Page 68 of The Vagabond Viscount
Brushing past her clearly shocked mother, Augusta headed for the stairs. Being kind and thoughtful toward the duchess had got her nowhere. Perhaps some cold, hard truths might help Lady Anne to see sense. To make her get on board that ship.
You need to understand what refusing to come home with us will cost you and our family.
* * *
Late that evening, with Augusta’s secret key hidden in his coat pocket, Flynn made his way up the steep path to the garden gate at the rear of Palazzo Lazio. He was on a mission of utmost importance. And deadly danger. Kidnapping a noblewoman wasn’t something he had ever done before, and he wasn’t entirely sure he could pull it off.
He was close to the final bend in the long winding track when the unmistakable sound of a metal gate being swung open reached his ears. There was little chance of finding a place to hide. A nearby tree was his only hope. He had barely made it to the tree before the whisper of female voices cut through the silence.
“What will I do if Gideon doesn’t come for me?”
Flynn grinned at that. His friend was head over heels in love. Nothing would stop him from marrying Serafina.
He moved out from behind the tree and onto the path, making his way toward the two women. A tall figure stepped in front of Serafina. The moon’s light glinted on a sharp stiletto blade.
“I would rather not die today if that’s alright with you. I have a friend’s wedding to attend to very shortly, and he has asked me to be the best man.”
“Who are you?” challenged Donna Francesca. She slashed the air with the blade in a brave attempt to intimidate him.
Flynn snorted in frustration. He had seen the contessa when he was helping Augusta and her mother leave the palace the previous day, but they hadn’t actually spoken. Apparently, Donna Francesca only stabbed those to whom she had been formally introduced.
“Viscount Cadnam. He is Gideon’s friend,” said Serafina.
“I am here to kidnap you. Though I can’t begin to tell you how relieved I am that you decided to start your kidnapping before I got here. I wasn’t looking forward to breaking into the palace.”
The contessa sheathed her weapon, but not before she gave him an odd disapproving glare. Clearly, Donna Francesca didn’t care for Flynn’s flippant remarks.
“Please excuse my nerves, ladies. This has been a particularly trying day, and it is far from over.”
They moved quickly down the path and into the nearby street. A grim-faced Flynn led the way, his gaze constantly darting from left to right, checking for danger. Anyone who sought to waylay him tonight was going to be met with deadly force.
Reaching All Saints’ Chapel, Serafina raced across the room to Gideon and threw herself into his arms. As they embraced, Flynn finally allowed himself the luxury of sighing with relief. His part in the dangerous endeavor was over.
He turned to Augusta, giving her a hopeful smile. She grinned back at him and mouthed, ‘Well done.’
Father Morris, the vacationing English priest they had found at the hotel, called the gathering to order.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God…”
ChapterForty
The following morning
Palazzo Lazio
Enzo de Luca was livid, but he wasn’t a fool. Once it became apparent that not only had Serafina and Gideon been married by a priest, but that through Donna Francesca’s family connections they had secured a papal dispensation recognizing their marriage under Catholic law, there was little he could do. He had lost.
Augusta caught the perplexed look on Enzo’s face as both his eldest son, Matteo, and his wife, Donna Francesca, stood behind the newlyweds in public support of their union. When the Duke of Lazio himself then added his blessing to the marriage, the fight seemed to go out of Enzo.
The moment he shook hands with Gideon, Augusta’s shoulders sagged with relief. It was over. Her brother wasn’t going to have to fight Matteo to the death. Nor would he and Serafina have to elope.
Flynn put a comforting arm around her. “We did it. Do you know, I think I am starting to get the hang of this miracle business?”
She buried her face in the folds of his jacket, not caring who saw them embrace. This was a day for tears and celebration. Her best friend had just married her foolish brother. Serafina would be coming back to London with them.
“Your mother and the contessa look deep in conversation. I expect they have much to discuss,” said Flynn.
Augusta turned, taking in the duchess and Donna Francesca’s exchange. “I wonder what Serafina’s mother will say when she discovers that she won’t be handing her daughter into the care of Lady Anne.”
