Carpathian 00 - The Scarletti Curse

so like him to punish us for imagined indiscretions."
    She lifted her chin, and her eyes were flat and cold. "I will not allow such a perversion signorina. The don with a little baggage! Oooh! You may as well pack your things and return to your villaggio immediately, now, tonight. I forbid this unholy union. Vincente! You must forbid it also."
    Nicoletta smiled serenely. She looked over Portia's shoulder as she addressed her. "I shall be more than happy to oblige you, Donna Scarletti. If you would state your objections to Don Scarletti and make him see reason, I will be forever in your debt."
    Portia turned to see whom Nicoletta was looking at so challengingly. She gasped when she saw the don's elegant frame draped lazily against the wall. One black eyebrow was arched at Nicoletta, his mouth curved in a mocking smile.
    "Giovanni, this girl cannot possibly be telling the truth!" Portia exclaimed.
    "What has she claimed, Portia, other than that she will leave if you convince me of my mistake? What is this wager you are prattling on about? I know of no wager, no dare, no jest. I did not state my intention Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    to wed because my marriage is no one's business but mine and my bride's."
    Portia let out another dramatic cry, both hands clasped over her heart as if she were suffering greatly.
    "You cannot be serious, Giovanni. You cannot!"
    "Go to bed, Portia." Giovanni sounded exasperated. "You will wake young Sophie, and she will not be separated from Nicoletta if she hears that her friend has returned to us."
    "That is so, Portia. It has taken me some time to get my daughter to sleep this night. All she talks of is the healer's apprentice. I do not want her to awaken," Vincente backed his brother. "It would be best if you waited until the morn to sort this out."
    "What of my daughter, Margerita?" Portia demanded. "This news will kill her." She glared at Nicoletta as if it was all her fault. "This will kill her! What do you expect her to do, Giovanni?" Tears glittered in Portia's eyes.
    "I expect Margerita to welcome Nicoletta into our home and be her friend, as I expect you to do." The iron in his voice warned that his patience had come to an end. "Go to bed, Portia, and do not threaten my personal guards. They take orders from me, not from the women of the household." He glanced at his brother. "Or anyone else for that matter."
    "How can you speak to me so in front of that peasant girl?" Portia cried. "Vincente, do you hear him?
    After all I have done!" she sobbed, pressing a hand to her mouth. "After all I have done!"
    Vincente smiled at Nicoletta, shrugged helplessly, and circled Portia Scarletti's waist with his arm.
    "Come, Portia, I will escort you to your chamber."
    Giovanni watched them go down the candlelit hall before turning to Nicoletta. He stepped close to her, his body crowding hers, making her feel small and vulnerable. His hand cupped her chin, tipping it up so that she was forced to look at him. "Did Portia hurt you with her thoughtless words?" His voice brushed over her skin like a gentle caress. "She is used to being the mistress of the palazzo and guards her position jealously. But it does not matter what she thinks."
    Nicoletta's eyes were alive with pride. "Every one of your friends and relations and associates will think the same thing. Do you not see how this is wrong and how it cannot be?"
    His thumb found her lower lip, stroking it back and forth, sending heat spiraling through her body. He was staring intently at her mouth, and he was so close, she couldn't breathe. Still, she couldn't have moved if her life depended on it, mesmerized as she was by his dark eyes and compelling voice, by his touch. "I have no friends, piccola, and I have never cared for the opinion of others."
    Behind Nicoletta, Maria Pia cleared her throat noisily. She took her new role of chaperone quite seriously. She reached for Nicoletta, slowly pulling her back into the room.
    Giovanni's white teeth flashed at her, a rueful, almost boyish smile as Maria Pia closed the door firmly in his face.

Chapter Seven
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    Nicoletta dreamed of the don—dark, erotic dreams that set her heart pounding and her blood coursing through her body like slow, fiery, molten lava. The dreams were shocking, filled with images and feelings she had never thought of, hands touching her bare skin, his