“Is that why I couldn’t find any roses at the florist today?”Tom asked in a teasing voice.
“She must not have known of his intentions,” Diana said in wonder.
“She saidnothingof being courted whilst we were in her company today,” Helen remarked, completing Diana’s thought.
“Mr.McAdams is quite in love with her,” David stated.“And I think...well, I think she feels affection for him, too.”
“That must have been some conversation you had in your equipage after we left the Forum,” Will commented.
David nodded, his gaze darting to Vittoria when he realized she was staring at him.Her expression made her appear suspicious, and her next words confirmed it.
“Those are my sheep,” she stated.
The dining room was suddenly quiet as everyone turned to stare first at her and then at David.
“Your sheep?”Nicoletta repeated.Her eyes suddenly rounded.“Oh!Thosesheep,” she said on a chuckle.
“However did you come to own your own sheep?”Diana asked, her curiosity genuine.
Well aware everyone was staring at her, Vittoria lifted a shoulder.“I asked for them.For my tenth birthday,” she replied.
“My brother bought her ten sheep.Eight yews and two rams,” Nicoletta confirmed.“Now I think there are more than seventy sheep in that flock.Edoardo always gives her whatever she asks for,” she added on a sigh.
“Which is why I’m spoiled,” Vittoria said matter-of-factly.“So now I wish to know why it ismysheep have become part of a bargain,” she added, directing her gaze on David.
“I can see to it your sheep will continue to be your sheep, but in order for you to benefit from the contract your father signed with Mr.McAdams, we’ll need to marry,” he said.“Within a fortnight,” he added, his manner rather serious.
With the sounds of gasps and scoffs surrounding him, he pulled the ring box from his waistcoat pocket and opened it.“Vittoria D’Avalos—forgive me for not knowing all your other names since you refused to tell me?—”
“Amalia Sofia Martina Isabella,” Nicoletta said, leaning over so she was as close as she could get to her brother-in-law.
“—Vittoria Amalia Sofia Martina Isabella D’Avalos,” he repeated, rising from his chair so he could move around to where Vittoria sat on the opposite side of the table.“Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”He knelt down next to her chair and held up the ring.
His mother gasped.“I thought he didn’t like her,” she whispered.
“That was yesterday, my sweet,” Will replied.“Do keep up.”
Vittoria glanced around the table before she turned her attention on the ring.“Is...is that a ruby?”she asked.
“Indeed.It’s merely a betrothal ring, of course.There will be another for the ceremony,” he assured her.“I bought it this morning before I ordered your half-boots,” he added, hoping the reminder of the footwear would convince her of his sincerity.
She sighed and her expression displayed disappointment.“How much didZiaArmenia pay you?”
David blinked.“What?Nothing,” he insisted.“Wait.Are you saying I could have been bribed to propose to you?”
Nervous laughter erupted around the table as Vittoria took the ring from him and slid it on her fourth finger.“Well, now we will never know,” she said, holding up her hand as she finally allowed a teasing grin.She wiggled her fingers before leaning over to kiss him on the forehead.“I will give you my answer later tonight,” she whispered.
“Minx,” he replied.He straightened and made his way back to his seat while the others at the table watched in disbelief.
Nicoletta exchanged a quick glance with Donald before she said, “Well, ladies, I think it’s time we leave the gentlemen to their drinks while we have tea in the parlor.”
Murmurs of disappointment followed the announcement, but the women stood and filed out of the dining room.
The men leaned back as a footman deposited glasses of grappa before them.Once the servant had disappeared, they turned their attentions on David.
Randy held up a hand.“I wish to go first,” he stated.“Best wishes, cousin, but what the hell?”he asked.“I heard you arguing with her all day yesterday.I fear you two are going to annoy one another to death.”
“That could happen,” David replied dryly.
