Royally Claimed - By Marie Donovan Page 0,14
fight. The wily old man undoubtedly fought dirty. Still, Frank was glad to get in the last word. For once.
“YOUR FAUCET IS INSTALLED, Your Grace,” Benedito announced in long-suffering tones, coming up behind Frank as he waded through a dreary email announcement of new rules from the ministry of agriculture. “I skinned my knuckles on the old sink and I think they are infected.”
Frank rolled his eyes. “Too soon for infection. Let me see.” He gestured to Benedito to extend his hand for inspection.
“Eh, what do you know about injuries?” Benedito clutched his hand to his chest. “Maybe I should go to São Miguel.”
“The hospital? If you’re seriously injured, I’ll take you over there myself.”
“Pah, the hospital!” Benedito spat. “Full of germs and sick people.”
“Well, yes. They do have both of those.”
“I was thinking that pretty nurse could look at my wounds.”
“Julia?”
“Yes, Senhorina Julia, with the beautiful black hair.” Benedito sounded half in love with her already.
Frank beat down a weird jealous twinge. For goodness’ sake, Benedito was old enough to be her father. “Oh, let me see this mangled hand of yours.”
After a brief tussle where Benedito refused to show Frank his hand, Frank finally got it yanked away and looked. “Those three scrapes? Your wife would fall on the ground laughing if you asked her to take you to the hospital for that.”
He jerked his arm away. “My wife is not here. She is ailing, poor woman, and I am alone on this island with an unsympathetic duke who mocks my injury.”
“How about some disinfectant spray and bandages? Besides, you’re flying home to the mainland, when?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Maybe when you take your wife to the doctor for her ‘female problems,’ they can look at your hand.”
Benedito pursed his lips. “If Your Grace refuses…”
“I’m not taking you to see Julia for skinned knuckles. Do you know how hard I had to work to get her to go to lunch with me? And she’s coming to the island for the afternoon tomorrow as soon as I drop you at the airport.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so?” Benedito beamed at him as if he were a particularly stupid student who had finally done something smart. Whistling a ribald folktune, he strutted over to the sink and scrubbed his fingers without even wincing.
“Why, you old faker!” Frank didn’t know whether to throw something at him or give him a raise. “You were looking for an excuse to get me to see her again?”
His only reply was an innocent shrug. “I feel much better already. Perhaps it is your healing presence.”
“I’m a duke, not a saint. Now, don’t you have some packing to do?”
“I have plenty of work to do before I leave, Don Franco. But continue your own work. You will not hear a peep from old Benedito.”
That was what worried him. Like his sisters’ kids, Benedito was only quiet when looking for trouble.
He shook his head as Benedito scooted out of the kitchen. Frank’s phone rang and he answered. “George?”
“Frank, glad I caught you.” It was his best friend from college and brother of the bride. George’s relaxed voice came over the satellite connection. Of course he always sounded relaxed, being in love with Renata, his beautiful and sexy American fiancée. “How have you been?”
“Keeping busy with getting the villa in order. It just needs some cosmetic work and a bit of cleaning.”
“Oh, so you’re in the Azores? I was wondering why the connection took a little while longer. How is it?”
“Lovely as ever.”
“What? You hate being out there anymore. The last couple times you barely stayed long enough to get your luggage off the boat.”
Frank grinned. “Let’s just say things are coming full circle.”
“What? I better call Jack. You sound like you’ve taken too much cold medication.”
“George…” He rolled his eyes but greeted Jack dutifully. George and Frank had been his best men at Jack’s whirlwind wedding in Philadelphia last summer. George had met Lily, Jack’s beautiful American bride, and they had all gone out for cheesesteaks and fries. Yum.
“Frank’s in the Azores,” George announced. “And he’s enjoying himself.”
“That’s great. Congratulate me, mes amis!” Jack cried. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but I can’t wait to announce to you, my brothers—Lily and I are having a baby.”
A stunned hush fell over the group.
“A baby,” Frank finally choked out, fighting back bittersweet memories. “Jack, that’s wonderful.”
“Amazing.” George’s voice sounded husky, as well. “And how is your lovely wife feeling?”
“Ah, not so good.” He lowered his voice. “I tried to tell her that