The Heart of a Duke(46)

Her hopes climbed as well, the bats in her stomach having settled and the annoying commentary silenced. She sipped her punch. “You were in Italy last spring, were you not?”

“I was. With the exception of Janus, this trip was more wine tasting than the pursuit of Roman antiquities. Tuscan vineyards have the finest wines in the world. I find them superior to the French, which is a grave insult to them. All the more reason to voice my opinion of this whenever I can.” He grinned, unabashed, and swept a stray tendril of hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. “I look forward to visiting some of the vineyards with you. We could go to Montepulciano.” The Italian pronunciation of the town rolled effortlessly off his tongue.

The punch must have alcohol in it, for her head spun. Italy. She had always wanted to travel.

He looped her arm through his and escorted her deeper into the room. “Would you like to visit Italy? Amble through the vineyards, drinking wine, sitting at outdoor cafes and following in the footsteps of Caesar and Augustus.”

She had to moisten her lips before she could respond, for she was salivating at the picture he painted. “It sounds lovely.” And relaxing. She would like to relax, to have no responsibilities.

But who would oversee the estate?

The voice had returned, but she refused to heed it. She would enjoy this lovely Italian fantasy for one damn minute.

But there are so many issues that need to be addressed. Again the voice. Well, she would be drinking in Italy, so someone else would have to address them. She could not be expected to handle everything all the time.

She stopped and withdrew her arm to face Edmund. “You are able to get away again so soon after your return?” She kept her voice light.

Edmund winked at her. “That is the benefit of being a duke. I can do what I want, when I want. My dear Julia, I am well aware of how much you have had to handle over the past few years. It is past time you joined me in doing what you want. Don’t you think you have earned a much-deserved trip abroad? Or rather honeymoon?” He smiled into her eyes.

A honeymoon. Yes, she certainly deserved that. And he was right; she had earned it after the past five years. She had a lot of drinking in vineyards and ambling in Roman ruins to do to make up for those lost years. “I do,” she laughed. “I will speak to Father, see when he can best handle matters without my . . .” Edmund’s laughter interrupted her. “What is so amusing?”

He shook his head. “This will not do.”

“What will not do?” She stared at him baffled.

“This.” His finger drew a whisper-soft line along her forehead, laughing when her eyes rose as if she could follow his touch. “Your brow is furrowed. It is my responsibility as your future husband to erase these lines to ensure that your beautiful skin is not so marred.” His arm dropped. “The last few years have given you cause to worry. Let me speak to your father. I have never allowed for business to bother any beautiful woman, so I assure you that I am not going to allow it to distress my own wife.”

Was he being patronizing or kind? She was surprised at how desperately she wanted to believe it was the latter.

“Perhaps you are right, and I have been used to handling everything myself.” Hadn’t Daniel said she needed a faithful squire? She took a sip of the punch and managed a smile. “A honeymoon in Italy sounds wonderful.”

“I am glad we agree. Let us hope this is the first time of many.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but a gentleman begged their pardon, requesting a brief word with Edmund. She frowned as she noted the beads of sweat lining the man’s brow, and the look of quiet desperation clouding his dark eyes.

“In a minute, Richards.”

“Of course.” Richards dipped his head and quickly retreated.

Edmund gave her an apologetic look. “Poor Richards. I won a trinket from him in a game of cards and he seeks to redeem it.”

“Nothing too valuable I hope?”

“I found it a rather vulgar piece, but apparently it is a prized family heirloom that was to go to his fiancée,” he explained.

“Oh dear. Perhaps he can offer you another item in fair exchange for it?”

“Oh, I think not,” Edmund drawled, looking amused. “He is old enough to pay the price for his follies, and the ring should bring a pretty penny. Besides, I am doing him a favor. The girl’s a horsey-mouthed thing and her father is in trade. Richards believes himself in love, but I know better.” His eyes swept the room, oblivious to her sharp intake of breath. His smile faded. “I do not see your sister. Perhaps you should find out where she is?”