I hope you are well, dearest, ran Alice’s letter to Carina, who was reading it outside. As I haven’t heard from you these last weeks, I feel certain you are in better heart. We are now residing in Northumberland, which is greatly to my liking. Salford Manor is a comfortable house, situated south of Berwick and only two miles from the sea. When the weather is clement Anthony and I drive along the coast. As soon as you return to England, you must come to visit us …
It was a warm evening and Carina returned the letter to its envelope as she waited for Paulo. The air was fragrant with orange blossom and she watched as bats swooped down in jagged flight. She was glad Alice was happy and Jane’s news had made her spirits soar. General Garibaldi had set sail for Sicily and was expected to land within a fortnight!
Telegraph messages crackled to and fro between Palermo and Naples. Prince Scalia must be aware of Garibaldi’s plans. Would he keep his side of the bargain now, Carina wondered? The ten days since their meeting were almost up and she would learn his intentions soon enough.
Jane had also told her the revolution was gaining momentum in the Interior. A squadron under Captain Mavrone had attacked and crippled a mobile column of the Neapolitan army just days before.
‘Captain Mavrone? Are you sure?’
Carina’s intervention was so sharp that Jane stared at her. ‘I was with Baroness Riso yesterday. Her husband may be in prison, but she knows everything that’s happening.’
‘So this is where you’re hiding.’ Paulo’s voice startled Carina as he sauntered through the door. ‘I have good tidings! Pietro’s bringing a bottle of wine to celebrate.’
‘Has Garibaldi landed?’
‘Enrico is home and under house arrest.’
‘That’s wonderful news! When was he released?’
‘Yesterday, I’m told. I’ve sent a letter to Ella by the night packet. I don’t suppose your audience with Scalia had anything to do it?’
‘How is he? Have you seen him?’ Carina felt a burden lifted off her.
‘The house is under heavy guard and no one allowed near. On the square, Carina – what did you promise the old goat in order to persuade him?’
Pietro brought a lantern and tray, which he set on the table. He poured out two glasses of chilled wine and Carina took a sip before she answered.
‘I told him Enrico was innocent. Prince Scalia may be more benevolent than we supposed.’
‘Nonsense!’ Paulo turned down the corners of his mouth. ‘Scalia has no dealings with clemency – but I’m glad to say we’re rid of him for a few days. The king’s finally lost patience. Sicily’s to have a new governor and Scalia is summoned to court. He departs for Naples tomorrow.’
It was almost too good to be true, Carina thought, Enrico was out of prison and Scalia about to leave for Naples. It had turned out better than she dared hope.
‘How long will he be away?’
‘Long enough for us to make our escape. We’ll cross over to Naples as soon we hear he’s on his way back. Our ships will pass in the night …’
‘I’m not leaving Palermo.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘I want to stay and take part in the revolution.’
‘Don’t devil me, Carina! You’re no more of a revolutionary than I am. If you want to stay, it’s for another reason entirely.’
‘What are you saying?’
‘You’re in love with Captain Mavrone.’
Carina had taken a gulp of wine and choked as she swallowed. Spluttering and gasping for breath, she grabbed a napkin, holding it over her mouth as Paulo went on.
‘When I heard of your abduction I wrote to Enrico. He replied that you were safe and there was no need for concern. I thought it strange at the time. It was only when I returned to Palermo and learned you saved Mavrone’s life that I rumbled you.’
Carina was too confounded to answer. She gazed at Paulo and he lowered his head so their eyes were on the same level.
‘It’s true, isn’t it? Mavrone kidnapped you and you fell in love with him. That’s why you want to stay in Sicily.’
‘You’re not as brilliant as you think you are.’ Carina found her voice at last. ‘Captain Mavrone did not abduct me. He rescued me from the brigands—’
‘And left you in the care of Stefan and Greta Bosco for over a month.’
‘Precisely; until I was strong enough to return home.’
‘Balderdash! I haven’t forgotten Baron Riso’s reception—’
‘Desist this minute, Paulo! I entreat you!’
‘Then tell me the truth.’
Darkness had fallen and shafts of light beamed down from upstairs windows. The cicadas began their nocturnal chatter and soon they must go in for dinner. This was a conversation they would never have again. Paulo had known all along, Carina thought. There was no point lying to him now.
‘If I trust you with my heart, you must promise not to betray me?’
Her cousin nodded and leant forward, his intent gaze on her face.
‘I was happy with Ben, happier than I have ever been in my life.’
‘I knew it!’ Paulo punched an arm in the air. ‘The first time I saw you, I said to myself: there’s a girl after an adventure. You’ve exceeded all my expectations.’ He paused, a frown furrowing his brow. ‘Even so, you can’t remain in Palermo alone. It’s far too dangerous.’
‘I’ve been offered refuge in the consulate. Jane Parsons will act as my chaperone.’
‘And what happens if Garibaldi’s defeated?’
‘His army won’t be defeated—’
‘Garibaldi doesn’t have an army!’ Paulo expostulated. ‘The Thousand, in their red shirts, are doctors, lawyers and heaven knows what else – but they’re not trained soldiers—’
‘The Sicilian patriots are well equipped and will fight alongside them.’
‘And how many are they? Three, maybe four hundred, at the most? They don’t stand a chance against a Bourbon army of twenty-five thousand. Mavrone might be killed. Have you thought of that?’
Of course she had. How could she know if Ben would come through alive? The only thing she knew for certain was that she must stay in Sicily. Carina had never told anyone of her premonitions. She was glad to have helped save Enrico, but if she tried to explain to Paulo, he would think she was out of her mind.
‘I’m not staying only because of Ben Mavrone,’ she answered after a moment. ‘I truly believe in the cause. The Bourbon regime is evil. How can you remain immune to their cruelty and tyranny?’
‘Because, despite the government’s failings, I’m a realist. If your revolution is successful, which is unlikely, what do you hope to achieve?’
‘The liberation of Sicily from bondage and oppression! You can’t remain neutral, Paulo. Not now, when it’s all about to begin!’
‘There’ll be bloodshed and countless lives lost – and, when it’s all over, we Sicilians will carry on as we did before. We have a long history of invasion and learnt to live with occupation. You should have followed my example and kept out of it.’
Passive fatalism lay at the heart of Paulo’s nature, Carina thought. She couldn’t change him any more than he could pretend to be someone he wasn’t and she waited for him to go on.
‘What about Prince Scalia? How do you intend to deal with him?’
‘I’m not in danger, if that’s what you mean.’
‘Not at present, but Scalia plays a long game. He never forgives those who outflank him.’
It was a timely reminder and Carina remembered then what she should have before. Prince Scalia had made his move and would expect her to respond. She couldn’t afford to be complacent.
‘We must convince the authorities I’ve left Palermo with you.’ She rubbed her forehead hard, speaking her thoughts aloud. ‘You’ll book two berths on the ferry and register one in my name. After you’ve gone, I’ll go to the consulate and disappear from sight. Scalia will believe I’m in Naples and no one will suspect that I’m here. Please, Paulo! I can’t give over on this.’
A gong rang from upstairs and Paulo came to his feet. ‘You realise Nonna will murder me?’
Paulo was waiting by the door and Carina hurried over and laid a feverish hand on his arm. ‘It’s up to you to reassure her! Say that, as a British citizen, the consul advises me to place myself under the protection of Her Majesty’s government. He’ll be responsible for my safety and she’s not to worry.’
‘And how do you propose we prevent Papa informing Scalia of your whereabouts?’
‘You must blackmail him! If he breathes a word to Scalia, Gabriella will tell Nonna he broke his promise to her. He forced me to meet with Scalia, who interrogated me most cruelly.’
‘Hang it all, Carina! I never knew you were so ruthless. No wonder you always get your way.’
‘Not always—’
Carina broke off, unaware Paulo was watching her and that her expression changed, bringing sadness and uncertainty to her eyes. There was a time she believed that she could achieve anything she wanted. No longer. Ben was her nemesis and a ragged pain tore at her heart.
‘Tell Nonna from me that if she’s not back in Palermo by the summer, I’ll come to see her in Naples.’
‘With Ben Mavrone in tow, no doubt.’ Paulo grinned and covered her hand with his own, pressing it against his arm as they went inside. ‘The rascal will give you a run for your money – but if he’s in your sights he doesn’t stand a chance. Do you know, I feel sorry for the poor chap already?’