‘Garibaldi is an unprincipled opportunist.’ Carlo Denuzio was standing with his back to the window and in full flow. ‘Piedmont will never join forces with him against our beloved king.’
They were in the salon, waiting for Paulo to return for dinner, and Carina was sitting beside Gabriella. Her cousin was concentrating on her crochet and did not answer.
The door opened and a footman entered, bearing a silver salver with a letter, which he carried over to her uncle. Carina watched as her uncle took a paper knife and sliced open the envelope. He took out a piece of thick writing paper and was unfolding it when Paulo walked in.
‘I’m sorry to be late—’
Carina hushed him and indicated towards her uncle. Carlo read the letter, frowning, and then returned it to its envelope.
‘I have received a summons from His Excellency, Prince Scalia. He requests an interview with you in the morning, Carina. I’m to escort you to the Palazzo Reale at nine o’clock.’
Carina let out a long breath. So, the prince hadn’t forgotten, and had responded sooner than she expected! There was no way out now and she lowered her head.
‘But, Papa, you promised Nonna! You can’t break your word!’ Gabriella’s cheeks flamed as she stood up and faced her father.
‘I agree. Our grandmother will have you flayed alive,’ Paulo commented drily. ‘Unless, that is, you intend to keep her in the dark?’
Carlo Denuzio took off his spectacles and held them to the light. He inspected them minutely and replaced them on his nose, shifting his weight from one foot to another.
‘If you accompany me, Uncle Carlo, then I’ve no objection to an audience with Prince Scalia,’ Carina said and looked up. ‘It may provide an opportunity to plead Enrico Fola’s case. There’s no need to inform Nonna, it will only upset her.’
They were all staring at her, Gabriella with her mouth open, Paulo curious, while Carlo beamed with relief.
‘Thank you, my dear. We must all do our duty in these difficult times. However, I advise you not to speak on Enrico’s behalf. Evidence has come to light that he is not as innocent as we believed.’
The words hung in the air and Carina’s gaze went to Paulo. He spread his hands in a gesture of hopelessness and she turned a sharp eye on her uncle.
‘If I may not speak openly with Prince Scalia, then there’s no purpose to the interview. You may tell His Excellency that is my answer.’
Carlo Denuzio didn’t appreciate his authority being challenged and Carina wondered if he would give way. A glance at Gabriella and she saw her cousin had turned pale. A slight breeze came in through the window, stirring the warm air and Carina sat motionless until her uncle answered.
‘You may speak to Prince Scalia as you wish. But I shall be with you throughout the interview, Carina. I’ve given you my advice and expect you to take heed of it.
Carina remembered his words as the carriage drew up at the front steps of the Palazzo Reale. She had hardly slept, but was alert as a sprung cat and she had considered every contingency. If necessary, she would agree to Scalia’s demands but with no intention of honouring her word. The prospect ahead was daunting, and she must be on her guard from beginning to end.
She chose a suitably modest dress with a high collar and a bonnet trimmed with blue feathers. On her way downstairs, Carina caught a glimpse of herself in an old mirror and stopped to tilt the hat at a more rakish angle. There wasn’t a hint of softness in the face that gazed back at her. Her eyes were hard and her mouth set in a determined line. It wasn’t the face to beguile a man. She should appear more appealing and vulnerable. Turning her head, Carina fluttered her eyelashes and practised a pretty smile. She made her lower lip tremble as if she was about to burst into tears. That was better! She hadn’t forgotten her old tricks and was on her mettle, ready for the battle ahead.
They were met by a court official who escorted them up the stairs to the palace. He held his mace of office high as they passed through the crowded hall and people fell back to make way. Carina’s gaze passed over the petitioners. She could see fear and desperation on their faces and the furtive eyes of police spies as they mingled among them. No one was safe, she thought. How could her uncle align himself with a government that depended on torture and denunciation?
They climbed a second staircase, crossed an inner courtyard and came at last to the throne room. At the far end, dwarfed by the scale of the architecture, stood the throne raised on a dais and next to it the desk reserved for the governor of Sicily. Prince Scalia sat behind the mahogany escritoire and rose to his feet as they were ushered forward. According to the dignity of his station, he did not bow but proffered a hand first to her and then to Carlo. Flunkeys pulled up two chairs and Carina studied him from beneath her eyelashes.
His small stature gave a false impression. Prince Scalia was the most powerful man in all of Sicily, she thought and was conscious of his hooded eyes on her as she arranged her skirts.
‘We’ve been most concerned for your welfare, Miss Temple.’ Scalia spoke first.’ I’m glad to see you look better.’
‘I thank you, sir. I am almost myself again.’
‘Do I have your permission to ask Miss Temple a few questions, Carlo?’
‘My niece submitted a written statement for Count Maniscalco.’
‘I’ve read it and certain parts require greater clarification.’ Prince Scalia’s tone was impatient. ‘Tell me, Miss Temple, do you have reason to suspect there was a political motive behind the crime?’
‘I don’t believe so. The men were common criminals.’
‘Countess Denuzio told us one of them recognised you. Isn’t that so, Carlo?’
‘It was my wife’s impression at the time.’
‘A most unfortunate coincidence.’ Carina’s eyes met Scalia’s dark stare. ‘Their leader was an escaped convict who had seen us riding near the Villa Pallestro. No doubt he expected Your Excellency to arrange a ransom for my safe recovery.’
‘Is that so?’ The prince seemed genuinely surprised. ‘Would you be so kind as to tell me what happened after you were kidnapped?’
In a toneless voice, Carina repeated the account she had given so many times before. She described the ambush and her subsequent abduction. Again, she stressed that she had been unconscious and didn’t know how far they rode that day. When the ransom was not forthcoming, she was finally abandoned near to Calatafimi.
‘I was cared for by the family of Stefan Bosco. They insisted I stay with them until I was well enough to travel home.’
Prince Scalia rested his chin on his fingertips, his unblinking eyes missing nothing. One false note, careless word or breath of anxiety, would betray her, but Carina did not falter. When she finished, he sat back in his chair and looked her in the face. ‘Apart from general mistreatment, were you molested in any other manner?’
It was obvious what he meant and Carina shook her head silently.
‘Why do you think they detained you so long?’
‘I presume they kept me hostage against further reprisals by yourself.’
Carina answered too fast and Scalia was quick to catch her. ‘So there was a political motive?’
‘They were without decency or respect. It’s painful to recall …’
‘Forgive me, my dear. I didn’t mean to upset you.’
Carina took out her handkerchief to wipe her eyes and Scalia stood up. Carlo followed suit and the prince motioned to her to stay where she was.
‘I would appreciate a moment in private with Miss Temple. It’s difficult to speak of before an audience. Would you be so kind as to wait in the antechamber?’
Before Carlo could object, Scalia rang the bell on the desk. A side door opened and a stern-looking official marched forwards. Her uncle was escorted out of the room and the prince came round the desk and took his chair.
‘And what is this delicate matter you wish to discuss with me?’
‘I’m most grateful to Your Excellency for granting me an audience. Enrico Fola has been wrongfully arrested. He is innocent of any crime. I’m here to plead for clemency on his behalf.’
‘So you hope to save your liberal friends. Do you petition for the traitor Riso, too?’
‘I’ve no interest in Baron Riso,’ Carina lied smoothly. ‘Enrico Fola is a friend of our family. I plead only for him.’
‘You may rest assured, Enrico Fola’s unlikely to face execution.’
‘But he’s extremely ill … If he stays in prison, he will die as surely as if you shot him by firing squad. There must be somewhere else he can be detained?’
‘Is young Fola your lover?’ Scalia’s hand dropped over hers, his grip hard and painful.
‘Enrico is sweetheart to my cousin, Gabriella.’
‘In that case, we may reach an accommodation.’
Scalia let her go and stood up. He moved to sit at the far side of the desk and rested his hands on the arms of the chair. ‘You’re aware that mercy comes at a price?’
‘I’m sure his family will pay any amount necessary.’
‘My dear, don’t let’s dissemble further. In return for Fola’s release, I expect you to render me a service.’
She had prepared herself for this. If Scalia demanded an assignation, she would consent and then make herself scarce. It was risky, but the prince wouldn’t dare snatch her from under her uncle’s roof. If it came to the worst, then she could always seek sanctuary in the consulate. She could promise him anything and still slip through his fingers.
Carina opened her fan and moved it slowly in front of her face. ‘Pray, tell me what kind of service you require.’
‘I want you to gather intelligence from the English community. We’ve reason to believe the British Consul is aware of Garibaldi’s plans. You are well placed to find out what they are.’
The prince lifted his hand and took up a pen. He wrote a single line on a piece of paper and placed it on the blotter. Carina watched as he folded the parchment in two. He handed it to her and she placed it in her reticule.
‘I’ll send my carriage for you in ten days’ time. The princess is in Naples so we may meet in private at the Palazzo Scalia. As for your young friend, when you provide us with information, he’ll be sent home under house arrest. Are we agreed?’
‘I will only agree on the day Enrico Fola’s released from the Vacaria.’
‘And why should I trust you?’
The emphasis was placed on the last two words and the look in his eyes implied: You think you can deceive me, but you’re mistaken. I will get from you what I want … Carina despised Scalia’s machinations as much as the man himself, and her temper flared.
‘I will give you my word. If that’s not good enough for you, then I withdraw my petition.’
Carina met the prince’s gaze defiantly until he picked up the bell. Moments later Carlo stalked in, his face puckered with frustration.
‘Thank you for your patience, my friend.’
‘Indeed … Indeed. Now, how may I be of assistance?’
‘A matter of importance has come up, a mission that entails your leaving for Naples at your earliest convenience. I’ll come to it presently, but first I crave a further indulgence. Count Maniscalco requests your niece remain in Palermo a few days longer. They’ve arrested a suspect in Marsala. If Miss Temple can identify him, then judicial proceedings may begin.’
Scalia had come up with this in the last few minutes, Carina thought. His cunning took her breath away. She looked at her uncle and saw he was sweating. Carlo gave a small cough to clear his throat before he answered.
‘I can’t leave Carina without protection. It would be most improper—’
‘I wouldn’t ask such a favour, but His Majesty is in need of your counsel. By all means take Gabriella with you. Paulo may remain in Palermo as her guardian. I will personally guarantee their security in your absence.’
Lord, he was devious! The prince had made Carlo envoy to the king to get him out of the way. The suggestion of Paulo as her guardian was as calculated as it was absurd. The prince didn’t trust her cousin and wanted to keep him under his eye. At a stroke, he had engineered an arrangement so that neither of them could escape.
Scalia held out a hand to signify the audience was over. They returned downstairs and she wasn’t certain, exactly, what had been agreed – but a pact had been made. Passing the line of supplicants who waited in a disorderly queue on the stairs, Carina felt their despair. There was no mercy or justice in this place. The petitioners were downcast, as if they knew already their pleas would go unheard. Would she succeed where so many had failed? The interview had taken all her skill, but Prince Scalia held all the cards. It was up to him to make the first move. There was nothing more she could do now but wait and hope.
She could see but she couldn’t open her eyes and Ben was walking away. Carina tried to call out but her tongue was frozen to the roof of her mouth. She was paralysed, suffocating in the darkness. If she didn’t open her eyes she would die …
She woke up in fright, tucking her knees up under the coverlet as she stared into the black night. The nightmare was fading but a miasma of fear clung to her. Where was Ben? With Baron Riso in prison, she couldn’t get a message to him. Scalia remained in Palermo and yet there came no word of Enrico’s release. Maniscalco’s agents had arrested a suspect in Marsala. If it was Ruffo or one of the others, they would betray her!
Stop this! Carina ordered herself. You’re the one who requested the audience with Prince Scalia. You’re not a coward and nor are you alone. Gabriella and Carlo left yesterday and Rose the day before, but Paulo is with you – and Mr Goodwin and Jane are still in Palermo.
The consul would be up to date with the latest intelligence and might have news of Ben. Scalia had given her a permit to travel freely in the city and would expect her to call at the consulate. That’s what she would do, Carina decided. She would make arrangements in the morning. It had only been a dream – a dream and not a premonition. Tomorrow she would visit Jane and her courage would return.