A Moonacre Fanfiction Roman Holiday
Anton held the chair as Maria sat down. She thanked him with a smile, and he seated himself next to her. Across from them sat Francesca and Robin, one looking very enthusiastic, the other…not so much. The foursome were in a small café for a little luncheon. Sir Benjamin, Loveday, Miss Heliotrope, Digweed, Coeur De Noir, and Pastor Russo had taken a large round table, while the youths opted for a smaller square one by the window.
"So," Anton began, "Have you been able to see much of Rome in your short stay?" Maria's eyes glowed. "Oh, yes!" she exclaimed. "Yesterday we toured the Colosseum, and then we drove to see the Pantheon, and we finished with the Trevi Fountain. Rome is such an extraordinary place! I can't imagine what it would be like to live here." Anton merely smiled. "One gets used to Rome, after a while." He said.
"Ah, but new company spices things up!" Francesca giggled, eyeing Robin's rugged face. Maria felt a white-hot flash of something, but it was gone too soon for her to be able to identify it. "Indeed," Anton agreed, "In fact, Francesca and I were going to go boating today; the weather is so beautiful. Would you not care to join us? Your family is also welcome, of course." His question was directed more to Maria, but Robin replied, "I think we have plans, don't we, Maria?" She cocked her head. "I'm not sure. I don't recall any plans. But of course I'd have to ask the rest of my group…" "By all means, by all means," Anton said quickly.
Maria arose and walked over to the 'adult' table where she exchanged a few words with Uncle Benjamin. Presently she returned. "Uncle said it would be fine, and everyone else was excited. What kind of boats would we be using?" Francesca was more than eager to reply. "We usually rent the little boats down at the harbor; they only fit two, but we could rent many. It is always so fun, and a good way to get to know people!" Her fluttering eyelashes mildly annoyed Maria.
"Then it's settled," Anton said happily, unfolding his napkin and placing it neatly on his lap. Robin frowned and left his napkin where it was. "But who will ride with whom? I'm afraid we haven't enough ladies to be equally balanced," Maria worried. Anton glanced over his shoulder at the adults. "I think my father would be more than happy to ride with your father, Robin. They seem to be having a vigorous discussion. And I believe Sir Benjamin and ah…" "Loveday," Maria supplied. "Yes, Loveday; are they not a couple?" Maria sat back in wonder. "They are engaged to be married. But how could you know such a thing?" he shrugged dismissively. "I'm observant. But then, seeing that they would want to go boating together, I suppose your tutor and her fine chap would make a suitable match also?" Maria nodded. "Yes. I suppose if your father doesn't mind going with Robin's, everything works out well."
They were interrupted by a waitress who recognized Anton and Francesca with a wide smile. "Ciao! Come stai?" Anton nodded politely in acknowledgement. "Abbastanza bene, grazie. Vorremmo ordinare..." he turned to Maria. "What would you like?" She hadn't a clue. "What do you recommend?" He pursed his lips thoughtfully. "We could share a panino. They're large enough for two." She consented, so he ordered. Without consulting Robin, Francesca ordered the same. "I'm sure you'll like it," she reassured him with a pat on the shoulder.
"Anton, do you speak Italian or English as your native language?" Maria asked, for he spoke both with indiscernable accents. "My papa speaks Italian in the home. But we learn English from a very young age. Most people in Rome know English; it is not uncommon to know a second language. I believe your cousin knows Italian." Maria frowned in confusion. "You know my cousin? I don't even know if I know my cousin." She turned to Robin. "Do I have a cousin?" He shrugged, quite befuddled and a little wary.
Anton's chiseled eyebrows arched downward in a mystified expression. "But…is not this Robin your cousin?" It took a moment for the words to sink in. Then Maria began to laugh. "Oh, no," she protested, "No, indeed! We are friends. Only friends." Anton's face cleared. "Ah. This makes more sense." Robin's warning from earlier echoed in his mind. "Much more sense."
Robin took off his bowler hat and spun it on a finger. "So you thought Maria and I were cousins?" Anton shrugged apologetically. "Do we really look that much alike?" Robin asked, studying Maria. "Oh, I hope not," Maria said gravely, "For that would be quite degrading." Robin grinned. "What are you talking about? People only dream of having these curls and these eyes." Maria couldn't resist a chuckle. "Those are nightmares, Robin, not dreams." He rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
"I, for one," Francesca broke in, "Haven't seen such a fine looking figure in all of Rome! What do you do in your free time?" Robin sighed, but he answered civilly, "I hunt. Moonacre Valley has a first-rate forest, and there are more than enough game. I don't suppose you hunt?" he directed the question to Anton, knowing full well what the reply would be. "I'm afraid not," Anton said regretfully. "I haven't the means nor the motive to hunt; I also lack a forest. But I do enjoy reading and boating." This sparked Maria's interest. "What do you read?" she inquired.
"He reads everything," Francesca said, sounding rather exasperated. "From Luther's catechisms to Charles Dickens to Shakespeare to Mr. Twain's works, it really is senseless." Maria's eyes lit up. "You read Shakespeare! Oh, I adore Shakespeare. Really, I adore any good story." Anton said bemusedly, "The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." Maria smiled with delight, recognizing the quote from Northanger Abbey. "Jane Austen! You really have read all the classics."
Robin, meanwhile, was watching all this in dismay. Anton seemed to be the perfect gentleman: cultured, cultivated, chivalrous. Maria seemed quite taken with him. There was no doubt as to whom she would be going boating with. And this would leave poor Robin with the eyelash-batting, coquettish Francesca. When the waitress brought them their panini, Robin would not eat. He could not. How could he be expected to eat when he had to endure seeing his Maria talk and laugh and smile at someone else? It was torture.
A/N: Don't be too angry with me!
I'm sorry to end on a rather sad/unfulfilling note. At least now you can see where this is going. I am so excited about this story; we had a rough beginning, but we're making progress. Thank you once again for your support and heartening reviews. Happy reading!
Your literary chum,
Ponygirl7 :)