4. A Marchese Makes a Deal

CHAPTER 4

A MARCHESE MAKES A DEAL

M eanwhile, in the study of House D’Avalos

Ricardo, Marchese Montblanc, settled into a chair in Enrico’s study and clasped both of his hands atop his lion-headed cane. “Quite a fête you’ve hosted this evening,” he remarked, accepting the glass of port Enrico offered.

“You honor me with your presence,” the conte countered. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

The older man leaned back in his chair before nearly draining his glass. “I did. I spend so much time at my vineyards, I forget there is a different life here in the city.”

Enrico took the chair adjacent to the marchese’s and directed his gaze on the fire a footman had set only a few minutes before their arrival. “I will admit I felt privileged by our conversation yesterday. When I received your note to bring Nicoletta to the prince’s property, I had no idea of your plans,” he claimed.

The statement wasn’t entirely true—he had hoped the marchese might propose an alliance to include Nicoletta’s hand in marriage.

“Liar,” Ricardo accused, although a grin accompanied his comment. “She is a beauty and will do nicely.”

“So... you do wish to marry her?” Enrico asked carefully.

The marchese shrugged. “I am not getting any younger, and I fear my time may have already passed.”

His serious expression had Enrico confused. “Your time, my lord?”

Ricardo inhaled. “Your daughter is beautiful. She is everything I would have wanted in a wife... thirty years ago,” he said on a sigh. “I had one once. She died in the childbed, as did the babe. Now, however, I’m too damned old. I fear I may not be able to... to…” He allowed the sentence to trail off. “I have pined for no fewer than a half-dozen young ladies over the years, but none were interesting enough to have me marrying them.”

About to say something, Enrico clamped his mouth shut when the marchese held up a staying hand.

“Your wife among them,” Ricardo said, turning his gaze so it bored into Enrico. “I cannot tell you of my jealousy when she gave you an heir,” he stated.

Enrico furrowed his brows. “I... I did not know,” he murmured.

“Nicoletta looks just like her mother,” Ricardo said.

“She does,” Enrico agreed, although his response was guarded.

“I will not leave this earth without the assurances of an heir,” the marchese went on, ignoring the conte’s comment. “Which means when I marry Nicoletta, she must already be with child.”

Enrico blinked in confusion. “ What ?” He nearly stood from his chair, his expression turning to one of shock.

“This boy from England... she likes him, and he’s the grandson of a marquess. An appropriate match, wouldn’t you say?”

Enrico struggled to respond, not sure what the marchese expected him to say. “But... my Nicoletta is a virgin?—”

“I don’t expect her to be one on our wedding night,” Ricardo interrupted. “She must be with child.”

Scoffing, Enrico stared at his guest for several seconds. “You expect Signore Slater to... to bed her?” he asked in disbelief.

The marchese nodded. “During our dance this evening, I suggested he would make a suitable husband, and that she should do what she must to see to it he favors her. To seduce him. There is no one better for her in Catania, and once he learns she is to wed me, he will leave.”

Enrico stared at the marchese for a long time. “I will not allow my Nikky?—”

“You will, for I will favor you with a substantial settlement, and upon my death, you can have my damned vineyards,” Ricardo stated.

Settling back into his chair as if all the air had gone out of him, Enrico considered the proposal for several seconds before he finally nodded. “Agreed. You don’t think it will be suspicious when she gives birth to your heir sooner than expected?”

Ricardo shook his head. “She will spend her confinement at the castle, and no one in town shall know of the birth until the christening,” he explained. When the conte didn’t put voice to a reply, he added, “Have your secretary draw up the contract and let us plan for a wedding in... say two months? Three at the latest?”

Enrico nodded. “Two months,” he finally agreed, the promise of gaining the Montblanc vineyards enough to overcome his initial revulsion at the arrangement.

He hoped it would be enough time for Nicoletta and the Englishman to form more than an attachment.