Carpathian 00 - The Scarletti Curse

down her leg. Shamed, she pulled the fabric back into place, her teeth digging into her lower lip as she stared at the floor.
    Giovanni caught her chin in his hand and forced her head up. "Nicoletta," he said softly with a little sigh of resignation. "You must learn that you are a married woman now and subject to your husband only."
    "I asked a question to learn the answer," she said in a low tone. "I thought one could ask such things of her husband. Maria Pia told me that only you should answer my questions. Are we to simply have this…
    relationship… and no other?" Nicoletta sounded forlorn. "I had thought we would be friends, too, that I could ask you anything I did not know. That is not what will be between us?"
    The fury died down, leaving him feeling sheepish and guilty. "In truth, bambina, I misunderstood.
    Signorina Sigmora is correct. Your husband should instruct you in these matters. I do not know why I spoke harshly to you. It was wrong of me." He bent to brush his mouth gently over her lips still swollen with passion. "I know we will be friends. And you can ask me anything. No, it is not always so between a man and woman. Nicoletta…" He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "Do not be alone in the presence of other men. It is not safe for you."

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    "Do you mean your nonno ? He has no reason to hurt me."
    "Heed my words, cara mia ." He reiterated, "It is not safe."

Chapter Fifteen
    "Ketsia is already here, Nicoletta," Sophie said petulantly. "Hurry up. We want you to come with us."
    Nicoletta smiled up at Bernado and Maria Pia as she took another sip of the hot tea that had been awaiting her. "I seem to always miss breakfast, Bernado. Grazie for all the extra trouble you must go to for me. It is much appreciated." She smiled at Sophie, who was tugging at her skirt. "As for you, little imp, you must learn patience. If I do not eat what Bernado has so skillfully prepared for me, he will not do so again."
    Sophie laughed. "Of course he will. He always does."
    "Then you should hold him in high esteem and treat him with great respect. Always remember that, bambino. Those who care for you and work hard for you should always be accorded proper respect.
    They are more than servants, they should be a famiglia. Do you understand?" Nicoletta imparted the advice gently, tipping up the child's face so she could brush a quick kiss on her cheek. "Did you take care of Maria Pia for me? I worried about her until I remembered she was with you. I knew you would be good to her."
    Sophie beamed, radiant under the praise. "She promised to tell me stories of you as a bambina."
    Nicoletta laughed softly. "Those stories might not be appropriate for your ears. I was always in trouble.
    Come kiss me good morn and take Ketsia off to the courtyard for your morning romp. The rain has brought us a fresh clean day."
    She waited until the two little girls had kissed and hugged her and skipped off to play before turning her attention to Maria Pia. "Why are you staring at me as if I have grown two heads?"
    Maria Pia lightly slapped Nicoletta's hand. "There is no need for that sharp tongue, piccola. I am not looking at you in any such way. Perhaps you are feeling guilty for sleeping most of the day away."
    Nicoletta found herself blushing. Her sleep had been interrupted pleasurably by her very passionate husband. Nicoletta was unsure of herself, uncertain whether the things going on in her bedchamber were as right as her husband assured her they were. "I intend to go walking this morn," she answered calmly.
    "How is everything with you at night, Maria Pia? Nothing is amiss in that room, is it? Young Sophie has not been attempting to go into the passageway again, has she?"
    "Don Scarletti ensured she did not. He took her into the passage and showed her that there were hidden traps." Maria Pia frowned. "I went with them to be certain she would not think it a punishment." She had gone to keep Sophie from danger. She didn't trust the don with either of her charges. "You might remember, Nicoletta, that it was an ancestor of the don who devised such a wicked thing. Even so long ago there was murder and madness in the famiglia. What normal man would think of such evil things?"
    Her voice was gloomy.

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    Nicoletta laughed softly. "Have you seen the dungeon? When he threatens to make