Tempted by the English Marquis by Sasha Cottman

Author:Sasha Cottman [cottman, sasha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cottman Data Services Pty Ltd

Chapter Twenty-Eight

As soon as she reached the walkway which separated the seated tiers of the Colosseum, Serafina began to search for Augusta. There was no sign of her friend.

It was only when she moved farther around, passing between the circle of archways and what had once been the lower tier of seating for Rome’s elite, that she finally came upon her quarry. Augusta was seated on the ground, back against a stone upright, her head resting on her knees.

“Are you alright?” asked Serafina, racing to her side. Had her friend taken a tumble on the rubble-strewth path? There were rocks and broken pieces of ancient brickwork scattered about the place. Added to that was the light covering of moss in many parts of the Colosseum, something which served to make walking a slippery and dangerous pursuit at the best of times.

Augusta nodded. “Yes, I am perfectly alright. I just need to sit for a bit. These boots are killing my feet. You and Gideon can go on ahead without me. It’s not like it is my first time here.”

Serafina glanced at the clearly worn in leather boots which Augusta wore and frowned. She could have sworn those were the same boots which had made it all the way across to Saint Peter’s Basilica and around the streets of Rome only yesterday.

The crunch of boots on the stone path signaled Gideon’s arrival. He bent and placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Are you hurt? Should I carry you home?”

Augusta patted his hand. “As I have just told Serafina, I am fine. My boots are rubbing the back of my ankle just a little. I am going to sit here, enjoy the sunshine, and wait while the two of you go and explore this wonderful place.”

Her words brooked no argument. Gideon rose to his full height. “Promise you will stay here and wait for us?” He turned his back to them, taking in the arena. “There doesn’t appear to be many visitors here this morning, so you should be alright. But if you need me, just call out.”

Augusta grumbled and Serafina stifled a laugh. “Anyone might wonder how I could have possibly survived the past six months in Rome without the protection of my overbearing brother.”

Gideon spun on his heel and pointed a finger at his sister. “I see that your travels have not cured you of your impertinent nature, Lady Augusta Kembal.”

He was grinning as he spoke, waving away Augusta’s huff of feigned outrage with a flick of his hand. But as he turned, Serafina caught the sudden change in his countenance.

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