“Patrick McAdams.McAdams Textiles,” he replied, shaking the proffered hand.“Pray tell, what is a British viscount doing here in Rome?”
“I’m on my Grand Tour with my cousins,” David replied, his gaze going back to the rings.“They and my brother have all succumbed to the parson’s mousetrap over the course of the past two years.”
“And now it’s your turn?”Patrick guessed, a smirk lifting the corners of his lips.
“Eventually,” David hedged.“I found from past experience it’s best to be ready.”
Patrick regarded the young aristocrat with an arched brow.“Past experience?”he repeated.“So...did someone get away?”He winced at the thought the viscount could already be a widower, and he regretted having put voice to the flippant query.
David inhaled and let the air out in awhoosh.“Something like that.She liked the betrothal ring, so I let her keep it,” he explained.“Her husband is now a rather good friend, and come to think of it, he’s also a relative of sorts.Brother to my cousin’s wife.”
Obviously surprised by the young man’s cavalier attitude regarding a jewel, Patrick said, “Rather sporting of you.”
Shrugging, David continued to examine the rings.“It wasn’t an heirloom, of course.I wouldn’t bestow such a treasure on a woman until the actual wedding.”
“Posso aiutarla?”May I help you?
The two turned to discover a young lady standing on the other side of the display.Engrossed in their discussion, neither had seen her approach from the back of the shop.
“Possiamo vedere gli anelli?” David asked.May we see the rings?
“Sì,” she replied, pulling the tray from the cabinet to place it atop the display.She moved a candle lamp closer so the rings were better lit.
“How do you decide?”Patrick asked, aiming his query at David.
“Have you a lady in mind?”
“I do.I almost proposed yesterday, but, uh...”
“Thought better of it?”David guessed.
“I was interrupted.By a priest.”
David chuckled softly and then suddenly sobered.“Did he...did he catch you kissing your lady, by chance?”he asked.
Patrick arched a brow in surprise.“He did, actually.It was most inconvenient.”
David barked a laugh.“In the Pantheon?”
Glancing around the small shop, Patrick felt his cheeks grow hot.He lowered his voice.“How do you know about that?”he asked.“Were...were you there?”
“A few minutes after you, apparently,” David replied.“I...I was escorting a young lady.We were with my brother and my cousins on a walking tour,” he explained.“I wasn’t going to kiss the girl, but the priest obviously thought that was my intention.”
“Because?”Patrick prompted, once again displaying his teasing smirk.
David seemed to consider the query before he dipped his head.“Despite my protestations and behavior to the contrary,DonnaVittoria believes I am a rogue.But why the priest would think I am, I’ve no idea.”
Patrick gave a start.“DonnaVittoria?D’Avalos?”he guessed.
Apparently not surprised Patrick would make the connection—he had been at her come-out ball—David merely nodded.
“Huh,” Patrick responded.“You think a ring will change her mind?”
David gave a start.“I have absolutely no idea,” he replied.“I’m not even sure I like the girl.”
“What?”
“Had you asked me my opinion of her yesterday morning, I would have told you she’s a shrew.A spoiled rotten brat.”
