by Gill, Tamara
"We do, yes. The Duke of Whitstone, I believe, although I have never met Signore Hugh. I am very grateful to him for allowing me to stay here."
The housekeeper beamed, gesturing her toward the stairs that led up to a second level. "I'm Maria, and should you need anything at all, merely let me know, and I shall do all that I can to make your stay enjoyable."
"Thank you." They climbed the stairs, the second floor opening up to a large seated area with a balcony. Molly could not pass the room without taking in the view. She stepped out onto the balcony and gasped. In all its glory, Rome spread out before her and hers to discover over the next four weeks. The sounds of trade, of people exploring and enjoying life wafted up to tease, urging her to leave and traverse.
Soon, she promised as soon as she had bathed and had a restoring cup of tea.
"It is only a short walk from here to the Fontana di Trevi. Or I can have the carriage called if you would like to visit Ager Vaticanus."
Excitement thrummed through her veins, and she leaned out over the railing. "What a magnificent city. I have always wanted to visit here, and now I am. I cannot believe it."
"I am dreading the return journey, however," her companion, Ms Sinclair said, joining her and staring down at the city with a disgruntled air. "Shall we have tea?"
Molly was reluctant to leave the majestic view, one she longed to be part of and nor would she allow Ms Sinclair's dislike of their holiday to dampen her excitement. If her companion did not wish to see Rome, she could stay here at the villa. Molly went about London most of the time on her own in any case. It would not be out of character for her to do so here as well.
"Yes, lets, and then I can get started on exploring." She sat at a table just inside from the balcony and watched as servants went about bringing their trunks to the rooms. Molly could almost pinch herself just to confirm that she was indeed here in Rome. Her time was precious, only a month, and they would be on the return journey home. Travel would take several months, and she wanted to visit some other cities on the continent before returning to London and the Season.
Not that she was looking forward to returning home. Certainly not after her friends had made a promise to each other to see her settled and married by the end of it. Not that she was opposed to marriage, but she had been in London for some years now, and she was certain she knew all the gentleman there was to know, or at least those left unmarried. They had not sparked her interest in the past, so she wondered how her friends would make them spark her interest next year.
Molly pushed the disturbing thoughts aside and set about pouring her tea. The beverage was sweet and refreshing, and lovingly the housekeeper had brought up bread with freshly cut ham and cheese, which squelched her rumbling stomach.
Molly leaned back in her chair, placing down her napkin, well sated after the little impromptu repast. "Shall we finish the tour of the house, see our rooms and then decide where to go?"
"Of course, Molly," Ms Sinclair said, yawning.
It had been a long day, but Molly was too excited, had waited too long to be in Rome to lay down for the afternoon. She wanted to go out and explore, to walk the streets, visit the markets, and be part of the culture here in this ancient city.
"If you're tired, Ms Sinclair I can always go out without you. I do not mind."
Ms Sinclair's lips pursed into a disapproving thin line. "No, that would never do. You need to have a chaperone and company to keep you safe. I will simply have to endure it."
"I do not wish for you to endure Rome. I want you to enjoy it as much as I intend on doing."
"I do not believe that will be possible, Miss Molly. I have an aversion to heat, and if it did not escape your notice, it is sweltering outside."
Molly turned toward the balcony, the slight breeze wafting in through the doors, cooling her skin. Yes, it was warm, but England was always so very cold. How could anyone not make use of such beautiful weather and explore in it?
The housekeeper stepped forward, catching Molly's eye. "We have a manservant here, Miss Molly. He works for Signore Hugh and would be more than happy to escort you about Rome so you may see some of our wonderful city."
Molly smiled at Ms Sinclair. "See, I shall be perfectly safe. You may have this afternoon to rest and recuperate, and we shall come together for dinner this evening before tonight's ball."
"You intend to attend the Bianchi's ball this evening? Even though we only arrived today?"
"Of course, I intend to go." Molly shook her head at her companion, having gained the sense that she did not want to go or do anything. The option was not helpful, nor would it be possible. Molly had four weeks to visit Rome, and she would simply have to ignore her companion's complaints about seeing it. "The Bianchi's are friends to the Duke of Whitstone. It would be a slight if I did not attend, especially when I'm in Rome." Molly sighed, pushing back her chair. "Maria, will you show me my room now?"
"Of course! Please follow me." The housekeeper bustled down a wide passageway until she came to a room that overlooked more of the villa, lawns, and gardens that encompassed a variety of colors. The tinkling sound of water carried up to her, and she looked for the fountain but could not see it from her room. She would have to go downstairs to find it herself.
Her room, too, had a tiled floor. Her bed was large, opulent with its yellow coverlet and abundance of pillows. Molly was partial to lots of pillows on beds. It somehow made them look complete. Perfect.
There was a small writing desk and one large settee that sat before her fire. Although she did not believe she would need the fire at all while she was here in Rome. Not with it being so warm.
"There is fresh water and linens behind the screen for you to freshen up, Miss Molly. When you're ready to go out, come downstairs, and I shall fetch Marcus for you. He will keep you safe and show you all the best sites Roma has on offer."
"Thank you so much, Maria. I cannot tell you how excited I am about being here."
The housekeeper smiled before leaving her to her tribulations, the sound of Ms Sinclairs voice as she was taken to her room, echoing down the hall.
Molly walked to the small balcony and glanced down at the garden. She raised her face to the sun, breathing deep. What an idyllic location to live. One could get used to such a place and never return home to rainy, dreary old London.
* * *
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Lords of London series available now!
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Also by Tamara Gill
Wicked Widows Series
TO DREAM OF YOU
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League of Unweddable Gentlemen Series
TEMPT ME, YOUR GRACE
HELLION AT HEART
DARE TO BE SCANDALOUS
TO BE WICKED WITH YOU
KISS ME DUKE
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Kiss the Wallflower series
A MIDSUMMER KISS
A KISS AT MISTLETOE
A KISS IN SPRING
TO FALL FOR A KISS
KISS THE WALLFLOWER - BOOKS 1-3 BUNDLE
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Lords of London Series
TO BEDEVIL A DUKE
TO MADDEN A MARQUESS
TO TEMPT AN EARL
TO VEX A VISCOUNT
TO DARE A DUCHESS
TO MARRY A MARCHIONESS
>
LORDS OF LONDON - BOOKS 1-3 BUNDLE
LORDS OF LONDON - BOOKS 4-6 BUNDLE
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To Marry a Rogue Series
ONLY AN EARL WILL DO
ONLY A DUKE WILL DO
ONLY A VISCOUNT WILL DO
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A Time Traveler’s Highland Love Series
TO CONQUER A SCOT
TO SAVE A SAVAGE SCOT
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Time Travel Romance
DEFIANT SURRENDER
A STOLEN SEASON
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Scandalous London Series
A GENTLEMAN’S PROMISE
A CAPTAIN’S ORDER
A MARRIAGE MADE IN MAYFAIR
SCANDALOUS LONDON - BOOKS 1-3 BUNDLE
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High Seas & High Stakes Series
HIS LADY SMUGGLER
HER GENTLEMAN PIRATE
HIGH SEAS & HIGH STAKES - BOOKS 1-2 BUNDLE
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Daughters Of The Gods Series
BANISHED-GUARDIAN-FALLEN
DAUGHTERS OF THE GODS - BOOKS 1-3 BUNDLE
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Stand Alone Books
TO SIN WITH SCANDAL
OUTLAWS
About the Author
Tamara is an Australian author who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. So much so, she made her darling husband travel to the UK for their honeymoon, where she dragged him from one historical monument and castle to another.
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A mother of three, her two little gentlemen in the making, a future lady (she hopes) and a part-time job keep her busy in the real world, but whenever she gets a moment’s peace she loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval and time travel.
www.tamaragill.com
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