Carpathian 00 - The Scarletti Curse

child."
    His voice was low and husky, and his gaze moved hotly over her body.
    "You look like a hungry wolf," she chastised. In truth, his bold gaze sent flames licking along her skin until she burned for him. Nicoletta looked away from him to hide her reaction. "What about the child?
    Perhaps Maria Pia could live at the palazzo and stay with Sophie at night."
    "That is what you wish, cara mia ?"
    The sensual note in his voice melted her, and she leaned into him, boneless and pliant. She nodded helplessly, staring up at him with enormous eyes.
    His fingers spanned her throat, his palm brushing lower to lightly feather over her breasts through the material of her gown. She felt a jolt deep within her, and hot, molten liquid surged through her body in an unexpected ache. "You remember what I have said, piccola. I will not lose my wife to the Scarletti curse."
    The coach jolted to an abrupt stop, throwing Nicoletta hard against him. "I will not die by my own hand, if that is what you fear. Do you believe so much misfortune heaped upon one famiglia is fate, or do you think mortal hands are involved in such doings?"
    The guard opened the door to the coach, letting in light and rain. The don didn't move, his face carved from stone. He looked all at once menacing, invincible, implacable. "I do not know, Nicoletta, but I swear by all I hold holy, whatever it is, it shall not take you from me." He stepped out of the carriage with his easy grace and reached for her, not allowing her dress to touch the rain-wet walkway. Uncaring of propriety, he cradled her against his chest as he moved quickly up the steps and entered the great hall to join the revelers.
    Nicoletta passed the next few hours in a dreamlike manner. She was aware of the don keeping his word and sending for Maria Pia. He bowed low over Sophie's hand and murmured magnificent compliments to Ketsia. He remained always close to Nicoletta, his hand on her possessively so that it seemed to burn his brand into her skin right through her gown.
    At some point she became aware of the byplay between Antonello and her new husband, some political undertone in the room of dancers she did not understand. She knew few of those attending the celebration. Most were members of the other great houses and representatives from court. But something else was brewing, something that Giovanni often conversed mind-to-mind with his middle brother about.
    She knew they were talking often, the don giving orders to his brother.
    Giovanni took her onto the dance floor and whirled her close to him, yet even as their bodies touched, she knew his mind was with Antonello's. Something was amiss. Something they both were wary over. As hard as she tried, she couldn't touch Giovanni's mind and learn the truth.
    Vincente danced with her briefly, evidently a poignant moment for him, reminding him of his own wedding to his late, beloved Angelita, as he moved stiffly with her under his brother's watchful gaze. It was the first time since arriving at the palazzo that she seemed to command Giovanni's full attention, and immediately she was uncomfortably aware of Vincente's hands on her body, his hard frame occasionally brushing hers. It made her feel tense and awkward, but when she looked up at him, Vincente was staring Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    over her shoulder, his mind far away, tears visible in his dark, haunted eyes.
    Giovanni rescued his youngest brother, gliding to his side and gently removing Nicoletta from his grasp.
    He put an arm around both of them and walked them back into the shadows, where Vincente could get his emotions under control.
    Giovanni bent close to Nicoletta, his mouth pressed close to her ear. "I think I have managed to do my duty by my guests. I now want only to be alone with my wife. Let us retire to the bedchamber, as they will continue here long into the night, and I have other, much more pleasurable pursuits in mind for us."

Chapter Thirteen
    Nicoletta stood in the middle of the huge bedchamber not certain exactly what to do. Her attendants had left her to face her bridegroom by herself. Her long hair was unbound and spilling down her back in waves of blue-black silk. Her nightshift was clinging to her every curve. She stood in her bare feet on the cold tile and looked in awe at the enormous room. She had never seen anything so amazing. The don's chamber was far larger than the entire hut she had shared with Maria Pia.
    Her