Fruit of the Golden Vine (17 page)

Father was standing near the stables, helping Lothar and the stable boy equip the two coaches. He beamed as Adelina approached. “There you are.”

“Hello, Father.”

Father smiled more widely. He’d groomed his whiskers, for once, and combed his usually scattered blond hair, but he’d still forgotten to do up the buttons on his cuffs. “Look at my little tomboy, all ready for a day of adventure. Although you’re not so little these days, are you?” He kissed Adelina’s cheek, and she flinched as his beard scratched her. “Did you bring a hat, my dear?”

“Oh, I forgot.” Adelina patted the top of her head. “I’ll run back up and get one.”

“I’ll have Lothar get you a hat before we go, don’t worry.” Father studied Adelina with contemplative eyes. “What’s on your canny mind, daughter?”

Adelina scuffed the ground with her sandal. “Father, why do I have to marry?”

“This discussion again?” Father sighed. “Because young, healthy grandchildren will keep our family strong after your mother and I are gone. Because it’s what women aspire toward. Because your marriage may aid my business or raise my standing, and will hopefully do both.”

“Yes, you’ve told me all those reasons before. But Irena and Felise will get married and take care of those things. Can’t I just not?”

“And what would you do then? Spend your life reading books? You certainly don’t want a nun’s life. You’d miss out on some of the great pleasures of living.” Father arched an eyebrow. “Marriage isn’t so bad. Look at your mother! Apart from her uneven health, she enjoys a comfortable existence. She doesn’t seem to want for anything.”

“Yes, but she’s Mother. She’s hardly a representative woman.”

Father snickered. “Very true. What do you propose then, eh? Detail for me the ideal future of Adelina, the charming middle daughter of Sebastian and Delfina.”

Adelina lowered her gaze to the stone path. “I’m not sure. I’d have to think about it.”

“I would’ve thought you’d spent your entire life thinking about it.” Father squeezed her shoulder. “Cheer up, girl. A woman has her lot, a man has his, and we can’t do anything about it. Set aside your worries and enjoy the vintage.” He began to turn away, but hesitated. “Why’d you raise this now? We’ve had this conversation a thousand times.”

“Well, everyone is acting as if Ira will be married to Rafael soon, so it’s on my mind.”

“And how are you liking their company? Lord Rafael and Mistress Silvana?”

“I’m glad they’re here. They add some variety.”

“Yes, that they do.” Father narrowed his eyes, not quite concealing their quick gleam. “You’ve developed quite a rapport with our lady guest, it seems.”

“Well, does that surprise you?” Temper took hold of Adelina’s tongue. “She’s living proof that you’re wrong. We women can do something about our lot. She lives unmarried and free, and she does as she pleases. That’s the future I want, Father. I want to be like her.”

“Like her?”

“Exactly like her.”

“I see.” Father set his lips in a stern line. “Well, that’s a notion you’d best disabuse yourself of, Adelina. She has her ways, and we have ours.” He returned to the coach and shooed Felise away from the horses.

Adelina sighed, expelling the tension of the conversation, and sat beneath the silver-leafed tree. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the bark. Father was pliable to a point, but he too had his limit, and as usual Adelina had found it.

“There’s a bug on your shoulder.”

At the sound of Silvana’s voice, Adelina opened her eyes, her heart quickening. Silvana, spectacular in a jade tunic and fitted black tights, was standing before the tree with a hand on her hip and a sly smile on her face. Unfortunately, Rafael was beside her, depriving Adelina of the opportunity for some ardent profession of love.

“Is the bug huge?” said Adelina.

“Tremendously huge. Perhaps half the size of your head.”

“I’d better not move, then, for fear of catching its attention.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” Silvana lay her hand on Adelina’s shoulder, and a black beetle ambled into her palm. She smiled and stroked its segmented carapace. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“You touched it.” Adelina laughed. “You’re disgusting.”

“I have no animosity toward insects or animals.” Silvana set the bug on a branch. “Observe how I allow Rafael to accompany me.”

Rafael gave a mournful sigh. “Cruel are the barbs of sibling love.”

“It’ll toughen your skin, brother. Tell me, Ada, how far distant is this place?”

“Perhaps half an hour by coach,” said Adelina. “Likely less. Ira says that you two will travel with her, while I’ll be sitting with Lise and Father.”

“A pity. I was counting on your company to liven the trip.”

Adelina took a covert glance at Silvana’s hand, and her pulse quickened at the sight of the ring. Had Silvana kissed it that morning, just as Adelina had placed her lips upon its mate? “You’ll have Ira to amuse you. She can sing without the harpsichord if you coax her enough.”

“I’ll be sure to nag her for a tune then.” Silvana stared at the sky. “I do believe it’s going to be a pleasant day. What do you think, Rafael?”

“I think I’m no longer sure who is chaperoning who.” Rafael fixed Adelina with an unwavering stare, and Adelina sucked nervously on her lower lip. He didn’t approve—of that much she was sure.

“To your feet, Adelina.” Silvana extended her hand, and Adelina let herself be pulled upwards. Without releasing her grip, Silvana lowered her gaze to Adelina’s outfit. “These clothes suit you very well.” She loosened her fingers, and their hands slipped apart.

“You think so?” Adelina puffed up her chest. “I certainly feel more alive when I’m dressed up for adventure.”

“Do you like to climb trees?”

“If the branches are big enough.”

“I wish you could see the forests I grew up playing in. The trees are like ladders, and you can climb to the very canopy. The frightening part is getting back down.”

“I’m too bulky to climb them,” said Rafael. “But with this strength of mine, I can lift a horse above my head.”

“You can’t.” Adelina laughed as her fear of Rafael eased. He was Silvana’s brother, after all. No doubt the two enjoyed the same loyalty and understanding that Adelina shared with Irena, despite all their arguments and differences. “Prove it.”

“I refuse on compassionate grounds. It’s too frightening for the horse.”

“Listen to your boasts,” said Silvana. “You can barely lift little Felise without grimacing.”

“Look at her now, the troublemaker,” said Adelina. Felise was patting a coach horse on the snout while Father gestured at her to move away. “She’s not supposed to go near the horses, but she can’t help herself. She adores animals.”

“Speaking of your sisters.” Silvana gestured to the front door. Irena stood on the top step, hidden beneath an enormous floral hat. “Your love has arrived, Rafael.”

“I’ll go bid her good morning.” Rafael hurried across the lawn. Even from a distance, Irena’s cry of delight was audible.

“It’s odd,” said Adelina, watching the courting couple link hands. “I used to think she was grotesque for wanting so much to be a mother. Now I see that I was only being cruel. If that’s her true desire, who am I to make light of it? It’s not such an ignoble thing.”

Silvana gave Adelina a contemplative look. “Do you have any desire for children?”

“Not me. What about you?”

“Not especially. I certainly couldn’t imagine bearing one. Conception, delivery…”

Adelina shuddered. “Oh, yes. Awful. And then you get a screaming little bundle that torments you night and day.” She touched Silvana’s wrist. “But we couldn’t have a child even if we wanted to.”

“Well, there are many orphans in the world.” Silvana shrugged. “I’ve never understood the urgency to create a new child when so many are abandoned and starving in alleys.”

“I like that I have my parents’ blood. When they scold me for misbehaving, I get to point out that I inherited my nature from them.” Adelina considered Silvana’s lowered profile. Her dark eyes were soft, even gentle, as if taken over by some melancholy emotion. “Don’t worry, Silvana. I understand the price of our love. After a lifetime by your side, I know I’d still regret nothing.”

Silvana sighed as long and deeply as if the air were issuing from her soul. She closed her eyes, and they stood together in silence, their fingers touching but not entwined.

Orfeo’s manor was taller but narrower than Sebastian’s, three floors high rather than two. A well-swept flagstone path ran from the main road through a neat garden and to an impressive wooden front door flanked by apple trees. The sight of it left Silvana somehow uneasy.

“From the time I’ve spent with this man, I don’t like him,” Rafael said.

“I’m sure he’ll do whatever Sebastian tells him.”

Irena approached, adjusting her lace choker. “I wonder what you’re both whispering about. Are you excited to go riding with us, Mistress Silvana?”

“Naturally. It’s been a while since I’ve been on horseback.”

“Neither Ada nor I are very good riders, but Orfeo’s horses are gentle. Do you ride well?”

Silvana frowned. Ordinarily, Rafael consumed the entirety of Irena’s attention. “Everything that I do, I do well, Mistress Irena.”

“Call me Ira, please.” Irena peeked at Silvana’s hand. Had she spotted the matching rings? “I really do hope we grow close, you and I. That would please me a great deal.”

“I’m sure we’ll become fast friends.”

The front door opened, and Orfeo strode into the garden, his red hair flaming in the sun. “My guests! My cherished guests!” He lumbered to Sebastian and slapped him on the back. “Bastian, you old cad. You’ve brought an entire town with you.”

Sebastian clasped Orfeo’s forearm. “My daughters and guests would like to ride your horses through the meadows. What say you?”

“Anytime, anytime. You know that. And you’ve brought the little one, I see. Surely she’s not riding?”

“No, Lise is here to see your whelps. They are still around, aren’t they?”

“Oh, yes. Just the right age for a little girl to play with too. Frisky and fun, but not so big as they’ll knock her over.” Orfeo squatted, his hands on his knees, and grinned at Felise. She hid behind Adelina, and Orfeo chuckled. “Ah, she’s afraid of me. I suppose it’s my stature.”

“No, it’s your face,” said Adelina.

Orfeo stood, sniggering, and gave Adelina an indulgent smile. “This middle daughter of yours, Bastian. I swear she’ll take over your business someday, laws be damned. She’s got your flint.” He swept his arms in an encompassing welcome. “I don’t have time to greet you all, so why don’t you all just come in? Come along, come along!”

The guests trooped into Orfeo’s manor. The lobby was immense, and equal parts dining room and drawing room. A large stone fireplace took up one wall, and tables and benches ran along the room’s length. Orfeo caught Silvana’s eye and winked. “An innkeeper has a predilection for open spaces and numerous tables,” he said. “I like to refer to this as my great hall. In the winter, with the fire going, my friends and I carouse here for hours.”

Silvana didn’t return Orfeo’s ingratiating smile. His unattractive appearance only made it harder to warm to him. He seemed to be in his late thirties, and though he was muscular, he already had the tell-tale signs of a life of overconsumption—broken veins in his cheeks and eyes, a paunch developing beneath his loose tunic.

“I might add, it’s an honor.” Orfeo grasped Rafael’s hands and shook them. “A baron in my own home! You and your lady sister are very welcome. In fact, I’ll pour you both some cider. Bastian, why don’t you take the little one out to the stables to see the pups? They’re in one of the stalls. She can take one and romp with it outside, if she likes. They’re too young to toddle far.”

Sebastian twirled the end of his mustache. “Very well, why not? Lise, shall we go see the puppies?”

“Yes,” said Felise. Silvana couldn’t help but smile. The child obviously wanted to appear nonchalant, but the light in her eyes betrayed her excitement. “I’d like to play with one outside, like you said.”

“As for the two elder beauties.” Orfeo’s eyes took on an unpleasant luster. “Why don’t you visit the pups as well and say hello to the horses you’re to ride?”

“That sounds fun.” Irena put an arm around Adelina. “Shall we go argue over who gets the beautiful black one, Ada?”

Adelina laughed. “I might even give her to you without a fight.”

“I won’t stand for it. It’s a breach of tradition.”

“Well, come along,” said Sebastian. He took Felise’s hand, and the family left by the front entrance, with Felise chattering the entire way.

After the door had closed, Orfeo moved to an immense cask and filled three mugs. “I don’t have many servants. I’m a practical man.” He placed the mugs on a tray and carried it to one of the tables. “Come, sit. Drink with me. It’s not every day I entertain nobility.”

Rafael and Silvana squeezed onto a splintered wooden bench. Orfeo sat opposite, and the bench groaned beneath him. “Here’s to the courting baron,” he said and raised his mug. Rafael and Silvana followed the toast without comment, and Silvana touched the cider to her lips. Clear and sweet, with a bitter aftertaste to keep her interest.

“You like the cider?” Orfeo asked. “I make it myself.”

“It’s very good,” said Rafael. “But if you take out a set of dice, I’m leaving.”

Orfeo bellowed laughter. “Yes, you lost horrendously that night! I’ve never seen a man roll so poorly.” His chuckles subsided. “Ah, well. You’ll win it back.” He tossed back his mug and drained the cider in a single swallow. “So! Tell me! How’s the game of love going, Baron?”

“I’d hazard that I’m doing well.”

“I’ve been a friend of that family for a decade. I know how they work.” Orfeo tapped his temple. “Irena’s quite a trophy. The moment she turned twenty-five, half the men in town jumped for a chance to have her. But none of them could bring to the table anything Bastian hasn’t already got. Wealth? He’s got it. Land? He’s got it. Influence? Oh, you’d better believe he’s got it.”

“We gather he’s quite the prominent figure in town,” Silvana said.