Chapter8
A Ball Ends with an Explanation
Meanwhile, in another part of the ballroom
Struggling to keep a pleasant expression on her face as she danced with yet another young man, Vittoria couldn’t when he stepped on her foot.
Her cry of pain and grimace couldn’t be helped, nor did his murmured apology do anything to improve the situation.She was not only hungry and thirsty, she lacked the energy to pretend interest in the pimply-faced heir to amarchese.When the dance mercifully ended a few minutes later, she quickly curtsied and hurried off to find Armenia.
“She has taken her leave,” Nicoletta said when Vittoria found her instead.“What is it?”
“I’m hungry, and my feet are killing me.”
Overhearing her complaint, Donald joined them.“There is a table of food and refreshments,” he said.“Come.Allow me to escort you.”
Donald offered his arm and led her away as David stepped up next to Nicoletta.“Dance with me, sister?”
She smiled.“I was beginning to think you were avoiding me,” she replied.
“Not intentionally,” he said.“It seems I’m a bit of a novelty this evening.”
“Ah, the young ladies find you intriguing?”
“I think it’s more like their mothers,” he replied.“I have yet to dance with someone close to my own age,” he complained.“Other thanDonnaVittoria.”
The two moved into the circle of dancers and easily joined the flow.Despite the difference in their heights, David had no trouble with leading her in the dance.“Has my brother been good to you?”he asked.
Nicoletta gave a start.“He has,” she replied.“I could not have asked for a better husband, nor a better father for our children,” she claimed.
“I am glad to hear it, although you should know, he will probably spoil your children rotten.”
Bursting into giggles, Nicoletta said, “I am aware.”She quickly sobered.“What has you vexed this evening, brother?”
David winced.“Is it that obvious?”
“You are the amiable one.Handsome?—”
“I look exactly like my brother,” he interrupted.
“—always in good cheer, and an heir to a peerage,” she finished.“Except this evening you seem...vexed.”
“That’s because I am,” he admitted.“Would you promise not to take offense if I asked how it is your niece seems far more spoiled than you?”
Nicoletta giggled again.“Not at all.Vittoria has merely had a doting father that gave her whatever she wanted while mine used me for his own gains.”Her face screwed into a grimace.“He used his sister—Armenia—even more poorly.”
Shocked by her candor, David nearly lost his step in the dance.“Apologies.I...I did not mean to pry.”
“No apology is necessary,” she said.“Thankfully, Vittoria has been spared from the machinations born of greed that drove my father to seek wealth any way he could whilst dispensing with it just as quickly,” she continued.Her words were at odds with her pleasant expression, as if she had rehearsed them.
“But...your brother seems to be doing quite well,” David commented, waving a hand to indicate their elegant surroundings.
“That’s because he knows how to manage his estate, thecontea, and his money,” she replied.“As does Armenia, which is why Montblanc gaveherthe villa here in Roma.”
Surprised by this last bit of information, David was suddenly curious about the spinster.“Am I to understand she has never wed?”
“Not once, and I assure you, she does not regret it.”
David furrowed a brow.“Isn’t she...lonely?”
