Page 11 of Tempted By the English Marquis
Only five minutes ago they had been screaming at one another, and now the air between them crackled with heated passion. The look of lustful hunger in the duke’s eyes had Serafina enthralled. What she would give to have a husband look at her the way the Duke of Mowbray did his wife.
“We must be on our way. The theatre doesn’t wait for anyone, including the nobility. Serafina, have a safe voyage home, and I hope you take with you many warm memories of us,” said the duchess.
The Duke and Duchess of Mowbray bade their children a good night and made their departure from the drawing room to a chorus of fond farewells.
Once they were gone, Gideon clapped his hands loudly together. “Right. Who is up for a game of blind man’s bluff?”
Lord Richard rose from his seat and headed for the door. “That is my signal to leave.” He bowed quickly to Serafina. “I’m sorry we did not get to know one another all that well, Serafina. I would have offered to show you some of the city myself, but a certain marquis hogged all of your time.”
He glared at Gideon and followed the duke and duchess into the night. As the door closed behind him, Serafina caught Gideon’s grumbled reply. “Too bloody right I did. There was no way I was letting you near her.”
She was still staring at him when he offered her his hand. “Come and play with us. I promise we won’t let Matthew cheat.”
Serafina stuffed thoughts of her bruised pride and dejected heart away. She only had a few hours left to enjoy Gideon’s company. She may as well have some fun.
ChapterSix
Three o’clock was the exact time of the morning when all the world’s hopes stood still. The hour was too late for it to belong to the previous day, but the warmth which came with the sun at dawn was yet to break through. Everything that could fail had already passed. And possibilities were uncertain.
As far as Gideon was concerned it was all a little too poetic.
I am no bard, so my mood is likely down to the time of day and that I am feeling a touch morose.
As the coach pulled up alongside the dock at Wapping, East London, Gideon glanced across the small, enclosed space to where a half-awake Augusta sat, hand in hand with Serafina. No one had spoken since they’d left Mowbray House in Berkeley Square. Both women dabbed at their eyes with handkerchiefs. Gideon could just imagine that if either one of them broke the silence, the carriage would be filled with sobbing.
The door opened, and Matteo de Luca appeared. “Good morning.” He nodded toward his sister. “Are you ready to leave?”
Serafina closed her eyes and whispered, “Yes. Just give Augusta and me a moment.”
Taking his cue, Gideon climbed out. The bitter night air had him shivering and wishing he was back in his warm bed.
He took in the sight of the ship, which was to take the de Luca family home to Italy. It was a large vessel, bigger than the other boats which bobbed up and down either side of it at the quay.
Matteo gestured toward the gangplank. “We will be sailing shortly. The tide is almost full.”
“It’s a big boat,” said Gideon. His knowledge of ships was limited, but it seemed appropriate to make at least some sort of comment about the seaworthiness of the vessel.
“Yes, theCaelianis one of our best ships. Plenty of room below deck for cargo, while the cabins for passengers are well appointed. It’s a long voyage to Rome, and it pays to be travelling in comfort. We have other smaller vessels, but they are mostly designed for carrying goods. They take passengers at a pinch but with few luxuries.”
Gideon glanced back at the carriage. The door remained closed.
Matteo cleared his throat. “Thank you for welcoming my sister into your home. It’s been good to know that she was being well taken care of while Nico and I were busy.”
“My parents were honored to have Serafina. And I think she made quite an impression on our whole family,” he replied.Especially on me.
As the door of the coach finally opened, Gideon hurried over. He helped a tearful Augusta to step down, followed by an equally emotional Serafina. The two young women embraced one another, and a flurry of whispers was exchanged.“Thank you.” “I wish you could stay.” “Come to Rome and visit.” “I shall miss you.”
When they finally drew apart, Augusta stood, hands clenched tightly together, sobbing as Serafina made her way over to Gideon. She curtsied to him, and he bowed low.
He ached to pull her into his arms and hold her. To bury his face in her luscious dark locks and whisper his own words of farewell and hopeful promise.
Serafina rose and to Gideon’s heartfelt disappointment, she offered him her gloved hand. “Thank you, Lord Holwell. You were the most excellent of tour guides.”
He shook hands with her, silently wishing that the layers of leather and cotton didn’t separate them.
When she went to step away in the direction of her brother, Gideon gritted his teeth. Serafina was really leaving. He would never see her again. Any moment now, he would be the third person in tears.
Then she stopped and turned to him, gifting him with one of her gentle smiles, the ones that always went straight to his heart. “Just remember if you ever find yourself in Rome, my offer to show you the Eternal City still stands.”
