Before the butler could say anything, Conte Edoardo D’Avalos emerged from the corridor opposite the one that had David’s attention.
“DonPenton, it is an honor to host you once again,” Edoardo called out in accented English.
“Mio don, it is I who is honored to be received with no appointment,” David replied, bowing to the conte.
“You are the second on this day.”
“Oh?”
“Do you recall meeting an American gentleman during the ball?”
David nodded.“Patrick McAdams,” he stated.
“That’s the one.”
“By chance, was he here to ask your permission for him to marryDonnaArmenia?”
Edoardo gave a start.“Seems you knowSignoreMcAdams better than I do.”
“I might have crossed paths with him this morning.At a jewelry shop.”
“Jewelry?”Edoardo repeated with appreciation.
“He, uh, he said he was going to askDonnaArmenia for her hand in marriage,” David murmured, hoping the coincidence would work in his favor—two gentlemen asking for permission to marry the conte’s relatives on the same day.“May I ask if you gave your permission?”
Edoardo chucked softly.“I will tell you what I told him.Aunt Armenia will make her own decision as to whether or not she marries and to whom,” he said with a sigh.“I have no say in the matter.”
“Then I hope she agrees to his marriage proposal,” David replied.“He loves her, and he’s already bought the ring.A ruby ring.”
Edoardo’s eyes widened.“That man has wasted no time.He only met Armenia during the ball.”He angled his head to one side.“And you?Did you happen to buy anything?”
“I bought a betrothal ring.”David reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out the ring box.Opening it, he held it out for the conte’s perusal.“I wish to ask permission to court your daughter.”
“Vittoria?”Edoardo asked, his manner suggesting he was surprised.He bent down to look at the ring more closely.
David experienced a moment of hesitation.“Have you another?”
Edoardo shook his head.“Gods, no,” he replied, grinning.“One daughter is quite enough.”He suddenly sobered.“Have you ruined her?”
“No,mio don,” David replied, closing the box with asnap.He tucked it back into his waistcoat pocket.“I believe I saved her from ruination the night of her come-out, though.”He dipped his head.“Whether she wanted my help or not.”
For a moment, Edoardo regarded him with a blank expression.“Oh, that nasty business withDonLibertino?OrDonDiavala—whatever they’re calling themerdathese days?”He made a dismissive motion with a hand.“I do hope your help was appreciated?”
David was still trying to hide his reaction to hearing the conte’s assessment of Vittoria’s attacker when he realized he was expected to provide a response.“Not at first, no,” he said on a sigh.“But, uh, I have spent the last two days in her company—on our walking tours of the city—and I have managed to clear up any misunderstandings we had about each other.”
Edoardo blinked.“She didn’t spend the time complaining?”
David shook his head.“No,mio don.”
“She didn’t cry about her feet hurting?Her gown not fitting?Her hair giving her pain?”
Stiffening, David furrowed his brows.“She did not.”
Obviously expecting a different answer, Edoardo seemed momentarily dumbfounded.“We are speaking of my daughter, Vittoria?”
“We are,mio don.”
“Huh.Well, why, pray tell, do you wish to marry her?”
