Dominic's Nemesis Read Online Free PDF

Like Cain and Abel,
they are.”
    Dominic agreed with her on the last point. “I
once heard Nonno say, ‘If Lucca died tomorrow, Fausto will
undoubtedly be livid because death would be just another deed his
brother accomplished that he could not ’ .”
    “Aye.” Nonna Ambrosi looked even more
imposing than usual bedecked in the traditional mourner ’ s bombazine and black crape. Black
eyes, much like his father ’ s, narrowed on him with intent. “Dominic, it is
unwise to stay squirreled away in your English countryside. You are
needed at home. Gabriel is…ill again…and Gideon is beside himself.
It is your duty as both the eldest son and the firstborn
grandchild. The family is fragmented, vulnerable. Lillian saw to
that with her ceaseless philandering. All will never be right with
the Ambrosi legacy unless you take your rightful place at the head
of the family.”
    “Gideon is Conte Ambrosi. Given the proper
encouragement the tenants will learn to respect him as such. Very
soon he will hold the legal and financial rights to the legacy. He
is more than capable of rebuilding therefore I suggest you champion him as your savior.”
    “It is not his place. He merely assumes it in
your absence.”
    “I will not return to Italy, Nonna.” Dominic
spoke with finality. “I did not return to bury the old Conte, and I
will not return to become the new one.”
    “You could make up a bit for your
mother ’ s…peculiarities.”
Her taunt features reeked of distaste. “She spread her legs far and
wide, daring to put the Ambrosi name to her ill-gotten brats.”
    Dominic ’ s eyes hardened behind the spectacles. He met his
grandmother ’ s accusation
without flinching. “She is not the first, nor the last, woman to
‘spread her legs ’ far
and wide…and they have nothing like her excuse to absolve
them.”
    “Stubborn Ox.” She shrugged her age-bowed
shoulders, conceding a momentary defeat. Ever the gracious loser,
she put on a polite showing. “How are the… others ? I hear
from Gideon that the youngest lad is finishing up at University
this year.”
    “ Yes,
Stephan is quite academic. ” Dominic cut off any further
discussion with a curt ‘ahem ’ . “Forgive me, Nonna, but there is a matter which
demands my attention. I leave the finer points to you and the
Signori.”
    Dominic bowed his respects and exited the
room.
     
    * * *
     
    Eden awakened little by little, becoming
aware of the rawness in her throat. She swallowed once to dislodge
it, only to have the ache worsen. A cough formed deep in her throat
and erupted from her chest, leaving a horrible throbbing sensation
in its wake. Breathing was agony. Each breath seemed to trigger the
start of a new coughing sensation, which worsened the throbbing in
her chest. Muffled voices reached her through the haze of coughing,
throbbing and breathing. She wondered to whom they belonged.
    An intense wave of coughs seized her, jarring
her awake…and rolling her over onto her side. A moment later, she
felt cool hands on her cheek and arms restraining her with gentle
pressure. After the worse had passed, the hands helped ease her
into a sitting position with well-placed pillow-props.
    “Thank you.” Eden almost did not recognize
the frail croak as her own voice. She blinked at the hovering
gentleman, before taking quick stock of her surroundings. The
nightshirt she wore was not her own, and from what she could tell
was made for an above-average sized male. The great circular bed
she occupied was not her own back in Boston nor was it the guest
room at Reginald and Millie ’ s. The room beyond seemed to blink back at her,
equally curious at its unknown occupant. A large pine wardrobe
loomed in one corner, while a paw-footed tub waited for an
introduction on the opposite side of the room. The bed dipped as
the dark-haired gentleman sat. She was glad not to have to crane
her neck.
    “Here,” he cupped the back of her head and
put a mug to her lips. “Take a sip.