Page 31 of Tempted By the English Marquis
“That would be the one and the same, Poppy. Though she has recently sold theEmpress Catherine.She and Francis are going to use the proceeds from the sale to buy a house in London.”
“TheEmpress Catherineis a wonderful little boat; I helped to uncover the plans for the original vessel right here in Civitavecchia. She was so excited.”
When Poppy had mentioned that she knew Nico, Gideon hadn’t quite understood that they were actually good friends.It is indeed a small world.
“I am pleased to hear that she has found love and settled down. I have always had a soft spot for Poppy.” The mirth on Nico’s face disappeared. “Though I cannot say the same for her father, George. He’s a cold and calculating man with a dreadful tendency to abandon his daughter in foreign ports.”
Francis had confided some of Poppy’s background story to Gideon. His wife had lived a hard life. While it had been full of adventure, it had also been heartbreakingly empty of family and affection. “Rest assured Poppy has found a good man in my cousin. He is utterly besotted with her. They have gone into business together and are at present living in one of the warehouses at London Docks.”
He finished the rest of his wine, but when he went to hand the glass back to Nico, his host insisted on filling it once more. “Have another glass, then you can sleep. It’s a long ride back to Rome, and you will wish to be at your sparkling best for when you are reunited with the duchess and Lady Augusta.”
Sparkling best.Gideon didn’t like the way that sounded. “How are things with my mother and sister?” he ventured.
Forewarned was forearmed—or something like that. He had spent many hours rehearsing what he would say to his family members in Rome, but nothing had seemed right. Anger had edged most of his grand speeches.
“Palazzo Lazio is one of the largest private homes in all of Europe, but even it doesn’t feel big enough at times. I’m sorry to say that my Aunt Francesca, who is de facto head of house, finds your mother tiresome at times. Your sister Augusta is of course a delight. Though we don’t see much of her, as she and Serafina are often out in the city until late.”
Gideon lifted his wineglass to his lips and took a hesitant sip. His gaze drifted to the window and the passing vista. Outside he could see the blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, with the sun reflected on the waves.
He wanted to ask about Serafina. It sounded like she still lived at the palace, but as Nico had stated, it was a big place. Multiple generations all lived under the one roof. Who was to say that Serafina didn’t reside there along with her husband?
How do I ask about her without it sounding odd?
Gideon summoned his courage. He no longer wanted to know; he had to know. If Serafina was indeed already wed, then at least he had the rest of the day to compose himself. To offer up his heartfelt congratulations, and of course be the perfect guest when it came to making her husband’s acquaintance.
“It sounds like Augusta and Serafina have a wonderful time together. Does Serafina’s husband accompany them or is he too busy?”
That didn’t sound the least bit contrived, Gideon Kembal.
If Nico found the topic of conversation a little forced, he didn’t show it. The count simply drank his wine. But when he lowered his glass, he met Gideon’s eyes. “My cousin isn’t yet married, though I have heard whispered rumors that my Uncle Enzo is currently looking to secure a political connection through her becoming the wife of one of his acquaintances.”
Disappointment and shock stabbed at him. The notion of Serafina being married off as part of a deal had the wine tasting bitter in Gideon’s mouth.
It shouldn’t bother him. She was merely a friend. Someone he hadn’t seen in a long time. But no matter how much he tried to tell himself that what he had felt for the Italian beauty had been nothing more than a late summer infatuation, he couldn’t make the lie stick.
He did care who she married. Especially if it was an arranged marriage she might not want. What he was going to do was a question to which his heart was demanding an answer. Until he saw Serafina, could speak to her, he was at a loss as to how to proceed.
Perhaps Serafina had changed in the time they had been apart. As she matured into a woman, her opinion of marriage and love might have altered. A political union may well be what she desired.
The last thing he wished to do was to foolishly declare himself only to discover that she hadn’t ever held those sorts of affections for him. He didn’t want to cause anyone any sort of offence—especially not the de Luca family. If the embarrassment didn’t kill him, his mother or sister probably would.
He had been sent to Italy by his father for a reason, and he was duty bound to prioritize his family’s situation first. His own needs and wants would have to wait.
ChapterFifteen
Nico was right. Indulging in several glasses of sweet wine followed by an afternoon of snoozing in the warm carriage was the best way to get through the long journey from Civitavecchia to Rome. It was late afternoon, early evening before they reached the outskirts of the city.
A nudge against his boots woke Gideon from a deep dream. He cracked open one eye and found Nico staring at him from across the narrow space between the seats.
“We are about two miles from the Vatican and Saint Peter’s Basilica. I thought you might want to be awake for when you officially arrive in the Eternal City.”
Gideon sat upright, scrubbing his hands over his face. His gaze went to the window and the pink-tinged sky. He shuffled over on the seat and pressed his face to the glass. And while he caught sight of many varied buildings as they passed them by, his search was focused as he sought the first sign of any of the legendary Roman ruins. “Where is the Colosseum? And the Pantheon? Can we see them from here?”
“This part of the city doesn’t have a lot of the great sites. To see them we shall have to cross over the River Tiber and into the heart of Rome. But don’t worry; by the time you do leave, you will have seen them all, along with a few dozen churches. Rome will occupy your time and your mind.”
He was keen to see his family again, but Gideon wasn’t going to waste the opportunity of a lifetime. He fully intended to visit as many of the famous places from the ancient world as he could. Places he had studied at school, and which he had only ever seen in paintings or drawings. Real life promised to be so much more.
Nico’s laughter had Gideon turning from the window. “When I watch you being so excited to see my home, you make this Roman a proud man. I remember the first time Isabelle saw Rome; she was jumping up and down like a small child. And when she saw the dome of Saint Peter’s, she cried. I knew then that the city had captured her heart.”
