Will’s brows shot up.“Did you...did youbuythem for her?”he asked, his voice lowered as if he only wished for David to hear the query.
“I did, Father.I know it was inappropriate?—”
“But it was very appreciated,” Vittoria said, positioning one foot so it appeared from beneath the hem of her gown.“They fit to perfection, so he has arranged for two more pairs to be made for me.”
Glancing down at her foot, Will made an odd sound in his throat.His censure was apparent, but before he could scold his son, David said, “It worked for one of your cousins, Father.I was told he found a shoemaker in London who could make bespoke footwear for his lady who had a crushed foot.He ordered a dozen pairs of slippers and boots for his bride-to-be.”
Will gave a start.“I suppose your Grandmother Cherise told you about that?”he guessed.
David shook his head.“Great Aunt Adele did.”
Unable to hide the sudden humor he felt, Will said, “Whatever you do, don’t tell your mother.”
“Oh, she was there when Adele told us about it,” David replied.
Will crossed his arms and regarded the couple for a moment before his eyes widened.“Are you two...?”
Vittoria turned, stood on tiptoes, and kissed David on his cheek.“I’m very lucky to have met him,mio don,” she said.
“...getting married?”
David cleared his throat.“She hasn’t yet asked me, Father,” he teased, a grin appearing when Vittoria gasped.“I, uh, should probably have a word with Conte D’Avalos and continue the conversationDonnaVittoria and I were having before our arrival.”
Vittoria inhaled softly, her cheeks coloring with her sudden blush.“Perhaps after dinner?”she prompted.“I must go and change clothes.”
David nodded, and Will opened the door for her.When she was out of earshot, Will turned to David and shook his head.“I thought you didn’t like her?”
“Because I thought she was a shrew.She is not,” he replied.
“I thought she didn’t like you,” Will pressed.
“Because she thought I was a rogue, because...well, she has been raised to believe there are no honorable men,” David replied.
Will gave a start.“And you’ve proved otherwise?”
David considered the query for a moment.“I am trying very hard, sir.”
Will once again glanced at his pocket watch.“If you leave now for Palazzo D’Avalos, you can probably secure an appointment with the conte for the next day or so,” he suggested.
Glancing back at the barouche, David realized the coachman was waiting for orders.“That’s an excellent idea,” he said.
He didn’t bother saying a farewell but rather jogged back to the barouche, told the coachmen his new destination, and climbed into the equipage.
Will watched from where he stood and chuckled softly.
Ahalf-hour later, Palazzo D’Avalos
Reviewing what he intended to say to the conte in his head—in English—David was about to translate it into Italian when the butler approached him.
He hadn’t expected to gain an audience with the aristocrat on this day.He had merely thought to secure an appointment.Learning from the butler that the conte was not only in residence but in his study had David asking if he might be allowed to meet with him.He had watched as the servant crossed the large space David recognized had been used as a ballroom only two nights prior.
Two nights?
Now the space was barely recognizable, a number of settees, chairs, and end tables set up on Turkish rugs to emphasize the placement of the huge, carved marble fireplace that dominated one wall.
For a moment, David wondered why he hadn’t noticed it during the ball and realized it had been hidden behind a mirrored panel.Farther back, he recognized the corridor into whichDonLuciano had taken Vittoria.Around the corner from there was the alcove featuring the statue of Apollo.
He hoped Apollo had survived his tumble from the caryatid.
