Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 591(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 591(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Finally having a use for channeling Antonia, I flipped my hair and laughed without mirth, cocking a hip. “I have news for you, future husband. It’s not an act.”
Just as he opened his mouth to respond, there was a burst of laughter from down the hall.
Someone from his family must have returned.
The moment Matteo turned his head toward the sounds, I broke free and bolted for the stairs.
I froze on the first step as he called out. “Antonia.”
Not wanting him to see the tears that had already fallen, I only tilted my head to the side but refused to turn to face him.
He growled, “For your sake… it had better be a fucking act.”
Without responding, I bolted the rest of the way up the stairs.
CHAPTER 26
MATTEO
After watching my bride flee from me, I strolled outside onto the veranda.
Uncle Barone was throwing a log into the iron brassier, causing the fire's flames to rise and spark.
Enzo tucked a heavy fur blanket over Bianca’s lap before reaching for a bottle of Rosa’s homemade green walnut liquor that was set out on a sideboard. “Joining us?”
I nodded. “But I’ll take red wine instead.”
Having never acquired a taste for the sweet yet bitter Nocino, a classic Abruzzo digestive, I preferred the wine.
Uncle Barone leaned back in his chair as he used a twig from the fire to light a cigar. After blowing a blue ring of smoke, he asked, “I heard Antonia is already here. Is that why you hurried back from your sail to Sicily?”
The rattle of ice against metal covered my momentary silence as Enzo prepared the chilled cocktail before pouring it into three small martini glasses. I thought over how much I wanted to divulge about Antonia’s arrival and my motivations.
I shrugged as I passed Bianca and then my uncle each a glass before settling into one of the padded loungers surrounding the fire with my wine. “Not bad. Good winds. I made great time around the point.”
Apparently, the answer was not much.
Bianca leaned forward. “Is your lovely bride joining us? I just want to know if I should sip or guzzle this.”
Enzo cleared his throat as he joined her on the loveseat lounger.
She shrugged. “What? I said lovely.”
He placed his arm over her shoulders and pulled her closer. “Just because Milana or Aunt Gabriella aren’t here doesn’t mean you need to fill the sarcasm void.”
She leaned up and kissed the edge of his jaw before rubbing her thumb over the lipstick stain she caused. “Agree to disagree.”
I swirled my glass to aerate the red wine and release the distinct aromas. Not wanting to discuss my bride, I asked my uncle, “Where’s Amara?”
“Cesare left for Milan for a few days, so she’s staying over at their place to keep Milana company.”
Enzo tilted his head toward me. “In other words, she’s on guard duty.”
I rubbed my eyes. “Did Milana try to sneak into the office while I was gone?”
Uncle Barone rose and poured himself a glass of Scotch from the bar setup Rosa prepared before leaving, instead of a second Nocino. “There was no trying about it. The damn girl was there all week, for hours at a time. Cesare nearly tore my head off when he found out.”
Bianca threw her head back and laughed. “She hid in your office because you were in Sicily.”
As I lifted the wineglass to my lips, I smiled. “Clever girl,” I said before taking a sip.
My uncle took his seat again, but not before dropping the small plate of dried fruit and sfrappole Rosa had also prepared on the veranda table in front of us all. “Should I bother asking if there is anything you’d like to tell us?” Powdered sugar wafted off the pastry he snagged from the plate.
My gaze hardened. I was well aware of my family’s displeasure with my decision to marry Antonia. And of their hope it would all go sideways during my visit.
And it very nearly did.
I thought of her sister, Ella.
So sweet and shy and vulnerable and yet intelligent, with a curious inner fire. It was admirable how, despite her obvious trepidation about doing so, she still spoke her mind to me. Still stood up for herself. Or at least she tried.
Not that I listened. Especially when she tried to leave me to return to the dinner party, when it was clear she was suffering from lack of food and needed a moment.
Ella probably thought I hadn’t noticed how she did her best to protect her sister, my bride, from her countless gaffes and social missteps. But I had.
I stared down into my wineglass.
Although I had no choice, it bothered me I left her behind with her bastard father.
Logically, I knew I’d already pushed against the line when I threatened Antonius over his treatment of Antonia. If I went to the mattresses over Antonella too, it would have possibly blown the entire agreement.