The Black Madonna (Roundheads & Cavaliers Book 1) by Riley Stella

Author:Riley, Stella [Riley, Stella]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2013-05-29T16:00:00+00:00

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FIVE

Having taken the bottle to bed with him and finished it, Luciano awoke next morning with knives grinding inside his head. He decided, quite sensibly, to stay where he was – and ten minutes later a gentle tap at the door was followed by Gianetta’s head.

‘May I come in?’

‘Can I stop you?’ She had spoken in Italian and, closing his eyes again, he answered her in the same. ‘I hope you haven’t brought me anything to eat or drink – because a refusal, as they say, often offends.’

She put the laden tray carefully down on the clothes chest.

‘That’s why I came. I wanted to apologise.’

‘Did you? Why?’

‘You know why. Because that emetic was a stupid, childish trick and if I’d thought for even a minute, I wouldn’t have done it. Only I didn’t think. I just lost my temper because you didn’t trust me enough to give me Mario’s letter till after you were sure he was already married. And now I’m sorry.’

He opened his eyes and, not without difficulty, forced them to focus on her.

‘Have you been talking to Kate?’ Then, when she looked completely blank, ‘Obviously not. So why are you honouring me with an apology?’

Gianetta sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed.

‘It was partly what you said yesterday about trying to do your best for me. I suppose that’s always been true … only it was easier for me not to believe it.’ She hesitated, toying restlessly with her rosary. ‘I can’t really remember that time after Father died and you and Mother and I left for Genoa.’

‘That,’ he remarked rather grimly, ‘is just as well.’

‘Is it? I used to think so. Indeed, I don’t think I really wanted to remember it. Only, perhaps if I had, I wouldn’t have taken so long to remember that you are my brother.’

Very, very cautiously, Luciano sat up. He said, ‘It wasn’t your fault that you forgot. Vittorio and I did that between us. If you remember it now, that’s enough.’

‘Perhaps.’ She raised doubtful eyes to his face. ‘But in all the senses that matter, we’re almost strangers. And last night I realised that it should not be so - particularly now.’

‘You’re worried about mild regret becoming life-long guilt? Don’t. I have no intention of dying.’

‘I’m glad.’ She smiled a little. ‘But don’t misunderstand. I’d like to know you better and hope that, in time we can have the kind of relationship we’d have had if things had been different. But I still don’t want to live with you in London; and --’

‘That’s fortunate – because I wasn’t about to ask you.’ He met her gaze wryly. ‘Mea culpa. Perhaps in future I should correct your misconceptions. But if it interests you, I’m well aware that you’re better off here – mainly because life in London is likely to become rather uncomfortable. And I may not be there much myself.’

She considered this and then said unexpectedly, ‘You’re doing something more than merely running your business, aren’t you?’

‘Yes.

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