Page 7 of Tempted By the English Marquis
“It’s a simple dish, but one of the most famous ones in all of Rome. Cacio is a type of salty cheese made from sheep’s milk. It is tossed over hot, cooked pasta with a generous amount of pepper added. I love it when the long strands of spaghetti flick against your tongue and lips as you slurp it down. It always makes my mouth happy.”
Gideon was done for. The sensual mental image of her mouth and lips, had him gripping the side of the carriage with his fingers. If this was how the rest of their journey was going to be, then how on earth was he going to make it all the way to bloody Hampton Court Palace without leaping into the River Thames?
“That sounds delicious,” replied Victoria.
Gideon simply nodded; speech was beyond him at that point. Breathing while wrestling with his molten lust was taking everything he had.
Serafina sighed once more. “Though gelato does come a close second. There is something about cherry gelato that is irresistible. When the sweet cold first touches your tongue, it sends a wicked shiver down your back.”
Kill me now.
ChapterFour
Following their conversation about Italian food, Serafina noted that Gideon was uncharacteristically quiet for the rest of the journey out to Hampton Court Palace. She privately worried that he may have taken offence at what she had said about the quality of English meals.
Her mother, Donna Francesca, who also held a low opinion of English cooking, would still have taken her to task for having voiced her thoughts in such a public way. Serafina’s aunt, the late Duchess of Lazio, had originally hailed from England and on special occasions she used to instruct the Palazzo Lazio chefs to make a traditional British roast. Donna Francesca had always taken to her room with a headache on those particular evenings.
What can I say to make things better? Should I apologize? Yes, I should.
“I am sorry about what I said earlier. About English food. I have enjoyed some wonderful meals. Please accept my apology.”
Gideon wore a perplexed look on his face. “Why would you need to apologize?”
“From the way you have been the past little while, I assumed you had taken my words as a harsh criticism of the food here in London. I didn’t mean to set you in a poor mood.”
She caught a glimpse of Augusta and Victoria out of the corner of her eye. They were both staring at their brother, clearly riveted by the conversation.
Gideon shook his head. “You are more than entitled to your opinions of our food. I’m the one who should be apologizing. If I have made you feel uncomfortable, then I am sorry. Let’s put this misunderstanding behind us and spend this last day together as friends.”
“Oh, you two,” sighed Augusta, rolling her eyes.
* * *
When the carriage reached Hampton Court Palace a short time later, Gideon picked up the picnic basket and stood holding it, waiting while the footman helped his sisters and Serafina down. He should have been the one to assist them, but Augusta and Victoria’s attempts at playing at Cupid had him taking a considered step back.
I don’t need any more hopefully looks from them.
The footman came and took the basket from Gideon’s hands. “I shall have the rug and food set up inside the Fountain Court, ready for when you have finished your stroll around the grounds, my lord.”
“Excellent. Thank you. I expect by then we shall be well and truly famished.”
Gideon turned and spoke to his sisters, suggesting they work their way through the Base Court and surrounding buildings, then eat, and finally visit the famous Hampton Court Maze.
His younger siblings clearly had other ideas. Victoria and Augusta dashed off toward the gardens and the maze. “We are going to the maze!”
“They have been here before,” he explained to Serafina.
She grinned at him. “I will miss those two. All I have done since I arrived in London is laugh. They are wonderful friends. As are you, Lord Holwell.”
“Please, call me Gideon. Even if it’s only for this last day.”
With his sisters having abandoned him and Serafina, Gideon was in two minds as to whether he should chase after them and make them come back or not. He was meant to be acting as chaperone to all three young ladies, not just their stunning Italian guest.
But if I do that, I can’t just leave her here. I will have to take her with me.
Which was exactly what his reckless sisters had obviously planned.
Thank heavens they only started with this foolish matchmaking today. It could have become very awkward if they had set their minds on this game earlier in the week.
