Read From Hell with Love for Free Online

slight smile of his own.
    “It certainly is, but I also remember what happened after I climbed through my windows.  As much as I like you, young Vespucci, my daughter will keep her innocence.  You just have to wait,” Gherardini said before heading toward the stairwell.  “She’s in her room.  If I hear anything, Nico, your father will not be able to save you.”
    “He will not have to, Master Gherardini, I promise,” Niccolo said, lying easily to the merchant.  It was the first skill Niccolo had learned in his apprenticeship to his own father, who was more than adept at bending the truth.  After seeing Antonio depart, Niccolo walked over to the room at the end of the hallway.  He knocked, not caring if anyone else heard.  At this point he had already been caught.
    “Who is it?” a mid-ranged, feminine voice asked from the other side of the door.
    “A curious party,” Niccolo said, trying to keep his voice as charming as possible.  It was only a few seconds before the door opened up with some force, the wind rustling against Niccolo’s clothing, though he did not notice.  The only thing he was able to observe was the beautiful girl on the other side of the threshold, her dark hair falling loosely past her olive-skinned shoulder.
    “What are you doing out in the open, Nico?” the girl asked, grabbing the young man’s shoulder and pulling him into the room before shutting it, standing against the frame as if to protect him from enemies.
    “It’s fine, Camilla, your father already caught me as I came in the window.  I just had to promise him that you would maintain your innocence,” Niccolo said with a wink, but the girl sighed at his actions.
    “Well, it’s too late for that, isn’t it?” she said before Niccolo walked up to her, standing close enough to feel the heat coming from her body.  She was wearing a light dress, the summer air too much for bundles of clothing.  Niccolo just wanted to wrap his arms around her and sink his fingers into her skin, but he held off his urges for the moment.
    “Everyone knows that you and I have been having our fun, Camilla.  It’s only a matter of time before our fathers give up their stubbornness and arrive at a reasonable compromise.  It’s just business at this point,” the merchant’s son said before caressing Camilla’s face with his left hand.  She looked up at him and Niccolo was drawn into her dark, brown eyes, wanting to do much more than caress her face.
    “I know, but we must keep some appearances, at least.  I want to wear white at the wedding.  Do you want to make a liar out of me?” she asked before slipping out of his grasp and walking to her own window. 
    “I guess we shall maintain some semblance of dignity, my love.  Now, I have something to ask you,” he led on, which caused the girl to look at him over her shoulder.
    “About tonight?” she asked, but Niccolo shook her head.
    “No, no, the wedding will be fine.  I’m sure you will be more beautiful than my father’s new wife.  No, this is about… last night.”  He hesitated before saying the words, drawing closer to the girl who was looking at him with skepticism.  It was very important he did not let her on to his intentions.
    “And what about it, young Vespucci?” she asked.  “Did someone drink too much wine?”
    “Perhaps, my love, perhaps,” he said before closing his hand around hers and bringing it to his lips.  “I’m afraid I’m not quite sure what we discussed last night.”
    “What we discussed?” Camilla asked, raising her brow and adopting an inquisitive stance.
    “Yes.”
    “You were only here for a few moments before you and Marco ran away, obviously celebrating some sort of devil’s game,” she said, which allowed Niccolo to act defensive.
    “It was my last day as the only child of Carlo Vespucci da Firenze!  We had to do something ,” he said, playing at being offended.
    “Of course, of course, this is what normal sons do when