Free Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain Page A

Wrainton.
    "You've a broken axle, so there is no question of using your coach."
    "It's just as well. I didn't trust those coachmen anyway. Wouldn't be surprised to find them in league with highwaymen waiting to rob us."
    "Dio mio, that is all that I need now," the Contessa swore beneath her breath.
    "I don't think we need fear that occurrence," the Duke replied calmly. "My men are well trained to act in our defense."
    "This country is most inhospitable, I don't know why I let you talk me into visiting it?" The Contessa spoke tiredly.
    "Now, now, Luciana, I promise you that you'll find London much more to your liking," Lord Wrainton placated her.
    "I gather this is your first visit to England, Contessa?" the Duke asked.
    " Si, and I hope my last. It is not a country I have a liking for. L'ltalia i molto bella, but this country, aah," she said in disgust, throwing her hands up in the air.
    Lucien laughed. "It takes the Englishman to love England. As when a man is in love with a woman, he often doesn't see her faults."
      "So you admit this England has faults." The Contessa smiled thoughtfully. "Me, I wish to be back in Venice in the smooth swaying of a gondola," she sighed as she was thrown sideways when the wheels of the coach bumped through a hole. "These carriages were made for fools."
    "I didn't think you had holdings in these parts, Your Grace?" Lord Wrainton inquired curiously. "Isn't your estate further north?"
    "Yes, I'm just looking over some recently purchased property," Lucien replied. "You seem to know this area. Have you lived hereabouts?"
    "Born and raised around here," Lord Wrainton confided. "In fact, I have an estate in the next valley, Verrick House. Not much to look at I'm afraid. It's just a small Elizabethan manor house, and I haven't even seen it in Lord knows how many years, come to think of it. Wonder what it's like now?" he speculated idly.
    "Caro, we should pay a visit to this little house," the Contessa suggested, then turning to the Duke explained, "You see, I am the Marquis' third wife, and as yet I have not met his family. How many bambini do you have, caro?" she demanded with a frown. "Two or three, n'e vero?"
    Lord Wrainton shrugged carelessly. "Three, I think."
    "You obviously haven't seen your children in some time," the Duke commented sardonically.
    "This one has not been the proud papa, but soon," she smiled knowingly, glancing slyly down at her waistline, "he shall be, and he will not run off and leave this one as he has these other poor bambini."
    The Marquis turned a dull red under the lash of her tongue, shifting uncomfortably at the truth.
    "And you, Your Grace?" she asked Lucien, gaining his wandering attention. "You are married and have a family?"
    Lucien smiled derisively. "No, not yet, Contessa," he replied shortly.
    "Ah, you suffer from the broken heart, si? This is too bad, but I think you have many amores just the same." She glanced at the Duke provocatively, her gaze lingering on his face. "You seem the cool one, but I think you are like Lucifer the fallen angel with your scarred face— a warning, perhaps, for one to beware?"
    The Marquis looked nervously at the Duke. "Please excuse Luciana, Your Grace, she is Italian and inclined to speak her mind without thought," he apologized, sending a quelling look to the Contessa who merely smiled teasingly at him.
    The Duke laughed. "I think your wife keeps you very busy, Lord Wrainton, and I am too well used to sharp-tongued females to allow the Contessa's words to trouble me."
    They traveled throughout the afternoon, the rain continuing to fall lightly as the team of horses pulled the coach swaying and lurching down the road, becoming bogged down in numerous potholes and streams.
    "We are to arrive soon, I trust? I never thought to find myself seasick in a coach," the Contessa remarked impatiently and then gave her maid a shake. "Wake up, Maria! You begin to snore."
    The coach began to slow down, and as it came to a complete halt the