Free The Contessa's Vendetta by Mirella Sichirollo Patzer Page B

stole from your lips.”
    I listened astounded. Here was a new philosophy: wives were thieves! They stole kisses and only lovers or mistresses were honest in their intimacy. Oh, my dear friend, how near you came to death in that moment. Had you seen my face peering through the dusky leaves, you could have known the force of the fury pent up within me.
    “ Why did you marry her?” she asked, after a little pause
    Dario toyed with one of her curls that rested against his breast. He looked at her with a frown and shrugged his shoulders. “Why? Because I was tired of the monastery and all the stupid, solemn ways of the monks. It was an unbearable location for an education. Also because she was rich and I was horribly poor. I cannot bear to be poor! Then there is the fact that she loved me.” His eyes glimmered with malicious triumph. “ Si , she was mad for me and—”
    “ You loved her?” Beatrice demanded almost fiercely.
    “ I suppose I did, for the first few weeks. As much as one can ever love a wife. Why does one marry for at all? For convenience, money, position. She gave me these things, as you know.”
    “ You will gain nothing by marrying me, then,” she said, jealously.
    “ Of course not! Besides, have I said I will marry you? You are very agreeable as a lover, but otherwise, I am not so sure,” he said teasingly. “And I am free now. I can do as I like. I want to enjoy my liberty, and—”
    Beatrice laid her hand, aglitter with my rings, against his lips.
    In response, Dario snatched her close to his breast and held her tight, his face engulfed with passion.
    “ You cannot deceive me, Dario,” Beatrice said with a giggle. “I have endured much because of you. From the moment I first saw you on your wedding day with poor Carlotta, I loved you desperately, completely, and without shame. I knew you would be unfaithful to Carlotta, so I bided my time. And only three months after your wedding, you came to me, willing and eager. With my touch, words, and glances, I gave you all you sought. Why try to deny it now? You became my lover as much as Carlotta’s. No, you belonged more to me because you loved me. And though you lied to your wife, you dare not lie to me. Carlotta was easily tricked. A married woman must be vigilant when it comes to a husband, for if she relents, she has only herself to blame when her man wanders into another woman’s arms. I repeat, Dario, you are mine, and you shall always be so.” The impetuous words coursed rapidly from her lips as she thrust herself into his arms.    
    I smirked bitterly as I listened and stared.  
    He pushed her away.
    The fierceness of her embrace had crushed the rose she wore, and its scarlet petals drifted on the breeze to scatter on the ground at their feet.
    Dario ’s eyes flared and an irritated frown tapered his brows. He glanced away from her in silence, the silence of derision.
    H is manner seemed to upset her. She caught his hand and kissed it. “Forgive me, caro . I did not mean to mock you. It is not your fault you are so handsome, so beautiful, so appealing. You are my heart and soul. Let us not squander words in worthless irritation. We are free, Dario. Free to pursue our dreams. Carlotta’s death is our good fortune. We can now be together for the rest of our lives.”
    He grinned and drew her into his embrace.
    Her lips met his.
    I observed them, agonized, as they held each other in a staunch embrace.
    He weaved one of her ebony curls around his jeweled finger. “So impulsive, so jealous. I have told you many times that I love you.” He laughed. “Do you not remember that night when Carlotta sat out on the balcony reading, and we were singing together in the library? Did I not tell you then that I loved you more than her? I truly meant it, you know.”
    Beatrice smiled, and placed her hand on his that still held her curl. “I believed it, and still do,” she said. “But you must expect me to be jealous. Carlotta was never