Page 94 of Tempted By the English Marquis
ChapterFifty-Two
It was a long day of silence. Every one of Serafina’s repeated attempts to engage in conversation with her mother were met with a firm “The will of the Lord be done.”
She hadn’t ever known the contessa to be that devout in her worship. Donna Francesca hailed from a family with strong links to the church and the papacy, but she wasn’t one for quoting biblical scripture. Today seemed to have changed her mind. Various meals came and went, but no visitors were permitted. The hours dragged on.
Late in the evening, just after their supper dishes were collected, the contessa finally stirred. She tossed Serafina’s book onto the bed. “That was a terrible story. So boring. I know you can describe trees in many ways, but I don’t think you need to include every one of them in one book.”
She rose to her feet and after stretching her arms above her head, took the key from out of her skirt pocket. Serafina’s gaze followed her mother’s progress across the room. Donna Francesca opened the door, popped her head outside, then closed it once more.
Rather than resuming her seat by the window, she came to where Serafina sat hunched up on the bed. “Now, I want you to listen carefully.”
Her mother pointed to the window. “If your English marquis is going to do something rash and romantic, he will do it tonight, before he has to fight the duel with your brother. So, you need to be ready. I want you to pack a small bag. Something you can easily carry on your back.”
Serafina sat and stared dumbstruck at her mother. Had she just heard what she’d thought she heard the contessa say? Donna Francesca was going to help her elope.
“Lady Augusta will no doubt have overheard things that were said earlier before she and the duchess left. She will have told her brother that you are locked in this room, which means he is going to have to attempt to come in through the garden and have you climb out of the window.”
It was several floors to the ground from here. Serafina glanced at her bedclothes.
I suppose I could try and tie the sheets together and climb down. But what if I fall?
Her mother took a hold of her face and turned Serafina’s head back to look at her. Donna Francesca shook her head. “Don’t even think about it. I am not having you die in the process of eloping. We have the key. The guards have left. Give it an hour and we will make our way out to the garden.”
“But won’t father be expecting me to do that? I mean, try and escape.”
“Your father might think he runs the palace household servants, but I know exactly who he has in his pocket. That’s why I had your maid moved in the first place. And don’t worry about revenge; when this is all over, Maria will be looking for employment in another household. The only guards on duty tonight around the grounds are those who will want to stay in good with the family of His Holiness the Pope. My family.”
The intricate politics of the various Roman families often eluded Serafina. There was a constant shifting of loyalties, and everything depended on who was trying to outdo whom. Her father had always been in the thick of it. Enzo loved the cut and thrust of power. But even the de Luca name couldn’t match that of those related by blood to the head of the church.
“You saidwewould go out into the garden,” replied Serafina.
“Yes. If you are leaving here tonight for the last time, I am coming with you. If Lord Holwell has it in mind to flee, I want to be able to say a final farewell to you both.”
* * *
Serafina stuffed a few personal items into the small sack she used to store her winter boots. It didn’t hold much, so many precious things had to be left behind. She did, however, find room for the lace shift. Hopefully Gideon would get to see it again.
Please Lord, don’t let him have to fight Matteo. I don’t want either of them harmed.
Dressed in a warm gown and wearing her darkest cloak she made ready to leave her family home for what might well be the very last time. Donna Francesca removed her ruby and gold earrings and handed them to Serafina. “Keep these. Tell your children what their grandmother did to make certain that they were born.”
Donna Francesca reached into her pocket, pulled out a small coin purse, and pressed it into Serafina’s palm. “It’s not a king’s ransom but it’s enough if you find yourself needing assistance. Your English marquis might be your knight in shining armor, but you should never be without your own means.”
“Thank you, Donna Francesca. I am humbled by your efforts. I can truly say I am proud to be your daughter.”
Her mother nodded. The tears which glinted in her eyes had Serafina fighting back her own. These past days had shown her mother in an entirely different light. When it came to defending her children, the contessa was surprisingly fierce.
Another hour passed, and the hallway outside her room remained quiet. The silence from Augusta’s empty room next door reminded Serafina of the turmoil her actions earlier this day had brought.
I just hope I get the chance to see Augusta again and tell her how sorry I am.
The contessa, wearing one of Serafina’s other cloaks, rose and went to the door. The lock made a small click as she turned the key.
Serafina held her breath. She didn’t know what she would do if someone was hiding in the shadows tonight. Her razor-sharp stiletto was in its leather pouch hidden under her cloak. If she had to, she would use it.
The contessa moved quickly but barely made a sound. Serafina hurried to keep up with her mother. Her gaze shifted fearfully, searching for any sign of trouble. Along the hallways, through the galleries that she knew so well, and to the closest set of steps which led out to the garden.
Once outside, Donna Francesca stopped. Serafina fell in next to her. The gardens were hushed. If anyone was waiting in the shadows, they were more wrath than human.
