Read Nero's Fiddle for Free Online Page B

in Texas.”
    Loki perked up, having successfully fended off Nessy and heaped more sausage onto his plate. “You were a saloon girl? Why have I not heard this story before?”
    “Another time,” Cara laughed. “I think it’s more of an evening story.”
    Nate carried a stack of gaily wrapped parcels from the sideboard, and laid them next to her. He picked up the top one, wrapped in stark black and white tissue. “From Helene.”
    She took the small package in her hands and gave a squeeze. Hard, with a familiar indent on one side. She pulled the black ribbon and slipped the paper off, revealing a squat, thick book.
    “ Suetonius’ Secrets. ” She ran a hand over the gold work on the cover. “It’s said to contain the myths and stories surrounding unnatural objects that he learned about in the ancient world. From what I read in father’s journal, many scholars doubted the book even existed. Yet somehow, some medieval monk found his scrolls and made a copy.”
    “Or a forgery,” Loki said, seating himself with his back to the wall and keeping his eyes on the marauding python. “If the book’s existence is doubted, how do you know what you’re holding is real?”
    She met his gaze. “Simple, because it comes from Helene’s collection. I swear that woman has the ability to conjure books from thin air.”
    “She has gypsy blood, so very possibly does exactly that.” Nate rearranged the pile of presents.
    “Gypsy, really? I can see her reading fortunes.” Cara filed away the titbit about Helene. “This book will be a fascinating read, and will aid our work for Victoria.” She cracked the book open toward the middle and scanned the ornate calligraphy and embellished drawings. Her mind turned the assorted letters to words and her heart plummeted. “Oh, that’s not fair.”
    “What?” Nate leaned over her shoulder his breath feathered over her neck and reignited embers.
    Cara regarded the little volume. “It’s all in Latin. I hate Latin, I can only make out every fifth word.” She glanced sideways at Nate, hoping he would jump to her rescue.
    “Don’t look at me. My Latin is rusty, my skills are in oral languages, not long dead ones.” He kissed her neck, before straightening to take his coffee from the butler.
    Amy burst into laughter. “Bet you wished you didn’t skive off from so many lessons now.”
    Cara resorted to the only witty reply that came to hand: she stuck her tongue out at her friend. “Why do I feel like I have been given extra school work?”
    Loki’s black eyes danced with humour. “You obviously need to practice your linguistic skills.”
    Amy blinked. “But Cara only needs to understand written Latin, not spoken.”
    Loki’s eyes widened before he laughed. “Oh kitten, you are so innocent.”
    A frown settled on Amy’s brow and she turned, a question written over her open face.
    Cara bit back her laughter. “I’ll explain it to you in private, Amy,” she said, before returning her attention to the pile of presents and bright ribbons.
    Cara treasured each gift, lifting ribbons and paper with care to ensure the experience lasted as long as possible. When no more boxes remained, she looked around the room with a soaring heart. She never dreamed to have such friends and family. Even the gruff Jackson earned his place in her affections. Although he absented himself, among the pile she discovered a gift from him, a small brooch of a mechanical unicorn head. The eyes whirled when the tiny horn was pressed.
    She closed her eyes, afraid to ruin the moment with the tears that threatened. She took a deep breath and Nate gave her an internal caress, as intimate as a thumb grazing across the pulse in her wrist.
    She opened her eyes to meet his pale blue ones. “Thank you, for everything.”
    “I would do anything for you, cara mia .” He raised her hand and brushed a kiss over her knuckles.
    After breakfast, everyone vanished in separate directions, leaving Cara and Nate alone.