Chapter37
A Detour Provides Privacy
Afew minutes later
Once the coaches and barouche merged into the midday traffic of Rome, David surreptitiously glanced at his pocket watch.
Sitting opposite him in the barouche, Armenia asked, “Might you know the time,mio don?”
“Half past two o’clock,mia donna,” he replied.
Armenia’s eyes widened.“Oh, dear.Would you two mind very much if I had the coachman take me home directly?I have an appointment soon, and I really must change clothes.”
Vittoria glanced over at her great aunt, her eyes widening.“Shall we have the coachman wave down one of the other coaches?”
“Whatever for?”Armenia asked.
“If we take you home straight away...”She directed a pointed glance at David.“I won’t have a chaperone.”
Armenia lifted a shoulder, but she turned her attention to David and said, “May I trust you’ll be on your very best behavior with my niece, young man?”
David was about to turn around to tap the coachman’s arm when he noticed her wink at him.He hesitated with his response, uncertain if she had done so deliberately or if she merely had something in her eye.“Of course,mia donna.DonnaVittoria rode with me yesterday after our walking tour.She can vouch for me.”He didn’t wait for Vittoria to say anything, turning on the bench to capture the coachman’s attention.“Villa D’Avalos,signore.”
The coachman acknowledged the change of destination, and David turned around to discover Armenia and Vittoria whispering behind an open fan.
Pretending he didn’t notice, David simply aimed his gaze at the passing scenery, eventually recognizing buildings they had passed the day before.“Do you live close to Piazza Navona,mia donna?”
“I do,” she replied.
“ZiaArmenia lives in a villa the family has owned for many generations,” Vittoria claimed.“We worry about her, though,” she said, as if Armenia wasn’t sitting right next to her.“Living there all by herself.”
The barouche slowed, and the tiger jumped down to open the wrought iron gate leading into the courtyard.
David studied what he could see of the house.From his brief perusal, he knew the property was well-maintained despite its age.
A reminder of that morning’s encounter with the American Patrick McAdams had him grinning.“I rather doubt she’s going to be living there by herself much longer,” he replied.
“Whatever are you talking about?”Armenia asked, her dark brows furrowed in confusion.
“Oh, apologies,mia donna.I was merely remembering howSignoreMcAdams regarded you during the ball the other night,” David explained.“I do believe he’s in love with you.”
Vittoria gasped, her eyes rounding as she regarded her aunt with surprise.Armenia appeared momentarily stunned.“Who isSignoreMcAdams?”Vittoria asked, her query directed at her aunt.
“An American,” Armenia replied, lifting a shoulder in a shrug.“His business is textiles,” she added.
“In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he paid a call on you this evening bearing...”David paused, realizing he really shouldn’t give away Mr.McAdams’ intentions.“Gifts,” he finished lamely.
Armenia blinked, her face displaying a blush.“You said that as if you are privy to his plans,mio don,” she accused.“Rather cheeky of you.”
“I suppose so.My apologies,” David replied.“Still...”He clamped his mouth shut, struggling with how much he should say.He wanted to help the American in his pursuit of Lady Armenia, and he knew Patrick wasn’t certain as to how she would react to his proposal, but he didn’t want to undermine the man’s attempts at courtship before he even had a chance to make a good impression on the spinster.
The coachman opened the door and held out a hand with the intention of assisting Armenia from the barouche.David scrambled out of the equipage first, though, and he turned and offered his hand instead.
Armenia placed her gloved hand in his and accompanied him to the front door of the villa.Before the butler had the door opened, David whispered, “He wants to spend the rest of his life with you,mia donna.”
Reacting as if he had slapped her across the face, Armenia blinked several times.“And you?”
Confused, David gave his head a shake.“Me?”
