Lake Como by Anita Hughes

Author:Anita Hughes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

chapter twelve

Hallie sat in the garden of the Villa Luce, gazing at the lake. The cool breeze that blew down from the mountains had vanished, and the villa baked in a heat wave. Hallie had worked in the monastery wing all afternoon, but suddenly she felt dizzy. She ran outside and collapsed on a stone bench.

Hallie hadn’t been able to think straight since she found the diary. Her first impulse was to call Constance. She wanted to yell and scream about how she could have kept a secret for almost thirty years. But before she finished dialing, she knew Constance didn’t know Pliny was her father. Constance would never lie to her.

Hallie considered calling her mother but she was too angry to talk to her. She imagined her questions: How could Francesca deprive Hallie of a father? How could she let Hallie grow up without getting to know her brother and sister? How could she not tell her she was half Italian, a princess, a Tesoro? She couldn’t think of a possible explanation that would make her rage subside.

Hallie thought of calling Peter, but he seemed part of another life. She pictured him holding her in his arms, stroking her hair. She couldn’t tell him because she didn’t know what she wanted him to say.

The only person Hallie could talk to was Portia. What Francesca had done to Portia—deserting her when she was still a baby—was almost as bad as what Francesca had done to Hallie. But Portia and Riccardo had gone for a week to Capri. Portia had knocked on Hallie’s door as Hallie tucked the notebooks into her suitcase.

Portia had peeked in the door. “You look like death.” She had worn a white sundress that showed off her tan. Her arms were covered with gold bangles and she had a new emerald ring on her finger.

“I have a terrible headache,” Hallie had said dully. “I’ve been up all night.”

“We missed you at dinner.” Portia had perched on the edge of Hallie’s bed. “Sophia was so thrilled Riccardo joined us she served fresh crab and caviar. Pliny and Riccardo smoked cigars and Sophia hovered over Riccardo as if he was an emissary from the Pope.”

“I’m glad things are going well,” Hallie had mumbled.

“We’re leaving for Capri this afternoon.” Portia had twirled the ring around her finger. “We’re going to dive in the grottos and climb to Anna Capri.” Portia had hesitated. “Riccardo swore if I had a baby he would stop seeing other women. I’m going to try to get pregnant, and when we come back we’re going to live together.”

Hallie had tried to listen to Portia but she couldn’t concentrate.

“Hallie, are you okay?” Portia had frowned at Hallie’s pale cheeks and listless eyes.

“I’m happy for you.” Hallie had tried to smile. “I just need some sleep.”

* * *

Now Hallie wished she had told Portia. But she had been in shock, like someone who had witnessed a car accident. She stayed in her room all morning, pacing like a tiger locked in its cage.

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