David thought the query odd, but he remembered the reason Don Luciano wanted Vittoria and thought to make it clear he wasn’t after the young lady’s dowry.“I have come to feel affection for her,mio don.I would not even have considered marriage for myself at my age—I am only twenty-three—but my brother reminded me he fell in love with your sister at that age.”
Edoardo nodded slowly.“He did.Pray tell, where will you live?”
“In London.I will be seeing to the business of the Devonfield marquessate.There is a townhouse there in which we can live, andDonnaVittoria will not be far from yourZiaAdeline.”
Edoardo displayed a look of appreciation for a moment.“Will you bring her back to Rome on occasion?”
“That is my intention,mio don.”
“Are you quite sure she hasn’t complained about anything?”
David suppressed the urge to chuckle.“Last night I heard her crying and learned her boots had caused her great pain?—”
“Nowthissounds like my Vittoria,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“I...I arranged for a pair of bespoke half-boots to be made for her this morning.Right after I bought the ring.We fetched them only an hour or so ago, and she is quite pleased with their fit.”
Edoardo seemed impressed.“What will you do if she...does it again?Cries or complains?”
Sensing a trap, David allowed a grunt.“The same thing my father does to my mother.”
Edoardo’s eyes rounded.“And what might that be?”
“He kisses her.”
Blinking, the conte stepped back.“He kisses her,” he repeated.“Hmm.”
“What say you,mio don?Am I allowed to court your daughter?”
Edoardo nodded.“Marry her in a fortnight, and I’ll not only pay you her dowry, I’ll give you the sheep.”
David blinked.“Thesheep,mio don?”he asked in confusion.
Already turning to lead them back to his office, the conte said, “You’re not going to believe this, but the American who wishes to wed Armenia has the exclusive contract for the wool from my sheep.For his textiles business,” he added, stepping behind his huge desk.
“Oh.Are they pastured on your land,mio don?”David took the proffered chair opposite but made sure to sit on the front edge of it.
“Indeed.And they can stay there for all I care.”
Furrowing his brows in confusion, David asked, “Why would you give me sheep for which you have already secured a contract for their wool?Isn’t that guaranteed income for you?”
“Because I didn’t ask Vittoria if she approved,” he replied in a quiet voice.“They’re actuallyhersheep.I bought them for her when she turned nine or ten years of age.”
David blinked again.“Might I ask...why?”
“Because she insisted she wanted sheep.I bought them for her to teach her a lesson, but I’m not sure if she has learned it yet or not.”
For a moment, David simply stared at the conte.“Something about thehavingnot being nearly as satisfying as thewanting?”he guessed.
Edoardo held up his forefinger.“That is the one.”
“Ah.”David sighed.“Well, I do expect I’ll be doing some spoiling,” he murmured.“Because I wish to.”
“But not too much,” Edoardo warned.He pulled a sheet from a drawer and held it up to the light from a candle lamp.“Here it is.I’ll be sure it’s included with the contract for the dowry,” he said.
“So, I have your permission,mio don?”
The conte nodded.“You do.I’ll send a footman with the contract when I have it drawn up.”He chuckled softly.“And I’ll send a note to myzia.She’ll be pleased she won’t have to chaperone Vittoria at future entertainments.”
“Grazie, mio don.If you’ll allow it, I will tell my brother andDonnaMontblanc.”
“Nikky will be pleased,” Edoardo said, grinning.“Hernipotewill also be hersorella.”
Not having thought that far ahead, David nodded.“She will,” he agreed.
When David took his leave of Palazzo D’Avalos, he let out a huge sigh of relief before climbing into the barouche.
He could hardly wait to tell Vittoria he had been given her sheep.
