Chapter35
A Tour of the Colosseum
An hour later
Despite the light rain shower that had awakened her earlier that morning, Armenia was pleasantly surprised to discover the marble tiles making up the courtyard of Villa D’Avalos were dry when she stepped out to meet the Montblanc town coach at eleven o’clock.
Nicoletta’s servants were punctual.
Armenia pressed a gloved hand into the one offered by the tiger and stepped up into the coach, wincing at the slight discomfort she felt at the top of her thighs.The delicious soreness had her grinning, though.She felt at least ten years younger, and the mirror seemed to have agreed with her that morning.
She chuckled softly at realizing Nicoletta had sent the newest Montblanc equipage, the blue velvet interior not yet showing signs of wear.Themarchesato’screst emblazoned in gold on the door reflected the mid-morning light.
She was barely seated when the coach lurched into motion and passed through the arched wrought iron doors to the street beyond.Settling back into the squabs, she hoped she hadn’t overlooked any of the arrangements for that evening’s dinner.If everything went as planned, she intended to invite Patrick to spend the night.
A frisson shot through her at the memory of their afternoon together.Would he have awakened sore from their time together?Had he put voice to a curse?Or had he smiled as she had, happy to know she would be seeing him again soon?
Given the light traffic, it didn’t take long to get to Villa Montblanc.Most of Nicoletta’s extended family was already in the front court choosing coaches for the trip to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.Once the one in which she rode stopped, the tiger opened the door.Donald leaned in and greeted her.
“Pardon the delay.It seems we are missing Vittoria and my brother,” he said.“And one of the coaches.”
Armenia arched a brow.“Do you suppose they have settled their differences?”Try as she might to imagine the two of them having departed Villa Montblanc in the same coach, she thought it rather unlikely.
Donald guffawed.“Neither were at breakfast this morning.I may have blistered his ears last night,” he added, rolling his eyes in frustration.
“So that is why you didn’t join us in the parlor?”she guessed.
“Indeed.”
“I will have a word with her,” she replied.“I am sure it is merely a misunderstanding betwixt them.”
He straightened and glanced back toward the house.“Well, here is Vittoria,” he murmured.“She looks...happy?”he added, uncertainty sounding in his voice.
“She does indeed, and she is positively gorgeous on this fine morning.”
Donald whirled to his left to discover his brother approaching the coach from another that had just pulled into the courtyard.“Where haveyoubeen?”
“Seeing to a possible future,” David replied, “and a guide book,” he added, lifting the tome from beneath his arm.He nodded to Vittoria, who still displayed a flush of color at hearing his compliment about her appearance.He offered his hand.She placed her gloved hand into it and joined her great aunt so she was seated in the direction of travel.
“Buongiorno, zia,” she said brightly.
“Buongiorno.Feeling better?You’re not limping.”
“Not yet,” Vittoria replied.
Nicoletta followed her niece into the coach and ended up seated between Donald and David.She inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh.“I almost insisted the children join us today, but I think it’s best Antony spend time with his tutor.”
“How isDonnaNancy fairing?”Armenia asked.
“She misses her mother, but she seems resigned to what has happened,” Nicoletta replied.“She insisted on joining Antony when his tutor arrived.Claims she wants to learn how to read.”
“Good,” Armenia replied.“And Amalia?”
“Amalia is about to become even more spoiled than she already is, given how Mother and my new cousins insist on holding her,” David said.He was grinning, though.A year ago, he wouldn’t have so much as held a babe, but having spent a good deal of time in the company of Helen’s younger brother whilst they were in Egypt, he discovered he had a special rapport with toddlers.
“You’re the one who’s spoiling her,” Donald accused.“I saw you giving her a biscuit before dinner.”
“So she would agree to play cards with me.I’m teaching her how to play whist,” David said in all seriousness.
