Chapter41
A Betrothal is Better in Private
Meanwhile, at Villa D’Avalos
When DeLuca appeared at the door to her apartment with word that Patrick had arrived with yet another bouquet of red roses, Armenia couldn’t help but titter.“I must be in possession of every rose in all of Roma,” she commented, glancing at the clock on the fireplace mantel to see that it was two minutes past the hour.
The American was punctual.
“Indeed,mia donna.What should I do withSignoreMcAdams?”
“Escort him to the parlor.The roses can go in a vase in there,” she instructed.“I will be there momentarily.”
She had already dismissed Marcella for the evening, deciding that even if Patrick didn’t spend the night with her, she wouldn’t require the lady’s maid’s services.
Wondering at the sense of dread she had felt most of that day, Armenia decided she needed to come to terms with what was happening.
A man she had met two nights ago was either in lust with her, a situation she found curious since she was of the same mind about him, or he had decided she would make the perfect mark.
An older spinster in possession of her own villa and a modest fortune would appear to be a catch for any man in need of a home and blunt.
There was another possibility, of course.Dare she believe what David had said earlier that afternoon?That Patrick McAdams was in love with her?
He loves you.
Was it truly “love at first sight” that had him enriching every florist in town so he could fill her villa with red roses?
The way he had gazed at her when he had found her in the tub that afternoon—not with revulsion over seeing her obviously older body, but rather with an appreciative glance, as if his mere gaze had gently caressed her body beneath the water.There had been a hint of lust, enough so she thought he might attempt to take her to the bed for a tumble.But he hadn’t.
Shivering at the reminder, Armenia stood from her dressing table and made her way to the parlor.Perhaps a kiss would alleviate her worry.Food and wine would certainly help dispel the uncertainty.A night in bed would seal the deal—whatever it might be.
Patrick took a steadying breath and then another.If he wasn’t careful, he would pass out from having taken in too much air.He was already feeling light-headed.
He couldn’t decide if the scent of roses helped or not.They were certainly potent, the velvety blooms casting off their heavy aroma with every step he had taken from his apartment to her villa.
DeLuca had seen to taking the bouquet from him when they arrived in the parlor, and with practiced expertise, he had used a knife to cut off the ends of all the stems before placing them into a large ceramic vase.
From the blue and golden yellow design displayed on its surface, Patrick decided the pottery was probably Sicilian.Somehow, the colors didn’t clash with the deep red of the rose petals but seemed to enhance them.
DeLuca filled the vase with water from a pitcher he had brought with him, and then, with a nod, he had taken his leave of the parlor along with the cuttings neatly wrapped in a linen.
“DonnaArmenia will join you in a moment,” were his last words.
How long ago had that been?
About to pull out his pocket watch, he paused when he realized he was being watched.
“Armenia,” he breathed, coming to his feet.Unsteady on his feet at first—he really had been breathing too much while he waited—he paused before rushing up to take her into his arms.
“Patrick,” she replied, the moment before he engulfed her in an embrace.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, placing his forehead against hers.
She tittered.“You saw me—all of me—only two hours ago,” she chided, inhaling the scent of his cologne.After breathing in rose-scented air for so long, the citrus and amber was a refreshing change.“You poor thing,” she added.
“Don’t you dare disparage your gorgeous body,” he whispered, one of his hands moving down her side to rest on her hip.His gaze dropped down, although he could see nothing beyond her generous bosom.“Which looks especially fetching in red, I might add.My very own red rose.”
Before she could reply, he lifted a hand to her chin and lifted it so he could kiss her on the lips.
