Carpathian 00 - The Scarletti Curse

fashionable gown.
    Nicoletta could see that one guard was having a difficult time tearing his gaze from the expanse of creamy flesh spilling from the daring neckline. "I am sorry, Donna Scarletti, but we have our orders, and no one can change them but the don. It is our lives if we do not obey." There was deference in the guard's voice, but he did not yield.
    "We shall see about that. I will call Vincente. He will get to the bottom of this nonsense, and I will see that you never return to the palazzo!"
    "Very good, Donna," the guard agreed, his face a mask of calm.
    "You think I will not?" Portia demanded. She raised her voice. "Vincente! Vincente!"
    The youngest Scarletti brother hurried down the hall, obviously coming from the nursery. "What is it.
    Portia, my dear? What is wrong?" He flung an arm around the woman to comfort her.
    "This horrible man has refused me entrance into this room. He claims Giovanni has given orders that we do not enter. I can scarcely believe he would bring a prisoner so dangerous under our very roof." Her voice shook with rage. "This man has rudely refused my orders to open the door."
    Vincente pinned the man with a stern gaze. "Surely there is no harm in accommodating Donna Scarletti.
    Please open the door immediately."
    "I am sorry Signore Scarletti, but I have my orders, and I cannot disobey them. You must speak to Don Scarletti." The guard was resolute.
    Vincente's face darkened with disapproval. "Certainly you can tell us who is in that chamber."
    Nicoletta cleared her throat to announce her presence, although she was certain the guards had been aware the moment she cracked the door open. She snuggled deeper into the comfort of the don's coat as Portia and Vincente turned at her sound. The three of them stared at one another for a long moment in silence.
    "I know you," Portia said, letting her breath out slowly, her gaze narrowing slightly as she took in the man's elegant coat wrapped so tightly around the visitor. "You are the apprentice to the village healer.
    What in the world are you doing here?" There was a wealth of contempt in her voice. Her fingers were Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    clutching Vincente's arm so hard, her knuckles were white.
    Nicoletta lifted her chin, her dark eyes flashing. "I believe the don can answer that better than I can, Donna Scarletti." She kept her voice low and even but not subservient. "Perhaps you should address the question to him." She avoided looking at the guards or at the don's brother.
    The older woman's face hardened perceptibly. "How dare you?" she hissed. "The don shall hear of your insubordination and have you flogged! You will be thrown out of the palazzo along with this oaf of a guard!" She looked up at Vincente. "They are obviously lovers, these two. This guard has no such orders. He is hiding and protecting the girl because he does not want to be discovered." She turned back to Nicoletta. "Is that it? Are you two lovers? I do not think Don Scarletti will allow such behavior in his home. Vincente, make them tell the truth."
    "I am very tired, Donna Scarletti. If your inquisition is finished, I should like to return to my bed,"
    Nicoletta announced, hoping the don would have her thrown out of the palazzo. It would be the answer to her prayers.
    Portia turned crimson at being dismissed by a lowly peasant in front of the guards. "I will have you flogged myself!" she announced, reaching for Nicoletta's arm with every intention of pulling her out of the room.
    The second guard stepped quickly between the two women. "I am sorry, Donna Scarletti, but I must ask you not to touch the signorina. I cannot allow you to harm her. Our orders are quite clear." He spoke softly, his posture was firm and protective, his face a mask of determination.
    "Portia, have a care," Vincente cautioned. "I owe this woman much for helping little Sophie. And, it is obvious Giovanni has brought her here. Perhaps he is ill again."
    "We would know if he was." Portia dropped her arm to her side, then stepped back with a little cry of dismay. She stared at Nicoletta incredulously, the truth suddenly dawning on her. She backed up farther, her cry rising even louder. "You must tell me that Giovanni did not go through with that ridiculous threat to take a bride from the villaggi. It was only a jest, a dare, if you like. He cannot have taken the wager this far." The last turned into a dramatic wail of despair. "Oh, this is