The Vendetta by Kecia Adams

briefly forgotten about Nick. She looked around for a chair and found he’d placed one nearby. When had he done that?
    Lisa sat and looked over at him. He stood near the old-fashioned settee, looking calm and comfortable even in these feminine surroundings. His dark suit outlined the strong shape of his shoulders, emphasizing his masculinity.
    “I’m sure Mr. Carnavale is a very busy man, and I’m hardly in need of a tour of Rome, Gran. I’d rather spend time with you.”
    “I would like that too.” Donna Giovanna patted Lisa’s hand. “But I am afraid that I am not going to be able to spend every last minute with you, Annalisa. The special showing of my collection has quite absorbed my time lately. You received the invitation?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Her grandmother’s expression grew gleeful and excited. “Did Signore Carnavale tell you about my new acquisition?”
    Remembering their conversation in the car, Lisa cast a glance at Nick. He avoided her look, seemingly fascinated with an ornate and ugly Dresden figurine on the Louis XVI sideboard.
    She turned back to her grandmother. “Yes, he mentioned that you have acquired a Rembrandt. Very impressive, Gran.”
    “I am proud of my new masterpiece, and I want to show it off,” said the principessa.
    She delivered the comment with a flourish that caused Lisa to grin. But her grandmother’s enthusiasm made Lisa uneasy when combined with the information Nick had told her about the painting.
    “Who is helping you with the showing? You mentioned a new curator, Peter Van Alstrand?” asked Lisa.
    An indistinct noise from Nick sidetracked the conversation.
    “Oh, do sit down, Carnavale,” said Gran. “Your constant fidgeting is distracting.”
    “I beg your pardon, Excellency.” Nick sat, catching Lisa’s eye in the process. His naughty schoolboy look nearly made her laugh out loud.
    The principessa turned back to Lisa. “Where was I? Oh, yes, Peter Van Alstrand has been advising me for a year or so. Particularly concerning the purchase of the Rembrandt. His eye is quite good.”
    Lisa glanced at Nick again. This time he frowned with an infinitesimal shake of his head. What did that mean? Oh, she was not good at this intrigue. She widened her eyes at him. He made a gesture toward her grandmother with his chin.
    Silence had fallen in the room. Lisa realized that during her byplay with Nick, Gran had actually dozed off.
    Surprised, Lisa looked back at Nick. “Does she do that often?” she whispered.
    He cast an affectionate smile at her grandmother. Lisa’s heart squeezed, robbing her of breath.
    “Yes,” he said. “Every afternoon, at about this time.”
    He stepped forward, leaned down, and gently touched the principessa’s hand.
    “Your Excellency.” His deep voice rumbled low.
    Gran didn’t startle as Lisa expected. Instead, she raised her eyelids like a lover waking from a dream. Then her trademark smirk appeared. She turned to Lisa, the smile playing over her lips.
    “You’d better watch this one, Lisa. He’ll steal your heart and not look back.”
     
    * * *
     
     
    Later, after Nick had graciously excused himself and left for another appointment, Lisa slowly unpacked her suitcases into the Louis XV wardrobe that graced the far wall of her room. She hadn’t noted any real changes here either. A delicate Aubusson rug still covered the parquet floor—its colors complemented the pale green silk on the walls and the familiar counterpane quilt on the tester bed. The elaborate desk, wardrobe, dresser, and side tables had probably all belonged to Louis XV himself. Lisa smiled at the thought that royalty might have graced her bedroom ensemble.
    As in every room in the palazzo, the art on the walls elevated the room from merely fancy to striking. In this room in particular, each piece represented a memory of her too-short time here with her grandmother. A landscape of Tuscany brightened the small writing desk, making her think of a trip to