“Where?”
“In Riva Trigoso. Daniele sent one of his men to fetch you.”
“Damn, it is two days’ hard riding,” the earl said, rubbing his jaw. “Why does Daniele not simply bring him here?”
“His man says that Andrea is no longer alone and it will take some of your men to bring him back.” Scargill saw his master gaze with a furrowed brow toward the dressing room, and drew himself up. “I will go, my lord, and bring that swine back myself.”
“No, Scargill, it is my responsibility as well as my pleasure. How many men does Daniele feel we need?”
“If you go, my lord, not more than three others.”
The earl cursed fluently under his breath. Mr. Donnetti and The Cassandra would not return from Alexandria for several days. As much as he did not wish to, he would have to take three of the men from the Villa Parese.
“You, Rapallo, and Girolamo will remain here, Scargill, and stay with Cassandra. We cannot afford to take any chances with her safety.” He looked away toward the dressing room. “Have the men ready to leave within the hour.”
Cassie became very quiet when the earl told her what had happened.
“I shall return—hopefully with Andrea—in five days, Cassandra, no more. I promise you.”
“I will go with you, my lord.”
He answered her brusquely. “No. I will not have you placed in such danger.”
“Is it not my right?”
“If you wish it, you will come face to face with Andrea, but while he is free, I cannot allow myself to be distracted, and that is what would happen if you were with me. No, Cassandra, do not argue with me further.”
She wanted to tell him that she wished to be with him only because she feared for his safety, but she realized he was quite capable of taking care of himself.
“You will be careful, my lord?” she said.
“You may be certain of it, Cassandra.”
She watched him silently, Scargill beside her on the front steps, as he wheeled Cicero about to join the other men. She closed her eyes and listened to the pounding hoofbeats until they were lost from her hearing.
“Nay, madonna,” Scargill said, “do not worry yourself. He will return safely—with that animal in tow—if Daniele has indeed found him.”
She nodded, feeling at once dejected and abstracted, and walked back into the villa. She did not tell Scargill that all of her concern was not for the earl. She had spent the past several days in a pleasant haze, content to bask in their rediscovered passion, becoming once again at one with her own body and with his. They had not spoken of the future, as if by tacit agreement. She wondered what she would have said had he asked her to wed him when she lay in his arms, her body drugged with desire, her mind quieted by her need for him. She wandered silently through the villa, knowing that she must come to terms with herself. She thought about the future, of the days and nights that would inevitably flow from the present, and cursed herself for her weakness. Her anger at herself turned quickly to sadness, not only because he had left, but because his absence would force her to look within herself.
Though the sun was bright as it neared its zenith, a light breeze from the Mediterranean stirred the balmy air and made the ride to Genoa quite pleasant. Cassie rode her mare, flanked by Scargill and Girolamo, both heavily armed. They had set out before noon to enjoy a luncheon. Scargill told her, under the tall, gaunt façade of the Palazzo Ducale of Genoa’s main square. It was Scargill’s idea, one he hoped would cheer the madonna. She had never visited the Palazzo Ducale or the Sala del Gran Consiglio. Perhaps, just perhaps, he had decided, an optimistic smile lighting his eyes, she would enjoy wandering through the magnificent buildings.
They left their horses in the care of a youth whom Scargill knew, and climbed through the uphill maze of narrow streets to the Via San Lorenzo. The sights, smells, and noise of the city always seemed to fascinate Cassie, and today was no exception. In Genoa, though, Cassie soon told Scargill between heaving breaths, one never seemed to be able to simply walk. Scargill, whose own forehead was glistening with sweat, heartily agreed, and suggested they stop at a small sidewalk cafe. After downing a cool glass of lemonade, Scargill left Cassie with Girolamo and took himself off to the Palazzo Ducale, where he hoped to gain them entrance.