Carpathian 00 - The Scarletti Curse

he needed her. Wanted her. Even had to have her. It was in the dark intensity of his eyes.
    The possession in his touch. The desire flaring so wantonly in his hot gaze. And yet he had tenderly comforted her. He had stood up to Aljandro for her, even stripped the man of his lands and sent him far away.
    "He was good to me." Nicoletta looked up at Maria Pia. "He was very good to me. I went a little mad, I think." Her throat felt raw from raging at the seas. "I have never felt that way before. I had no control at all. I even tried to attack Aljandro, but he threw me against the wall."
    Maria Pia gasped aloud. "He did what? Were you hurt?" Immediately she lit the tapers along the wall to inspect Nicoletta carefully. There were slight bruises marring her left thigh and hip. "We should put a poultice on those. I do not think the injury is severe, but Don Scarletti will not be happy with bruises on your skin."
    Nicoletta reluctantly left the warmth of the tub. The terrible trembling had ceased, and the heated water had restored the glow to her skin. She wrung out her long hair and twisted it into a loose knot to work Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    with later. She felt she had a semblance of her self-control back, but it was tenuous at best.
    Very slowly she dried her skin. She was exhausted and longed to go to her bed and sleep. "I do not care this night if evil monsters lurking in the palazzo choose to visit. I will sleep. They will not disturb me."
    "You must eat, Nicoletta," Maria Pia insisted.
    Nicoletta pulled on fresh clothes and curled up in the chair beside the fire as Maria Pia unlocked the door and waved the waiting servants in to remove the tub. Nicoletta watched the leaping flames and thought about her late friend.
    It was only when the manservant brought dinner that she stirred. As he was leaving she called out to him softly. "Signore Gostanz, scusa."
    Gostanz turned back to her, his features carefully blank. "Signorina?"
    "Grazie. For your kindness and all the extra trouble you have had to go to, grazie," she said sincerely. "I will not be such a bother again."
    Gostanz stared at her, clearly startled. He bowed, a clumsy gesture, but for some reason it brought a flood of tears to Nicoletta's eyes. A shadow fell across them, the large frame of the don in the doorway.
    His glittering eyes slashed at the manservant. "Piccola, why are you crying?" It was an accusation directed at poor, defenseless Gostanz. The man froze, his head bowed, waiting for a reprimand.
    Nicoletta forced a wan smile. "Signora Gostanz has been so wonderful to me, Don Scarletti. He has gone to much trouble, when he was up very early with so many duties. To make your big home run so smoothly, he must be a miracle worker. He is another one of your treasures, yes?"
    Giovanni studied the older man for a long moment. "That is true, Nicoletta. Gostanz, perhaps you would be so kind as to meet with me on the morrow to discuss the daily routines of the palazzo. You do work long hours, and more staff may be needed to ease your burden."
    Gostanz bowed several more times as he backed out of the room, his lined face quite pale, as if he thought his master might be testing him.
    Giovanni stood for a long time watching the firelight play over Nicoletta's delicate features. She blushed and looked down at the tray in her hands. "Are you going to stare at me all evening?" Self-consciously she pushed at damp tendrils of hair falling around her face.
    He could that see she was trembling slightly. He nodded slowly. "Yes, I think I might do so."
    Maria Pia seated herself across the room, keeping a wary eye on the don. She knew it would do no good to mention how unseemly it was to have the bridegroom in the bride's bedchamber prior to the marriage, and she was beginning to feel desperate. She decided the marriage must take place immediately or the scandal would be huge. There was no controlling the don. She was an old lady, unmarried, but even she could see the sexual tension smoldering between Don Scarletti and her young charge.
    Nicoletta turned her attention to the food. Bernado had gone out of his way to make her a meal that looked quite tasty, but, in truth, she had no appetite. With a sigh, she put it down. "I do not want to hurt Bernado's feelings. Perhaps you might eat this?" she asked the don hopefully.

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    "You look tired, cara