‘Signorina, there’s a gentleman to see you.’
It seemed she had only just gone to sleep when Nella opened the shutters.
Carina rubbed her eyes. ‘What time is it?’
‘Seven o’clock, ma’am. A gentleman called earlier, but I sent him away.’
‘Did he leave his name?’
‘No, ma’am, not even a card.’
‘Please inform him that I don’t receive visitors before ten o’clock.’
‘But he left his horse with Gino—’
‘Then kindly ask Gino to stable his horse and instruct the gentleman to return later.’
Nella’s expression implied she would rather resign than do any such thing and Carina reluctantly sat up.
‘All right, then ask your husband to tell him. Where’s Pietro anyway?’
‘He’s in the courtyard talking to the gentleman.’
‘Please pass on my instructions. And I’ll have my coffee while you’re about it, thank you.’ Carina watched as Nella scuttled out of the bedroom. What did Ben think he was doing, disturbing the household at crack of dawn? Not only was Gino obliged to provide for his horse, he was passing the time of day with Pietro! Whatever next? She wouldn’t be surprised if he ordered breakfast while he was about it.
Carina had gone to bed upset and woken up fractious. She was in no mood to be hurried and it was past ten o’clock when she walked into the sitting room. Ben was sitting in an armchair, reading an old newssheet and came to his feet as she entered. He returned the newspaper to the rack and Carina noted he wore the same red shirt and breeches as the night before. She hoped he was sorry, but there was an air of confidence about him and in the way he spoke.
‘The newspapers fail to give Garibaldi the credit he deserves. We were on the brink of disaster at Calatafimi – and he alone saved us from defeat. The general was accidentally hit by a rock and shouted the enemy was throwing stones because they’d run out of ammunition. It wasn’t true, but he gave us the courage to make a final assault.’
Carina made no comment and walked past him out onto the veranda. Opening her parasol, she descended the steps and heard Ben’s boots crunch on the gravel behind her. She walked on to where a statue of Venus presided over a stone bench scattered with cushions and sat down.
‘How very enticing.’ Ben glanced up at the naked goddess as he joined her. ‘Do you receive all your visitors in such charming company?’
‘Only those I wish to talk to in private. What brought you here at such an unearthly hour?’
‘I was afraid you might not receive me after madam’s performance last night.’
‘You’re right. Is she your lover?’
‘How could you possibly think such a thing?’ Ben’s eyes creased at the corners as he smiled. ‘A woman addicted to glory and gunpowder is hardly my type.’
She had forgotten how handsome he was with laughter in his eyes. Ben’s smile melted her heart. Carina desperately wanted to believe him, but she was guarded.
‘Why didn’t you come to find me before now?’
‘Our intelligence indicated you had gone to Naples with your family. Besides, I had a few other things on my mind. Cannon fire and nights without sleep can make a man forgetful. What other excuses can I think of?’
‘That you no longer care for me?’ The cloying scent of carnations filled the air and a bee buzzed close by her head. Carina waved it away. Ben thought for a moment before he answered.
‘I’ve missed you, sweetheart. Life’s been very dull without you.’
‘Even in the midst of revolution?’
‘Even then. I heard you were wounded in action?’
‘A bullet grazed my arm. It was nothing.’
‘May I see?’ Carina undid the buttons of her cuff and pulled her sleeve up above the elbow. The wound had left a small scar and Ben’s finger passed gently over the bruise. Then he took her hand, turned it over and pressed his mouth to her palm.
‘You’re an exceptional woman, Miss Temple. Has anyone ever told you so?’
Ben was about to make a declaration! For one mad, fleeting instant Carina was convinced of it. She saw the flame in his eyes and held her breath before he caught her in an embrace that sent the parasol spinning to the ground. Bending her back over his arm, he kissed her like a man starved. With her head on his lap, he slid one hand across her collarbone and his fingers dipped inside her bodice. Warm, swimming giddiness enveloped her, and Ben kissed her until the sky was no longer blue but a million different colours. When he raised his head, the light was so bright she put a hand over her eyes to shield them. Ben helped her into a sitting position and picked up her open parasol, shaking off the dust before he gave it to her.
‘Shall we go inside?’ His voice was hoarse and a ribbon of sweat slid down Carina’s spine. There must be somewhere they could go! There were too many people downstairs and rest of the house was shut up. Ben would have to come back later when Pietro and Nella had gone home. Carina straightened the neckline of her dress. When she answered, her voice was as strained as his. ‘You said you wanted to speak to me.’
‘I hoped we might converse somewhere more comfortable.’ Ben opened her hand, circling her palm with his fingers. ‘I want to talk about the next few months. Garibaldi intends to invade the mainland while the momentum is with him.’
Carina wondered what he was leading up to. She wasn’t interested in Garibaldi’s plans for the future. Her only concern was for them.
‘I would like to take care of you, Carina. When the army moves on, I want you to stay in Palermo.’
Carina rested the handle of her parasol on her shoulder to shade her face from the sun. From the recesses of her mind came the memory of Ben making her leave Monteleone. She had begged him to let her stay and he had been implacable. It was different now. She was an independent woman and could do as she wished.
‘I’m going to ride for Garibaldi with Greta Mazzini. I’m as good a horsewoman as she is.’
‘I know you are, but Greta has a husband to look out for her. Stefan’s in the rear guard while my duty is to lead every charge beside Garibaldi. I can’t be responsible for you.’
‘I’m not asking you to be responsible. I can look out for myself.’
‘The campaign ahead is far more dangerous than anything we’ve encountered so far. We might be defeated and driven back. You must stay in Palermo so you’re safe.’
He made it sound as if it was for her sake, and happiness drained out of Carina. Moments before, she had been confident. She had even imagined Ben was going to propose. He had raised her hopes only to dash them. Enrico was wrong, she thought. Ben was the same as ever and nothing had changed. ‘On what terms do you propose I stay?’ She asked, breaking the silence at last.
‘I hoped we might continue as at Monteleone. I’ll return to Palermo as often as I can.’
‘Are you asking me to be … your … your mistress?’ It was a difficult word to get out. Ben wanted her, but not enough to take her with him. He needed her, but not enough to make a lasting commitment. Even if he loved her, it wasn’t enough to give up his precious freedom. And if he didn’t love her, what kind of woman did he think she was? Her heart told her any kind of arrangement was better than none. She must stay close to Ben. To lose him again would be unbearable, but her brain reminded her of the past. He’ll make love to me and then leave, she thought. I can’t let him do this to me. Where’s your pride, Carina Temple?
She fought a hard, swift battle with herself and stood up.
‘I’ll not be your mistress, Ben. I had no choice at Monteleone. Now that I’m a free woman, I respect the code of morality that society demands.’
‘You’ve always broken the rules and been proud of it! What’s happened that you no longer have the guts to follow your instincts? “I had no choice …”’ Ben’s voice seared with scorn as he mimicked her words. ‘You wanted me as much as I wanted you – and you still do. Damn your code of morality! Where was it when you were in my bed?’
He was so angry that Carina thought Ben might pick her up and shake her. Hot words rushed up and she flung them at him, not caring that they hurt. ‘You’re the one who’s a coward! You don’t dare to love and that’s the truth! You haven’t the guts to risk your wounded heart.’
They were standing so close Carina saw Ben flinch as if she had struck him. There was a flash of pain in his eyes before his lashes dropped and she turned on her heel and started back towards the house. Halfway there, she broke into a run. As she came to the steps, Ben caught up and grabbed her by the arm.
‘I pledged to marry you if you were carrying my child. It doesn’t appear to be the case, but I’ve been faithful all the same. What a bloody waste of time!’
Neither of them had noticed the two figures on the veranda. Ben released her and as Carina looked over his shoulder she saw Enrico with another man, standing under the awning in the shade. They must have heard every word and she blushed to the roots of her hair. She had forgotten Enrico was to call today and wondered vaguely who was with him. Looking back at Ben, the anger of moments before had vanished from his face. He was amused by her embarrassment and she glared at him. Then, mustering as much dignity as she could, she lifted the front of her skirt and went up the steps.
‘Good morning. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.’ She sounded breathless as she held out her hand to Enrico.
Enrico saluted as Ben appeared and he touched the back of his hand to his forehead.
‘I’m glad to catch up with you, Captain Fola. The general has a staff meeting at three o’clock and requests your attendance.’ Ben walked over to Carina and bowed. ‘Thank you for the tour of the house and garden, Miss Temple. I shall report to General Garibaldi on the state of your property. I’ll see myself out.’
With that he was gone and Carina was left speechless, staring after him. She tried to collect herself as Enrico presented his companion and then sank deep into a chair. She had no interest in the Englishman and did not trust herself to speak. Staring into the middle distance, she let the two men make conversation.
‘You may recall we met at the reception last evening, Miss Temple.’ Mr Barrow’s voice distracted her. ‘You were kind enough to say I might have a transcript of your poem.’
She remembered him now. He was the correspondent from The Times. She was sure she never said any such thing, but Carina was in no frame of mind to argue. She rose and went over to the bureau. Searching among her papers she found an early draft, which she gave him. It no longer mattered what became of her poem. Mr Barrow could claim he wrote it himself for all she cared! The only thing she desired was to be left alone. Pleading a headache, she took the letter for Gabriella from Enrico and then rang the bell for Petro to show them out.