Page 47 of The Vagabond Viscount
Pushing back her chair, she quickly rose to her feet. Her fingers gripped the edge of the table as she hurriedly attempted to steady herself.
Oh. I really have had a few too many glasses of wine.
“Let’s forget about the coffee and go back to Palazzo Lazio. I would like to hide out and rest for a little while. As soon as my head clears, we can make our way to the supper room.”
Serafina pursed her lips. Her friend was clearly not so sure about Augusta’s ability to shake off the effects of the wine. “Alright, but I think we should avoid coming in the front door and sneak in through one of the side gates in the garden. If the palace guards see you, they will definitely tell my mother that you are… how do you English phrase it… under the weather.”
Victoria had gifted Serafina an English phrasebook when she was in London, and her Italian friend loved to play with the various idioms that amused her. Under the weather was Serafina’s favorite this week.
Leaving the café, they joined the busy crowd in the street outside. Serafina stopped and pulled up the hood of her cloak. It wouldn’t do for them to be seen in public without Serafina’s bodyguards. Augusta attempted to do the same with her own cloak but struggled.
The cool night air hit her with its full force, and the effects of the alcohol went straight to her head. She swayed unsteadily on her feet. She was beginning to regret having drunk the last few glasses of strong northern Italian wine.
Serafina took her by the arm. “Come on. It’s not far to walk home. One foot in front of the other and we shall have you safely back at Palazzo Lazio. But we might need to rethink our plans to join my family for supper. I can’t see you being sober any time soon.”
Augusta did as she was told, concentrating her efforts on making it back to the de Luca home in one piece, while at the same time trying to avoid running into other people. It wasn’t easy. Her head felt light, but her feet weighed a hundredweight.
Once inside the palace grounds, they quickly made their way across the lawn and in through a servants’ entrance. Serafina’s maid Maria Volpe was waiting for them as they stepped through the door of their favorite sitting room. She gave atskof annoyance to Serafina, then turned to Augusta. “Lady Augusta, your brother is here. He is sharing the evening meal with the de Luca family, but I don’t think your mother is happy with his arrival.”
Serafina and Augusta exchanged surprised glances.
My brother?
Augusta took hold of Maria’s hand. “Which brother?”
“The Marquis of Holwell. He arrived at the palace with Count Nico a few hours ago. Apparently, he sailed into Civitavecchia early this morning, and your cousin found him in the waiting room of the shipping office.”
Gideon was in Rome.
Augusta started for the door, but Serafina stopped her. “No, you can’t go—not in your current state,” said her friend, overruling her plans.
Instead, coffee was ordered, and Augusta was made to sit in one of the overstuffed chairs.
I know Serafina is right, but I want to see Gideon.
The surprise at hearing the news of her brother’s unexpected arrival had Augusta sobering up somewhat, but as her head began to clear, her stomach turned. A disappointed Augusta finally had to concede that she wasn’t in any condition to see Gideon this evening and allowed Serafina to escort her back to her room.
“A peaceful night’s sleep is what you need. If Gideon has just arrived, he is not going anywhere until the two of you have been reunited, G,” offered Serafina. “Get some rest, and I shall see you in the morning.”
“I suppose you are right. He won’t be happy with me if he thinks I am drunk.”
After Serafina had left, Augusta closed her bedroom door and readied herself as best she could for bed. She still couldn’t believe the news that Gideon was here in Rome. His arrival could mean many things, but she had a horrible suspicion he would have only made the long sea voyage because he had been sent to deliver bad news.
I just hope I don’t have a hangover in the morning. I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be a long trying day.
* * *
“I still can’t believe this is happening,” said Augusta the following morning as she and Gideon walked the well-manicured grounds of Lazio Palace. The duchess had made herself scarce not long after her eldest son had arrived at the door of the sitting room where the two Kembal women were sitting eating breakfast. She hadn’t been in the room when Gideon broke the news of the Duke and Duchess of Mowbray separating.
A grim-faced Gideon nodded. “I’m really sorry to be the bearer of such bad news, G. Papa wants me to bring you home as soon as possible.”
The notion that her mother had left her father was, of course, ridiculous, but it also brought everything Lady Anne had done over the past few months into clear and horrible focus. It both saddened Augusta and made her bitter. Her own mother had lied to her.
Augusta stared at him, unable to understand why he was so calm about this disaster. “Why aren’t you a mess over this?”
He sighed. “I am, believe me, but I have known for some months. You shouldn’t have been the last member of the Kembal family to find out. It’s not fair that you have been kept deliberately in the dark. I intend to take Mama to task over that piece of duplicity.”
Augusta was also going to have harsh words with their mother. This betrayal of trust went beyond a simple evasion of the truth. It broke the bond of family unity.
