Epilogue
Five years later
“Buongiorno, mia donna,” Patrick murmured, stretching his arms over his head as he lay in bed.Morning light bled in from around the drapes, and he knew it was past time he rise for the day.
Armenia snuggled closer, one arm draped over her husband’s chest.“Not yet,” she whispered drowsily.
“I must get to the office, preferably before noon,” he replied.
“Or you could retire,” she murmured.
He chuckled and leaned over to place a kiss on her head.“Not yet, but soon.”
She opened her eyes.“Really?”
“Probably,” he hedged.“I’ve received word from England that McAdams’ Textiles have the exclusive contract for all the wool from a huge flock of sheep somewhere in Oxfordshire.”
Armenia sat up and stared down at him.“From whom?”
He lifted a shoulder.“Well, I’m not really sure.Something about an earldom?—”
“Gisborn?”
Blinking, he considered the name a moment and nodded.“Sì.Do you know of it?”
“DonRandy Forster—David’s cousin—is the heir to the Gisborn earldom.They were all on their Grand Tour together.Remember?”
“He was the one whose wife was an archaeologist?”he guessed.
“That’s the one.”
Patrick narrowed his eyes.“When Penton was here last month, he hinted he might be acquiring more sheep, but I thought he meant for the flock on your nephew’s lands,” he said.
Armenia tittered.“That flock is almost too large for the D’Avalos farms,” she said.“Edoardo told David he’ll have to buy him more land to accommodate next year’s lambs.”
“Will he, do you suppose?”
“He already did.Bought it in Vittoria’s name since he still claims they are her sheep.The neighbor was happy to sell since he needed the money.”
“DonPenton does spoil her,” he teased.
Armenia displayed a grimace.“I don’t consider buying land for sheep spoiling her,” she countered.
“I was referring to all the other things he bought for her whilst they were here.And for all those children.”
“They only have four,” she said.
“In what?Five years?”
“Well, I’m sure Vittoria was already with child before the bishop allowed them to marry,” she countered.“Who would have ever thought David would have to beg for a special dispensation?He was a viscount, and she’s a D’Avalos, after all.”
“If you’ll recall, I had to beg as well,” he reminded her.
She leaned over and bussed him on the cheek.“Only because you insisted on us marrying in the Pantheon,” she reminded him.
“Well, of course I would.It’s where we shared our first kiss, under all those perfect numbers,” he reminded her.
“I remember,” she whispered thoughtfully.“Would you do it again?”
