To Deceive a Duke by Amanda McCabe

Author:Amanda McCabe [McCabe, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2008-11-28T23:00:00+00:00

The ladies soon departed the dining room, leaving the men to their brandy and no doubt more talk about Sir Walter’s villa. Clio made certain the tea tray was laid out in the drawing room before sitting down next to Thalia.

‘You were having quite the coze with Count di Fabrizzi,’ Clio whispered teasingly.

Thalia’s eyes gave a quick lightning flash, veiled by her long lashes as she took a sip of tea. ‘I have merely been attempting to persuade him to take part in my play.’

‘Oh, indeed? So, it is merely for the sake of theatre that you spend time with him?’

‘Of course.’

‘It has nothing to do with his handsome eyes?’

‘Clio!’

Clio laughed. ‘You teased me about him before. It is my turn now.’

Thalia bit her lip, but Clio could see a smile threatening to break through. ‘True. Very well, I admit he does have—handsome eyes. But I think his affections are already engaged.’

‘Indeed?’ Clio asked in dawning curiosity. She studied the ladies in the room: silly but pretty Susan Darby; her still-lovely mother; Lady Elliott with her bright red ringlets; and Lady Riverton, who was chatting loudly about some new jewellery she had just purchased. Who could it be? Or maybe it was a dark-eyed signorina back in Florence! Marco had broken so many hearts, surely turn-about was only fair. ‘Has he confided in you? Who is it?’

Thalia shook her head. ‘Oh, Clio. Do you not know?’

Before Clio could answer, Thalia rose and strolled over to the pianoforte. Soon the tempestuous notes of Beethoven filled the room, and the other ladies gathered around the instrument. Lured, as people always were, by the siren song of Thalia’s music.

Clio put down her own teacup and went to the window, gazing out at the garden beyond their little terrace. Thalia meant, presumably, that Marco was in love with her, Clio, but that was simply absurd. They were friends, allies, that was all. Despite his unearthly good looks, despite the ideals they shared, there had never been the spark of passion between them. Never a physical awareness, such as that which flowed between her and Edward whenever they saw each other.

No, if Marco was falling for anyone, it was surely Thalia. Clio saw the way he looked at her sister, so fascinated despite himself. She could not say she liked it. She knew what Marco was like, knew his hidden life, and she also knew that her beautiful, impulsive sister needed someone steady and calm. Not a wildly patriotic Italian count.

Likely it would come to naught, just like Clio’s own passion for Edward. Clio was going to keep an eye on the situation, though. Starting, apparently, right now. Marco had appeared on the terrace, his chiselled features illuminated for an instant by the flare of a match as he lit a cigar. He seemed to be alone, having escaped from the dining room by one of the tall windows leading outside.

Clio glanced over her shoulder. The ladies were still gathered around Thalia as she moved into a Mozart sonata.

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