Page 99 of Tempted By the English Marquis
The duke opened it, read it, then nodded. “Well. I see that this is in order. As head of the de Luca family, I officially recognize this marriage. Serafina is now the Marchioness of Holwell, and Gideon Kembal’s legally wedded wife.”
Enzo went to pick up one of the swords, but Matteo’s boot blocked his way. He glared at his sire. “If the Holy Father is prepared to give them a papal dispensation, who are you to challenge it?”
“But . . .”
His father’s gaze went from son to wife. The look of disbelief on his face set a prick of pity spiking in Gideon’s heart. While Enzo had been busy building his empire, his family had taken a stand against him. He could understand how such bitter betrayal must taste to a man such as Serafina’s father.
The Duke of Lazio rose from his chair and made his way down from the dais to where his brother and nephew still faced off. “Brother of mine, I think you are looking at this from the wrong point of view. Your daughter has married into one of the most powerful families in England. Nico tells me they have connections in shipping. This is an excellent union.”
Count Nico joined his father. “Other families in Rome will view the de Lucas as being clever. We are seeing the world beyond our shores. Creating strong bonds with wealthy nations like the British. Enzo, you won’t be pitied as a man who lost his daughter to a foreigner; rather, you will be lauded as a visionary.”
Gideon stood silently congratulating the rest of the de Luca males for finding a way for Enzo to lose but also save face. He glanced over to Serafina and gave her an encouraging smile.
We are going to win.
“And a man with such a brilliant mind needs his son at his side. I would be honored to work with you in the future if you could see your way to accepting this victory,” said Matteo. He bent and picked up the swords then handed them to Nico, who quickly took them away.
Enzo, who for all intents and purposes had just lost the war, had now been handed a different triumph. One which Gideon suspected he had wished for all along.
Serafina’s father turned to him. There was no smile on his face, but the anger had cleared. “Would your father be open to discussing trade with me? I think we should consider building some bigger ships and also examine the growing tourist trade between here and London. Someone needs to exploit that opportunity.”
Gideon bowed. “As our two families are now united by marriage, I think that would be a very good idea. It would also permit my wife to be able to travel home to Rome on a regular basis.”
“Your wife,” muttered Enzo in a tone without warmth. He slowly nodded, seeming to have come to a decision. “Well then, since the two of you are considered by the mother church to be man and wife, we have a party to plan. You may not have had a traditional service, but you shall have a full wedding celebration. One which all of Rome’s powerful and elite will be eager to attend.”
Enzo de Luca offered Gideon his hand. “Welcome to the family, Lord Holwell.”
Gideon shook Enzo’s hand as applause broke out in the hall. It was some time before he and Serafina finally managed to disentangle themselves from the many well-wishers.
As husband and wife embraced, Serafina sobbed. “Thank heavens. Now this is the miracle that I was praying Rome would deliver us.”
ChapterFifty-Six
“Did you say your final farewells to Nico and Isabelle last night?” asked Gideon.
Augusta gave a brief nod in response. He knew she had; he was just making conversation. Lady Augusta Kembal was nothing if not fastidious with her manners. She was also clearly nervous about the journey they were to undertake tomorrow. The trip home to England. The one the Duchess of Mowbray wouldn’t be making.
“Are you all packed?” she asked.
I see that two can play this game of avoidance.
The subject of their mother lay heavily between them. Gideon’s greatest fear was that Augusta might decide to offer to stay on in Rome. He wasn’t having any of it. Their father had made his position clear; G was to return to her family in England. The Duke of Mowbray was relying on his son and heir to bring his eldest daughter safely home.
“Serafina’s mother has been adding silk skirts and woolen wraps to her travel trunk all week. Only yesterday, I had to go out and buy another piece of luggage,” he replied.
Donna Francesca had revealed herself to be a woman of many layers. When Gideon had first met her, he’d thought Serafina’s mother to be cold and distant. Now he had a better understanding of her. Of the often-difficult choices she had been forced to make.
In the moment when her daughter needed her the most, she had been Serafina’s champion. She had struck a blow and helped claim the happiness that Serafina so richly deserved. He would be forever grateful for that night. And for the following morning, when Donna Francesca had stood up to her husband and won a future for Gideon and his new bride.
Augusta’s gaze settled on her travel cases. They were piled to one side of the door of her hotel room. Shortly, they would be taken downstairs and loaded onto one of the de Luca coaches, joining Gideon and Serafina’s luggage, which had travelled with them from Palazzo Lazio. The coach would then take Gideon, Serafina, and Augusta north to the port of Civitavecchia, and from there, the ship would take them home to England.
“Have you . . .” Augusta’s voice cracked.
Gideon stepped forward and wrapped his sister up in his arms. He knew what she wanted to ask. Had he spoken to their mother this morning?
“I am going to go and say one final private goodbye to Mama now. I won’t be long. Serafina is saying her own farewell to the Pantheon across the square if you wish to join her.”
A grim-faced Augusta nodded and walked out the door, Gideon followed and went in search of the duchess.
