She wiggled her bum into his groin, and he growled with appreciation.
“What did you do with your shift?”he asked.
“It’s still down there,” she whispered.“Between my legs.It has the proof of my virginity.”
The comment had him fully awake.He quickly lifted his head onto an elbow and leaned over her.“Areyouall right?Apologies, my love.I should have asked sooner.”
She turned her head to gaze up at him.“I am...fine,” she replied happily.“It wasmoltobetter than I thought it would be, you rogue,” she teased.
He grinned.“For me as well,” he murmured.“I’ll only ever be your rogue.”He planted a kiss on her shoulder.“Sleep well.I want to hold you for a time before I take you to your bed.”
She nodded and sighed.“Buona notte.”
“Buona notte.”
Several hours later, David awoke from a dream so vivid, it took him a moment to remember where he was.Three boys had been playing near him as he held a baby girl.Next to him, Vittoria sat with her head leaning against his shoulder.
Vittoria!
He gave a start and chuckled softly when he realized she was still tucked against the front of his body.
His manhood had realized it, too, but he wasn’t about to take advantage.Better he put her to bed and return to his own room.
In the morning, he would need to convince a bishop he was desperate to marry Vittoria D’Avalos.Perhaps Donald and Nicoletta could help in that regard, since they had arranged it in Catania.
David managed to rise without waking his betrothed and quickly dressed, although he left his cravat and buttons undone.He lifted Vittoria’s gown from the chair and shook it out before carefully folding it.He did the same with the petticoat she used to cover him and added her corset to the pile.
Stacking her clothes atop her, he bent and lifted her into his arms, hoping the petticoat would continue to cover her lower half.
She mewled, her arms wrapping around his neck as if she understood she had to hold on to him in her sleep.He chuckled as he took one last look around the library to be sure he hadn’t missed anything, and then took her up to her bedchamber.
He discovered the linens had already been turned down, making it easy for him to put her to bed and cover her.He kissed her forehead.“Buona notte,mia donna,” he whispered.
Making his way across the corridor to his room, he paused before going inside when he realized he was being watched.
At the end of the hall, his brother was leaning against the door jamb, his arms crossed as he displayed a knowing grin.He shook his head.“A rogue in Roma, indeed,” he said before stepping back into his apartment.Nicoletta appeared in his place, though, her smile radiant.“Welcome to the D’Avalos family,” she whispered.
“Grazie, sister,” he replied, a hand going to his chest.“Or should I call youzia?”
Nicoletta quickly sobered.“Sisterwill be fine,” she replied before she closed the door.
David grinned and went to bed.
