Page 52 of Last Duke Standing

Or something to that effect.

William knew something of Gaetano di Aggiani, if anyone was interested in his opinion. It appeared no one was. But he knew Aggiani to be an insincere lothario when it came to women, and furthermore, he suspected he cheated at cards. Not that he’d ever played cards with him, but he seemed the type. William meant to pull Lady Aleksander aside as soon as possible and tell her so.

He began to suspect the matchmaker hadn’t a clue what she was doing, and ought to be sent on her way. Why, he’d even volunteer to see her to the nearest port.

William sneezed again. He’d been sneezing since the introductions were made and they’d been forced to wander about the terrace, looking at the many displays of massive floral sprays. The smell was overwhelming him, sweet and sickly. His nose felt the size of an apple.

He sneezed again.

“Felicita,Douglas,” Aggiani called cheerfully over his shoulder.

William scowled at the back of the man with the curly black hair and the sienna skin until he turned around.

“Unfortunately, there must be a particular variety somewhere in the mix that does not agree with you. One does not know what one is getting when one buys all of what Covent Garden had to offer.” He slid his gaze to Justine, making certain she’d heard him.

“Allof Covent Garden?” Princess Amelia asked, successfully drawing his attention back to her. “Really?”

“Every last one. Five wagons in all, each one filled to the gills. It was quite the journey to Prescott Hall. The fine citizens of London came out of their houses to have a look, for they aremagnifici, no?”

“They arequitespectacular,” Princess Amelia agreed.

Aggiani looked slyly at Justine.

“Je,they are indeed,” she agreed.

William sneezed again, then watched Aggiani offer his arms to both sisters so that he could lead them through the displays and they could study each and every bloom, as seemed to be his intent. He reluctantly followed. Lady Aleksander stayed back to walk with him. “I thought you said you were only vaguely acquainted with the prince, and yet, he greeted you so warmly.”

“We are only vaguely acquainted.” Aggiani had greeted him with false sincerity, and he was surprised Lady Aleksander hadn’t understood it. Aggiani said it had been too long since their last meeting, and William said he couldn’t recall when that was. Aggiani confessed he couldn’t, either.

The trio disappeared into a copse of floral stands, and the sound of Justine’s laugh rose, floating above the flowers. It startled William—he hadn’t heard her laugh so gaily.

“I’m sopleasedthat Her Royal Highness seems to esteem him!” Lady Aleksander said.

William snorted. “Were I you, I’d no’ be so certain that she thinks anything at all of him.”

“Really? She appears to be enjoying herself,” Lady Aleksander said with far more cheer than the situation warranted.

As if to prove it, they heard the laughter of both sisters. William and Lady Aleksander stepped around a particularly big spray just in time to see Justine put her hand lightly on Aggiani’s shoulder as they bent to examine a flower.

William erupted into a bout of sneezing. He whipped his handkerchief out and dabbed at his eyes.

“I think she likes him very much,” Lady Aleksander whispered as the trio moved on.

“Because she laughed? People laugh when they are angry or bored.”

“Oh, but surely most people laugh when they are gay.” Lady Aleksander smiled pertly at him and glided away. “Your Royal Highness, the tea has come. Shall we take it?” she called, one arm sweeping in the direction of the table that had been set with linen and silver, porcelain plates engraved with tiny red roses around the rims.

“Je, thank you,” Justine said and walked with Aggiani to the table.

William stuffed his handkerchief into his pocket and reluctantly made his way to the table, too.

“No one appreciates the flowers quite like the Italians,” Aggiani was saying as he helped Justine into a chair. “It is in our blood. Beautiful women, beautiful flowers, beautiful wine, beautiful food...allItaliano,” he said and kissed the tips of his fingers and pretended to fling the kiss in the air.

“So ridiculous,” William muttered.

“Pardon?” Aggiani asked.

“I said that your Italian blood has nothing to do with any of that.”

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