twelve
KEITH FOUND IT difficult to focus on his work when Violante sat next to him in his study. He hadn’t had time to arrange a visit to the modiste yet. Violante still wore one of his dressing gowns and nightshirts. Thank goodness his servants were limited to two people, or she would appear regularly on the scandal sheet.
Glimpses of her slender ankles flashed through the folds of the fabric. Her creamy skin seemed to glow from within; something he suspected had to do with her improving health. Her little pink toes held some fascination too. He’d never paid any attention to a lady’s toes also because he hadn’t seen many of them, but Violante’s made him want to take her feet, put them on his lap, and stroke them. How odd.
“Did you hear me?” She lowered the document she was reading and arched her blonde eyebrows. A few curls caressed her cheeks, and he discovered her toes weren’t the only part of her to hold him captive.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I was distracted.”
The modiste had to be called as soon as possible, and a shoemaker as well. Violante couldn’t keep walking around his house in such revealing clothes. All right. They weren’t sorevealing. In fact, he couldn’t see anything. He guessed he was to blame for his wandering thoughts. Still, she needed proper clothes and shoes.
She tilted her head to catch his attention, but she didn’t know she’d already had all his attention. “I was saying that your translator did a very poor job. See, Count Bassini-Verdelli uses mostly his own language from Rome.”
“Isn’t it Italian?”
“Not really. The Italian language was, let’s say, created after the unification of the Italian peninsula. They chose an old dialect spoken in Tuscany to establish a common language for every Italian, but people still speak their own local language. My mother was from Rome, too.” She paused before continuing. Every time she mentioned her mother, she turned serious and silent. “According to this latest communication, the count is coming to England in a few weeks.”
“Is he?” He perked up. How had he missed that information? “I must see him.”
She worried at her bottom lip with her pearly teeth, and he had to focus on the count not to get distracted again. “That might be a problem. He owns an estate in Bakewell and wishes to spend the spring there to conclude a few of his business deals. He isn’t staying in London.”
“Is there anything about the count selling his house in London? I know he received many offers.”
“He did, and he’s considering them very carefully.” She lowered the letter. “According to your friend and the newspapers, the count is a very strict man with rigid principles. He won’t sell the house to someone he considers unworthy.”
“Good. An honest seller is ideal.”
“Exactly. He shares your sentiment, but from what I read, I guess the count won’t believe you’re a worthy buyer.”
“Excuse me?” He scoffed. “Is it because I don’t come from wealth? Is he another of those snobs who don’t believe a man of humble origins can’t be a good person?”
“Not really.” She cleared her throat and read from a letter. “Your friend wrote that the count heard rumours of your rakish behaviour, specifically of your frequent visits to the poorest areas of London.”
“For charity, not for pleasure.” He grunted. “The count makes assumptions.”
She flashed a quick smile. “Your contact is sure that your being a bachelor bothers the count deeply. He has some rigorous morals. Quote:A man must take his responsibilities seriously, and a man who refuses to commit himself to a proper relationship is untrustworthy. Unmarried men commit a crime in the eyes of propriety.”
“This is spectacularly unfair.” Keith propped his chin on his fist. “I don’t refuse to commit. I haven’t found a wife yet. That’s all.”
She clicked her tongue. “He sounds adamant. No wife, no trust, no respect.”
“No deal.” He crossed his arms behind his head and stretched out his legs. Bloody count. “What does my marital status have to do with anything? How annoying.”
“Is it true?” she asked.
“What? That I’m annoyed? Yes, very.” He shook his head. “The count would rather sell to a married man who wants the house to build a gaming den, but he wouldn’t be comfortable selling it to me because I’m a bachelor. Absurd.”
“I don’t think he’d sell to someone who has a not-so-honourable plan for the house either.” She folded the letter. “I meant if it’s true that you don’t have an intended.”
Was there a hint of interest? Wishful thinking on his part.
“Yes, I don’t have an intended or a sweetheart.” Because he wasn’t interested in having one. Although from the moment he’d seen Violante again, the embers of his passion had been stoked. Hell, he kept noticing everything about her.
“Why, if you don’t mind my asking?” She avoided looking at him again.
He shrugged. “I haven’t spent time in society unless it was for business. No lady caught my eye or my heart.” There had been a time when his eye and heart had belonged to her. Judging by the warm, fluttery feeling in his chest, that might still be the case.
The air between them stiffened after his small confession.
