The Venetian Playboy’s Bride

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE evening dress Dulcie chose was a stunning, ice-blue floral Jacquard that left her arms and shoulders bare. Dainty diamond studs winked in her ears and a diamond pendant hung about her throat. Now that she’d become an attractive pale-biscuit colour the effect was delightful.

She felt guilty, decking herself for an evening’s entertainment when she should be calling Fede to say she must break their date that evening. But she kept putting it off, not sure what the right words might be. How could she possibly explain to him that she was standing him up to go to dinner with the Calvanis to see if he was one of them? No, whatever excuse she found, the truth was out of the question.

There was no putting it off any longer. She reached for the phone, but it rang before she could touch it.

‘Dulcie, cara.’

‘Hello,’ she said, flooded with delight before she could get her defensive caution into position.

‘I’ve been trying to find the courage to call you. You’re going to be annoyed with me. I can’t make it tonight, but it really isn’t my fault.’

‘You can’t make it?’ she echoed. She felt ridiculously disappointed, almost as though she hadn’t been about to do the same thing herself.

‘Something’s come up. I can’t get out of it.’

‘Can’t you tell me what it is?’

In the brief silence she sensed his unease. ‘It’s-complicated,’ he said at last. ‘I don’t want to talk about it over the phone. You’re not cross with me, are you?’

‘Of course not,’ she said, not entirely truthfully. ‘It’s just that I was looking forward to seeing you.’

‘And I you. I’ll call you tomorrow. Ciao.’

So that was that, she thought as she hung up. He’d made it easy for her. She should be glad. And she would be glad, just as soon as she’d silenced the little voice that said something was wrong. He couldn’t tell her the real reason for his defection, and he hadn’t worked out a convincing excuse.

Or perhaps he didn’t think her worth a convincing excuse. He wouldn’t call her tomorrow after all. This was the brush-off.

Stop being absurd, she told herself. He only did what you were planning to do. What’s the difference?

But there was a difference, and a small dark shadow hovered over the evening ahead.

It should have been unalloyed pleasure. She was collected by a motor boat bearing the Calvani arms, and driven slowly along the Grand Canal just as the sun was sliding down the sky and turning the water to red. All around her Venice was settling in for the evening. Lights came on along the waterfront, bars and cafés buzzed with life, some gondoliers drifted home after a hard day while others emerged to start work on the late shift.

And then they were passing under the Rialto Bridge and there was the Palazzo Calvani, the whole great building ablaze with light. For a moment Dulcie had a glimpse of how it must have looked in its glory days, when Venice ruled the Adriatic, and palaces were alive with powerful men and glamorous women. It was a dream, of course. Reality had never been like that. But, looking at the gorgeous building, she could almost believe it.

And there was the count, resplendent in dinner jacket and snowy white shirt, looking as though he’d stepped out of that other age. Now she was glad that she’d dressed up in her gladdest of glad rags, and wouldn’t feel out of place.

As the boat drew up at the landing stage he was there to assist her out, bowing low over her hand and declaring, ‘You honour my house.’

Behind him were two fine-looking young men, both apparently in their early thirties. Neither looked remotely like the man she was investigating.

‘My nephews, Marco and Leo.’ Both young men greeted her with a flourish. ‘You are very fortunate to find them here. Leo lives in Tuscany and Marco in Rome, but they came to see me when I became ill. My other nephew, Guido, lives with me all the time. He’ll be here soon.’

So Guido was the one she needed to see, Dulcie thought. Alive to every nuance, she hadn’t missed the way Leo and Marco had studied her without seeming to, and exchanged glances. They were gallantry itself, but the count outdid them both, brushing them aside to lead her out onto the terrace where he had ordered drinks.

From here the view was dazzling, not just the Grand Canal but the Rialto Bridge, bathed in floodlight. Dulcie looked a long time, awestruck by so much beauty.

‘I see you understand my city,’ the count said, smiling. ‘You pay it the compliment of silence.’

She nodded. ‘Words would only spoil it.’

‘I linger here every night. It is best enjoyed alone or-’ he bowed ‘-with charming company. But I neglect your comfort. What will you drink?’

She accepted a wine that he recommended and returned to studying the view. Although the balcony looked out over the water she could see grounds to either side of it, ending in trees and shadows.

Then it seemed that one of the shadows moved, but the impression vanished in an instant.

‘Is something the matter?’ Francesco asked.

‘No, I just thought I saw someone move down there. I must have been mistaken.’

They looked down into the gardens, but all was still and silent.

A last-minute phone call from an important customer meant that Guido was later reaching the palace than he’d meant to be, and arrived in jeans and sweater. Knowing this would incur his uncle’s censure he slipped into the garden by a small gate to which only the initiated had the key, and moved quietly through the growing shadows. With luck he could reach his own room and change quickly into what Francesco called ‘the proper attire’ and what he called ‘stuffed shirt.’

Through the trees he could discern the terrace overlooking the water, where the count would be entertaining their guest to pre-dinner drinks. Yes, he could see him now, also Leo and Marco, but the lady was still obscure. He could just make out that she was wearing an ice-blue dress, but not her face. It would be useful to discover more of her and know the worst that awaited him this evening. As he emerged from the trees he hugged the wall, flattening himself against it as he edged nearer the terrace.

There was a flash of pale blue as she turned to look outwards, and suddenly he saw her face clearly.

For a split second he froze with shock. Then he moved fast. It was too late to return to the trees. The only concealment lay directly under the terrace. A swift dash, and he just made it.

‘Is something the matter?’ he heard his uncle ask over his head.

Then Dulcie’s voice. ‘No, I just thought I saw someone move down there. I must have been mistaken.’

Guido’s brow was damp. This couldn’t be happening to him! What had become of his famous luck that had protected him through a thousand scrapes? Creditors-he’d paid them all eventually, but his early days in business had involved much tap-dancing-ladies with marriage in their eyes, husbands with shotguns, he’d sidestepped them all with wit and charm.

But where was his guardian angel now? Absent without leave, that was where. Another few minutes and he’d have walked in on Dulcie and his family, to be introduced in his true identity. It was no use saying that he’d meant to tell her soon anyway. He hadn’t meant it like this.

Muffled noises from above, Leo and Marco voices, then his uncle’s, irritated. ‘What’s happened to the fellow? My apologies for my nephew’s tardiness. Call him one of you and ask when he’ll be here.’

Guido moved fast to switch off his mobile before it could ring and reveal his location. He mopped his brow.

Marco spoke. ‘His phone is off.’

‘No matter,’ Francesco declared. ‘He’ll be here at any moment.’

Not on your life! Guido thought desperately.

‘I do hope so.’ That was Dulcie. ‘Because I’m really looking forward to meeting your third nephew, count…’

Their voices faded.

With calamity staring him in the face, Guido thought fast. Nobody had seen him. He could still get away. His mind was racing. Slip out the way he’d come in, call his uncle to apologise for the unexpected crisis that would prevent him having the pleasure of joining them tonight. Then tap-dance like mad.

He was about to begin his journey back through the garden when a truly appalling thought turned his bones to jelly.

He knew his uncle’s routine with new guests. It never varied. Dinner, then a tour of the palace, finishing in his study. There he would produce his photo albums and display family pictures in which Guido would feature prominently.

He groaned aloud, wondering what he’d ever done to deserve this. But the list was too long to contemplate. At all costs Dulcie mustn’t be allowed to see those pictures.

Backing against the wall he encountered a small door that he knew was never used. If he could get through he would be in a passage that led past the kitchen to the rear of the house and from there it was just a step to his uncle’s study.

As he’d expected, the door was locked, but the wood was so old that a thump from a stone splintered it easily. The passage was pitch-black and he had to grope his way along, stumbling on the uneven floor, and once actually falling. He picked himself up, sensing that he was covered in dirt, but he had no time to worry about that. There was a light up ahead. The kitchen would be busy tonight and he must get past the door without being seen.

It took five minutes anxiously waiting for the right chance to present itself, and then he had to take a flying leap. Then he was in a narrow corridor, at the end of which was a secret door. By pressing the right knob he could make a section of the wall revolve, and bring himself into the study. The device had been installed in the seventeenth century by a count who feared assassination. Guido felt assassination might be a merciful end compared with what faced him if he couldn’t get those photo albums.

His luck held. The study was empty and dark. The less light the better, so he put on just one small lamp and went to the desk drawer where his uncle kept the key to the glass-covered bookcase where the albums were kept. Moving quietly he knelt down and began to turn the key in the lock.

‘Freeze!’

The voice came from behind him. He took a deep breath, hoping against hope that the cold metal he could feel against his ear wasn’t what he thought it was.

‘Stand up and turn around slowly with your hands up.’

He did so and found his worst fears realised as he stared down the length of a double-barrelled shotgun.

As the minutes ticked past with no sign of the missing heir the count’s smile became glassy, until at last he announced that dinner could wait no longer. The four of them entered the vast, ornate dining room where Dulcie was escorted to the place of honour.

Francesco reminisced about Lady Harriet, with many anecdotes which Dulcie was sure he’d either invented or transposed from other ladies. Now and then he reverted to the bachelor theme.

‘I keep hoping my nephews will marry and comfort me in my old age,’ he mourned. ‘But they’re all stubborn and selfish.’

‘Very selfish,’ Leo agreed with a grin. ‘We have this funny idea of marrying to suit ourselves rather than “serving the blood line”.’

‘I’m afraid we’re all lonely bachelors in this family,’ Francesco sighed.

‘And your nephew Guido,’ Dulcie asked. ‘Is he a lonely bachelor?’

‘Well, he’s certainly a bachelor,’ Marco observed.

His uncle gave him a look that would have cowed an easily frightened man.

‘I must apologise to our guest for Guido’s tardiness,’ Francesco announced. ‘But I have no doubt he will be here very soon.’

He raised his voice on the last words, as if sending a message to the delinquent to remind him of his duty. But no erring nephew materialised, and the three Calvanis exchanged glances, wondering where he could possibly be.

‘Liza, please put that thing away,’ Guido begged nervously. ‘Here, let me take it.’ He relieved the housekeeper of the shotgun and assisted her to a chair.

‘It’s not loaded,’ she said faintly. ‘I thought you were a burglar. Maria vergine! I might have killed you.’

‘Not with an unloaded gun,’ he pointed out. ‘Although you nearly gave me a heart attack. And if I’d been a burglar what were you thinking of to tackle me like that? You’ve been watching too many gangster movies.’

‘Yes,’ she said with a sigh. ‘I just thought a little excitement would be nice.’

‘A little ex-? You need a restorative. Where does my uncle keep his best brandy? Here you are.’ He handed her a glass, saying kindly, ‘This will make you feel better. And if you want excitement, you can help me out of a spot I’m in. I need to get rid of these,’ he indicated the albums. ‘Just for a few hours.’

‘But he always shows them to his guests,’ Liza declared.

‘I know, that’s why I’ve got to make them vanish. I can’t explain but a lot depends on it. In fact, everything depends on it. Liza, my whole future life is in your hands, my marriage, my children, my children’s children, the whole Calvani blood line for the next hundred years. If you don’t help me it’s all finished. You wouldn’t want that on your conscience, would you?’

‘You’re up to something.’

‘Have you ever known me when I wasn’t?’

‘No. But you won’t manage it this way. If he finds them missing he’ll call the police.’

Guido tore his hair. ‘Then what can I do?’

‘Leave it to me, signore.’

Count Francesco was at his best when talking about the past glories of Venice, and although Dulcie recognised that it was a performance she still fell under its spell.

‘Everyone came here for carnival,’ he said expansively. ‘It was a time for pleasure. You know, of course, why it’s called carnival?’

‘I’m afraid I don’t,’ she said. This was clearly the reply expected.

‘It comes from carne, meaning flesh. Knowing that it would soon be Lent, a time of austerity, people revelled in the pleasures of the flesh, preferably from behind the safety of a mask. The orgies continued right up until Shrove Tuesday and stopped on the stroke of midnight.’

‘So that’s why Carnival is in February,’ Dulcie said.

‘The February carnival is a modern revival, designed to attract tourists during the winter. But who can make merry in the cold? I mark carnival in my own way, with a masked ball in summer. This year’s ball will take place next Wednesday, and I hope you will honour me by attending.’

‘Well, I’m not quite certain if I’ll still be here next week,’ she murmured.

‘Oh, but you must,’ he said earnestly, ‘if only to spare my blushes about tonight. I don’t know how to apologise for Guido’s reprehensible behaviour in not turning up. I shall inform him of my displeasure.’

‘But you’ve already done that,’ Dulcie smiled, ‘when he telephoned to apologise, half an hour ago. I’m disappointed not to have met him, but since this was a last-minute arrangement it must have been difficult for him.’

‘You are most gracious to say so. But next week he will make his apologies in person.’

There was no turning him from this idea, so Dulcie murmured something vague and polite, and gave herself up to the enjoyment of the palazzo. When the guided tour was at an end they all drank brandy and coffee, and then the three men accompanied her to the landing stage where the boat was waiting. Leo and Marco would have taken her hand but the Count waved them away with an imperious gesture.

‘To assist a beautiful lady is my privilege,’ he said with old-world courtesy. ‘Buona notte, signorina. I’m sorry the evening wasn’t more satisfactory. I’d hoped to show you my photo albums. I can’t understand how my housekeeper came to lose the key. It’s not like her to make such a mistake.’

‘I shall look forward to seeing them another time,’ Dulcie said.

‘Yes, when you come to the masked ball. Next Wednesday. Don’t forget. And Guido will be there.’

‘I’m really looking forward to meeting him.’

The boatman settled her comfortably, and a moment later they were on their way down the Grand Canal. The Calvanis waved until she was out of sight.

‘She’s perfect,’ the count said.

‘Just the same uncle, you’re barking up the wrong tree,’ Leo observed.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Guido’s romancing a new woman,’ Marco said. ‘It’s the talk of Venice that he’s spent all this last week with her, even taking days off work. When does Guido ever neglect his business? I tell you uncle, it’s serious.’

‘Why the devil didn’t you tell me this before?’

‘It seemed safer to get the evening over first,’ Leo said.

‘Is anything known about this woman?’ Francesco demanded, in alarm.

‘Only that he met her while he was rowing.’

Francesco snorted. ‘A tourist, looking for a holiday romance, ready to disport herself with the first gondolier she meets. Lady Dulcie is a woman of class, and he neglects her for a floozie! Is he crazy?’

‘He’s a Calvani,’ Leo observed.

The moon was high in the sky as Dulcie sat watching the Grand Canal drift by her. Venice was gently closing down for the night. The little waterside bars were emptying, and lights were going off. Now and then she could see a couple wandering by the water, arms entwined, then vanish into a calle, swallowed up by darkness the moment before their lips touched. A few gondolas were still drifting past, seeming to move from shadow to shadow. Every one of them seemed to contain lovers embracing, oblivious to the gondolier who grinned and looked over their heads. He’d seen so many lovers before.

But as far as Dulcie could see none of them was the man she was seeking, and she sighed, wondering what he was doing right now, what had kept him from her tonight, and how soon must she say goodbye to him? Perhaps he would call to say how much he’d missed her, and must see her. There might even be a message for her in the hotel.

She controlled her impatience, hurrying to the suite and fumbling with the key in her eagerness. But when she called the desk there were no messages. Dispiritedly she sat and stared at the telephone.

Suddenly she realised that she wasn’t alone. There was a noise from the second bedroom, and the next moment the door opened.

‘Jenny!’ Dulcie exclaimed.

‘Hello!’ The young girl threw her arms about Dulcie in an eager greeting. ‘It’s so lovely to see you.’

‘But what are you-I mean, I didn’t know you were coming.’

‘Dad said he thought we might enjoy a little vacation together. That’s why he booked this suite, so that there’d be room for both of us.’

‘Did he say why I was here?’

‘Only that you were doing some market research for him. I know he’s always expanding his business.’

It didn’t seem to occur to Jenny to be suspicious, but then, Dulcie realised, she knew nothing about her work, and so there was no reason for her to think the worst. Yet Dulcie had a terrible feeling that things were going badly wrong.

‘You look gorgeous,’ Jenny said, surveying the evening dress. ‘Oh, Dulcie, is it a man?’

‘I’ve had dinner with three men, and none of them the one I wanted,’ she said distractedly. ‘Now I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.’

‘Three is too many,’ Jenny said wisely. ‘One is better, if it’s the one you want. Oh, Dulcie, I’m so blissfully, blissfully happy. It was wonderful to see him again.’

Dulcie tensed. ‘What was that?’

‘When I arrived I called Fede straight away, from the airport, and he came to collect me, and we kissed and kissed. He said he’d missed me so much and then-’

‘Wait a minute,’ Dulcie said, trying to ignore the cold hand that clutched at her stomach. ‘You’ve been with Fede this evening?’

‘But of course. Who else? He didn’t think he could make it at first-’

‘But no doubt he changed his arrangements,’ Dulcie said, her eyes kindling.

‘I suppose so. I didn’t ask. What does anything matter beside the fact that we’re together?’

So that was where he’d been tonight, Dulcie seethed inwardly. He was playing fast and loose with the pair of them. And to think she’d been trying to see the best in him!

‘Where are you going?’ Jenny called as Dulcie strode to the door.

‘Anywhere!’ she flung over her shoulder.

As soon as she was out of the hotel she plunged into the maze of little dark streets. She didn’t look where she was going. She didn’t care. Jenny’s innocent words had ripped the lid off the pretence that had sustained her for days. She’d read herself lectures about being on her guard, being professional, never quite trusting him. And all the time she’d been slipping under the oldest spell in the world.

It was dark in the calles. With only one light halfway along each one it was easy to stay out of sight, so she flattened herself against a wall, and stayed there as couples drifted past in the gloom, heard rather than seen, their voices low and full of emotion, fading into silence.

The city of lovers…

And she’d tumbled into its trap like a green girl who knew no better. Forewarned, forearmed, she’d still tumbled giddily into love while kidding herself that she was safe. Fool! Fool!

Serve me right, she thought defiantly. I’ll know better next time.

But there couldn’t be a next time, not quite like this. There might be other relationships, but never again would she feel the happiness and safety that had been like a blessing while he tended her. All an illusion. That was what hurt the most.

She moved further into the shadows, wondering if she would ever see a way out.

From his vantage point at a little bar across the Grand Canal Guido was able to watch Dulcie’s departure. He leaned his arms on a rail as she went past in the boat, thinking how tragic it was to be so near and yet so far.

He allowed half an hour for safety before returning home, even managing to whistle as he entered, only slightly out of tune.

So far, so good, but had his cover been blown? Liza had promised to ‘lose’ the key to the cabinet where the albums were housed, but suppose his uncle had a spare and had managed to take out the family snaps? There would be his face for Dulcie to recognise. Then she would have said-and Uncle Francesco would have replied-and there would have been a row-Leo and Marco would have roared with laughter-and now here he was heading for another row.

He considered emigrating. A snake-infested swamp might be nice. Or anywhere that was a long way away.

‘There you are, you villain!’

The voice echoed down the long marble hall, followed by Francesco with a face like thunder, then Leo and Marco, determined not to miss the fun.

‘Uncle, I can explain-’ That was safely vague when you weren’t quite sure what you were supposed to be explaining.

‘Certainly you should explain, not to me but to that charming young lady. The way you’ve treated her is abominable.’

‘That-depends on how you look at it,’ Guido said, carefully feeling his way.

‘That any nephew of mine-’ Francesco broke off, fulminating, leaving Guido as much in the dark as ever. ‘Get yourself in here.’ He indicated his study which struck Guido as ominous.

The study was unrevealing. Wine glasses stood about, suggesting that everyone had spent some time in here, but the count took up his position in front of the cabinet, hiding the contents.

‘She’s a lady, do you realise that?’ the count boomed. ‘And you’ve behaved as though she were no more than-well, I don’t know what to say!’

I wish you’d say a lot more, Guido thought. Then I might get a clue.

‘She was charming about it,’ Francesco went on. ‘Oh, yes! Breeding tells, although she probably wants to hang you from the highest lamppost after what happened tonight.’

‘What-exactly-happened tonight?’ Guido asked.

‘You ask me that?’

‘Yes, I did actually. And you two-’ Guido whirled on Leo and Marco ‘-can stop grinning or I’ll have your hides.’

Had she seen the pictures or hadn’t she? If he didn’t find out soon he’d have a nervous breakdown.

‘Scusi signori.’ Liza had glided in like a ghost and began gathering wine glasses. Moving directly in front of Guido she gave him a brief thumbs up sign. He relaxed, but only a little.

‘I’m sorry about tonight but something came up,’ he said. ‘And if, as you say, she was charming about it-’

‘Lady Dulcie,’ Francesco said with awful dignity, ‘was naturally very disappointed not to have met you. She particularly asked me to tell you that.’

‘Did she?’

‘I also assured her that you would be at the masked ball, and she said how much she looked forward to meeting you there. She stressed that this meeting meant a great deal to her.’

In his eagerness to bring Dulcie and Guido together the count was gilding the lily, giving Dulcie’s polite words a meaning they were never meant to bear. To Guido, his nerves already jangling, they sounded ominous. Clearly Dulcie had discovered the truth, but instead of denouncing him she was keeping her wrath for their next meeting. This was her message to announce the approach of doom.

‘Er-I think perhaps-excuse me, Uncle, something else has come up.’

He got out as fast as he could.