He wrapped me in his arms, and I snuggled into his chest, no longer on equal footing from wearing the high heels.
“This feels much better,” I said, taking in his familiar scent through a deep breath. “Safer.”
“I hope to keep you thus,” Luke replied, rubbing my back. “But if you leave without my knowledge, then that might become a challenge.”
I squeezed my face in embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to make you worry. Like I said, I did get lost.” Pulling out of his grasp, I followed the scent of food and picked up the plate of cold pasta. I sent a little heat through my hands to warm it up.
“Someone would have seen you sooner if you were truly lost,” Luke observed, watching me with careful eyes. “Tell me what you found.”
I slurped on a lone noodle and sucked it in my mouth. “Promise me you won’t get too mad.”
He crossed his arms. “I make no promises until I hear what you were up to.”
After taking two more quick bites to satisfy my empty stomach, I set the plate down. “Fine. But you might want to sit down for this.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Because I’m pretty sure I made contact with your sister tonight.”
Chapter Twelve
Luke and I talked into the early morning hours. He grilled me over every little detail from the moment I left the room to when Fiametta brought me back. At some point, I fell asleep in his arms, and a young regal woman who looked like my fiancé haunted my dreams. It felt like I could speak to her, but because we were from two different times and places, we couldn’t understand each other.
I woke up startled and alone. Light streamed through a crack in the curtains covering the window. Yawning, I took a page from Dolly’s song, tumbling out of bed and stumbling to the bathroom. A quick hot shower refreshed me and washed away some of the not-so-nice memories from the night before. As the streams of water pounded against me, I recalled the more important details and wondered where Luke had escaped to.
After the shower, I chose some of my own clothes rather than any of the expensive ones Luke had purchased in Rome. Last night’s fiasco left me a little wary, and putting on something familiar and comfortable provided me a little shield of protection from whatever the day ahead might hold.
A knock interrupted my first thoughts about food. Hoping to find Luke on the other side, I bounded over and opened the door to find Claudio instead.
“Buon giorno. I trust you slept well after your…adventure last night?” The young man’s question made me a little suspicious as to how much he actually knew.
“I’m surprised I feel as rested as I do. It took me a while to finally get to sleep,” I admitted, wanting to poke at him a little to play a hunch. “How is Fiametta this morning?”
Claudio’s friendly expression changed into something more neutral. “I am not sure what you are asking.”
Men. How dense could they be? “I’m asking how the woman you found me with last night is doing. I’m pretty sure the way the two of you spoke to each other was more than just collegial because you work in the same place.”
He swallowed hard, and I recognized I’d put him in an awkward position. “I just wanted to make sure she was safe after I returned you to your room.”
“Fia was my hero last night, helping me find my way back,” I said. “If you see her, please give her my thanks again.”
My use of her nickname eased a little of his tension. “I will be sure to do that.”
I changed the subject to help the poor boy out. “What time is it?”
“It is after ten in the morning, Miss Ruby. Master Luca instructed the staff to allow you to sleep late. However, he has sent me here to invite you to join him on the terrace.” He stood with his arms behind his back, waiting for my reply.
“Sounds amazing. Let me find my sandals and I’ll go with you,” I chirped.
“No need, miss. It’s just through here.” Claudio walked past me and pulled open the curtains to reveal a set of double glass doors.
With a little tug, they opened, and a fresh breeze blew inside while sunlight streamed into my room. A first glance showed me a long terrace that stretched beyond just the length of my room. I padded out onto the porch in my worn-out bunny slippers I brought just because, and found my fiancé bantering in friendly conversation with Cassio at a table underneath a shady umbrella.
“Good morning,” I greeted Luke, kissing his cheek. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Your sleep seemed a bit fitful as I watched you, and as there’s nothing particular on your schedule for today, I thought it best to let you sleep late.” He got up and pulled the seat out next to him for me to sit down and join them.
Cassio waited for me to get settled before speaking. “I am sorry last night did not go as well as you’d hoped. I thought for sure your parents’ joy for your return would outweigh their judgment.”
“My springing magic on them like I did made things worse,” I groaned. “So, don’t feel too bad.”
Cassio’s eyebrows lifted. “I was too far away to see what had caused the outburst. You revealed yourself directly to his parents?”
“Amara spilled wine all over Ruby Mae’s dress,” Luke explained.
His friend scoffed. “An accident, I am sure. But how did a spilled drink cause such a commotion?”
I grimaced and shrugged my shoulders. “Because I wanted to show that the wine didn’t spoil anything. So, I made it disappear.”
“Then Amara got exactly what she wanted in the first place,” Cassio
