A Chance Encounter (St. John Series Book 10)

by Lora Thomas

  “I know, and that is why I am not asking you to leave…unless it happens again. I am not stupid, Oliver. I know what occurred between you and Madelena. I know that she was innocent in the ways of a man and woman. I also know that she is to be wed to Miles Drakos. Once it is discovered that she is no longer a virgin, Drakos will call off the wedding, and it will not be in Madelena’s best interests.”

  “And marrying Drakos is?” Oliver asked. “The way she described him was as a fat, old man.”

  Geneva nodded. “He is. Yet, Sandra arranged the marriage, and she is not a woman to anger. She will make Madelena’s life hell. I know you cannot change the past, and I realize that you did not know who it was you brought to my home. I just want you to know, should you do so again, I will ask you to leave immediately. I will not have my home labeled as a den of sin. And I will not have any more lilies brought into my home!”

  Oliver drew his brow together with confusion. She switched topic midway through. If he did not know any better, he would have sworn he was speaking with his sister-in-law, Kris, who was notorious for doing such things.

  “Just keep it in your pants, man,” Martin said.

  “Martin!” Geneva protested.

  “What? That is what you are trying to tell him.”

  “It is. But not that crudely. Look, Oliver, I know men have needs. Just seek them somewhere other than my home. Understand?”

  Oliver nodded.

  “Good. Now dinner is ready, and I’m starving. Eating for two makes me ravenous.”

  “Eating for two?” Oliver repeated.

  Martin stood and gave a toothy grin. “I am going to be a father.”

  Oliver approached, patting Martin roughly on the back. “Congratulations, old man!”

  “You trying to break my spine?” Martin said, coughing.

  “You need to toughen up. You’ll have a daughter to defend from rakes like me.”

  “Egad! If that’s the case, then I had better begin training with that brute of a brother of yours.”

  “Matthew would snap you like a twig, but he could show you a thing or two.”

  “He could. He’s the best man I’ve ever seen with his fists. You said he married but not to whom.”

  “He is and to a woman who knocked him on his ass—literally, not figuratively.”

  “You don’t say.”

  “I do. A little thief by the name of Chessi. I’ll tell you about it over dinner.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Hammering disturbed Madelena’s thoughts. She closed her eyes and opened them again, attempting to focus upon her book. More hammering and then she heard it. Singing. Not just any singing but familiar male singing.

  Tossing her book onto her bed, she raced to the window and opened it farther. Down below in the courtyard, she could see a familiar red head. Oliver was working below. His muscular arms brought the hammer down upon the nail. She could not tear her eyes away from him. He was wearing a pair of brown breeches and a cream tunic with the sleeves rolled up. Her hand came to her mouth to cover her grin when she noticed the tune. It was one of the songs they had sung at Carnival and was far from appropriate to sing in mixed company. Was he doing it on purpose? If she had learned anything about him these past few days, it was that he liked to cause mischief.

  “When you’re finished repairing my step, please see to the shutters on the top floor. They are loose and bang against the house when the wind blows,” Sandra ordered.

  “Yes, signora,” Oliver replied.

  Madelena’s heart pounded in excitement. Oliver would be climbing to her window! She darted to the mirror and smoothed down the frazzled locks of her thick black hair and searched for her brush. Today was the day the midwife was coming, and she wanted to look hideous. Like an old stray cat. But now, Oliver was here and for some reason she wanted to look her best. Finding her brush, she pulled it through her hair and cringed as she combed through the tangles. Glancing at her reflection, her eyes grew wide. The ragged, brown morning gown she’d decided to wear was soiled with this morning’s breakfast. Dark circles rested under her puffy eyes from her lack of sleep. Splashing water upon her face, she tried to make her eyes brighter. Turning, she glanced down at her dress. She did not have time to change. Her legs quickly carried her to the wardrobe, and she removed a white shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. Returning to the mirror, a frown settled over her.

  “No, no, no,” she mumbled when she saw her appearance. She looked like an old lady. The sound of the ladder banging against the side of the house caused her to gasp. Her fingers fumbled with the shawl, tying it around her neck. Viewing her reflection again, she moved the knot until she looked less elderly and returned to the window.

  “Pardon me, signorina,” Oliver said from the window. “I need to repair your shutters. I hope the sound will not disturb your day.”

  “Not at all,” Madelena said, batting her eyes coyly, heat flooding her from the sight of him.

  Oliver gave her that grin. That positively wicked, wolfish grin. The one that caused her knees to grow weak. The one that made her hot from the inside out. The wink he gave only caused her insides to tremble even more and heat flooded her. He was the handsomest man Madelena had ever seen.

  His hands fumbled with the wooden shutters. She approached the window and leaned out to watched him work. The man before her was so handsome that he would put the Roman Gods to shame. From this angle, his features were more chiseled and manly. The determined set to his square jaw was covered in the shadowy image from where he did not shave this morning. His fingers worked the hinge. Those fingers that were so tender while touching her were strong and rough upon the stubborn shutter that refused to move. His chest heaved, and the muscles rippled. Those same muscles that felt so wonderful under her touch.

  “Signore St. John!” Madelena heard her mother call from the kitchen door. Madelena quickly ducked back inside before Sandra spotted her.

  “Yes, Signora Russo?” Oliver called looking down from his perch.

  “Do be careful.”

  “Relax, Signora Russo. I build ships for a living and climb quite frequently.”

  “Well, I just want to make certain that no harm befalls you for you see, I would like you to join us for dinner this evening…in order to repay you for your work.”

  Madelena could hear Oliver exhale and a muffled curse left him.

  “I would be delighted to join you for dinner,” Oliver replied. Looking upward, he rolled his eyes in frustration.

  Sandra stepped away from the house and looked up. Madelena gasped and pressed her back to the wall next to the window.

  “Madelena! Close that window, girl. There’s nothing for you to see here.”

  Madelena kept her back to the wall. If Sandra knew she had been watching Oliver, she would be in worse trouble than she was. Her nose crinkled in exasperation. What more could Sandra do to her? She had already locked her in her room and was forcing her to marry Drakos.

  “Madelena!” Sandra called again.

  “No one is here, Signora Russo,” Oliver called. “Just me and the birds.”

  Sandra allowed her hand to float up to her chest. “Pardon me, Signore St. John. There is just a ragged servant girl up there cleaning, and I do not want you to disturb her.”

  “Servant girl? Isn’t Madelena the name of your daughter?”

  Madelena did not have to look out the window to see Sandra’s face. She could see the angry set to Sandra’s features now. Her dark eyes lowered and her jaw set, ready to do battle for she did not like to be called out.

  “It. Is.” Hatred punctuated Sandra’s words.

  “And you have a servant with the same name? The only reason I ask is so I will not get them confused should I ever meet your other daughter.”

  “Not to worry, signore. Madelena Russo is to marry in a week and Madelena the ragged servant will be traveling with her.”

  “Is that so?” Oliver’s right brow rose.

  “Yes,” San
dra replied forcefully. She looked at the window. “Close that window!”

  A vindictive sneer pulled Madelena’s lips. If Sandra wanted the window closed, then she could come do so herself.

  “No need to close the window,” Oliver spoke. “I am finished with the shutter. Just a loose nail is all. But it is repaired. I just need to check on those loose tiles on the roof you complained about.”

  “No need to rush,” Sandra said, trying to sound cheery. Her eyes drifted back to the open window. Madelena was purposely disobeying her. Well, that little tart would regret her defiance. She would make sure that her purity check was far from pleasant. “If you cannot get to it today, then perhaps tomorrow.”

  Oliver forced a smile to his face as he glanced downward. He knew what Mrs. Russo was doing. She was purposely trying to get him to spend more time with them to pair him with one of her hideous daughters. But the mischievous side of him had another plan. If he were to spend time with the Russos, why not all of them?

  “That is a splendid idea. It is a tad warm today. I will finish tomorrow. And since you so kindly invited me to dinner, I do hope to see all of your daughters.”

  Sandra clasped her hands together and held them to her chest. “Splendid. There will be plenty of room at my table. With Madelena engaged to Signore Drakos, she will not be able to attend—”

  “So, not all of your daughters will be there?”

  “No. You see—”

  “Pity. I heard that the sun could not compare to the beauty of Signore Russo’s daughters when all five were together.” His eyes went back upward. “Then if that is the case, I shall finish my repairs today and allow you to prepare for your guests.”

  “What?”

  “Yes. You said that Madelena was to wed Signore Drakos within the next week. Since your husband will be needed for the Carnival activities, I assume Signore Drakos is to come to Rome to wed your daughter. A fete no father would want to deprive himself of. And if that is the case, I assume Drakos will be at your home. You will have him to entertain and do not need to trouble yourself with me. I have already met your lovely daughters. Well, all but two, so there would be no need to entertain me for more than one night.”

  “But Signore St. John,” Sandra said, trying to come up with a reason to not have him leave. The more nights he was with her daughters, the better the chance of a marriage proposal.

  “Do not trouble yourself, Signora. Signore Russo is renowned through all of Italy. I simply wanted a chance to meet all of his children. But since that will not happen, I will finish my chores. Now, if you will excuse me.” Oliver turned to climb up the ladder.

  “Wait!” Sandra looked around the courtyard. She had about as much desire to invite Madelena as she did to have the pox. But if that would be the only way to get St. John to stay, then so be it! Besides, it wasn’t like that little harlot could take him away from her girls for she was already to wed.

  Oliver stopped and turned. “Yes?”

  Sandra opened and closed her mouth several times, trying to get the words to leave her throat. “I will see if Madelena can make it.”

  “Only see? I do say, you must insist! I would be terribly disappointed if I did not get to meet all of your daughters. I have heard only their praises and wish to see if the stories are true.”

  “Well.” Sandra’s mouth twitched as she tried to hold her tongue. The only one who ever had praises sung about them was Madelena. “I will see if she can come.”

  “Let’s ask her, shall we?”

  “Now?” Sandra screeched out.

  “Of course.” Oliver looked at the open window, mischief twinkling in his green eyes. “Madelena Russo! Are you here? Signorina Russo, is that you in this room?”

  Madelena covered her mouth as her heart pounded. Oliver was so naughty! He was inciting her mother’s wrath on purpose. Pain coursed through her cheeks as she tried to hide the smile behind her hand.

  “Signorina Madelena Russo!” Oliver called again.

  “You see, she is not here,” Sandra said.

  Madelena dropped her hands to her side. She would not allow Sandra to ruin her life! She wanted to see Oliver again.

  “Yes, Mama!” Madelena called from the window and stepped into the light.

  The instant Oliver’s gaze was upon her, she could feel heat travel up to her roots as butterflies settled inside her stomach. She felt like a giddy school girl each time she saw him. Why did he have such an effect upon her?

  “Signore St. John is having dinner with us this evening and wondered if you were not too busy to attend.”

  Madelena looked down at Sandra and could see the warning in her eyes. But she would not cower. Not this time. Not ever again.

  “I tried to tell him that you would be otherwise engaged with Signore Drakos, but he insisted on asking you himself.”

  The warning in Sandra’s tone did not go unnoticed by Oliver or Madelena. Madelena sneered at her mother and turned her attention to Oliver.

  “That is too kind of you, Signore St. John. As my mother stated, Signore Drakos will be taking up quite a bit of my time.”

  Sandra let out a relieved breath, but her spine went stiff when she heard Madelena’s “However”.

  “However, it would be rude of me not to receive you this evening. After all, your family has brought many wonderful things to Rome, and it would be my honor to attend dinner with you this evening.”

  “Splendid!” Oliver replied. He directed the next question purposely to Madelena. “What time would you like me to arrive?”

  “Seven.”

  “Seven it is. I look forward to meeting you again, Signorina Russo. Now, please excuse me. I must return to my lodgings and freshen up for this evening.”

  Oliver descended the ladder. The instant his feet were upon the ground, he turned to Sandra.

  “Signora Russo. I will tend to your tiles tomorrow morning, if that is suitable for you?”

  “It is,” Sandra forced out.

  Oliver bowed politely. “Wonderful. Is it all right if I leave the tools in your barn?”

  “Yes.”

  “I will clean up the mess I made from repairing your steps and shutter and then be on my way. Thank you again for the dinner invitation, Signora Russo. I will make certain that my father learns of the kindness that you and your family have bestowed upon me during my visit. He is an important man, you know, and likes to return these things in kind.”

  Oliver turned and began cleaning up the wood pieces around the yard.

  Sandra’s gaze traveled back to the window and locked onto Madelena. Madelena was watching Oliver with too much interest to suit Sandra. Sandra’s face reddened. She would not have that tart ruining any chances that Angela or Flora had with St. John. She would not allow it! She had to make certain that Madelena did not attend. But how?

  Madelena jumped when she heard the keys rattle in the lock on her door. She didn’t know why she did. She had been expecting Sandra for some time now. Apprehension perhaps? Whatever the reason, knots formed in the deepest pit of Madelena’s stomach. Today was the day she had been dreading for the past four days, and she had tried to mentally prepare herself for the humiliation. She had thought about applying several layers of clothing to delay what was to come; however, it would only delay the inevitable. So she kept the dirty, ragged brown dress on along with the shawl. To aid in her appearance, she did smudge a bit of soot upon her cheek from the residue of the candle wick and spat a bit of chewed up fruit onto her bodice all in order to repulse the midwife in hopes she would report it to Drakos.

  The palms of her hands grew sweaty. She was thankful now that she had opted to remain in the chair by the window because her legs trembled so as she watched the door open.

  Sandra stood in the doorway, that menacing scowl pulling her ugly features down. Her fingers were fisted around the key as heat flashed from her eyes.

  “I have just received word from Signore Drakos.”

  Madelena could feel the bottom
fall out of her stomach, and she swallowed hard.

  “It appears that his midwife will not arrive today as we expected. Signore Drakos will arrive sometime next week along with the midwife. Once the purity check is completed, you will wed that day.”

  A combination of emotions flooded Madelena. Hope and excitement. Terror and dread. Happiness and sorrow.

  Sandra continued, “You will remain locked in this dingy little room until that time.”

  “What of the dinner tonight—”

  “You will not attend! I forbid it!”

  “You promised Signore St. John. If he arrives and I am not here, he will leave.”

  “He will do no such thing! If he values his company’s placement in Rome, he will stay, and before the end of next week, he will propose to one of my girls.”

  A glint of maliciousness came to Madelena. “What if he proposes to me?”

  “I have made certain that he is aware of your circumstances. He would not dare.”

  “How do you know? I may ‘charm’ my way into his favor just like you claim I have done to every other suitor that has come to visit.”

  “He is a gentleman. Gentlemen would never take advantage of another man’s fiancée and especially a little tart like you.”

  Madelena so desperately wanted to scream that she had spent the night in Oliver’s bed. Wanted to shout how he had taken her virginity and caused her to cry out in pleasure. Yet, if she did, it would only cause hardship for him, and she would not do that.

  “That may be. But he will expect me. And imagine what Papa would say should he know that you promised my presence and lied regarding my absence.”

  “I could care less about what your father thinks. He is a man that I used for my own gain. St. John will be another.”

  “What gain can you possibly get from Oliver? Other than trying to pair one of my sisters with him.”

  “Oliver?” Sandra repeated with interest.

  Madelena inwardly cringed. “That is his name, is it not? And since I’m such a tart, do not loose women call men by their given name?” She hoped that would cover the slip.