Chapter30
Brothers Come to an Understanding
Later that evening, at the same dining table
The faint strains of apiano-fortefaded to silence as Donald finished the last of his grappa.He glanced over at his father and arched a brow.
“I think that must be our ladies letting us know they are ready for us in the parlor,” Will said, a grin lighting his face.
“Not a moment too soon,” Randy murmured, a quelling glance directed across and down the table at David.His cousin had imbibed entirely too much liquor at the end of the extravagant meal, his usual amiable manner and sparkling dinner conversation entirely missing that evening.In its place was a bitterness aimed at the young lady who had been sitting across from him.He didn’t seem to realize she had been absent from the table ever since all the women took their leave the hour prior.
To her credit, Lady Vittoria had pretended to ignore him during the entire seven-course meal.
“Apologies,” David whispered.“I know I have not been myself this day,” he admitted.
Seated adjacent to Donald at the mahogany table, Will pushed back and stood.“Apology accepted, but know this, young man.Your manner will be most improved by breakfast, or you shall be remaining behind when we tour the Roman Forum on the morrow.”
David’s glassy eyes widened in alarm.“Uh, yes, sir,” he replied sheepishly.
Randy and Tom stood and followed their uncle out the door, both silent as a lively tune once again sounded from the parlor.Donald and David remained at the table, however.
“Do you wish to talk about whatever it is that has you vexed?”Donald asked his younger brother.
The viscount furrowed his brows.Despite the nearly eight years difference in their ages, the expression made the two appear as if they might be twins.“I didnothingwrong last night,” he stated.
Surprised at the odd response, Donald leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.“Has someone claimed you did?”
David stared at his brother for a moment as if he might be mad.“Didn’t you hear Lady Vittoria?She...she called me a...arogue,” he claimed.“And try as I might all day whilst we walked about all those fountains, I could not convince her otherwise.”
One of Donald’s eyebrows arched.“Were you?”
David blinked.“No.I...I tried tohelp.I followed her and thatDonDiavala or...Luciano...whoever he was,” he stammered while waving a hand dismissively.“How was I to know Vittoria could look after herself?”
Donald stared at his brother a moment, his face displaying confusion.“Whatareyou talking about?”he finally asked, as if he thought David’s words were said from a drunken stupor.
“That damnedDonLuciano.”
Obviously not expecting the response, Donald nodded.“Now, heisa rake,” he stated.
“Exactly!As soon as Lady Vittoria had been announced and was at the bottom of the stairs, he offered her his arm and escorted her right out of the ballroom and into an alcove,” David explained.“The one with the statue of Apollo.”
“Go on,” Donald urged, his look of alarm apparent as he leaned forward.
“I was about to offer my assistance to the lady, but she ...well, let us just say she must have realized what Luciano intended, for I think she might have damaged the Tucci family jewels with her fist,” he said.“I managed to do some harm when he suddenly bent over and his face collided withmyknee.I think it might have broken his nose.”
“Oh,” Donald whispered in awe.
“And then Apollo delivered the final blow by tumbling off his caryatid.His arrow might have...impaledthe conte heir’s crotch.”
Wincing despite the obvious moment of humor he experienced, Donald suddenly barked a laugh.“Nowthatis a sight I would have paid good money to see,” he claimed.“DonLuciano is a well-known libertine, but I’ve never known him to pursue virgins.Especially at their come-out balls,” he added thoughtfully.
David screwed his face into a grimace, unaware the libertine had such a reputation.“Do you suppose he had something else in mind?”
Although he seemed about to respond, Donald leaned back, his gaze going up to the chandelier above the dining table.“Perhaps,” he whispered.
“What are you thinking?”
Pulled from his brief reverie, Donald glanced towards the door as if to ensure no one else was listening to their conversation.He turned his attention back to David.“There is talk that the Tucciconteais in some trouble.Financial trouble,” he explained.
