Turning, she heard the unmistakable clip-clop of horses’ hooves and the rattle of carriage wheels. The carriage’s arrival was unexpected at such an early hour. Still, she was reminded of the letter Emily had intercepted from England. The man who could destroy her future happiness was on his way to Nido dell’ Aquila, and a premonition fingered its way up her spine, depriving her of some of the happiness in her heart.
Gaby watched a tall, dark-haired man jump from the carriage wearing a fashionable brown inverness cape. He brushed back a lock of dark hair from his forehead. She saw no resemblance to Jack except in his stature and strength. The man was shorter, to be sure, but realizing that this was Jack’s hated cousin was enough to ignite her worry.
He looked up at the villa’s façade and seemed hesitant, as if waiting for a sign or someone to bid him entry. Antonio exited the house, and Gaby could see confusion lining the butler’s face when he saw the carriage driver emptying the boot of its luggage.
Gaby did not wait to observe their interaction; picking up her basket, she ran for the kitchen door. “Maria.” Gabriella set the basket on the counter. “Please begin prepping the frittata.” She quickly unloaded the red bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, red onions, parsley, and tarragon. “We’ll make a vegetable frittata with gruyère, fontina, feta, and Parmesan cheese. Would you be so kind as to pull these from the cheese larder? I must take care of something. There will be no less than twelve for breakfast; another guest has arrived. Cynthia will most likely take her breakfast in her room, and I think this newly arrived guest will join her.”
“Lady Darling did not mention any other guests. Should I have Mrs. Livingstone prepare a room?” Maria asked.
“I think that is a good idea. I believe he is another nephew of Lady Darling’s. If he survives the morning, I assume he will be staying here.”
“I beg your pardon, signorina?”
The sound of raised voices from somewhere in the house caused everyone in the kitchen to stop what they were doing and turn toward the butler’s door. They could hear the mistress of the manor reprimanding someone, who replied loudly.
“Never mind—just do as I ask, please.” Gabriella ran from the kitchen to the vestibule of the villa just in the nick of time. Beauford stood poised at the bottom step of the staircase, and his sizeable, muscular body cast a shadow.
Kitty stood at the second-floor landing. “Beauford, what are you doing here? Have you lost your mind, arriving unannounced?”
“Step aside, Kitty—this doesn’t concern you. I’m here to see one of your guests, Miss Maxwell.”
“Have you gone mad? As you well know, Jack is here and will be none too pleased to see you. What possible business do you have with Miss Maxwell that you would leave the comfort of Singly Hall for the countryside of Italy? After what you’ve done, you are not welcome here. My sister, were she alive, would not approve of what you’ve done to our good family name. Your mother had great respect for the rules as to the line of succession. That your father gambled away his estate is not Jack’s fault.”
“My mother is dead, and Jack is your problem, not mine. He is not worthy of your protection, Aunt Kitty. He’s a cad, and though his father implored him to return, he did not. As for Miss Maxwell, we have unfinished business to attend to.”
“I cannot imagine what you and Miss Maxwell have to dispute, but I can tell you she is indisposed and has taken to her bed,” Kitty replied. “As far as Jack is concerned, I know your cousin better than anyone alive. It is you that manufactured accusations against him. Somehow you poisoned my brother’s mind and turned him against his own son. It is you who have brought conflict into our lives with your lies and deceit. You have stolen his earldom, his wealth, and his lands. I will not be responsible for the consequences of your actions. This is my home, and you are not welcome here.”
“I do not give a tinker’s curse for your consequences or your accusations. I’m not here because of Jack; I’m here to see Miss Maxwell. I will not allow her to marry Jack under any circumstances. Now, please do not—”
A roar of anger erupted. Jack hung over the balustrade, his face contorted with rage. “What in bloody hell are you doing here, Beauford?” His gaze shifted when he caught sight of Gabriella. He pushed past Kitty, who grabbed his arm, trying to stop him. He shook loose with no trouble and stomped down the stairs, his eyes filled with murder. “And what areyoudoing here, Gabriella? Please return to the kitchen; this is of no concern to you.”
Gaby’s first impulse was to wrap her arms around him to restrain him, but she dared not and addressed him formally, unable to disguise the tremor in her voice. “Do not order me about, Lord Langsford, as I am here to stop you from doing anything rash.”Where is his so recently professed love for me?
Jack’s eyes rounded. “Do you know who this man is?”
“I do, my lord. He is your cousin, Beauford Bastion Broome.”
“You know what he’s done to me, how he’s stolen my inheritance, and you would have me welcome him into my aunt’s home? Why would you protect him?”
“Don’t be foolish, my lord. I’m not protecting him, and my only wish is to prevent you from making a terrible mistake. He has good reason to be here, but I cannot say more.”
“How could you possibly know what his reason is?” Jack’s mouth hardened into a thin line. Gaby could see she was losing him, and she didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t her place to tell him why Beauford was here or about his relationship with Cynthia. As for the pregnancy, any discussion of that was entirely off-limits. That was between Beauford and Cynthia, and Jack needn’t know about it.
As if she arrived in a puff of smoke, the baroness appeared. “Lord Langsford, this man”—she pointed at Beauford—“is a seducer of innocent women. He has defiled the good name of your countess-to-be! You must exact vengeance on him.”
Jack looked as if he was about to explode. By this time, nearly everyone in the household had gathered. Kitty seemed mortified and looked to the others for help.
“I say, old chap,” Colin said, “let us keep our heads.”
“Keep my head? I assure you, Colin, that were you subjected to such treachery, you would not go gently into the night. You would exact your justice at any price.” Jack delivered his grim indictment while staring at Gabriella. In a pained whisper, he told her, “For you to protect this man cuts me to the quick. I am betrayed by the one person in whose hands I placed my deepest trust and belief. What is your connection to my cousin?”
Gabriella was stunned by Jack’s misreading of her, and her throat constricted, making it impossible for her to respond. How could he believe her intentions were impure after everything they had shared? She barely formed a response, choking out, “Lord Langsford, I have never laid eyes on this man before. Please do not say anything we will both regret.”
He laughed, and she could see he was possessed of a madness that precluded his reason. He whispered under his breath so that only she could hear. “My only regret is that I didn’t see you clearly before I gave my heart to you. You have betrayed me, and the kindness shown to you by my aunt.”
“Jack, stop!” said Kitty. “You are speaking without thinking.”
Gaby clamped a hand over her mouth, and tears sprang to her eyes.
