Chapter42
Another Betrothal is Almost Unbelievable
Meanwhile, at Villa Montblanc
The reality of what he had agreed to when he had met with Conte D’Avalos the hour before was settling over David when the dessert course was served at dinner that evening.
Marry her in a fortnight, and I’ll not only pay you her dowry, I’ll give you the sheep.
Having spent the last half hour in the library researching marriage in Rome when he should have been changing for dinner, David had grown frustrated.
He was sure the D’Avalos family was Catholic.As an Englishman, he was Anglican.Would Vittoria even be allowed to marry him?Why hadn’t her father asked about it?
David glanced down the table to where his brother was seated at the carver.“Brother, pray tell, how is it you and Nikky were able to marry?”
Conversation about the table suddenly ceased.Everyone turned to stare first at David and then at Donald, their expressions indicating their curiosity.
“I admit I had wondered the same thing,” Will said.
Donald straightened in his chair.“Are you asking because she is Catholic, and I am not?”
“Yes,” David replied.
Inhaling slowly, his gaze briefly going to his wife, Donald finally let out the breath in awhoosh.“You were there,” he said.“We married in Catania.A priest performed the ceremony after Nicoletta received special permission from a diocesan bishop.”
“So...you have converted to Catholicism?”Will asked.There was no censure in his voice, merely curiosity.
“I have,” Donald admitted.“I find it’s not so very different,” he added.Redirecting his attention to his brother, he said, “Nicoletta’s rank helped to secure the bishop’s permission, of course.”
David nodded his understanding.“Did it take long?More than a fortnight to gain the special permission?”
Vittoria looked up from her plate to discover several people had turned their gaze on her.“Why are you looking at me?”she asked meekly.
Diana and Helen quickly diverted their gazes to their husbands before pretending interest in their meals.
Tom and Randy exchanged curious glances, while Barbara seemed to be watching a Shrovetide football match, her head turning back and forth between David, Donald, and their father.
“Less than a week,” Nicoletta said.“Might I inquire as to why you asked?”
About to pretend it didn’t matter, David decided to give a truthful answer.“Although I have no intention of converting, I’m going to need permission if I’m to secure a particular flock of sheep,” he said.
Everyone regarded him as if he was a candidate for Bedlam.“Why would you have to convert to Catholicism to acquire some sheep?”Randy asked.“And since when are you interested insheep?”
“Because the sheep are part of a bargain,” David replied, his gaze going to Vittoria.“Seems their wool is already contracted to that American who attendedDonnaVittoria’s ball the other night.”
“Mr.McAdams?”Will asked.
“Him, yes.”
“He’s in textiles.Has quite a thriving business in Boston and is expanding his sources for wool and silk here in Europe,” Will explained.
David pulled out his pocket watch.“I expect he is proposing toDonnaArmenia at this very moment,” he said.
Vittoria blinked.“How do you know this?”she whispered.
“I was with him this morning when he bought her a ring.A ruby and diamond confection that should match quite nicely with all the red roses he intended to bestow on her today.”
“Oh, how romantic,” Nicoletta breathed.“They make a very handsome couple.”
