When the Italian Came to Stay

When I finally went down to the drawing room, I could hardly breathe. Fear, anticipation, and nerves pricked at my spine like a thousand needles. I can do this. All I have to do is follow the plan. I took a deep breath, and opened the door. My first reaction was to angle my gaze with the ground, and slip in unnoticed; however, I could not be that girl tonight. As I walked into the drawing room, my eyes fi xed on Matthew. His blue eyes were wide with amazement, and for a brief moment, he glanced around the room, and saw what I already knew.

No man in the room could take their eyes off me.

Turn around! Run! There is still time! I shook my head as if to erase the thoughts.

“Sera, you look –” Matthew began.

“The poor chap is so dumbfounded he can’t spit it out,” an eerie voice from behind me said. The man I had seen earlier rose to join Matthew and me. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” he said.

Matthew curled his left hand into a fist. “Mr. Windham, allow me to present, Lady Serafina Renaldi.”

“Pleasure, Lady Serafina,” he took my hand. I could not help but shutter at the sound of my name coming out of his mouth. “How do you know the Carthidge family?”

“Papa and Matthew are old friends, isn’t that right, darling?” I smiled, batting my eyelashes at Matthew.

“Yes,” Matthew said, barely able to keep a straight face. “Old friends.”

Elinor joined us. “So, Alastair, you’ve met our Italian. Charming, isn’t she?”

“I imagine about as charming as an Englishman in Milan,” I paused, wavering as to whether or not to continue. I fabricated some confidence, and looked to the Dowager Countess. “Don’t you agree, Lady Barton?”

“A foreigner is always a novelty, my dear,” she said. “But some people don’t understand the value of an Italian. Perhaps you could play something for us later?”

“I’d be delighted,” I lied, hoping she would forget.

“Granny, why do you never ask me to play? You know how much I used to practice,” Elinor whined.

“My dear,” the Dowager raised a scolding eyebrow. “The answer is within your question, for preparation, in its best application, must be recent and repetitive. Just because you sought to be a virtuoso, does not mean that you have succeeded.”

Shock exploded on Elinor’s features. “Well, how do you know that Lady Sera plays?”

“Have you noticed her eyeing that instrument? Goodness! You’d think she was a thirsty traveler who had just seen a spring,” the Dowager chuckled at her own sarcasm.

Elinor huffed and went to complain to her mother. I glanced at Matthew for reassurance. He nodded. “So, Lady Serafina, is it?” Alastair began. “How long will you be in the country?”

I swallowed. “Indefinitely, Mr. Windham. I am completely at the disposal of my champions on either side of the water.”

“Well, when you have a spare moment, you must come to London and do an interview. Surely you’d like your story to be told under the fi nest English newspaper title?”

Here is the punch. Lord help me. “That is very kind, but unfortunately, another man has already cornered that market. I was forced to sign a very binding contract; you know how these things are.”

Windham studied me. “Another man? From another newspaper?”

“Yes, it seems the news is everywhere.”

Windham eyed me in a most unwelcome fashion. “Really? And what paper was this man from?”

Oh no, we never discussed this…. “I can’t seem to recall the name of the paper.”

“Then perhaps you can recall the man’s name? I should like to see this article.”

Name? “It was….”

“Yes? Or was he a ghost?”

“Stone!”

“What?” Windham gawked at me.

“Stone was his name. Funny name isn’t it?”

I somehow managed to revert to my invisible nature all through dinner, and after. I was about to tell Reynolds to send Hazel up when I found him in the great hall. “My Lady,” Reynolds said. “There is a gentleman to see you in the library. He told me he did not wish to be announced.”

“Thank you, Reynolds.”

I turned toward the library. Who could be here? At this hour? I opened the door and slipped inside. When I turned and saw who stood before me, I gasped. “Joshua?” I said. “What on earth are you doing here?”