‘It is ricotta whipped with fine sugar and chocolate chips. There are small pieces of candied orange rind in there as well.’ He broke off a piece and tasted it. ‘Just as good as I remembered. The shells are so crisp and Roco only fills them at the last minute before serving.’
‘You seem to know quite a bit about cooking,’ observed Cassie.
‘It is a very Italian thing to know about food and how to prepare it,’ said Marco.
Cassie tried not to eat anymore but it was impossible and she nibbled away as they chatted, pausing only to take a sip of her wine every now and again. Soon there was nothing left except a few crumbs on the plate.
‘Oh dear’ she said, ‘I think I will have to run back to the villa to wear this lot off.’
‘No, I can think of a much more pleasurable way for you to burn off any excess calories you may have consumed today,’ he grinned at her wickedly. ‘Why don’t we finish up here and go back to the villa for a little siesta in my bedroom.’ he whispered, leaning over the table and taking her hand, gently massaging the inside of her palm between her thumb and forefinger. The feeling was electric and seemed to spread immediately to every nerve ending in her body. Unconsciously she licked her lower lip with her tongue.
‘You can use that pretty pink tongue on me later on.’ Cassie blushed and Marco laughed and signaled to a waiter for their bill. Cassie realized it would be useless trying to share the bill with Marco but she asked anyway and was given a firm rebuff.
‘Cassandra, you are my guest. Please do not offend me with your offer of payment.’
He pushed back his chair and came around to pull hers out for her. She managed to stand without groaning. Offering her his hand, they strolled back inside the restaurant, stopping to thank an effusive Eduardo, who kissed them both on the cheeks and told them to return again soon.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The shops had re opened as they rode back through the old town slowly on Marco’s bike, Cassie having managed to get astride the big machine again without exposing herself. Must apply more cream when I get back to the villa she thought then remembered what Marco had said about a siesta in his bedroom. What was he thinking, she thought. What if Marta is in the house, or anybody else for the matter? Much as she was excited about the prospect of making love with Marco again she didn’t like the idea of sneaking in and out of his bedroom. Like a bit on the side, she thought tartly, clinging on to Marco as he accelerated and they raced up the hill and out of the old town. I will ask him to take me straight back to Villa Tramonte she decided. Liz and Kat will have finished their cooking lesson and are probably having a lovely siesta. It sounded like a good idea, especially after her long lunch.
She needn’t have worried herself unduly because as Marco turned into the circular driveway in front of the main villa, she saw another car she didn’t recognize parked directly in front of the big double front doors. It was a late model silver colored four wheel drive Mercedes. Cassie heard Marco curse as he stopped abruptly with a crunch of tires on the gravel, killing the engine. Curious, she jumped off the bike and took off her helmet.
He took his off too and slung them both on the bike seat, running his hands through his long curly dark hair, which kept flopping onto his forehead. Turning to her with a flat expression he announced, ‘I see my father has decided to pay me a visit. I hope he brought my mother.’ He took her hand and led her towards the front doors.
‘Marco, you don’t have to take me inside. Why don’t you just take me back to the villa?’ she suggested lamely.
‘No, I want you to meet them. They will be as enchanted as I am.’ he said stubbornly. Cassie couldn’t help feeling like a decoy as they walked into the foyer and then left into the big salon. It looked different in the daytime but Cassie couldn’t help blushing a little as she remembered what they had been doing last night.
‘Ah ciao Marco’ said a tall man with greying hair, a slight smile on his face. He walked towards them from the open French doors his arms open in a welcoming gesture. He had grey eyes instead of Marco’s green ones, but he was just an older, well preserved Marco she thought. Must have strong family genes she thought absently noting the patrician nose and finely carved lips on both men.
‘Ciao Papa’ said Marco, in the same serious tone. Both men approached each other tentatively, embracing stiffly. Marco immediately turned to Cassie. ‘Papa, ti presento Signorina Cassandra Hayden. Cassandra, this is my father, Antonio Boschieri.’ Antonio stepped forward immediately and took Cassie’s hand in both of his.
‘Piacere Cassandra, you are staying here on the estate?’ he asked.
‘Piacere’ said Cassie. ‘Yes, I am staying at Villa Tramonte with two friends. You have a very beautiful estate Signor Boschieri. We are enjoying our holiday immensely.’
‘Please call me Antonio,’ he said, smiling at her. ‘I am very happy that you are enjoying your holiday here. Do you like what Marco has done to Villa Tramonte? It is comfortable, no?’ he asked.
‘Yes, it is superb. The old and the new blend together so seamlessly. It’s low key and elegant and I want to steal all his ideas for my own home,’ she added, laughing and looking up at Marco.
‘But where do you come from?’ he asked. ‘You are not Australian are you?’
‘Thank you for noticing the difference’ said Cassie, laughing again. ‘I am from New Zealand, although most people in this is part of the world would mistake us for Australians.’ she added.
‘But it is such a long way to travel. How long do you stay here for?’
‘We are here for one week only, but now I am here, I wish I could stay longer.’ said Cassie. ‘I know it seems short, but all of us live in different parts of the world and have busy lives. We had to plan this holiday a year ago to fit it into the schedule.’ He looked interested and clearly wanted to ask more questions but the sound of another voice calling out from the terrace interrupted them.
‘Antonio, where are you?’ The voice was soft and feminine.
‘I am right here Christina. Marco has arrived with a friend. We will come and join you immediately.’ Upon hearing his mother’s voice, Marco’s face lit up and he took Cassie’s hand, leading her to the French doors and out onto the terrace.
‘Mama’ he said walking over with quick steps to embrace a woman seated at a small round marble topped table. ‘When did you arrive?’ He bent down to kiss her and it was only then that Cassie saw she was sitting in a wheelchair.
‘We arrived about half an hour ago. Marta told us you had gone into town for lunch.’
‘Why didn’t you let me know you were coming,’ said Marco.
‘We only decided to drive up here after lunch. I was feeling a little better when I woke up this morning and I wanted to come and see you and Marta. Tonio kindly dropped everything to bring me.’ She was still a beautiful woman, thought Cassie. Petite, with beautiful, large green eyes and a small oval face, which was softly framed with short dark curls showing only a hint of grey here and there.
‘And also to see your beloved gardens’ he laughed softly.
‘Of course’ she admitted with a smile. ‘You know me Marco. I talk to Marta on the phone each week, but it is not the same as being here and seeing them for myself. But enough about me’ she said, maneuvering her chair around from the table and pushing herself towards Cassie. ‘Hello, I am Christina, Marco’s mother. I heard you talking inside with Tonio. It is very nice to meet you. She held out her small hand and Cassie took it.
‘Hi, I’m Cassie and it’s very nice to meet you too. Your garden is really beautiful. Did you do all this by yourself?’
‘Not all by myself, I had a lot of help, but I would love to take all the credit.’ she laughed. Years ago when I first came to live here with Tonio, the gardens, such as they were, were ornate but not practical. Quite old fashioned. I prefer a more natural look, not too much structure, a little softness around the edges. It is nice to see it is holding up so well after all these years. For that, I am indebte
d to Mario our gardener for his green fingers and his innate eye for detail. He looks after the gardens so well.’ She paused, shading her eyes and gazed out over the expansive swath of perfect green lawn with its lovely old oaks and ancient olive trees providing shade and interest, their gnarled trunks sculptures in themselves.
‘It all looks so lush and tropical and yet there are cacti as well,’ said Cassie.
‘Yes, it is possible to grow almost anything in Sicily,’ said Christina. ‘You seem interested in plants, do you have a garden?’
‘Not really. I live in an apartment, but my terrace is crowded with pots for herbs and salad greens. It’s my little kitchen garden. I would love to have something one day to really get my hands into.’
‘Have you seen the kitchen garden here?’ asked Christina. ‘We have herbs and vegetables year round from it. Lemons too, they are so sweet.’
‘I’ve tasted Marta’s homemade lemonade and it’s delicious,’ agreed Cassie.
Marco and his father had stepped over to the far end of the terrace and now he turned to Cassie.‘Cassandra, come we have to go now,’ he said brusquely. He didn’t look very happy thought Cassie. I wonder what they were talking about.
‘Oh so soon’ said Christina, ‘you have only just arrived. I thought Cassandra and I could walk around the gardens together.’ Cassie thought it was a lovely idea and would have been happy to comply.
‘Unfortunately Cassandra needs to meet her friends back at the villa. Another time Mama.’ Cassie had said no such thing to Marco and again she felt like an unwilling pawn in his game.
‘Marco, why don’t you bring Cassandra to see us in Palermo one day this week’ she asked. ‘Come for lunch.’ She looked up at Cassie. ‘I have a smaller garden than this but it is filled with tropical plants. I would love you to see it if you are interested.’
‘I would really like that thank you,’ said Cassie. She was touched by Christina’s sincerity and she felt sad for her being in a wheelchair. She wondered what had happened.
‘Please bring your friends. I would like to meet them too and we will have lunch outside under the pergola.'
‘I’m sure they would be delighted,’ said Cassie.
Marco walked over to stand beside them.
‘Will I see you before we leave?’ said Christina, looking up at him.
‘Si, Mama, I will return soon.’ he said softly, his love for her obvious. Cassie took Christina’s hand and they said goodbye. ‘I look forward to seeing you again soon.’ she said. She followed Marco and his father back inside the French doors into the salon and looking up at that moment, her heart threatened to stop beating that very second. For swinging gently from the ornate crystal chandelier; under which they had stopped to wait for her; was her G-string, not looking entirely out of place because the tiny sequins sewn around the waistband twinkled in the light coming from the cut crystal. She stood, transfixed by the scene and willing with all her might that the thong would not become dislodged in the gentle breeze coming from the open doors and float down to land on Marco’s father’s head. Dear God, she hadn’t realized she had thrown it up in the air. No wonder she hadn’t been able to locate it last night. They had stopped talking again the moment she entered the room and now Marco beckoned her over.
Cassie walked towards them trying not to glance up, her heart in her mouth. She came close to Marco and he put his arm around her waist, giving her a little squeeze. Antonio’s strained looking face cracked into a genuine smile as he saw her and said. ‘I will look forward to seeing you and your friends in Palermo this week. Christina loves to have young company around her and I am sure it does her good,’ he added.
‘It will be a pleasure for all of us,’ said Cassie happily, meaning it. Anything to make this rather sad couple happy, and anything to get out of here right now she thought. I’ll have to ask Marco to get it down. He’ll need a jolly ladder the ceilings are so high. Maybe no one will ever spot it and it will hang there for years. However, judging by the spotlessness of every surface in the house, she didn’t think Marta was that kind of housekeeper. The chandelier probably got polished on a regular basis. Thankfully at that moment, Marco took her hand and Antonio turned to go back out onto the terrace. Marco took her hand they walked back outside to the bike in the courtyard. He seemed distracted as the motor roared into life and she hitched up her skirt and hopped on behind him forgetting that the seat was now burning hot.
‘Ow,’ she yelled but it was drowned out by the engine noise. Marco had left their helmets behind for the short ride and Cassie’s long hair whipped out behind her as the bike gathered speed. All too soon he pulled up in the courtyard of Villa Tramonte.
He switched off the engine and climbed off the bike, turning immediately to lift her off the pillion. His hands didn’t leave her waist as he put her down and by mutual consent their bodies moved closer together.
‘I am sorry we missed our siesta,’ he said, his lips brushing hers gently. ‘Perhaps we should go for a walk together this evening.’ Cassie could feel the hard length of him against her as their lips touched again and her eyes closed. Before she completely forgot her mind, she pushed him back from her gently. ‘ You might be taking a moonlit stroll by yourself tonight after what you did back at the house. For your information, I don’t enjoy being used as a decoy. You used me to divert your father’s attention away from you and then you used me again to get away from the house in a hurry. Your mother seems like a total sweetheart, but what is going on between you and your father?’
‘Now is not the time to speak of this,’ he said seriously. ‘You are right and I apologize. I did not mean to use you in any way, it just happened. My father and I have had a complicated relationship for the last few years. It wasn’t always like this. But on the plus side, they were delighted to meet you.’ he said, a boyish grin breaking out on his face.
‘Yoo hoo, hello there,’ said Kat, leaning out of the kitchen window to wave at them in the courtyard.
‘Anyone feel like a champagne? I’m just popping the cork now. She had on a huge, floppy red sunhat, Jackie O sunglasses and a black chiffon sarong knotted between her breasts, her bare shoulders looking tanned and smooth.
Marco smiled at the alluring sight she made. ‘You suit this villa Katrina, in fact, you look like a model posing for House and Garden.’
‘Compliments will get you everywhere Marco,’ cooed Kat. ‘Champagne?’ she asked again.
‘For Cassandra maybe, but not for me right now, thank you anyway. I have to return to the main house. My parents are waiting there for me.’ Kat grabbed three champagne flutes from the shelf and walked out of the kitchen. Marco looked down once more at Cassandra.
‘So, we continue this conversation later, somewhere private.’ he said softly, his unruly curls falling down over his forehead. Cassie instinctively reached up to push them back and he turned his head and kissed her palm.
‘Be waiting for me,’ he commanded before climbing back onto the bike and starting the engine. Cassie stood watching as he revved up the engine and then gunned it out of the courtyard. Typical she thought, boys and their toys. She walked inside the house, dropping her bag on the table and kicking off her espadrilles before strolling out to the terrace.
‘Well, don’t you two look comfortable’ she said, flopping down onto a lounger beside them. ‘How was the cooking lesson?’
‘Absolutely amazing’ said Liz. ‘It was an incredible experience cooking with Marta. The woman is a mine of information and she doesn’t mind sharing it.’
‘Yes, it was a blast’ said Kat, ‘and then we got to eat it all and I think I am still digesting my lunch like a big snake.’ She patted her flat stomach and grinned at them, before passing a glass of champagne over to Cassie. ‘Cin cin’, how was your lunch with Captain Fantastic?’
‘Fantastic’ laughed Cassie. ‘Seafood risotto, lobster with spaghetti, whole fish baked in a salt crust and cannoli and chocolate soufflé to finish. Oh, and wine.’ she added. ‘I do
n’t think I need any dinner this evening.’
‘Did you eat all that by yourself?’ asked Liz.
‘No silly, we shared everything. The waiter kept putting the plates in the middle of the table so we tasted everything. The food was sublime. Then, to top it off, these 2 guitarists just strolled into to the restaurant, sat down and started playing all the most popular covers of the past 40 years. Marco and I danced,’ she said gushingly.
‘Well, I don’t thing we can top that’ said Kat, ‘but you just wait until you try the gnocchi we brought back for dinner this evening. It is to die for. Marta says the secret is in the type of potatoes you use. You need dry, baking spuds like Agria. We have some of her home made Pomodoro passata sauce with basil to go with it. In fact, just talking about it is making me hungry again.’
‘I told you he would take you somewhere amazing,’ said Liz. ‘ I love the sound of the lobster with spaghetti. Did you take any photos?’
‘As a matter of fact I did take one, just for you Liz.’ She flicked through the gallery of photos on her phone and found the one of the cannoli. ‘Isn’t this the perfect dessert?’
‘Hm.’ said Liz. ‘That looks unbelievably good.’
‘So, do you think you have the ravioli recipe down pat now?’ Cassie asked Liz.
‘Yes, it’s amazing once you see someone actually making the pasta and rolling it out. Marta has a simple hand crank pasta machine, nothing fancy but she says she makes everything on that from spaghetti to lasagna sheets and of course, the ravioli. We made the filling first using spinach from the garden, which we cooked and then chopped finely. Some of their super smooth fresh ricotta, grated Parmesan cheese, one egg yolk and a little grated nutmeg. The nutmeg has to be fresh. Then she makes the pasta on a big marble table making the hole in the flour and adding eggs and working the mixture into dough. It looks easy until you try it.’
‘You got the hang of it quickly,’ said Kat, ‘mine looked like dried up putty.’
Sicilian Dreams Page 12