Page 46 of An Unwitting Alliance
“Sì,signora, I dance.” Tom wagged his eyebrows up and down and shook his shoulders side to side.
She held back her laugh. If he was going to perform, he might as well do it properly. “Dancing is well enough, but will you sing as well?”
This time the wagging ceased. “Sing?”
“Indeed.” She grinned at her own brilliance.
Michael pulled at her sleeve, and Robert squirmed in her grasp.
Tom’s laugh drowned out her brothers, the familiar sound as engaging as ever. “At least I will not have to do dem at de same time, sì?”
“On the contrary,signore,” she answered, mimicking him. “At the same time, if you please.”
He pointed at her, his eyes capturing her own completely. “I sense a challenge. But I will make it even more exciting. I will not only dance and sing, but I shall ’old a book under my chin and juggle. All at de same time.”
Cassandra snorted at the mental image. The others had not yet caught on to Tom’s identity, and Megan whimpered. Cassandra squeezed her hand, turned, and winked to reassure her. Looking back at Tom, she said, “Signore, if you can do all these things, you may sleep here tonight.”
Michael inhaled sharply. “Cassandra!”
“Gratzie, signora.” Tom took another bow, the act more ridiculous each time. “I will need a place to lie my tired head after I have exhausted myself dancing for you.”
“But,” Cassandra said, raising her finger.
“But?” She could almost see Tom’s smile freeze under his beard.
“If you cannot sing, dance, hold the book under your chin, and juggle all at the same time, for at least a minute, you must...” She couldn’t think of a consequence.
“Sleep outside?” Tom finished, although she was sure he regretted it as soon as the words exited his mouth.
“Sì, signore.”
Tom’s eyes laughed with humor and wonder.
Hers were likely doing the same. “Michael, what could our signore juggle?”
Michael glared at her and crossed his arms, but Tom was ready. “Mia cara, I came prepared to juggle.”
She froze at the Italian endearment and had to force out her next words. “Very well. Robert, find us a book to put under his chin. Megan, will you play something lively on the piano?”
Megan hesitated and pointed at Tom. “Wait... is that—”
Cassandra nodded.
“I cannot believe him.” Megan giggled and hurried to the piano.
Tom accepted a storybook from Robert and strode to the middle of the room. From this closer view, she could see his waistcoat was turned inside out, and how had she not noticed his cravat was tied in a ridiculous bow? It was decidedly un-Italian but incredibly Tom.
“Join me, Vail famiglia,” Tom said. “For a proper show, I require the rest of you three to stand in a semicircle.”
“Butweare not dancing,” Cassandra argued. Before she could complain further, Tom took her hands and pulled her closer, sending a thrill down her arms. Michael and Robert flanked her, Michael looking curiously at Tom and Robert giggling with sudden excitement. The air crackled with anticipation.
“Everyone put your hands on your hips, and prepare to be amazed,” Tom said.
Megan started a country reel as Tom shoved the book under his chin, which was quickly covered by his beard. The effect was incredibly comical. He kicked his feet out a few times and then linked arms with each of them, spinning them around as he did. Cassandra remembered this all too well from the ball and was prepared to move out of the way of Robert to avoid a collision.
Then Tom broke out into a song. “I cannot sing, and I cannot dance, but I can juggle you and you and you.”
Robert bent over laughing as he whirled around. Even Michael was having fun.
