The Italian Girl (46 page)

Ella nodded. ‘
Sī.
’

Rosanna gave her a big hug. ‘Now, I’d better go upstairs before my son thinks I’ve abandoned him.’ She stood up and offered Ella her hand. ‘Come with me?’

Ella smiled and took it gratefully. ‘Thank you for being so kind.’

‘So you’re saying that you discovered what you think is John St Regent’s drawing in the crypt of a church in Milan?’

Luca nodded, watching Stephen’s unbelieving face.

‘I know it’s an amazing coincidence, but yes.’

‘Okay. Tell me the story again, slowly.’

Luca went through how he had discovered the drawing and the silver chalice, and how Donatella Bianchi had taken them to her husband to be valued.

‘So she told you the silver chalice was worth a lot of money, but the drawing was worth next to nothing?’ confirmed Stephen.

‘Yes.’

‘Why didn’t you get a second opinion?’

‘The priest and I were in a difficult position. We knew that if we told others of my discovery, the money would be unlikely to come to our church. It would be immediately swallowed up by the Vatican coffers and we needed funds urgently for restorations. So don Edoardo, the priest at the church, agreed for Giovanni Bianchi to sell the chalice. Then Donatella said she would also buy the drawing of the Madonna as she had grown so fond of it. She gave us three million lire for it and made a large public donation to the restoration fund.’ Luca shook his head. ‘We trusted her, Stephen, and we needed the money. If I had known the truth, then . . .’

Stephen exhaled loudly. ‘Well, if it
is
the same drawing, you’ve been the victim of the most amazing con. But Luca, if it’s any comfort, you’re not the first and you won’t be the last. There are unscrupulous dealers and collectors the world over. It often works like this: the dealer discovers a painting of value and knows if he tells the authorities they’ll claim it as a national treasure. It’ll be hung in a public gallery and he’ll receive little recompense for his endeavours. However, if he can find a private buyer, then, as you’ve seen, the rewards can be exceptional. I reckon at least a third of the world’s most valuable paintings are hidden in secret vaults around the globe.’

Luca shook his head. ‘I cannot believe Don Edoardo and I were so naive.’

‘Not at all. You weren’t to know this woman was lying. Anyway, before we go any further, we need to discover whether or not it
is
the same drawing.’

‘I sincerely hope I am wrong and it’s only coincidence. If they stole that drawing, not only from us, but from the church and Italy itself, well . . .’ Luca shook his head despairingly.

‘Yes, well, first let’s see if it’s the same drawing and take it from there.’

‘Have you any idea how we do that, Stephen?’ Luca asked.

‘Well, as a matter of fact I did mention to John St Regent last time that I’d like to examine the drawing in greater detail. He trusts me completely.’ Stephen sighed. ‘So far, he has no reason to do otherwise.’

‘Stephen, really, you must not compromise yourself.’

‘I won’t, I can assure you, but I’m prepared to examine and authenticate the drawing, and, during the process, take a photograph of it for you. But if it
is
the one you found, I’ll have to insist from then on that my name is kept out of it. Discretion is the name of the game in my business.’

‘Of course. I have no idea what I’d do if it is the drawing, but I must at least know the truth. Thank you, Stephen.’

‘Not at all. I’m as eager to discover the truth as you are.’

‘When will you go to New York?’

‘Not for a couple of months, I’m afraid. I’m snowed under at the gallery. It’ll be the beginning of December at the earliest. Anyway, it would be far too suspicious if I was to return to see the drawing so soon. There’s another client in New York who has a painting for me to look at and authenticate. I can kill two birds with one stone. I really suggest you try to put the whole business to the back of your mind for now.’

‘I’ll try, but—’

Stephen touched a finger to his lips as he saw Rosanna and Ella enter the sitting room.

Rosanna climbed into bed and the warmth of Stephen’s arms.

‘I’m so tired,’ she yawned as she made herself comfortable.

‘Ella looked happier this evening,’ Stephen commented.

‘We had a talk today. She does know about Carlotta – that she’s dying and she’s said goodbye. Carlotta wrote me a letter and God, Stephen, it’s one of the most tragic things I’ve ever had to read.’

‘I’m so sorry, darling.’ Stephen pulled her closer. ‘And the tragedy is that your sister’s so young. There really is no rhyme or reason in life, is there? It’s such a lottery.’

‘Yes, it is. Carlotta wants Ella to stay here with me.’

‘I know.’

‘I mean, to live here permanently after she dies.’

‘I see. And how do you feel about that?’

‘Of course I’m happy to have her, and remember, Ella’s almost sixteen. She’ll want to be off to college or university in a couple of years. Talking of which, if she is staying here, I must enquire about local schools and find her an English teacher to give her private lessons. She has the basics, but she’ll need help if she’s to go to school here.’

‘Yes.’ Stephen stroked her hair gently. ‘But tomorrow, darling, worry about it all tomorrow.’

‘Oh, one other thing,’ said Rosanna as she settled down for sleep and turned off the light, ‘do you have the name of a good solicitor?’

‘Yes, I do, as a matter of fact.’

‘Then you must give it to me. I want to begin divorce proceedings.’

‘Now, that
is
good news.’ Stephen kissed the top of her head. ‘Darling?’

‘Yes?’ said Rosanna.

‘If you’re divorcing Roberto, how would you feel about marrying me sometime in the future?’

‘I . . . can’t I just divorce Roberto first?’

‘Of course. I only wanted to know if it’s a possibility.’

Rosanna gently stroked his cheek. ‘It is,
caro
. Goodnight.’

Before Luca left for Naples the following morning, he went into the sitting room and dialled Abi’s number in London. He was nervous, as he hadn’t spoken to her since the day they’d parted so painfully at The Manor House.

‘Hello?’ her voice sounded sleepy.

‘Abi, it’s Luca.’

‘Luca, darling, how are you?’ Her tone was warm, concerned, and he breathed a mental sigh of relief that she wasn’t angry with him.

‘I’m . . . okay. I’m sorry I haven’t called before, but things have been complicated.’

‘Don’t worry. You’ve called now, that’s what matters.’

‘I wanted to tell you I’ll be away for some weeks. I’m going with Carlotta to a convent hospital near Pompeii. I’ll be there for as long as it takes.’

‘Of course. It’s just so awful. Poor Carlotta and poor you. How are you feeling?’

‘Devastated, Abi, as you can imagine, but I must gather my strength for my sister. She’ll need all I can give her.’

‘She’s lucky to have you.’

‘I’ll be in touch when it’s . . . over.’

‘Yes,’ Abi said softly. ‘But Luca’ – she was unable to stop herself from asking – ‘are you . . . missing me?’

He recalled those halcyon days of summer when the two of them had laughed and loved together. Then he thought of what he had to face in the next few weeks.

‘More than you will ever know.
Ciao, cara
.’

42

‘Well, Mrs Rossini, you’ll be pleased to know that your husband is not going to contest the divorce.’

‘Oh,’ Rosanna replied sadly. She had hoped somewhere inside that he would.

‘As you’re divorcing him on the grounds of adultery, and Mr Rossini’s not going to contest, we can petition for a
decree nisi
immediately.’

‘What about The Manor House?’

‘As you said, he bought it for you as a present and the deeds are already in your name. Mr Rossini will keep the house in London, as you suggested to him. He’ll continue to pay you a generous allowance every month – until you remarry, that is. He has also agreed to pay the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand pounds to be put into a trust for Nico until he’s twenty-one. In addition, he will bear the cost of Nico’s education.’ The solicitor paused. ‘I really do think that we should have gone for a lump-sum cash settlement for you as well, Mrs Rossini. Your husband is a very wealthy man and—’

‘No. We’ve been through this. All I want is the house and enough for Nico and me to live comfortably,’ Rosanna replied definitively.

‘Well, it’s your decision.’

‘Did he . . . did he ask about visitation rights?’

‘No. I have the feeling, Mrs Rossini, that your husband is as eager to make a clean break as you are. But that doesn’t stop him asking to see his son in the future. You must be aware of that.’

‘And what about the things I have at the house in London?’

‘You still have a key, don’t you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Anytime you want to collect them will be fine. Mr Rossini lives in New York now, so he’s rarely there. But if you don’t wish to see him, ring and check before you go,’ the solicitor suggested. ‘If only every divorce was as easy as this. Your husband is being most accommodating.’

‘He’s being accommodating because he cannot wait to get me and Nico out of his life.’ Rosanna stood up. ‘Thank you for all your help.’

‘Right. Well, as long as the terms are to your satisfaction, I’ll write to your husband’s lawyer and we should have this settled very quickly. Goodbye, Mrs Rossini.’

Rosanna left the solicitor’s office and made her way through the busy Cheltenham streets to Stephen’s gallery.

‘What happened?’ Stephen ushered her through to his office at the back and sat her down. ‘What’s he sticking on?’

‘Nothing. Roberto has agreed to everything.’

‘Then surely that’s wonderful news? In a couple of months you’ll be free, darling. I thought that was what you wanted, so why do you look so miserable?’

‘You’re right, it
is
what I want.’ Rosanna forced a smile and checked her watch. ‘Could you call me a taxi? I must be getting back. I told Ella I’d only be a couple of hours.’

‘Yes, of course.’ Stephen searched for the relevant number on his rolodex. He dialled and booked the taxi, then replaced the receiver slowly and studied her. ‘Are you
sure
this divorce is what you want, darling?’

‘Yes, Stephen,’ she repeated.

‘Well then, when I come back from New York, why don’t we take Nico and Ella away somewhere for Christmas? We could all do with a break.’

‘Maybe, but we must wait and see what happens with Carlotta. Luca is telephoning me tonight to tell me how she is.’ Rosanna saw the taxi draw up outside the gallery.

‘Shall I come round later?’

‘Yes, please.’

‘Right, darling. See you then.’

Luca’s footsteps echoed along the draughty stone corridor of the convent. He opened the door to Carlotta’s room and walked quietly towards the bed. He sat down and gently took his sister’s frail hand in his.

‘How’s Papa?’ Carlotta murmured, opening her eyes.

Luca’s eyes managed a twinkle. ‘You were right.’

‘About what?’

‘Papa has proposed to Signora Barezi and she’s accepted. They’re to marry as soon as possible. He just told me on the telephone. He asked us both for our blessing.’

‘You gave it?’

‘Of course. You’re a clever girl, Carlotta. It seems your plan has worked.’

She breathed a sigh of relief and closed her eyes. ‘I knew he wouldn’t last long alone.’

‘Also, I telephoned England. Rosanna and Ella send their love.’ Luca sat down in the chair next to Carlotta’s bed. ‘Rosanna sounded very miserable.’

‘Why?’ Carlotta’s eyes were still closed.

‘Because Roberto has agreed to the divorce. He won’t contest it and has granted all Rosanna’s requests. It seems that in two months’ time, our sister will finally be free of him.’

Carlotta’s eyes flickered open. Luca noticed that they shone with a light he hadn’t seen there for many days.

‘That’s very good news. She should be happy.’

‘I know, but I’m afraid she still loves him.’

‘She’ll forget him.’ Carlotta struggled to sit upright. ‘Luca, I wish you to do something else for me. Can you telephone my lawyer and ask him to come and see me? There are some details I still haven’t organised.’

‘It’s best if you tell me, then I can see him. It will be too tiring for you.’

‘No,’ Carlotta said sharply. ‘I wish to see him myself.’

A day later, the lawyer arrived at the convent. Carlotta insisted Luca leave them alone. When the door was closed, they talked. Finally, she handed him an envelope.

‘You understand I wish no one to know of this? And it must not be posted until after my death.’

‘I understand, signora,’ the lawyer replied.

‘Please ensure that the letter is marked “confidential” and sent care of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. They will know the address to forward it to.’

‘Don’t worry. I promise I will carry out your wishes.’

‘Thank you.’

When the lawyer left, Carlotta sank back onto her pillows, all her energy spent.

It was a decision she had agonised over for the past few months. She didn’t wish to cause her sister any pain, and yet she felt it was important he was finally told.

The imminent divorce had finally decided her.

Soon, Roberto would know he had a daughter.

And she could at last find peace.

‘Now, you have my number in New York. If there are any problems, ring me.’ Stephen kissed Rosanna on both cheeks.

‘There won’t be,’ said Rosanna.

‘Two weeks seems like a long, long time to be away from you,’ Stephen whispered as he held her close.

‘It’ll pass quickly. You’ll be busy working and I’ll be busy preparing for Christmas. You must go,
caro
, or you will miss your flight.’

Stephen got into his car and started the engine. ‘Bye, Ella. Bye, Nico. See you soon.’

‘Would you mind taking care of Nico for a few hours, Ella? I must go and collect all my things from the house in London. My solicitor has written to tell me that next week would be suitable, as Roberto is in New York. And it would be much easier alone.’