“I am if you are.”
The two set off in search of another set of stairs.
“What were you about to say earlier?”Randy asked.When David directed a questioning look at him, he added, “‘Which reminds me...”
Nearly breathless, they made their way to another belvedere terrace and glanced out.“I met Lady Armenia’s beau this morning at the jewelry shop.”
“I didn’t know she had one.”
“He’s an American.Owns a textiles firm.”
Randy furrowed his brows.“The gentleman with whom she was dancing at the ball?I think she only danced the one time,” he said.“Do you think he’s after her fortune?”
David shook his head.“No,” he whispered, his gaze on his mind’s eye.“He reminded me of Father, when he talks about Mother,” he murmured.“Bought her a gold band with a huge ruby and some diamonds.”
Whistling softly, Randy chuckled.“That must have cost a fortune.”
“Indeed.Two fortunes.I hope she says ‘yes’, for his sake.”
“When will you propose?”
David chuckled softly.“I’ve only just decided I like her,” he said on a sigh.
“You wouldn’t have massaged her feet if you didn’t, you dolt,” Randy countered happily.
They moved away from the arched opening and stared down at the oval below.The floor was long gone, and the evidence of the underground tunnels and passageways supporting gladiatorial combat were visible despite having been partially filled in with dirt over the centuries.
“Um...”Randy said, stepping backwards until his back was pressed against the stone wall of the top tier.
“What is it?”David asked.
“I, uh, might be, uh...”
David noted how pale his cousin suddenly appeared.“Scared of heights?”he guessed.
Randy nodded.
“Oh.Well, do you think you could turn around and face the stairs as you go down?”
“That worked for the Red Pyramid,” Randy replied in a quiet voice.
“Youclimbed the Red Pyramid?”David asked in surprise.
Randy nodded.“With Diana.We only went up fifty feet, but...”He gingerly set a booted foot down on the top step and turned to face David.“Could you go first?Maybe… provide some direction?”
Chuckling softly, David did his cousin’s bidding for the top two concourses.Once they reached the first level, Randy faced the interior and easily skipped down the last set of stairs to join the rest of their party out on the lawn.
Diana held up her completed sketch, and he leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
“I thought you were scared of heights,” she said in a quiet voice.
“I am,” he acknowledged.“But I wanted to see you.”
She grinned and allowed him to help her to her feet.
“Bounder,” she accused, tucking her sketchbook back into her satchel.“What’s next?”
Will waved a hand to indicate the Forum.“All the rest of it,” he said.He led the way as everyone followed.
At the end of the procession, David, who had passed off the guidebook to Tom, stood between Armenia and Vittoria.It took all his self-control not to inform the two of what he knew was in their futures.
Marriage proposals.
