“What do you suppose has become of David?”Barbara asked.
“He should be easy to see since he’s wearing black,” Will commented, his brow arching when an older couple passed them performing the waltz.The man was wearing a puce top coat and a lime green waistcoat.“Black doesn’t seem to be the color of choice for gentlemen this evening.”
“Except for that man who is speaking with the conte,” Diana murmured, her attention returning to their group as her brows furrowed.
“What is it?”Randy asked, noting her look of confusion.
“The lady dressed in red.With the man in black.She looks...”She paused and shook her head.“Familiar, but...not,” she stammered.
Barbara cast a sweeping glance behind her and around the ballroom.She inhaled softly when she realized the conte and the man in black were no longer in the ballroom.The woman, however, was still there, her gaze sweeping about as if she was in search of someone.
The music suddenly ended, which had those in the circle of dancers returning to the carpet at the edge of the marble floor.
Barbara glanced over at the woman again, and when their eyes met, she blinked.“She looksexactlylike the Marchioness of Morganfield,” Barbara whispered.
“Indeed,” Will agreed.“And she’s headed this way.”
Barbara curtsied as did Diana and Helen while the gentlemen were quick to bow.
“My lords, my ladies, please do pardon me for not having greeted you upon your arrival.I amDonnaArmenia, and I am supposed to be helping host this affair,” the woman said.“I was detained by another guest, but I believe I caught all your names as you were introduced by the butler.”
“Grazie, my lady.If I might say...you look so familiar,” Barbara commented.
The statuesque woman seemed to consider the comment for a moment before her eyes widened with understanding.“You have met my sister, Adeline Carlington, no doubt.The Marchioness of Morganfield?”she clarified, displaying a hesitant grin.
“Yes, that’s it, of course.Then youareNicoletta’s aunt?”
“Indeed I am.”
Will reached for Armenia’s hand and kissed the back of it before performing the formal introductions.“Her ladyship left an invitation for us and a note that we should attend this evening,” he explained, motioning to Armenia.
She tittered softly and lowered her voice so only Barbara and Will could hear her next words.“Nikky and your son should be making their appearance at any moment,” she said, her gaze darting to the top of the stairs.“He has no idea you have arrived in Roma—at least, Nikky hasn’t told him—as she wished to surprise him with your presence.”
Barbara inhaled softly.“We wondered when they might come up from Catania,” she said.“But...they’re not at the Villa Montblanc with us,” she added.
“They’re staying at my villa and will join you at their villa on the morrow,” Armenia explained.“It was the only way she could keep you a secret from Donald.”
“Well,weare certainly surprised,” Barbara said.“I’m looking forward to spoiling their new babe.When we last saw Nikky and Donald, she hadn’t yet given birth.”
Armenia grinned in delight.“Amalia is a doll.A rather happy, almost toddling doll.Why, she’ll have all of you wrapped around her tiny pinky before you quite know what’s happened,” she warned.
“We look forward to meeting her,” Will said.“And I wished to thank you for the invitation and the means of transportation for us to attend this evening.”
For a moment, Armenia appeared confused.“I cannot take credit for what mynipotehas done,” she replied, referring to the three coaches that had been sent to the Montblanc residence to transport them to Palazzo D’Avalos.She directed her gaze to the top of the stairs.“But you’ll be able thank Nikky directly right now.”
Everyone turned their attention to the top of the stairs when a trumpet sounded.The butler announced, “DonnaNicoletta, Marchesa Montblanc, andSignoreDonald Slater.”
A collective gasp sounded from their group.“They’rehere,” Tom and Randy said in unison.
“Did you know about this?”Diana asked, turning a suspicious glance in Barbara’s direction.
“I did not,” she claimed.“But if they’re here, that means the children are probably here, too,” she added with excitement.“We’ll be able to meet our granddaughter,” she gushed.
“Oh, the marchesa is gorgeous,” Helen murmured, which had Tom squeezing her hand.
“You’re far prettier,” he said in a whisper.
She grinned as Diana asked, “Is that David’s brother?”
