She recognized Donald’s parents from having met them the night before and wasn’t surprised to see that Antony was seated next to his grandfather while his sister was enjoying the attentions of one of the young women.
The odd man out in the parlor was leaning against the fireplace mantel.
“Mia donna,” David said, immediately straightening to give her a bow.
Recognition had Vittoria blinking, but before she could remember exactly why, all the other men in the room stood and bowed in her direction.She dipped a curtsy and managed a smile.“Buongiorno.Pardon my tardiness.”
A chorus of greetings followed before Donald said, “Now that we’re all here, let’s eat our breakfast.I can hardly wait to show you our favorite sights here in Rome.”
“We don’t have to see themallin one day,” Will said.“We’re going to be here for at least a month.”
“It’s a large city, Father,” Donald commented, lifting his daughter from Helen’s arms before he kissed her forehead and handed her to a nurse who had appeared after Vittoria’s arrival.He turned to his son.“Your tutor is waiting,mio don.”
From Antony’s look of shock, it was obvious he was disappointed.“Sì, Papa.”He made the rounds, bowing to the women before stopping to allow his mother to give him a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll see you before your dinner,mio don,” she said.
He glanced around the room.“May I join you for dinner?I promise I will be on my very best behavior,” he said.
She grinned.“Of course,mio don.”
Anthony beamed in delight as he headed out the door.
“He’s practically a young man already,” Barbara lamented.
“He’s not even eight years old,” Nicoletta said, her gaze following the Marquess Montblanc as he took his leave.“And he’s growing up far too fast for me.”She allowed Donald to help her to stand and placed an arm on his.“Lead the way, my darling.”
The other couples paired off and followed Donald and the Marchesa Montblanc, leaving Vittoria with the only single gentleman in the room.
“You,” she said in a hoarse whisper.
“Me,” David acknowledged, arching a brow before he smirked.He offered his arm.“It is best we don’t dawdle.My brother tends to walk fast.”
She huffed her disdain.“So you really are David Slater,” she stated, as if she hadn’t made mention of his name only the night before.As if she hadn’t included a comment about his resemblance to his brother.
“Of course,” he said, making a show of taking her hand and placing it on his arm.“Viscount Penton.”He had them exiting the parlor before she could put voice to a complaint.“But you can call me?—”
“Whatever I wish,” she finished, lifting her chin defiantly.
David gave a start.“Mia donna?”
She rolled her eyes.“What is the word in English?Rake?”
Given how close they were behind Tom and Helen, David was forced to keep his voice low when he responded.“I am many things,mia donna, but arakeis not one of them.”
“Perhaps the better word islibertino,” she offered.
He visibly stiffened, and from the way the muscles of his jaw moved, it was apparent he was biting back an angry retort.“I think you have me confused with that libertino I found you with in that alcove last night.DonDiavala, was he?”
She gasped.“Howdareyou.You obviously have me confused with a… a…” She struggled to sort the English word.
“Tart?”he supplied.
“Sì.”She immediately regretted agreeing with him, sure he had laid a trap for her given her limited English.
He smirked as he pulled out a chair for her at the dining table.“Touché.”
“Grazie,” she murmured, rearranging the skirts of her sapphire blue walking gown once she was seated.She was relieved he didn’t take the chair next to her, but she struggled to keep from rolling her eyes when he ended up in the seat directly across from her.
