33. A Re

CHAPTER 33

A REUNION

D onald wasn’t sure who moved first or who spoke first, but the next few seconds happened in a blur. He remembered saying, “Antony?” before Nicoletta appeared. He remembered swallowing and nearly tripping over his feet in his attempt to reach her as tears filled her eyes. He had her in his arms, his momentum turning them in a half-circle before her feet once again touched the carpet.

Meanwhile, Antony passed him, his arms held out as he raced to where Barbara had knelt, ready to capture him. She barely had her arms around his shoulders before the boy escaped and lifted his arms to his grandfather. At that point, the boy ended up in the air, squealing in delight as Will tossed him up over and over again.

Despite his desire to kiss Nicoletta, Donald found he couldn’t when a chuckle of relief burbled forth. “They’re going to spoil him rotten,” he whispered, his arms tight around her waist and shoulders. He studied her face then, surprised to see that although she still looked the same, she displayed an air of elegance she hadn’t possessed back when they had first met.

She glanced over her shoulder in an effort to see what he meant. “No more so than Ricardo did,” she murmured. She turned to face him, staring at him for several seconds before she said, “I received your letter this morning.”

“I feared it wouldn’t arrive before me,” he replied before his eyes rounded. “Have we come at a bad time?”

“The best, actually,” she said, one of her hands reaching up to cup his face.

David took the hand in his, surprised to see that in addition to a rather ornate ring, the one he had given her with a ruby solitaire was still on the base of her fourth finger. “You still wear it?” he asked in surprise.

“I have never taken it off,” she replied.

“So... you’re going to marry me?” he asked in a whisper.

At the sound of her son’s squeals—Will was holding him upside down—Nicoletta tore her gaze from Donald’s. “Oh, where are my manners?”

Extricating herself from his hold, she hurried into the parlor. Barbara curtsied and Will bowed, his move made awkward when he was forced to pull Antony onto his hip.

“Nicoletta, Marchesa Montblanc, may I have the honor of introducing you to my mother, Barbara, Countess of Bellingham, and my father, William, Earl of Bellingham?” Donald said, joining her at her side. She dipped a curtsy as Antony urged Will to let go so he could join her at her side.

Will stepped forward and took her hand to his lips. “I’m very pleased to finally meet you, my lady,” he said. “And you, my lord,” he added, directing his gaze on the boy.

“As am I,” Barbara said, directing a wink in Antony’s direction.

Nicoletta displayed a brilliant smile. “It is I who am glad,” she replied, her English stilted.

“I am very pleased to meet you,” Antony said in perfect English. “Will you throw me in the air again?”

“It’s my turn,” Donald said, lifting the boy up over his head before he grimaced. “Oh, you might be too big,” he said, grunting with his efforts.

As he made eye contact with the boy, he was struck by how familiar he appeared. The dimple at the base of one cheek matched his own, as did the shape of his brows and eyes. “My son,” he whispered, lowering him until he could hold him tight against his body.

“Are you going to be my new father?” Antony asked.

Donald nodded. “I am,” he replied, before glancing over to see Nicoletta’s bright eyes. “Who told you?”

“Nonno, before he went to the angels.” His face screwed into a wince. “I miss my nonno,” he added before lowering his head to Donald’s shoulder, heaving a huge sigh of sadness.

Tightening his hold on the boy, Donald noted how his father held onto his mother’s hand, how the two had moved so close to one another as they watched, their bodies nearly touched. They were no doubt remembering the first time his father had met him, at the ramshackle cottage on the outskirts of Broadwell. He had been seven years of age and so leery of the tall man—leery of anyone who paid a call on him and his mother—he held a gun aimed at his chest.

The gun wasn’t loaded, but his father didn’t know that at the time.

His father must have been thinking of the same incident, for he suddenly grinned and said, “Well, at least he didn’t greet you by aiming a gun at your midsection.”

Nicoletta’s eyes rounded as she directed a curious gaze at Donald.

“I’ll tell you later,” he murmured.

The sound of a clearing throat had them turning to discover the butler holding a tea tray. “Ah, Trimarco has brought tea,” Nicoletta said. “Please, do be seated. We have much to discuss.” She turned her attention on the butler and rattled off a number of instructions. He bowed and assured her all would be ready before he departed.

Will and Barbara exchanged worried glances before she settled onto the settee. Nicoletta joined her as Trimarco set the tray onto the low table in front of the settee, which forced Donald and Will to take adjacent chairs.

“Patience,” his father whispered, as if he knew exactly what Donald was thinking.

“Is it that obvious?” he countered, his gaze darting to Antony. The boy had managed to wedge himself between his mother and grandmother, much to Barbara’s delight.

“I do hope you do not mind his joining us for tea,” Nicoletta said. “I dismissed Antony’s tutor before your arrival. Otherwise I would send him back up to the schoolroom,” she added as she prepared the cups for tea.

Antony’s lower lip protruded in a pout, the comical expression sending Will into a fit of chuckles. “Where have I seen that look before?” he asked rhetorically.

“Father,” Donald said in protest.

“Every moment spent with him will be precious,” Barbara murmured. “He is my first grandchild.”

“I am glad he is here. He’s rather handsome in his long breeches,” Donald said.

Nicoletta grinned as she held out a cup and saucer to Barbara before offering a plate of biscuits. The ceramic dishes were colorful, their intricate patterns featuring blue and golden yellow stylized flowers. “Ricardo insisted he be breeched before he was even four years of age,” she said, referring to when the boy went from wearing gowns to pants. “His dark, wavy hair had him mistaken for a girl on more than one occasion, so I cut it short, but then it was so curly...” She sighed.

“Well, he does not look like a girl now,” Barbara assured her.

Nicoletta handed a cup and saucer to Will. “How long will you stay in Catania?”

His gaze darting to Donald, Will said, “We took lodgings in Via Garibaldi for one week. We can stay longer if?—”

“You shall give them up and move in here to the villa. I’ll see to it Signore Cavarallo receives compensation,” Nicoletta stated, obviously familiar with the lodgings in which they had arranged to stay. She held out the plate of biscuits. “Where did you plan to go after only one week in Catania?”

Barbara and Will exchanged quick glances. “That’s terribly kind of you,” Barbara stated. “But there are eight of us in our party.”

Nicoletta turned her attention to Donald. “The familia you mentioned in your letter,” she said by way of confirmation.

“Yes, my brother, David. Two cousins. Two servants, and us,” he affirmed. “My brother and cousins have come for their Grand Tours,” he added.

“Your letter mentioned it, sí ,” she replied, giving him tea. “Still, there are enough guest bedchambers for all of you,” she insisted. As if she was used to her word being final, she turned to Donald and said, “Ricardo did not wish for me to mourn him long, so in answer to your question, he insisted we marry as soon as is possible.” She added milk to a cup of tea and handed it to Antony. He held the cup between both hands as he drank.

Donald’s eyes rounded. “He did?” he asked in disbelief.

She angled her head to one side. “He would have been happy to have you stay in Catania all those years ago,” she said. “Even provided you with employment. He thought you would make a trustworthy…” She struggled to come up with a word. “Accomptant? To record his expenditures in a ledger,” she explained.

“I would have been trustworthy, of course,” Donald said, “but I do not believe I could have abided being so close to you knowing you were married in the eyes of your staff and all of Catania,” he added in a quieter voice.

“It was fortuitous Donald returned to England when he did,” Will stated. “There was much for him to do there. He’s been in charge of the Gisborn stables. Breeding and training horses.”

“He told me in his letters,” Nicoletta said, aiming a grin in his direction. “The Montblanc horses would do well with him overseeing the stables should he wish to do so.”

Donald’s eyes rounded. “I would, my lady,” he said.

Nicoletta dipped her head before she turned her attention back to Will. “I understand you are a fair foreman, Lord Bellingham. That you are a hard worker, despite your standing in the English peerage,” she said, setting her saucer on the table. “Should you be interested, I may be in need of a new foreman to oversea the Montblanc farmlands on Aetna.”

Will held up a hand. “The Earl of Gisborn would not be happy if I left his employ,” he said with a huge grin. “Besides, it won’t be long before I will inherit the Devonville marquessate.” He sobered and asked, “What is it you grow on the slopes of a volcano?”

“Grapes, wheat, vegetables, oranges, and limes,” she replied. “The soil is quite rich.”

Will scoffed. “Well, I certainly know about everything but the grapes,” he admitted. “Do you expect your current foreman to… to quit your employ?”

“Retire, actually,” she replied sadly. “I will… pension him, I believe is the word. There is another he has been training to take over, but the man is not as well liked by the workers” she explained. “I do not wish to lose my employees in the event he angers them needlessly.”

Will indicated he understood her concern. “That is a risk, but even if I accepted such a position, I wouldn’t be able to communicate with the workers,” he claimed. “I’m afraid I’m not well versed in your language.”

“’Tis a pity,” Nicoletta responded. She offered the plate of biscuits to everyone, including Antony, who placed his teacup on the table before he took one. “I instructed Trimarco to have your rooms prepared and dinner for eight ready at seven o’clock. Will that give you enough time to move in to your rooms here?”

Will and Barbara exchanged quick glances. “I should think so,” he replied. “Even if our servants have unpacked everything?—”

“They’re seeing to the laundry right now,” Barbara whispered.

“I expect we can be dressed for dinner and back by seven o’clock,” Will said. “It’s terribly generous of you to offer your house. Your hospitality.”

“I have been looking forward to this day for many years, my lord,” she replied. “I am grateful you have brought Donald back to me.” She glanced down at her son. “As for you, young man, you might be marchese, but you still require an afternoon nap,” she said.

Antony rolled his eyes before he scooted off the settee and turned to take Barbara’s hand in his. “I must take my leave, nonna,” he said on a sigh. “But I will see you at dinner.”

Barbara suppressed the giggle that nearly bubbled forth. “Do have a good nap, my lord, and I look forward to kissing you goodnight later this evening.”

Antony displayed a huge grin before he turned to Will. “Good day, my lord. I will see you at dinner.”

Will stood and executed a bow. “You as well, my lord,” he said, grinning when the young boy bowed in return.

Antony was halfway to the door before he turned around and made his way to stand before Donald. He was about to bow, but couldn’t when his father pulled him into an embrace. “Sleep well, young man. I’ll see you at dinner.”

Grinning, the boy hurried out of the parlor.

“He is so well-behaved,” Barbara remarked.

“I do not wish for him to grow up spoiled, like my brother,” Nicoletta said, one dark brow arching.

“Does your brother live here?” Barbara asked, her expression conveying her surprise the marchesa had a brother.

“He lives in Naples now. He finally took a wife several years ago, and she has already given him two sons. I did not expect him to marry until he inherited the D’Avalos contea, so I am glad he has his heirs,” Nicoletta explained. “He was kind enough to bring his family to Catania for a fortnight after Montblanc died, so Antony could spend time with his younger cousins.”

“Was it his first time meeting them?” Barbara asked.

“ Sí . And they are just as spoiled as my brother,” Nicoletta claimed.

Barbara tittered before she glanced over at her husband. “We should be going. There’s much to do before we return for dinner.”

“You will plan to stay, though?” Nicoletta asked as she rose from the settee.

“Of course,” Will assured her. “I expect the boys are out exploring, but they were instructed to return to the lodgings in time for dinner.”

The four walked down to the courtyard where a black coach waited. Two matched gray mares were hitched to it, and a driver sat on the box.

“Tomasello will take you back to your lodgings,” Nicoletta explained. “He’ll explain everything to Signore Cavarallo. I’ll send the larger coach for you at six o’clock, if that is satisfactory?”

Will chuckled. “Again, you’re being very generous, my lady.” He reached down to take her hand to his lips. “But it’s much appreciated.”

“My lady,” Barbara said as she curtsied. She turned and Will helped her into the coach. He paused a moment, his gaze darting to Donald. When he saw his son’s slight shake of his head, he said, “We’ll see to it your trunk is loaded and brought back.”

“Thank you, Father,” Donald said, one hand already clasping Nicoletta’s much smaller one.

The two stood and watched as the coach threaded its way through the arched courtyard door. When a groom had the wooden doors closed and had disappeared, Donald turned to Nicoletta. “I hardly know where to start,” he whispered, bringing one of her hands to his lips.

Nicoletta blinked before she tittered softly. “Then allow me to be your guide,” she said, threading her arm through his elbow to lead him back into the house.