“I thought you liked the Palazzo’s exorbitant table.”
“Our own cook makes magic in the kitchen. I have no need to look elsewhere,” he said, rising from his seat. “Besides, my own wife is all the entertainment I need.”
Jamie stalked toward her, miming predatory gestures until he scooped her up. She let out a shriek and grabbed on for dear life, still holding his shirt. It trailed over his shoulder where her right hand held fast.
“Foolish man, put me down.”
“Not on your life,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “My room tonight?” He didn’t wait for an answer.
“Let me put my mending away,” she protested as they swept through his dressing room.
“It will keep until morning,” he said, sliding her down to stand on her toes.
So it would. She dropped the shirt when Jamie’s talented fingers on her gown suddenly became more urgent than the mending. She opened for his kiss.
He had changed the subject rather thoroughly, and she let him. She had promised herself she would never question him. When he laid her, naked and open, on the bed and began to remove his clothes, she forgot about it entirely.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Beating a traitor near to death seemed an odd qualification for a teacher. Jamie found it amusing that his English tutorial grew with his reputation for violence. Several courtiers and a guard who planned to accompany the trade delegation joined his class.
Even more amusing to Jamie, a servant girl with ambition to be a lady’s maid begged to participate. The count gave permission when Nora told him the girl, Clara, had been helpful to her the day they found Isabella.
Eduardo emerged as his star pupil. His radical change of heart amused Jamie most of all. He had become the lead student. Two days after Nora’s encounter with Wentworth, Eduardo even lingered to help clean up after class. The boy puffed out his chest while he handed Jamie a file folder.
“So you see, I’m to go to London,” the young man bragged. That would account for the sudden turn about in his attitude. “I was overlooked before. Now I will make my country proud.”
Jamie bit back a smile.
“You’ll be ready, I think, if you buckle down and study.”
“I have done,” Eduardo declared, outraged.
“So far. You must continue,” Jamie told him.
“Of course. I will lead a delegation someday. Now even Victor Filiberto pays attention to me. Before, he favored Giovanni, always Giovanni. You see? Even Castellimonte’s own son made mistakes about him.”
Jamie paused in his packing.Giovanni and Victor. Would the count’s own son conspire against the old man? Perhaps I should discuss it with Nora. He knew that keeping things from her had been a mistake.
“See, there is Victor now,” Eduardo said, strutting toward his new sponsor.
“Ah, Baron, how may I help you? Do you need something?” Jamie asked. He searched the baron’s face, looking for deceit but finding none.I should tell Nora my fears this time.
“Nothing at all, Major,” Filiberto replied. “Eduardo and I have an appointment.” Eduardo preened, but Jamie thought Filiberto secretly laughed at the coxcomb.
“You missed dinner last night with the English ‘visitors’ from Hanover’s embassy,” Filiberto said.
“As I explained to your father, we have no need for such exalted company. My family needs quiet time together.”
“Pity. Your Wentworth is not the most urbane conversationalist. You might have livened up the table. General Rambaudi was eager to refight Waterloo as always,” Filiberto sneered.
“Since I have no desire to relive that particular experience, I would be no help whatsoever,” Jamie said, snapping his portfolio shut.
Victor Filiberto’s cold smile froze Jamie momentarily. “Oh, I think you are most interesting, Major. Don’t underestimate yourself.” He left with Eduardo dogging his steps.
When the baron departed, Jamie relaxed. The force he used to keep his jaw clamped shot pain from chin to ear. He slammed the valise down on the desk.
“I think you are most interesting, Major.” What the hell did the little worm mean by that?
