I dressed and let myself out of the villa without waking him. Three days later, I traveled to Germany to stay with my brother who then arranged for the governess position in Moscow.
I never mentioned that night again to Trelawny, nor did he ever inquire as to why I left him so abruptly.
It became our secret …
‘Claire?’ he prompted.
Yanking my arm back, I exclaimed, ‘All right, then, let us finally put this matter to rest between us. That time in Pisa was devastating – I had lost everyone who was dear to me. I suppose I reached out to you as the one person who would love me, if only for a brief time. But you also loved Mary, and I would not compete with her for your affections.’
‘That is not true.’
‘You asked her to marry you—’
‘Only after you turned me down repeatedly. I wrote to you every day after you disappeared in Pisa – until your brother told me where you had gone and made me swear not to bother you again, until you were ready to contact me.’ He paused. ‘When you finally wrote to me, you made it clear that you intended us to be friends only, and I fulfilled that role – until now.’
‘You certainly found an endless array of wives to assuage your broken heart,’ I pointed out with a sarcastic edge to my voice. ‘And that would have included Mary if she had been so inclined.’
‘That is unfair. By that time, Mary was a widow with a young son – disowned by Shelley’s father … I only wanted to protect her.’
I raised a brow. ‘Is it too much to want you to pine for me – and only me?’
‘Probably not, but it is more than a man can give.’
‘Obviously.’
Dipping his head, he spoke quietly. ‘If you had told me that I had even the slightest chance of winning your heart, I would have waited forever … but you made it very clear that would never happen. So I traveled to the four corners of the world and acquired those wives, but all I wanted was you. I would have been true to you.’
‘You say that now, after keeping the secret about Allegra hidden from me for decades? Our whole life would have been based on a lie. You are naïve, indeed, about women if you think that would ever have been a happy union.’
Placing my hands against my cheeks, I murmured a single word of dissent. As a soldier, he thought only of two sides to every encounter: forward or retreat. But I had preferred to leave that battlefield many years ago because I had grown tired of fighting for my place in the Pisan circle of brilliance. Instead, I found my own way, far from the places where I had been wounded so badly by the men who deserted me. Byron left. Shelley died. Mary deserted me. And Trelawny was part of it. It was so much easier to hold him at a distance after I had moved away.
Perhaps that had been a mistake, but at least it had been mine to make.
‘Claire, if you could ever absolve me of my sins—’
The door opened and Paula strolled in, chatting amicably with Raphael. Georgiana dashed around them and came at me, wrapping her arms around my legs in a tight hug. As the mood shifted, Trelawny moved to the window and said no more.
Paula must have sensed something because her glance fastened on me, then moved to Trelawny and back again. ‘Did we interrupt something?’
‘Not at all.’ I smiled down at my great-niece and stroked her hair. ‘We were about to discuss the meeting with Teresa Guiccioli. Did you hear from her, Trelawny?’
‘She sent a note with her servant an hour ago,’ he answered, his tone flat and distant, as if he spoke from far away. ‘Apparently, her health is quite fragile, so she cannot travel far from the Villa Gamba outside Ravenna. But she would be quite agreeable to having us to tea there tomorrow afternoon—’
‘Splendid.’ Paula clapped her hands. ‘How long will it take us to make the trip?’
‘Perhaps an hour.’ Trelawny shrugged. ‘She still lives in her family home near the woods of Filetto.’
A little shiver passed through me. We would travel on the very road where an assassin had tried to shoot Byron.
‘Did she sound eager to make our acquaintance? Or simply polite?’ Paula slid on to the settee and poured herself a cup of tea, adding only a little milk and sugar.
He strolled back toward our little group and reached into his jacket pocket, presenting a letter. ‘You may judge for yourself, if you like.’
‘Perhaps not …’ I began. Never having received any communication from Teresa, I had some hesitation about hearing her words spoken aloud. It made her too real. Too immediate. Especially since I had to mentally prepare myself to be in the presence of the woman who took my place in Byron’s life.
‘Si, you must read it.’ Raphael took his place beside Paula. Quickly, Georgiana hopped on to his lap.
Trelawny held out the letter. ‘Perhaps Claire could read it to us since it is written in Italian, and my translation skills pale in comparison to hers.’
‘Of course.’ Unfolding the letter, I scanned the shaky handwriting that stretched across the page – smallish letters that seemed to fade in and out of circles and loops.
I cleared my throat and began to read …
Dear Signora Clairmont,
I was most surprised to learn that you are in Ravenna, though I had heard that you still lived in Italy. As I am somewhat of an invalid at this point, I rarely leave my family’s home but would be delighted to receive you and your family for tea, if you are willing to make the journey.
Would four o’clock tomorrow be suitable? If so, please send word with Trelawny and I shall send my carriage for you. It should be a fine day for travel.
I look forward to making your acquaintance after all these long years that have passed. We have much to discuss.
Teresa G.
I lowered the letter.
‘She sounds very amicable,’ Paula said with a note of surprise. ‘A gracious offering, to be sure.’
Raphael nodded. ‘The Gamba family is well known in Emilia-Romagna for their generosity – and their courage during the Risorgimento.’
‘Indeed,’ Trelawny echoed. ‘But it is your decision, Claire. Do you want to see her?’
I could not respond.
Feeling the thin parchment letter between my fingers, I resisted the impulse to tear it into a hundred shreds. Even though she had been like a second mother to Allegra, I had never wanted to meet this woman. Ever. It felt like finding a lost object that had been discarded into the dust heap with careless scorn – I had not wanted to see or hear about her again after Byron died. It was easier to pretend that she had not existed at all, or to think of her as a viper who had slithered into my Eden with a destructive allure. But now, reading her letter, her words showed the kindness that Shelley had described to me.
Perhaps kinder than I would have been to her if the situation had been reversed.
‘I think we must accept,’ I said with finality. ‘After reading her warm invitation, it would seem rude not to journey on a little farther, especially after we have traveled such a distance … After I write a note to her, will you send it for me, Trelawny?’
‘Yes.’ Nothing else.
I could still feel his ire stretching between us. So much was left unspoken, but that would have to wait to be resolved.
Maybe it would never happen.
Some things could not be settled amicably – only forgiven. But I was not ready to confront that possibility yet.
After I wrote a few lines in Italian to Teresa and handed it to Trelawny, I spent a few minutes reading Byron’s confessione, then a knock was heard at the door. Trelawny swung it open and stepped back to reveal an unexpected visitor.
Lieutenant Baldini.
For an instant, I thought I was hallucinating. The past and present were shifting back and forth so rapidly that I did not know if I was in the here and now or the Ravenna of Byron’s memoir …
Palazzo Guiccioli, Ravenna, Italy
February 10, 1821
Pietro killed a man last night.
Tita came into my
study during the early morning hours today to tell me about the incident, which apparently occurred near the Basilica di San Vitale – a knife fight with an Austrian informant. The body was not found until daylight, so Pietro had been long gone. Murder has become so commonplace in Ravenna that no one asks questions anymore. The bodies are simply buried.
Nevertheless, I had Tita set a watch on the palazzo again as I remained in my study.
I could not manage any writing after that intelligence – only reading. Dante, of course. But not the Inferno … his sonnets. In the midst of budding war, my mind turned to love.
Beauty and Duty, these my spirit woo,
And urge their suit, doubting if loyal kiss
To both can e’er be given, and faithful prove …
Beauty and Duty.
I pursued both in my life, but somehow the ‘faithful’ part eluded me.
But I have always tried to be honorable … in my fashion, I suppose.
Not Dante’s.
Throwing the book aside, I picked up the Carbonari’s new orders for my turba; they are ready to fight when we are called to open battle. More rifles. More ammunition. More horses. And still we wait.
Never a patient man, I knew I could not stand this much longer. I sent Tita to find Pietro for some news of the Austrian army.
While I waited for his return, I glanced at Allegra who still slept on a small couch near the fireplace. I kept her close at all times now, since I did not dare leave her alone until I was able to send her to the convent. It was dangerous to keep a child here, but it was even more perilous to try to move her when all the roads out of the city were blocked by Austrian patrols. I had thought to smuggle her out that night at Dante’s Tomb, but the full moon had lit up the sky, providing no cover.
In truth, I was reluctant to part from her.
Mia cucciola.
She was my only family in Italy, my last connection to Claire and that halcyon summer on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Strolling over to where Allegra lay, I brushed back her soft curls, so like her mother’s darker tresses – Beauty’s Daughter. Sweet and willful. She could read now in Italian, and she loved poetry and music. Again, like her mother. I wished that I could convey all of this to Claire, but I dared not answer her letters – they could be opened along the post road by the Austrians. They would then know of my weakness for my daughter, and she would be in even more danger.
It was best to say nothing, even though I know it caused great pain for Claire.
Perhaps, after all, I had learned something of the ‘duty’ that Dante spoke of in his sonnet.
A quick rap on the door, and it opened for Tita to enter with Pietro in his wake.
The younger man looked pale, though his step still seemed quick and eager. He embraced me heartily with a profusion of Italian, describing the rogue who had set upon him last night. I pointed at Allegra’s sleeping figure and motioned for him to lower his voice. The three of us moved to the far side of the room and continued in quiet voices.
Pietro explained how his own attempted assassination occurred near the entrance of San Vitale. A man pretended to be drunk and then attacked him with a knife as he staggered by – luckily, Pietro moved to the side quickly, and the man fell on his own blade.
Not exactly an epic brawl, but fortunate for Pietro.
‘As he lay dying, he confessed there were bounties on all of us,’ Pietro added. ‘Especially you, my lord. The Austrians believe that, without your support, the revolution will fade, and they want you dead.’
‘I have seen the posters,’ I said drily, ‘though my likeness is far from flattering.’
Pietro touched my arm. ‘Do not take it lightly – they are determined to quash the Carbonari.’
‘I have no intention of allowing them to kill me,’ I pronounced with a firmness that I was far from feeling. ‘They have already tried once in the woods of Filetto, but I will not afford them another opportunity to find me alone.’
Tita nodded, his hand on the long knife tucked into his silk belt.
‘My main concern is Allegra. I do not like having her at the palazzo with the Austrian army advancing toward the Po River. They have fifty thousand troops and may choose to attack Ravenna.’
‘My father said it is more likely they will pass us and advance toward the Neapolitans who are making ready for open battle,’ Pietro said. ‘She may be safer here at the moment.’
Glancing at her, she began to stir. ‘Papa?’
‘Sono qui.’
I am here.
And so we agreed to wait … for the resurrection of Italy and hope for the world.
NINE
‘One noble stroke with a whole life may glow,
Or deify the canvass till it shine
With beauty so surpassing all below …’
The Prophecy of Dante, IV, 28–30
Ravenna, Italy
July 1873
I extended my hand to Lieutenant Baldini, trying to keep myself fixed in the present. No more thoughts of Byron’s memoir – for now. ‘This is a … surprise.’
‘I hope a pleasant one, to be sure.’ He bent over my hand in a gracious manner. ‘I would not like to think my appearance has caused you any distress.’
‘Not at all.’ I smiled at his young and handsome face – swarthy skin with a touch of weariness around his eyes. ‘I am pleased to see you, even if it is somewhat unexpected.’ I cast a pointed glance at my companions.
Paula and Raphael hastily agreed.
Trelawny, however, held back with a wary tilt to his head. ‘I sent you word when we stopped in Bagni di Lucca only a couple of days ago, so I am curious as to whether something in my note caused you to travel here. Or was there a new development regarding the stolen Cades sketch?’
He seemed to pause a bit too long. ‘The latter … and a most astonishing one.’
‘You have my attention, sir.’ Trelawny moved in closer.
‘And mine.’ I slid on to a delicately carved chair, thinking if the news was not good, I needed to be in a seated position. ‘I am most grateful for the messages that you have sent to us on our way here; it was reassuring to know that you have been working diligently to solve the case.’
‘Prego.’ He paused. ‘As I told you in Firenze, the more time passes, the less likely it is that the crimes will be solved – especially with art theft. Stolen artwork is generally smuggled out of the country very quickly. To be honest, I had few leads to pursue, aside from questioning the typical thieves who have been known to us from past arrests. I turned up nothing – until the day before yesterday after I sent Signor Trelawny an update. That is when I received intelligence that the Cades sketch had turned up in Ravenna—’
‘Who sent you that information?’ Trelawny cut in.
Baldini shook his head. ‘I cannot reveal the source, but suffice it to say that it is credible. I alerted the local polizia, informing them about the stolen sketch and that I was traveling here to help them “re-acquire” it.’
‘But why … Ravenna?’ Paula’s face crinkled in puzzlement. ‘Of all places?’
‘It is near the coast and would be quite easy to ship to another country from here,’ Baldini speculated, but I detected some skepticism behind his words. ‘Or perhaps …’
‘Yes?’ I prompted, leaning forward.
He fastened his gaze on me – dark and opaque. ‘Word may have spread that your party was traveling here … and the thief feels he has unfinished business with you.’
Instantly, I drew back. Could it be the shadow rider – and my attacker? ‘Is he after my Byron letters?’
‘Essattemente.’
‘Surely not,’ Paula interjected. ‘That seems to be an unlikely possibility, to say the least – that someone would journey all this distance for a few letters—’
‘Matteo was willing to commit murder to obtain Claire’s correspondence,’ Trelawny pointed out. ‘The thief could be one of his minions who knows the value of anything that relates t
o Byron or Shelley and is willing to go to great lengths to steal it.’
Would this nightmare over my letters never end? Perhaps I should have sold them to Mr Rossetti, after all.
‘Lieutenant, are the ladies in any danger?’ Raphael spoke up, sliding a protective arm around Paula. ‘Should we take any precautions?’
‘That depends on why you are in Ravenna. Signora Clairmont informed me in Firenze that your intended destination was the Convent of Bagnacavallo …’ His voice trailed off.
‘We were at the convent but decided only recently to extend our trip,’ I hastened to explain. ‘I wanted to see … the Byzantine mosaics, since we were only an hour away. I understand that the Basilica di San Vitale has an exquisite representation of the Empress Theodora wearing a headdress of precious jewels.’
‘Ah … yes, the courtesan who married Emperor Justinian – a beautiful and ruthless woman who climbed to the highest social position,’ Baldini mused.
‘How colorful.’ With a bright smile, I held up the teapot. ‘Would you care for some refreshment, Lieutenant?’
‘I will have to decline – I have only just arrived in Ravenna and must stop by the police office – but I am more than happy to accompany you to the basilica tomorrow. It has been many years since I have seen the mosaics at San Vitale, and it is but a short walk from here.’
‘Perfect. Shall we say ten o’clock?’ My smile remained intact. ‘Would anyone else like to join us?’
Paula and Raphael declined, followed quickly by Trelawny.
‘It seems as if you and I are the only ones interested in the mosaics, Lieutenant.’ I resisted glaring at my companions since Baldini was watching my reactions quite closely and carefully. My suspicions over his sudden appearance increased, but I hid them by simply and calmly pouring myself a cup of tea. ‘I look forward to our outing.’
‘Then I shall take my leave until tomorrow.’ He bowed and let himself out.
Once the door closed behind him, I turned on Trelawny. ‘The least you could have done was volunteer to accompany us.’
He coughed lightly. ‘I think you can handle the good lieutenant. Besides, I will need to make certain that all the arrangements are set for our afternoon excursion.’
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