Chapter29
A Dinner Borders on Disaster
Two hours later
The parlor in Villa Montblanc was buzzing when Armenia entered, her great niece Vittoria following behind.She wondered what she had missed in not joining their party for their walking tour of Rome, even if she was secretly glad she had instead opted to spend her day in the company of Patrick McAdams.
How could she not?The businessman had been a perfect gentleman for their walking tour of four fountains, and then he had continued to impress her with his insistence that he actually felt affection for her.Enough that he had insisted they be married.
Time would tell on that account.
She had invited him for dinner the following evening.Part of her expected that after a night of retrospection, he would send his regrets.The rest of her hoped beyond all reason he would show up at Villa D’Avalos clutching a dozen red roses and a ring featuring an enormous gemstone.
A girl could dream, couldn’t she?Even if she was nearly old enough to be his mother?
As for how she would reply to his marriage proposal—should he offer another one—she still wasn’t sure.She probably should accept on the basis of his bed sport alone, but was she really willing to give up her life as a fairly happy and rather well-to-do spinster in exchange for becoming a textiles matriarch?
He would have to be willing to move into her villa, for there was no way she would give up her home for any man—no matter how good he was in bed.
Nor would she move to America.At some point, she expected he would wish to rejoin his son in Boston.What then?
“ZiaArmenia!”
The greeting from her niece, Nicoletta, pulled her from her reverie, and she quickly displayed a huge grin for the benefit of her hostess and the members of her husband’s family that filled the Montblanc Villa parlor.She paused to allow Vittoria to join her at her side, and the two curtsied in unison once the gentlemen in the room had stood and bowed.
“Thank you so much for the invitation,mia donna.This is a perfect ending to a rather pleasant day,” she said as she grasped Nicoletta’s hands and allowed her niece to kiss her on both cheeks.
She watched as Vittoria followed suit, and the two took the only remaining seats in the parlor.
Everyone else settled back into their chairs or settees, although she noted that David, Viscount Penton, was left leaning against the fireplace mantel.From his expression, she thought he might be experiencing a bout of indigestion, which given the fact that they hadn’t yet eaten anything, seemed rather odd.
“I see the marchese is once again in the company ofDonnaNancy,” Armenia murmured, her gaze going to the youngsters.The two were seated at the gaming table at the back of the parlor.
“The Russo were in a terrible accident last night.They did not survive,” Nicoletta said in a quiet voice.“We’re keeping Nancy until we learn what might become of her.”
Armenia’s eyes widened briefly before she said, “Whatever happens, do not allow her to go to the family in Naples.”
“I am in agreement,” Nicoletta replied.“Donald has already sent a letter of inquiry asking if Nancy might remain with us.”She nodded in the direction of Barbara.“Or become a ward.”
Armenia nodded her understanding before she directed a smile at Barbara.“You must tell me all about your walking tour,” she said.
“Most invigorating, so interesting, and immensely satisfying,” the countess said, her attention darting to the door.
Armenia followed her line of sight to discover the butler waiting for an opening in their conversation.
“Viene servita la cena,” he announced.Dinner is served.
“Grazie,” Donald replied.He stood and offered his arm to Nicoletta at the same time Antony did the same for Nancy.The two children made their way to the door followed by the others who had paired off and followed in order of their rank.
“Might you two join me?”David asked, directing his query to Armenia and Vittoria.He held out both arms, bent at the elbows.
Armenia was quick to accept his offer, giving him a nod as she placed an arm on his.Although she was a statuesque woman and only a couple of inches shorter than he was, she did nothing to compensate for her height.Instead, she noticed David straightening as much as he could by pulling back his shoulders.
Visibly limping, Vittoria fell in at the back of the procession.
An odd sound emanated from David’s throat, and the conte’s daughter was suddenly pulled up next to him.“Why are you limping?”he asked in a whisper.
“Because my feet are quite sore from our walk today,” she hissed in reply.
