Desiring Lady Caro by Ella Quinn Page A

to-morrow. Lady Caroline will listen to me. This Huntley, he shall not have her.”
    His grandfather smiled slowly, his old eyes flickering with excitement. “A di Venier takes what he wants. She would provide a welcome connection to a wealthy and powerful English family, as well as an elegant wife for you. As she is only betrothed, I see no problem in you convincing her to have you for a husband rather than the Englishman. I am sure Lady Caroline would appreciate the opportunity to become a duchess and acquire a more robust lover. The English gentlemen do not have the reputations that we Venetians have.”
    “I shall approach her to-morrow.” Antonio bowed. “ Con permesso, Nonno? ”
    His grandfather waived a hand in dismissal.
    Rising early the next morning, Antonio fussed over his dress, wanting it to be perfect for his interview with Lady Caroline. He wore a dark blue jacket with bright gold buttons, breeches that matched his jacket, and the orders he received upon his birth and his father’s death, so that his future wife would understand how powerful he was.
    Small feet pattered down the corridor and stopped outside his door. Antonio smiled and hid against the wall as a small boy peeked inside. “Papa?”
    He swooped his son up in his arms and turned him upside down.
    “ Papa! ” Geno shrieked, laughing.
    Antonio turned his son right side up and planted a kiss on his dark curly hair. “What have you been doing this morning? Where is your tutor?”
    His son clasped his hands behind Antonio’s neck. “One of the servants said you were awake, and I wanted to see you.” Geno focused on Antonio’s neckcloth. “You’re going somewhere. You’re not leaving me, are you?”
    If only the child’s mother had been as faithful. He breathed in the sweet, milky scent of his son. “No, Geno. I would never leave you. I am going to bring you a new mother. One who will never go away.”
    After playing with his son and breaking his fast, Antonio waited until the tall gilded clock against the wall struck nine. He wished he could go earlier, but under the circumstances, he dare not anger Lady Caroline by arriving too early. By the time he departed, he’d gone over all the reasons she should marry him rather than Lord Huntley, chief of which was the power his family wielded, despite the Austrians, and her opportunity to become a duchess. Calling for his gondola, he descended to the dock.
    As he traveled from the lagoon and up the Grand Canal, he was convinced he would be met with acceptance on her part. He’d rather have her come to him willingly, but if she didn’t, there was always the abduction he had ready to set in motion. One way or the other, she would be his.
    When Antonio presented himself at Lady Horatia’s palazzo and asked to speak to Lady Caroline, he was ushered into her godmother’s drawing room.
    Lady Horatia smiled graciously and curtseyed. “Good morning, my lord.”
    As he thought, her ladyship was happy to see him. She would be pleased that he was not giving up so easily. He bowed. “Good morning, my lady.”
    “Please.” She motioned him to join her at the table on the balcony.
    He took a seat and waited impatiently for the formalities to be over.
    Lady Horatia lifted a pot. “Coffee, my lord?”
    “Thank you, my lady.” After she’d set the cup before him, he picked up the tongs and placed two lumps of sugar in the dark, fragrant brew, and forced himself to take a sip. It was time and more to turn to the subject of marriage. He did not wish to wait longer. “My lady, I wish to have a private speech with Lady Caroline.”
    Lady Horatia’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “I’m terribly sorry, my lord,” she said in stricken accents. “Lady Caroline is on her way to Lake Garda with Lord Huntley.”
    Antonio’s fists clenched. He took a deep breath and forced his hands to relax. It was most important to remain calm. The watchers he had placed on the house last night and early this morning