attend to very shortly, and he has asked me to be the best man.”
“Who are you?” challenged Donna Francesca.
Serafina had a good idea of the stranger’s identity. “Viscount Cadnam?”
“At your service. Unfortunately, we don’t have time for formal introductions, so if you don’t mind I would much rather we were away from here as fast as possible.”
“He is a friend of Gideon’s. I met him when I was in London,” said Serafina. She let out a slow breath as both she and her mother carefully sheathed their weapons. They had managed to leave the palace without shedding blood. Now they had to make good their escape.
ChapterFifty-Three
The moment she laid eyes on Gideon at the chapel, Serafina broke into a run. He caught her up in his arms, wrapping her tightly in his embrace. “Thank heavens you are here,” he whispered.
“I worried you might come to the palace and try and rescue me. Climbing out my bedroom window was going to be a frightful task,” replied Serafina.
He set her on her feet, then went down on bended knee. “Serafina de Luca, will you do me the greatest honor and become my wife?”
In his hand was a small gold and emerald ring. She had seen it on the Duchess of Mowbray’s hand at various times. It was a Kembal family jewel. Her future mother-in-law supported their union. “Yes. Oh, yes please.”
Gideon got to his feet. He towed her to the front of the room where Augusta and the duchess were waiting. Flynn, who had locked the door behind them, made his way over, escorting Donna Francesca.
There was another man standing next to what appeared to be a makeshift altar. He wore a black suit. A clerical collar sat at his throat.
“Serafina, this is Father Morris from Saint Egelwin the Martyr in Scalford. It’s a town not far from where we have our family estate at Mowbray Park. Father Morris has agreed to conduct our wedding service tonight,” explained Gideon.
Father Morris offered Serafina his hand, then turned to Gideon. “Lord Holwell, I would like a moment with Serafina if you don’t mind.” He nodded to her mother. “You can join us if you like.”
They moved away from the rest of the gathering to a quiet corner of the meeting room. Serafina had a strong suspicion as to what the English minister wanted to discuss with them.
“I just want to talk to you about this marriage. It will be a Church of England union, which means it will be recognized by the laws of Lord Holwell’s country, but not the Papal States,” he said.
Serafina glanced at her mother. “Yes, we have discussed that situation. I understand what this means for me as a Catholic. But after I marry Gideon, I will be his wife. I will be English.”
The contessa nodded her agreement. “She will be beyond her father’s reach.”
“I am afraid not. The church here in Rome will need to give you a dispensation for the marriage to be considered legal. The Duchess of Mowbray has explained that you, Donna Francesca, have ties to His Holiness the Pope. Is there any chance you might be able to seek his intervention?”
One didn’t simply front up to the steps of Saint Peter’s in the middle of the night and ask for a papal dispensation. Serafina’s hope sank like a stone. So close and yet so far. She and Gideon would have to be married by the English minister and then be on the road out of Rome tonight.
“If you conduct the wedding. I will see what can be done. But if I am going to have to go to the Vatican, you must come with me,” replied her mother.
Father Morris’s face lit up. Serafina imagined it wasn’t every day that a member of the English clergy got an invitation to the home of the Catholic church. “Yes. Of course. I would be honored.”
Her mother was going to attempt to see the Holy Father on her behalf. Serafina had been thinking that there wasn’t anything more magnificent her mother could do for her, but the contessa had just proven her wrong.
