Barefoot, she padded to her side table, eased into her chair and stirred sugar into her tea. A dash of milk too, then she sipped the sweet brew and breathed deep of the hearty aroma of the freshly buttered bread rolls still warm from the ovens. A slather of marmalade and her mouth watered as she bit into the light and airy softness of the bread, the preserve so sweetly delicious atop.
Lucy foraged inside her wardrobe, emerged and draped her riding habit on her bed, then collected her gloves and riding boots before swishing to the door. “I’ll have your mare readied for your ride, then return to aid you in dressing.”
“You are a treasure. Thank you, Lucy.”
Her maid closed the door behind her.
After licking a drop of marmalade from one finger, she opened her window a notch and breathed in the slight dampness in the air. Birds chirped from their treetop nests and water splashed in the garden fountain far below.
Another knock and Mama tottered in with a large bouquet of flowers overflowing her arms, the arrangement holding elegant golden-yellow roses, aromatic lilies, crimson-colored germini, and an abundance of white jasmine.
“These just arrived for you.” Mama set the vase on the table, dropped a kiss on the top of her head then seated herself, her golden hair wisped with streaks of silver coiled high upon her head.
“They’re beautiful.” She searched the flowers and found a sealed card poking out from the fragrant blooms, the insignia embedded in the red wax belonging to Anteros. Gently, she caressed the smooth curls of the cobra’s body and head emblazoned upon the seal. “The flowers are from the captain.”
“Well, you two did spend a great deal of time together at the ball last eve. I’m not surprised he sent you flowers today.”
“We are friends, Mama.” She unfolded the small card. “Nothing more.”
“No, my child, there is far more to your relationship with the captain than mere friendship alone. A mother can tell. Anteros Bourbon guards you like a hawk. He always does whenever he’s in town.” A fluff of Mama’s navy skirts as she crossed her legs, her glittering silver wrap a beautiful contrast of color as it skimmed her shoulders. “Do you wish for more with him?”
“Yes.” That single word slipped from her lips with such hope infusing it. “Unfortunately, he never intends on taking a wife. He believes he lives a dangerous life, one he doesn’t wish to entangle a wife within.”
“That might be what he says, but he looks at you and sees the future he desires.”
“That doesn’t change the truth though, or his intentions.”
“My dear, I believe you need some motherly advice.”
“Go right ahead.” She ate another bite of her bread roll.
“Follow your heart, my child, just as I followed mine when I allowed your papa to guard me like a hawk.” An audacious wink, although not unsurprising. Mama could be shockingly audacious at times.
“I see,” she murmured as she propped one elbow on the table, rested her chin in her open palm. “What if I told you that last eve my hawk handed me an invitation to a ball at the Royal Palace of Palermo?”
Mama’s mouth gaped open. “As in Palermo, Sicily?”
“Yes. Adrestia received an invitation too, directly from Maria Cristina, the Duchess of Genoa who is currently residing in the palace with her parents. The ball is being held in the duchess’s honor, and Anteros has offered me safe passage aboard his ship to attend the event.”
“How on earth—I mean—oh my.” Mama fluttered a hand over her chest. “You must go, Olivia. You can’t turn down such an esteemed invitation, not from the Duchess of Genoa.”
“Will you come with me?” She already knew Mama’s answer, but she asked nonetheless.
“Oh, sweet child of mine, you know I suffer from such terrible seasickness whenever I’m on the water. I won’t be able to chaperone you on board the ship, although provided you take Lucy and a footman who can serve as a guard, then I’ll be content and assured of your safety. I trust the captain. He would never allow any harm to come to you. Adrestia will be with you as well, correct?”
“She will. You truly don’t mind that I’ll be gone for a little while?”
“Not at all. You have been most fortunate to have been asked. You must go.”
“Thank you, Mama. I’m so excited about this trip and all the new places I’ll get to see.”
“You’ll have a wonderful time, I’m sure of it.” Mama pointed to the card. “Read it to me. I must know what Anteros has written.”
Smiling, she unfolded the card and read Anteros’s elegantly written hand.
“My enchanting Olivia,
Please accept these flowers as a token of our friendship. They are as radiant as the angel I have sent them to. Adrestia and I shall see you at ten for our ride in the park. Dress warmly. It appears there is a fierce wind today.
Yours,
Anteros.”
“Ten o’clock is fast approaching.” Mama rose and squeezed her hand. “I shan’t keep you, not when I have errands to run in town.” With a jaunty wave, Mama swished out the door.
Yes, she must ready herself. Lucy wouldn’t be far away. She tossed her robe and ivory nightgown on her bed then slipped on a chemise and cream blouse which she buttoned at the front, the neckline ruffled with layers that fluffed under her chin, her locket hidden underneath the fabric where it lay warm against her skin. Stockings and royal-blue skirts next, then she sat at her dressing table just as Lucy reappeared.
“My apologies, my lady. I got held up trying to find one of the groomsmen to saddle your mare. How would you like your hair arranged?”
“I’d like it left down today please.” Over her shoulder, she handed Lucy her brush, the breeze slipping through her window swirling the sweet fragrance of the blooms from her beautiful bouquet. Her maid brushed her hair until the mass of thick golden curls bobbed in a glittering fall down her back.
Done, she rose from her chair, slipped her arms into her riding jacket and buttoned it. Boots laced and gloves tugged on, she nabbed her royal-blue hat, selected a golden-yellow rose from the bouquet and pinned it to her jacket as she walked from her chamber.
Along the top landing, she caught voices echoing to her from below in the front foyer. She grasped the railing and leaned over. Looking glorious in a forest-green riding jacket and skirt embroidered with swirling golden leaves, Adrestia stood below with their butler, a dainty forest-green hat pinned atop her head.
She must have made a noise since Adrestia lifted her gaze and smiled. “There you are. Jeeves let me in.”
“I’m coming.” She skipped downstairs as Jeeves disappeared down the hallway, leaving them alone. She bounced off the bottom step and hugged Adrestia. “How are you today?”
“Invigorated and ready for a ride. Oh, and before I forget, Anteros asked the chef to pack us a picnic lunch to enjoy at the park, our usual spot in the wooded clearing next to the lake. One of our footmen loaded the picnic basket in the curricle and has already gone on ahead of us to set it up.” Adrestia squeezed her back, whispered in her ear, “Anteros also told me you’ve accepted his proposal. When I heard of his plan to foil Father by speaking false marriage vows with you, I knew there wasn’t a chance you’d ever turn his request down. We shall have such a wonderful trip to Sicily, and I promise Anteros and I will show you as many of our favorite places as we can along the way. The Duchess of Genoa’s ball will be a stunning event to attend.”
“Mama’s already given me her approval to sail with both of you, although I didn’t mention the proposal of course. It’s best I keep all of that from her, otherwise she will only worry unnecessarily.” A whispered answer in Adrestia’s ear, their conversation going no farther than the two of them.
“I won’t speak a word about it to her either.”
Bootsteps crunched the gravel and Anteros stepped inside. Dressed in tight-fitting tan breeches which hugged his strong thighs, his riding boots buckled just below his knees and his sapphire blue jacket showin
g off the breadth of his broad shoulders, he appeared incredibly handsome. Even more so as he pressed one hand behind his back and offered her a deep bow, his neckcloth knotted and tailcoats swaying. “Good morning, Lady Olivia. You look as radiant as always.”
“Sir, thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.” Her heartbeat fluttered all over the place, not keeping any proper rhythm at all, and her thoughts, oh my, they swiftly veered back to the time when she’d been in his arms last night.
“You’re most welcome.” A glance at the rose pinned to her jacket, then a playful smile as he caught her gloved hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I picked the flowers myself from my garden.”
“You have a garden?” She’d never seen one when visiting his home in the past, other than for the flower boxes adorning the short pathway leading up to his front door. No roses or lilies were planted there though.
“I recently acquired the residence which sits on the street directly behind my home. It has extensive gardens which I raided this morning.”
“You mean Grace Hall?” It abutted his, although no one had lived there for several months.
“Yes, I do. I’ve taken the boundary fence between my property and the Hall down, so now I have a rather large rear garden. The Hall will need upgrading and refurbishing since the previous owners neglected it these past few years, but once the work is completed, it’ll be a wonderful addition to my property portfolio.”
“Cease waffling on about your gardens and property portfolio. We’re eager to be away, Fratello.” Adrestia swished out the door, calling over her shoulder. “It’s time to ride.”
“Did you speak to your mama about our forthcoming trip?” He offered his arm and she accepted. They stepped outside and walked along the path toward the driveway.
“Yes, and Mama was excited to hear about the invitation to the ball at Palermo, which she quickly insisted I must attend. That is all she’s aware of though. I’d like to keep it that way.”
“You have my agreement on that front.” Across the other side of the driveway, their head groomsman cupped his palms and aided Adrestia atop her mount, while Sawman, the groomsman’s son who also served as a guard when she rode, brought her mare forward from the stables. Anteros accepted the reins and waved Sawman away, then keeping her horse between them and the others, he dipped his head closer, his warm breath fluttering a few loose strands of hair across her cheek. “I’ll show you my new rear gardens later today.”
“You will?”
“I always keep a promise once it’s made.” He snuck her riding hat from her hand, set it atop her head and laced the ribbons underneath her chin. “I dreamed of you last night. All night. Of having you in my arms and kissing you again.”
“You did?” She swayed.
“I’ve more pirate tendencies than a gentleman’s, I’m afraid.” A chuckle as he clasped her waist and lifted her into her saddle. He handed her mare’s reins to her before mounting his own horse.
“Unfortunately, I like those pirate tendencies.” A cheeky, sparring answer in return. She pressed her knees into her mount’s sides and trotted in beside Adrestia, while Anteros came in on her other side. Together the three of them rode down the driveway and turned onto the street, Sawman atop his horse a short distance behind.
They clopped along, the wind rising and plastering her woolen skirts to her legs. A bird soared overhead, flying higher and higher, while a ginger-haired cat dashed across the street in front of them and skittered up a tree. Large hedges and front gardens lined each side of the road, stately homes hidden behind the lush greenery.
“Mi piace sparring con te.” Anteros doffed his hat toward her.
“Pardon?”
Adrestia bobbed in her saddle, the gait of her mare smooth as they trotted. “He said he enjoys sparring with you, Sorella.”
“Well, that has been obvious since the beginning.” She arched a brow at him, although he looked ahead and whistled a merry tune.
They rode on, reaching a busier stretch as they entered the shopping area.
Peddlers hawked their wares from carts and a newspaper boy called out to passersby from one street corner.
Anteros continued his whistling, a different melody this time, not one she’d heard before.
“Are there lyrics to the tune you’re whistling?” she asked.
“There are, but only in Sicilian. The lyrics talk of the blue tranquil waters of our homeland.” A tip of his hat to two ladies strolling along the pathway.
“How different is Sicilian to Italian?” How he kept track of all the languages he spoke, she had no idea.
“There’s a marked difference. Sicilian contains a medley of languages, with Greek, Hebrew, and Arabian words mixed in.”
“How interesting.” She longed to know more.
“There’s also a difference between the tone and the structure of the sentences,” Adrestia added. “If you wish to learn both languages, begin with Italian first, then delve into Sicilian.”
“Would you tutor me?” She reached across the short gap between her and Adrestia, squeezed her gloved hand. “We’ll have time while at sea, won’t we?”
“If you sail with me on board The Decadence, then yes.”
“Then I’ll sail with you.”
“You’re sailing with me on The Cobra.” Firm words from Anteros as he glanced behind him and searched among the hacks and carriages for someone or something. Only Sawman followed though.
“Are you looking for Giovani?” she checked.
“No, Giovani has gone on ahead to the park at my request. I asked him to hire a skiff from the lake vendors along the Serpentine, so we can enjoy a sail later. I’m looking for Bruno.” One hard grunt. “He tailed us on our ride to your home so he won’t be far away.”
“Why can’t I sail to Paradiso with Adrestia?” she asked, returning to their previous conversation. “She has agreed to teach me Italian.”
“So did I last eve.”
“Not words that I can repeat to another.” She wagged a finger at him. “Did I mention that Lord Herbarth serenaded me with a merry tune once?” she added smartly, hopeful she could cajole him into singing the Sicilian tune. She truly wanted to hear it.
“Oooh, you are tugging on the tail of the cobra.” A giggle from Adrestia. “Be careful, for the cobra can bite.”
“Handsome Lord Herbarth.” She released a soft sigh and what she hoped was a dreamy gaze to the streaky gray skies overhead. “He has such an entrancing voice, so easy to listen to. It’s a gift being able to sing so well.” She winked at Adrestia. “What is the Italian word for ‘beloved?’”
“Amati.”
“Amati,” she repeated before arching a brow at Anteros. “Would you sing to me the words of your Sicilian tune, Amati?”
“You wish to compare my singing voice to that of your baron’s?”
“Oh, there could surely be no comparison. Did I mention how entrancing his voice was?”
Adrestia burst into laughter. “Oh my, she spars better with each minute that passes. Sing the tune, Fratello.”
“Don’t encourage my bride-to-be.” A mutter and dark look from Anteros.
Another laugh then Adrestia gestured to the arched entranceway into Hyde Park which appeared up ahead. “Let’s have some fun. A race. First to our usual spot on the lake wins the rights to brag of their success for a week.”
“Wait.” She held a hand up. “Anteros’s horse has thoroughbred blood. He needs to give you and I both a head start.”
“Yes, I agree.” A nod from Adrestia.
“Good.” Without waiting another moment, Olivia thrust her knees into her mare’s sides and burst into a gallop, the wind rushing by as she tore under the arch. Across the royal parkland, she raced, hundreds of acres of hunting ground spread out before her, the grass green and lush with towering trees and the glistening waters of the Serpentine weaving through it all. Keeping her head tucked close to her horse’s neck, she bolted as horses’ hooves pound
ed close behind.
Anteros caught up to her first, his sapphire eyes bright and his hat now tucked under one arm so it didn’t fly off, a mischievous look on his face. “Mind the dirt flying from my stallion’s hooves, won’t you?”
“How about you mind the dirt flying from mine?” With the silk ties of her pretty hat fluttering under her chin, she touched her cheek to her mount’s neck and whispered, “Let’s fly, girl.”
Her mare snorted, nostrils flaring, her sleek brown coat gleaming, then she was off, weaving in and around the trees as the copse thickened.
Anteros thundered alongside her, Adrestia catching up then spurring ahead before splitting away as she followed the quickest route through the forest nearest the water’s edge. Hers and Adrestia’s mounts were so well matched in speed and endurance, although her friend’s competitive streak had always been strong and Adrestia grinned before disappearing around the tight corner into the thickening woods.
No, she couldn’t allow Adrestia to win this race, otherwise she’d never hear the end of it, not just for a week, but likely for a whole month. Following the same route, she made chase, splashing through muddy puddles and—
Her horse skidded and she went flying from her saddle.
Anteros plucked her from the air, slowed his mount and dropped her into his lap. With his arms bound tightly around her, his breathing rough, he muttered, “Are you hurt?”
“No, and that was a marvelous catch.”
“A gentleman never allows his lady to get too far away from him, even when racing. I would have stayed by your side the entire time, in case you weren’t aware.” He dismounted, allowing her to slide into his saddle, then he stuffed his hat in his saddlebags before grasping her mare’s dangling reins and calming her horse with a soft whisper in her ear. Gently, he ran his hands over her horse’s legs, checking each one meticulously for any injury then done, he glanced at her. “She’s fine, mio angelo, although my heart might never beat the same way again after seeing you tossed at such a fast speed. Are you certain you have no injuries?”
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