Page 89 of Tempted By the English Marquis
Gideon’s gaze dropped to where Serafina’s pink toes touched the damp grass. “You do know they have invented these things called shoes.”
“I was in too much of a hurry to see you again,” she said, pressing herself against him.
I wish I could just pick you up and carry you back to my bed.
“What time is it?” he asked.
In his arms, Serafina shrugged. “It was after one by the time I came to your room, so I would guess it’s sometime around three.”
Dawn was still a few hours away, which meant the garden would only become colder before the sun finally chased the chill away. And remaining here was unwise. In a place the size of Palazzo Lazio there surely had to be other people wandering the grounds, even at this uncivilized hour.
“You will catch your death if you stay out here, young lady,” Gideon teased.
Her soft laughter went straight to his heart. “Lord Holwell, are you trying to tell me what to do? May I remind you that I am a Roman, and we do have our own opinions on everything. If you thought you were getting a biddable wife, I am here to inform you that you are sadly mistaken.”
“I could safely bet five pounds on the name of the person who taught you the word biddable,” he replied with a grin.
Augusta was a strong-willed girl. She had always made known her opinions of men who thought their future wives should be compliant.
“I am simply suggesting we go back inside. Your bedroom will be warmer, and you can dry your poor frozen toes,” Gideon said.
She drew out of his arms, giving him a playful huff. “Alright but come with me. You can stay for just a little while. The morning servants won’t be about the halls until six.”
Gideon took a hesitant step forward. The line between happy spontaneity and recklessness was thin.
I could just go with her to the door of her room, then continue on to the foyer and head out to visit Flynn. It can’t hurt. I won’t set foot in Serafina’s room.
“I shall escort you back to your bedroom, but I cannot stay. I have someone I need to go and speak to urgently.”
He didn’t resist when Serafina took a hold of his hand and towed him toward the entrance, which led back inside the palace. The sooner they were at her room, the quicker he could leave and rouse his friend.
The plan which was forming in Gideon’s mind was a simple one. Wake Flynn and see if he could find an English priest who could perform a wedding service. Feed Flynn. Then go and pay an early call on Matteo de Luca and convince him of the need to support his sister’s choice of husband.
Then race back here. Speak to Enzo. And if Flynn can find a minister, we could be married tonight.
If he ignored the obvious numerous obstacles which lay ahead, it sounded like a solid strategy. He just needed a little bit of luck.
Serafina skipped lightly up the first set of steps as she led the way into the palace. Gideon followed close behind. He loved the feel of her hand in his. He wasn’t letting go until the very last minute when they reached her door.
As they rounded the last corner, only a few feet from Serafina’s room, a movement to his right caught Gideon’s eye. He came to an immediate halt.
His action caused Serafina to jerk to a stop. She turned round. “Gideon?”
He tracked her gaze, catching the expression of abject horror which suddenly appeared on her beautiful face. From out of the shadows stepped Enzo de Luca.
“I would thank you to take your hands off my daughter, Lord Holwell. I won’t ask a second time.”
Maria also moved into the light. Serafina’s fingers dropped out of Gideon’s hold. Her entire being seemed focused on her former maid. Her betrayer. Gideon wasn’t the least surprised that Maria pointedly refused to meet her old mistress’s piercing gaze.
Enzo turned to her. “Thank you, Maria. You are a loyal servant. You may leave.”
Serafina hissed “Judas” as Maria slowly walked away. The faltering speed of the woman’s steps spoke of her obvious disappointment at not being allowed to witness the fruits of her duplicitous labor.
Now I know why Donna Francesca changed Serafina’s maids. This one has been feeding information back to Enzo.
As Maria’s steps faded into silence, Gideon stepped forward. If this was the moment, he had to confront Serafina’s father, he would be up to the challenge. “Signore de Luca, I wish to marry your daughter.”
Serafina moved and came to stand by Gideon’s side. The message was clear; they were in this together. Both would be judged.
