“Will you at least say that you’re willing to try, My Lord?”
“Yes,” Robert said. “I will.”
“So, you summoned me because…?”
“I’m curious about your background.” Robert was interested to see how Stefano would interpret this. Would he immediately see riches involved if they turned out to be related? Instead, what Robert saw was confusion.
“My background?”
“You look like you belong to our family, Monsieur. I was wondering if there’s any chance we might be related.”
Stefano couldn’t help himself. He laughed.
“Well, it’s certainly something I could wish for, My Lord, but I think it unlikely, don’t you?”
“Well, perhaps if you tell me something about your life I might be a better judge.”
“Very well. I was born in Venice in 1734. There were two boys before me and three more boys after. I also had a baby sister, but she died.”
“I’m sorry. But a large family. And what does your father do?”
“He was a businessman of some sort. He died before I was a year old.”
“I’m sorry. That must have been difficult for your mother?”
“Well, not at first. It seems my father had left us a small inheritance. We did well for those early years, the family seemed comfortable to me as a child—I even had a tutor for awhile—but then my mother took up with another man.” Stefano’s voice changed as he remember the hated stepfather who had ruined his family.
“She remarried then?” Robert sensed the change and pressed.
“No, they never married. But he had no use for my father’s children and he put us out on the street. For the most part we had to make do on our own. When he’d spent my mother’s money, he took her and his boys and went away. Little Gina he left with us. She was only two and she got sick. We couldn’t afford the doctor and the Sisters wouldn’t take her in at the convent. She died.”
“How old were you?”
“Nine. My two older brothers were eleven and fourteen. We had to live by our wits and I admit to you that our pursuits were not always honest.”
“Back to your father, if I may. Signore Ferro?”
“No. I was born Giovanni Stefano Scotti. I took the name Ferro when I was on the street. I wanted to be strong, you know, like iron—hence ‘
Ferro.
’ It was the dream of a helpless child, if you’ll forgive me, My Lord. I wanted to be strong enough to protect myself and my brothers.”
“Well, you’ve obviously managed very well for yourself. You certainly give the appearance of a gentleman.”
Stefano nodded in appreciation of what he considered a compliment.
“My older brothers are doing well working for Monsieur Jonvaux in Venice. I confess I’ve developed a taste for a different kind of life.”
“And your mother’s name?” At this point the answer was obvious to Robert.
“Delphine.”
“She was French, then?”
“No, Italian, but her mother was French and gave her three daughters French names. I never knew my two aunts or where they lived.”
When Robert said nothing, Stefano asked, “So, My Lord, tell me, do you think I’m your long lost brother?”
“Well, it would seem not. We have no relatives in Venice. No one in our family has married into the Scotti family. Please forgive me, I mean no offense, but do you feel that your mother was—again, forgive me—do you feel she was faithful to your father?”
Stefano was not offended. He doubted the Abbot's family was in the habit of taking up with a woman of his mother’s class and certainly, as far as he was concerned, there had been no man in his mother’s life until his stepfather appeared on the scene.
“I never saw my mother with another man, My Lord, until she met my stepfather.”
“Well, then, it seems your resemblance to my brother is a complete coincidence though I admit I still find it hard to fathom.”
Stefano smiled. “As you can imagine, I’m disappointed, but I never thought there was any chance. I’m a child of the Venetian canals, My Lord, not of the nobility of France.”
Arabella had taken rooms at a hôtel that was recommended to her by Captain Gervais. He’d sent his men to deliver her things and now she found herself wondering what she should do next. She felt awkward in her traveling clothes, those she’d worn when she accompanied Richard to Naples, and since altered to accommodate her pregnancy. Though they felt like a costume, she tried to tell herself they were a disguise. But then again, no one in Arles could recognize her no matter how she was dressed, for she knew no one.
She turned her thoughts to the next step.The captain had promised to send word to Robert that she’d arrived and she was beginning to wonder if she would be welcomed.
There was a knock at the door. When Arabella answered, it was Maryse and not Robert who stood in the hallway.
“Signora Cellarini?” Maryse’s Italian was flawless.
“
Si,
Signora
.
” Arabella couldn’t imagine who this woman might be, but it was obvious she was a lady. Arabella dipped into a slight curtsy.
“The Abbot asked me to call on you, may I come in?”
Maryse was impressed—and quite surprised to see that Arabella was pregnant—something Robert had failed to mention. Though Maryse knew Richard’s housekeeper had married, she also knew when.
So, here is yet another woman who loved Richard!
“I am Madame Chabannier, an old friend of the family. The Abbot has asked that you come and stay with me. You’ll be more comfortable and as we’re not quite sure what is afoot regarding the Baron, Robert thinks you would also be safer.”
Arabella recognized a kindred spirit.
“Signora, if you’re certain it won’t inconvenience you?”
“Nonsense,” Maryse said as she took Arabella’s arm. “You know the Abbot would be unhappy with us if we failed to obey him.” Then she laughed. “So in this—since it’s to our advantage—let us bend to his will. I’m very anxious to get to know you.”
“My dear girl,” Robert said, embracing Arabella when he came to Maryse’s home later that afternoon. “What are you doing here?”
Arabella searched his eyes, trying to decide if he truly believed Richard would be freed.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to cause any problems, but I needed to come. There must be something I can do?”
Robert smiled. “What you can do is bring a healthy addition to our family into this world.”
“That should happen quite soon. The baby and I are fine. But what of Richard?” she asked as they seated themselves on the sofa.
“He’s well. He was wounded when he was arrested, but it’s healing cleanly. And it’s as I told you in the letter, I’ve sent to both the King and the Holy Father. I expect to be hearing from both within the week and I have no reason to doubt the pardons will be forthcoming. You may not realize how prominent our family is, but we are known to be in favor at court and I do have some influence with the Vatican.”
“I find it hard to imagine things have come so far. If what you say is true, why was he arrested in the first place? I would have thought the privilege of rank would have prevented it.”
“You’re right, of course. Some other force is at work here. We feel it must be connected to Christina’s husband, but I have yet to discover the details. Someone is pulling the strings and the puppets are dancing.”
“Then are you sure he’ll be freed?”
“Whoever the puppetmaster may be, he is still ruled by the King. This scheme is bound to fall apart when the pardons arrive.” Robert took her hands in his. “So tell me, why are you here?”
What a kind man he is, she thought. But Arabella could see he was tired. And she could see how deep his concern was. He was not as sure of success as he pretended. She didn’t think she dared tell him what Signora Sabatino had seen.
“I can only tell you that I have a strong feeling things won’t go well,” was all she could say.
“And if they don’t? What help can you be?”
Arabella found this irritating. “I don’t know! That’s why I’ve come. There must be something…”
“I worry for you and the child, Arabella.”
“Does Richard know?”
Robert sighed. “No, I haven’t said anything. I assumed it would be obvious when he and Christina reached Corsica. But as I said in the letter, I think now they may be returning to Beauvu. I do intend to tell him when this is over.” Robert was thinking of the annulment. He would have to let Richard know about Arabella and the baby before he married him to Christina. It would be Richard’s choice, of course.
Good Lord, why has she come?
“Are you concerned that he doesn’t know?”
“No, of course not. I have no wish to change his plans to be with Christina. You’ve assured me the child will be provided for. It’s not that. Now that I’m here, I’d like to see him, of course, but since he doesn’t know…”
Robert saw the sadness in her eyes.
She doesn’t believe Richard will survive. But why?
He changed the subject.
“And forgive me, I’m sorry for your loss. Alfredo was a good man. You were very thoughtful to have married him.”
“At least I was able to make his last days comfortable. I’m so grateful he didn’t linger. I would have hated to see him suffer.”
“I’m sure it was a great comfort to him to have his wife by his side.” Robert stood up. He had many things to do. “Are you comfortable here with Maryse?”
“Yes, of course. She’s been so kind. It was thoughtful of you to find a place for me.”
“Take care of yourself and Maryse, and I’ll keep you both informed. It may be that you can see Richard, but at this point I can’t make any promises. They’ve been very reluctant to let anyone in. We just have to see how events play out.” He smiled reassuringly at Arabella. “And he will know, of course. It’s just that we must concentrate on seeing him pardoned.”
While Robert was with Arabella, Maryse was with Christina. It was obvious to her that Christina and Arabella would meet, one way or another. Surely Richard knew that to be the case when he and Christina were headed for Corsica. But Robert was deceiving himself if he thought that somehow the two women could be kept apart as long as Richard’s life hung in the balance. And two heirs were about to come into the world! Did Robert think to hide Arabella’s child away on the island forever? Maryse was annoyed Robert hadn’t told Richard about Arabella’s baby. Richard would want to know. Of that she was sure!
“Christina, forgive me, but have you thought about what Richard was doing all those years you were separated?” Maryse pulled the brush through Christina’s hair. It seemed to relax her. But it also brought Maryse memories of her own time with Richard.
“We talked about it quite a bit. He was running the shipping from Corsica and mostly at sea himself. The family has a cottage there, in Bonifacio, one his father built years ago. We all used to visit there together when we were children.”
“It must have been hard for him.”
Christina closed her eyes. She was thinking of her time with Richard at the abbey when he’d told her those things. Sometimes she thought they never should have left that room. But then she smiled when she remembered Richard teasing her about raising the baby there.
In the mirror Maryse watched those emotions play across Christina’s reflection. She saw no signs of sorrow.
“He was working hard. I think it helped him forget. And there was a woman…”
“A woman?” Maryse was surprised. Had Richard told Christina about Arabella, then?
“His housekeeper at the cottage. She was very good to him. In fact she’s the one who saved his life when he was wounded. He almost died.”
This is interesting, thought Maryse. Christina apparently knew far more than Robert thought she did.
“I’m sorry, Christina, truly. I didn’t mean to bring up anything that would hurt you.”
“No, it’s all right. You have no idea how happy I am that he had someone to love him when I couldn’t.”
Maryse leaned down to put her arms around Christina, giving her a hug.
Christina smiled. “And you loved him, too, when I couldn’t, didn’t you?”
“My Lord?” Denis was at the door to the library at the townhouse where Robert was working amongst a stack of papers. “Dom Siguero is here.”
Robert was surprised. The man had made good time, indeed. He rose to greet him. “What news, my son?”
“My Lord.” Adolfo dropped to one knee before his Abbot and handed him a leather packet.
“Bless you, my son. You made a remarkably swift trip. I trust it was uneventful?”
“No, My Lord. Not ‘uneventful.’”
Robert looked at him questioningly, but the man was obviously disinclined to elaborate.
“You were able to see the Cardinal?”
“I was. As you said, when he was told that I came from you, he saw me immediately.”
“Sit, sit. Let me see what he has to say.”
Robert broke the Cardinal’s red seal and opened the packet. There was a letter and another more formal document, also sealed. Robert looked in the packet again. He’d expected three documents.
Saluti, mi amico vecchio!
Quite an impressive messenger you have sent, my friend.
It has been far too long! But this is no time to exchange pleasantries. Find here the annulment you requested. The Signora is fortunate to find herself under your protection. I wish her all happiness on being welcomed into your family. My blessings on the couple.
And I assure you that your brother will be safe. The pardon will follow in less than a week.These things, I’m afraid, take a little more time, but I understand that there is danger in delay. I promise you my swiftest courier.
Trust, my dear friend. My prayers are with you and your family.
May we meet soon under happier circumstances.
Tambourini
Robert was relieved, but another week! Any delay at at this point was a worry. And where was Grégoire? He and the Marquis should have returned from Paris a week ago.
Il y a du danger dans l’Amour.
Pourtant, qui n’a pas hâte de charger le champ?
—Bulat
There is danger in loving. Yet who does not chaff to charge the field?
Mars 1760
Arles
The first week of March brought the Mistral blowing fiercely up the Rhône. Robert wrapped his cloak tightly around himself as he made his way to the
Hôtel de Ville
. He wanted to tell Richard about the annulment, but that piece of news was sure to be tempered by the news that Arabella had arrived and that she was pregnant.