Page 51 of The Vagabond Viscount
“You fainted. I caught you just as you fell.”
Light and sound rushed in, and to her dismay she realized she was lying on the floor of the tailor’s shop. “Oh, dear Lord, help me up.”
Her brother, aided by Serafina, assisted Augusta gently to her feet. She swayed. Her woozy head had her clutching for Gideon’s arm. A chair was hastily produced from the back of the room, and her knees held up just long enough for them to get her seated on it.
While Serafina spoke to the tailor, Gideon knelt in front of Augusta and took her hands in his, saying, “Are you alright? You didn’t half give me a fright.”
Nausea rolled through her body. She hadn’t ever fainted before, and it was a confronting experience.
And to think I have harshly judged all those women who get the vapors at parties.
For a moment, she couldn’t recall the last few minutes. Her memories were of being in the hat shop with Serafina and then leaving to head back to the tailor’s to meet up with Gideon. She was certain her mind had been focused on pasta. After that, things had all turned to black.
What could have possibly happened to make her faint?
A glass of water was pressed into her hand, and Augusta took a long drink. One of the many things she loved about Rome was the fact that the water was clean and fit to drink. She nursed it for a moment, then downed another mouthful. For some unknown reason, her mouth was dry, and her throat parched.
A concerned-looking Serafina returned to where Augusta sat. “The tailor has kindly offered us the use of his personal carriage to take you home. He is most concerned about you, Augusta, as are we.”
“Grazie, siete molto gentili.”
Augusta managed to summon a small smile for the owner of the shop, who stood nearby wringing his weathered hands.
“I will be fine. I’m just feeling a touch unwell.”
She wasn’t going to admit that she now remembered the reason for her sudden collapse.
Flynn. Gideon said he was alive and had been in the tailor’s shop.
But that’s impossible. Flynn is dead. I must have imagined it.
Augusta turned to her brother. “I swear you said something about having met Flynn. It came as such a shock that my body and mind simply couldn’t comprehend. That’s why I think I fainted. Flynn is dead. I thought I had accepted that, but clearly, I haven’t.”
A teary-eyed Gideon slowly nodded and replied in a voice thick with emotion, “You heard right, Augusta. Flynn is here in Rome. I can’t believe it either, but beyond all hope, my friend is alive.”
Serafina brushed a hand over Augusta’s arm. A silent acknowledgment of her understanding of her friend’s reaction to hearing the news that Viscount Cadnam was not dead.
I didn’t think it was possible to faint from shock, but that’s what must have happened. Flynn is alive.
“Flynn is alive.” She spoke the words aloud, still unsure as to whether she believed them or not. “Flynn is alive. He is here in Rome. But… but how?”
Augusta took a few more sips of the water, then handed the glass back to her brother. “Thank you. I think I am feeling a little better. Perhaps I could try to stand. It’s my fault for not having finished my breakfast.”
She didn’t want to tell Gideon the truth of why she had collapsed. That the news of Flynn being alive had shaken her entire world to its core.
One of the other shop staff arrived, and after a few brief words were exchanged between him and his employer, the tailor beckoned for the de Luca party to follow him.
Gideon kept a firm arm around her waist as he helped Augusta out to the rear of the tailor’s shop and into the narrow laneway which ran along the back. A small carriage stood waiting.
Augusta was helped on board, and after several more expressions of deep regret were offered by the tailor, she, Gideon, and Serafina headed for home. During the short journey back to Palazzo Lazio, Augusta sat silent. She was still taking it all in.
I am not dreaming. I am fully awake. And this is really happening.
The hopes which had died now sprang to life once more. Her lips kept moving as she silently repeated the same words over and over. Flynn is alive. Flynn is alive.
Reaching the palace, Gideon ignored her protests and carried Augusta inside and up to her room. The duchess was immediately summoned. When her mother arrived, Augusta finally gave up the fight and let Lady Anne fuss over her.
“What did you do to her?” her mother growled at Gideon. “I expect this is all your fault.”
