“Probably,” Nicoletta replied.“But she attracts men like moths to a flame.”She paused and added more quietly.“Or rather, she used to.”
“Might you be referring to that American she was dancing with earlier?”David asked.He glanced around, frowning when he couldn’t locate the older gentleman in the crowd.
“They have both taken their leave,” she said, a prim grin appearing.
David once again winced.“Are you implying?—?”
“I’m not implying anything at all.But I admit, they made quite a lovely couple whilst they were dancing, don’t you agree?”
“He was staring at her like he?—”
“Like your brother did when he first danced with me,” she interrupted, her grin broadening.“Armenia can take care of herself, David.Besides, Donald and I are staying at her villa, so I rather doubt she’ll be hosting anyone else this evening.”
David nodded his understanding.“Vittoria thinks I’m a rogue,” he stated.
Nicoletta jerked in his hold.“I wouldn’t take it personally.She...she has a tendency to think the worst of all men because that’s what she’s been raised to believe.Her mother was...”She sighed.“Really rather protective of her,” she said.
“I saved her from thatDonDiablo...Diavalo...whoever he is,” he stated.
“DonLuciano is a libertine,” she whispered.“Graziefor whatever you did to help her,” she added.“I do hope she wasn’t seen in his company.”
“He was removed by some footmen after the incident,” he said.“I rather doubt he’ll go anywhere near her or Apollo ever again.”
“Apollo?”she repeated in confusion.
“Let us just say the Roman god of medicine and healing may have caused an injury to a certain region Luciano was known to overuse.”
Nicoletta’s eyes narrowed, but a grin suffused her face.“Touché for him,” she said.
His mood lighter than it had been all evening, David allowed a hearty guffaw.“Touché, indeed,mia donna.”
