Page 53 of The Vagabond Viscount
Augusta’s heart had not stopped racing from the moment she had heard the words from her brother’s lips. Flynn. Alive.
Serafina was right; her miracle had been granted. What happened now was, however, a mystery.
“To be honest, I am still dealing with the news that Flynn is alive. I had given up hope long ago, so this has come as quite a shock. As you say, wonderful, but still a huge life-changing piece of news.”
She had managed to hold her tears at bay while the duchess had fussed over her, but Augusta was powerless as a new wave of emotion welled up inside. Tears snaked their way down her cheeks. It was a relief to finally have them fall. And to know that they were no longer tears of grief.
If Gideon knew where Flynn was staying, it wouldn’t take much to get that information out of him. Her brother was still in the dark about matters between Augusta and Flynn, so he had no reason to withhold such things from her. As far as he was concerned, Flynn was simply a family friend, and his sister would be like everyone else in the Kembal family—relieved to know that he was alive and well.
Augusta would speak to her brother in the morning, then find a way to meet with Flynn in private. The rest of the Kembal family didn’t need to know the depth of the connection between her and the viscount.
After more than a year apart, who was to say that things between them hadn’t changed? She wanted to tread carefully, to test the waters with Flynn. He must have known that she and Serafina were close by the tailor’s, yet he hadn’t waited for her. Doubt crept into her heart.
What if things have changed? What if he has found someone else?
Serafina handed Augusta a handkerchief. “Are you alright? Do you wish to be left alone?”
“No. I would rather talk to someone. I have spent far too much time alone with my thoughts of Flynn. Did anything else happen after we returned home? I mean, between you and my brother.”
There was no point in attempting to be subtle about matters. She wanted to know if Gideon and Serafina had had the chance to talk. To further their relationship and possible understanding.
“Unfortunately, no. But have received news from my mother that she and I are to pay a visit to Signore Magri at his house tomorrow. Apparently, we are to make a close inspection of my future home and decide if there are things which might need changing. There is also going to be a celebratory supper there tomorrow night, attended by members of my family, and a number of other select guests. Things are moving forward at a fast rate,” said Serafina.
In all the confusion and angst of this afternoon and evening, Augusta had momentarily forgotten about Serafina and her impending marriage. The thought of it pulled Augusta’s own emotional state into sharp perspective.
The discovery that Flynn was indeed still amongst the living gave her a sense of hope. But for Serafina, an arranged, loveless marriage meant the end of all hope.
“Would you like me to accompany you when you visit Signore Magri’s home?” Any sort of support she could give would sadly be only of a moral kind, but it was better than nothing.
“No, thank you. Donna Francesca is adamant that she and I go alone. I am not sure what my mother has planned, but I have a sneaking suspicion that, as far as she is concerned, this impending betrothal is not what the French would call afait accompli.She is behaving most oddly. If she plans to do anything to undermine my father and stop this marriage, then I must do exactly what she says.”
If Serafina could find her own miracle and avoid having to marry the man her father had chosen, that would be…
Beyond a bloody miracle. I fear Enzo is going to have his way, no matter what his wife or daughter do.
Gideon had to find the courage to step up and offer to make Serafina his wife. As far as Augusta was concerned, he had wasted the perfect opportunity to do just that when Serafina was in London. But here in Rome, with Enzo de Luca firmly set on pushing ahead with the arranged union, Augusta sensed things were more than a little complicated.
She brushed her thumb over Serafina’s hand. “Do you think there is any real chance that my brother would speak to your father? I know Gideon kissed you this morning when we were at the Colosseum.” Tears still worked their way down Augusta’s face, and she prayed her reddened cheeks were not clear in the pale light. “He did ask me not to play Cupid, but when I think of what lies ahead for you, I can’t help but hope he can see that he has to act, and soon.”
The sound of movement outside her room had them both falling silent. The guards regularly patrolled the halls and galleries of Palazzo Lazio, and Augusta was well aware that they had a tendency to listen at doors.
“You have enough to deal with, Augusta. Don’t worry about me. Your main concerns should be about Viscount Cadnam,” replied Serafina after the footsteps had faded away.
If only that were true. There was far more to contend with both here and back home in England. Flynn was just another piece in a complex puzzle, one which Augusta was yet to put together.
“Gideon is taking me back to England with him. Papa has placed me under his guardianship. Mama is likely to be staying on here in Rome. Alone. It is not yet public knowledge, but she has decided to separate from my father.”
The thought of her family breaking apart was just too awful to consider. But if Serafina could find a way to make that journey home with Gideon, her marrying into the Kembal family would at least be a balm for the pain of them losing the duchess.
I still can’t believe Mama won’t be coming home with us. What on earth must have happened between her and Papa for things to come this? I can’t see either of them being happy ever again.
It was all so unfair. Just as she was being given a possible second chance at happiness, everyone else was about to have theirs ripped away.
Augusta lay with her head against Serafina’s shoulder as her friend wrapped a comforting arm around her. “I should be the one offering you solace, not the other way around. Oh, Serafina, I hope you can find a way out of this horrible mess. You deserve to find happiness. We both do.”
She couldn’t think of which was worse, the thought of her losing Flynn forever or Serafina being forced to marry a stranger when the man whom she loved was so close at hand. Suffering the heartbreak of grief over the past year had taught her some of the cold hard truths of life.
If only I could save Serafina from what I have been through.
