She had been born for this moment, Carina thought as she rode into San Giovanni. Her heart overflowed with pride for the men who had given their lives so that Italy might be free. The sacrifice made by Enrico and many others had achieved far more than unity. It had broken the bonds of slavery forever.
All the same, she was alert as she rode close behind the general. The Bourbon soldiers looked wretched, smoking cheap cigars and spitting into the gutters, but they were still armed. Carina’s hand rested on the stock of her revolver and the bodyguard hemmed him in until they reached the centre of the town, where Garibaldi rode forward and spoke from the saddle.
‘Soldiers, you too are the sons of Italy and are at liberty! Anyone who wishes to join my army may apply to General Cosenz. Those of you who want to go home may do so.’
This unhoped-for clemency was too much for the defeated men of King Francis. Their reaction was spontaneous. As they threw down their rifles and rushed towards the general, Carina thought they meant to pull him from his horse. She drew her gun to fire over their heads and then saw they were kneeling and trying to kiss his boots. Doors and windows were thrown open and people poured into the streets, cheering and shouting as they crowded around him.
Mothers held up their children to be blessed and an old woman dressed in black limped past with tears pouring down her cheeks. ‘Il nostro gesu Christo!’
‘Not quite … but it makes a change,’ a Genoese officer who rode beside Carina remarked drily. ‘Last week they called him the Devil Incarnate. Garibaldi won’t want his sanctity impaired by such earthly beings as a bodyguard, so we’d better make ourselves scarce. If we don’t find stabling in the next hour there’ll be none to be had.’
He was right, Carina thought as they rode up the narrow streets, making their way against a flowing tide of people. This was Garibaldi’s victory and his moment of triumph. There would be time later to offer him her congratulations. She twisted her neck, looking for Ben. She hadn’t seen or heard of him all day. The Redshirts had suffered minor casualties, but she would have heard if he was injured. There was no sign of Greta or Stefan either and she hoped he was with them.
The captain negotiated a price for livery and invited Carina to join him for supper in the square where the patron gave them a front table. His wife took her inside to wash and she wiped her face and scrubbed her hands, rolling up her sleeves to scrape off dirt and pieces of shot from her arms. It was stiflingly hot and she shook out her hair and tucked her cap into her belt. Then she went back to the table where two more members of the bodyguard had joined the party.
Spicy pasta was washed down with red wine. The food and company eased her fatigue, but Carina was restless. More than once she turned in her chair to search for Ben. The square was heaving with people, but he was tall enough to stand out and she couldn’t see him anywhere. Instead, her gaze alighted on Harry. He cut an eccentric figure in his green frock coat among the ragged uniforms of the Redshirts and Carina stood up and waved.
Harry saw her and came straight over. His face was flushed and his voice too loud. ‘Where were you last night? I thought I’d never see you again.’
‘There was no need to worry.’
‘We expected you to come back. I waited up until daybreak.’
‘I stayed the night at Garibaldi’s headquarters.’
‘Is it a habit of the general’s to offer hospitality to single ladies?’
‘Please keep your voice down!’ Aware of her companions, Carina tried to calm him. ‘I’m a member of the general´s bodyguard. There are other women besides myself.’
‘But not many who share his lodgings overnight!’ Harry made no attempt to lower his voice.
‘Well, now you’ve found me, why don’t you join us?’
‘I need to talk to you urgently. You must come with me this minute!’
Harry was insistent and Carina apologised to her comrades, trying to gather her strength as she left the table. Harry took her by the hand pulling her along. The brightly lit square was left behind and they walked through dark, narrow streets until they came to the town gates. There was no one about and through the archway Carina saw the coastline of Sicily with the setting sun tipped on the horizon. On any other occasion the view would have been spectacular, but she was alarmed by the wild look in Harry’s eyes.
‘This may be the last chance we have to talk – that’s if you carry on as you are—’
‘I thought you were coming to Naples!’
‘There’s something I must say to you, Carrie. I should have told you long ago.’
Carina’s eyes went sharply to Harry’s face. She knew what was coming and threw up her hands in an attempt to stop him.
‘I’m in love with you! Always have been but never had the courage to tell you until now.’
‘Don’t! You don’t know what you’re saying!’
‘You could love me – I know you could, if only you’d give me a chance.’
‘But I do love you, Harry. You’re my oldest friend.’
‘I don’t want your friendship. I want you to be my wife!’
Harry took her hands in his and bowed his head. His grip was so strong Carina thought he might break her fingers.
‘You’re hurting me!’ Her voice lifted in desperation. ‘I’ve tried to explain so many times! I love someone else—’
‘I don’t care what you’ve done.’ Harry’s arms went round her. ‘You’ve had your fill of adventuring, darling. Come home and marry me before I lose you to General Garibaldi or anybody else—’
‘I’m afraid that’s out of the question, Mr Carstairs.’
The sound of Ben’s voice gave Carina such a fright that she let out a cry. She wrenched herself from Harry’s embrace as Ben emerged from the shadows. He walked towards them and did not favour her with a glance.
‘You see, Miss Temple is already betrothed – to me.’
How she collected her wits Carina didn’t know. Harry was staring at her, his eyes glazed with shock and Ben’s tone was demonic.
‘You may deny our betrothal, Carina. But I hope you have the honesty to admit to Mr Carstairs you’re my mistress.’
Harry had gone white, his mouth tight beneath his moustache and his expression was so stricken, Carina thought he was going to faint. She reached for his hand and he flung her aside with such force she fell on her knees. With his arms by his sides, his hands balled into fists as he looked down at her.
‘Is this true? Are you this man’s mistress?’ he demanded in a cracked voice.
The lines on Harry’s forehead and around his mouth narrowed as he battled to keep control. Yes, she would tell him Ben was her lover! She was desperate for Harry to know – but not with Ben standing over her, forcing her to confess. The words stuck in her throat and Harry’s eyes slid away. He turned on his heel and stumbled towards the shelter of the streets. When he reached them, he clutched at the walls like a blind man. As he disappeared from sight, Carina leapt to her feet and turned on Ben in fury.
‘How could you be so cruel? Who do you want to hurt, Harry or me? Which of us do you hate the most?’
‘Mr Carstairs has a right to know the truth.’
‘I was going to tell him—’
‘I’m not surprised he’s so upset.’ Ben stemmed her words. ‘I couldn’t credit the way you pursued Garibaldi yesterday. Oh, the sweet poison of a woman’s charms …’
‘I didn’t know he would ask me to stay. I came to find you!’
‘It was perfectly obvious what you were after.’
‘Garibaldi behaved impeccably—’
‘Did he now? How very disappointing for you.’
Carina could feel the barely controlled violence in Ben. The steely glint in his eyes indicated how far he might go, but never in her life had she lacked courage. Not once, in all the time she had known him, had Ben admitted he was wrong. He hadn’t declared openly he loved her as Harry had done! Who did he think he was to defame her? She wanted to hurt him as much as he had hurt Harry and her voice filled with venom.
‘You said no commitments! Well, you needn’t have bothered! I never belonged to you and never will. It was lust – not love – that drew us together!’
Ben sucked in his breath and the side of his lip curled down in disgust. Carina saw in his eyes the same contempt she had witnessed before. In that instant she hated him. She hated him with a rage that made her want to smash his face with her fists. As she struck out, he caught her by the wrists and twisted her about. Carina kicked at his shins with her boots, shouting and swearing, as he pushed her ahead of him. When she dug her heels into the cobbles and threw her weight back, he jerked her arm painfully, not caring if he hurt her. This wasn’t the man she loved! She was at the mercy of a rough and cruel stranger. What did Ben mean to do? Where was he taking her?
‘I’ve arranged accommodation for us outside of town,’ he answered as if she had spoken aloud.
With only the moonlight to guide them, Ben made her walk in front until they came to a house lit by red lanterns. The windowpanes were stained scarlet and above the door was a sign: Senora Vacavi’s Establishment. There was a piano thumping inside and, through the thin net curtains, Carina glimpsed soldiers with scantily dressed girls. Ben had brought her to a brothel and her voice broke with rage.
‘How dare you bring me here?’
‘If you’re too tired to walk, I’ll carry you inside.’
‘I’m not going into that place!’
‘Tonight, for once, you’ll do as you’re told.’
‘I won’t go in, do you hear?’ Carina shouted. ‘If you try to force me, I’ll scream the place down! I hate you … you bastard!’
‘And a bastard’s what you deserve, Carina – not a great man like Garibaldi, nor even a pretty gentleman like Mr Carstairs.’
‘Damn you, Ben Mavrone! You’re a famous liar!’
‘Leave it now, both of you, please!’
Greta Mazzini’s voice came out of the night and Carina flinched in surprise. Ben released her and Greta stepped from darkness into the garish light. Carina saw a revolver holstered at her side and stared at her in bewilderment. How could Greta be here?
‘Stefan’s found lodgings. You’re staying with us tonight. He’s waiting with a wagon just over there.’ Greta faced Ben, her hand resting on the stock of her gun. ‘Shall we go? It’s been a long day.’
‘I’m sure Carina’s grateful for your hospitality, but I must decline.’
‘I’m sorry, Ben, but you’re coming with us.’
Greta’s tone was uncompromising. Carina glanced at Ben and saw the frightening glitter gone from his eyes. For a time the three of them stood in silence. Then he shrugged and set off in the direction indicated.
It was inconceivable Ben could be made to walk at gunpoint by his best friend, Carina thought as he led the way along a narrow path beneath the walls. Greta walked directly after him while she trailed last. When they came to the road, Stefan was waiting and squeezed her hand as he helped her into the back. Ben climbed up beside him and Greta on the driving board. They headed away from San Giovanni and down a bumpy track to a farm building, waiting outside while Stefan stabled the mule. As they went into kitchen, Greta unloaded her gun, dropping the bullets into her pocket.
‘Carina will sleep in my bed tonight. You can share with Stefan or sleep here, Ben; whichever you prefer.’
The smell of cigar smoke drifted upward as Carina followed Greta up the stairs and closed the bedroom door. She undressed, leaving her clothes on the floor, and slipped into bed before Greta blew out the candle.
‘How did you know?’ she whispered in the darkness.
‘Stefan was with Ben all evening. When Ben followed you and Mr Carstairs, Stefan came to find me. We were afraid this might happen.’
‘What are you saying?’ Carina was too dazed to comprehend her meaning.
‘We couldn’t let Ben do something stupid. We’re too fond of you both.’
‘Oh, Greta, Ben was brutal to Harry. And to me. I couldn’t believe it of him.’
‘Perhaps it was the only way for Mr Carstairs to accept the truth.’
‘He frightened me. I thought Ben had gone mad.’ Tears started in Carina’s eyes and Greta’s arms went round her.
‘Sicilian men are driven mad by jealousy. Why else do we have so many crimes of passion in our country? No Sicilian will let another man near the woman he loves.’
‘But I’m not his woman and he doesn’t love me.’
‘That’s where you are wrong.’
Greta kissed her on the cheek and lay down. Carina was dropping with exhaustion, her heart numb with pain. Nothing made sense anymore. She must wait until morning and then ask Greta what to do. Greta understood Ben far better than she did. Thank God for her this evening. Thank God for Greta and her good friendship.
White clouds scudded across a blue sky and Carina could hear the tinkling of sheep bells in the distance. The house was quiet when she woke up, so she assumed the others must have left already. Near the basin she found a note from Greta saying there was coffee in the kitchen and they would return later. Had Ben stayed here overnight, she wondered, or had he walked back to San Giovanni?
Carina tried to isolate in her mind the mistakes they had both made. She had failed to believe Ben when he gave her his promise. She was too impatient and Ben too quick to condemn her. She had underestimated Garibaldi and Ben had believed the worst of her. Hatred was the counter side of love, but it was Ben’s capacity for cruelty that hurt the most. He had wanted to humiliate her and would have done so if Greta hadn’t intervened. She still loved him, but the darkness in Ben was as impenetrable as the darkness of Sicily itself. How could they go on after last night?
First things first. She would have something to eat and then walk to town to collect her horse and find Greta and Stefan. She must report to Garibaldi’s headquarters and was bound to run into Ben. She wouldn’t have the courage to face him unless they were with her. Carina dressed and noticed that her holster was empty. She couldn’t remember where she had left her gun, but it must be in the house somewhere. She picked up her boots and carried them down the narrow staircase.
‘Good morning. Did you sleep well?’
Ben’s voice startled her and Carina looked around the kitchen. He was alone and she sat down at the kitchen table without answering. As she put on her boots, Ben poured coffee into a mug and placed it in front of her, along with freshly baked bread he must have brought back with him. Through the open door Carina saw his horse unsaddled and tied to a rail in the shade. Ben had been waiting for her.
‘Stefan and Greta dropped me in town early,’ Ben said, tipping his chair back in the usual way. ‘I called on Harry Carstairs and asked him to accept my sincere apologies. I said I was drunk and my allegations were totally unfounded.’
Carina took a sip of coffee. It was so bitter she almost spat it out. She could not rage at Ben now, but nor could she bring herself to meet his gaze.
‘Did he believe you?’
‘He said he hoped never to set eyes on me again. He asked me to leave before he had me thrown out. I don’t blame him.’
‘What do you want, Ben?’
‘I want to say I’m sorry. My conduct last night was unforgivable. There was no excuse.’
Her revolver was lying on the table. Ben picked it up and Carina watched as he broke it open. ‘So, she took your bullets too. Never let it be said Greta Mazzini is not thorough. You’ll need to get more ammunition.’
He put down her gun and Carina lifted her head to look at him. Ben was unshaven and there were dark shadows under his eyes. He hadn’t slept, she thought and waited for him to go on.
‘If Harry Carstairs proposes again, you should accept his offer. I was mistaken in my opinion of him. He will make a good husband.’
‘I hardly think you’re qualified to offer advice.’
The ghost of a smile touched Ben’s lips and then faded. Carina dipped the roll in her coffee and chewed it slowly. She was glad of the breeze coming through the window and took her time.
‘What came over you, Ben?’
‘I was jealous and lost control.’ Ben ran a hand through his hair, pushing it off his forehead. ‘I’m not a good man, Carina – not even a half decent one like your friend. I’ve hurt too many people.’
Carina studied the coarse grain in the wood of the table. It might help Ben to damn himself, but it wasn’t enough for her to forgive him and soft anger stirred inside.
‘How could you be so vile? What were you thinking?’
‘I was thinking you were a beautiful flirt who’d stop at nothing to get what she wanted. Me, Garibaldi, riding with the Redshirts – that it was all a game to you before you returned to your safe life in England. The fact I was wrong makes no difference.’
The low note in his voice brought Carina’s head up and Ben leant forward and put his elbows on the table.
‘We cannot change the nature of our souls. Even you, with your dogged persistence, won’t succeed in that endeavour. A better man than myself would have let you go long ago. Lord knows, I tried—’
‘I’ve one question,’ Carina interrupted. ‘Why are you jealous of Harry?’
For a long moment, Ben said nothing. When he finally answered, Carina sensed the effort it cost him.
‘Harry Carstairs can give you everything you deserve. He’ll make you happy and I will not. The time has come for us go our separate ways.’ Ben paused and drew a long breath. ‘I hope one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me.’
The finality in his voice hit Carina like a blow to the stomach. How much easier to fight in hot blood than with cold logic! They had both asked themselves the same question and Ben reached his conclusion. He articulated what he believed to be right – but she had vowed never to give up. She had fought so long and so hard. They couldn’t let it end like this! Ben could change. She could change. They could find a way back together.
Ben was watching her face and made an impatient gesture with his hand.
‘For God’s sake, Carina! You can’t make everything right with your bloody-minded tenacity. I’m jinxed. I’ve destroyed anyone who has come close to me and I will destroy you. I don’t mean to – but that’s the way it is. We’re going to put an end to this right now.’
‘I love you—’
‘I recall you saying much the same to Mr Carstairs.’
‘You were unforgivably cruel to Harry—’
‘And what about you?’
Carina did not reply. For as long as she could remember, Harry had been her steadfast friend. His only fault was in loving her too much. She wasn’t the person he believed her to be – but she couldn’t think about Harry now. Ben wasn’t jinxed! It was just another excuse not to commit himself. She must have faith. How could she convince Ben there was still hope – that it wasn’t too late for them?
Carina began to chew the nail of her thumb and Ben broke the silence first.
‘Harry’s devotion is such that he’ll forgive you anything. Marry him, Carina. For the first time in your life do what is right for yourself.’
‘And if I refuse?’
‘Then we’re both damned.’
Ben stood up and went to the window. He had his back to her and Carina looked down at her hands. With their callouses and torn nails, they reminded her of the lonely child and unhappy girl she had once been. She had exorcised her demons while Ben was still tormented by his. He wanted to save her from himself, but she would not help him.
Ben is the only man I will ever love, she thought. It doesn’t matter that I don’t always understand him. No human being truly understands another. I love him and can endure anything if he’s with me. Without him I am lost.
Carina breathed in to fill her lungs. Then she rose from the chair and walked across the room. Standing behind Ben she leant her head between his shoulder blades. The side of her face pressed into his back and she felt the tautness in his muscles.
‘It’s not my nature to do what’s right. You should know that by now.’
Ben turned slowly and looked down at her. ‘Have you been listening to a word I said?’
‘I’m prepared to take the risk.’
‘Then you’re out of your mind.’
‘Maybe so …’
‘I can’t promise never to lose my temper again. What will you do then?’
‘I will kill you.’ Carina answered with quiet force. ‘I don’t want to marry anyone else. I want to be with you.’
‘I’ve no desire to ruin your life, sweetheart.’ Ben’s gaze shifted over her shoulder. If she hadn’t known better, Carina might have thought there was someone standing behind her. Then his eyes came back to her face. ‘Above all, I want you to be happy.’
‘I can only be happy with you. I love you, don’t you understand?’
Ben looked at her so long and hard, the suspense was excruciating. How could she know what was going on in his head? Carina saw surprise and self-deprecation in his face; then something new to her, the look of a man resigned to his fate caught unawares by a last-minute reprieve. She was so tense she twisted a lock of her hair around her finger, tugging until it hurt.
Then, without warning, Ben went down on one knee. ‘Will you marry me, Carina Temple?’
He held out his hand and Carina thought he was joking. Looking into his blue eyes, she saw that he was serious and her breath came fast.
‘When?’
‘Tonight. Tomorrow. As soon as I can get a licence.’
‘By the devil, Ben Mavrone, you’re a hard man to pin down!’
‘Will you be my wife – for richer or poorer, for better, for worse and all that?’
‘Why?’
‘Why do you think? Because I’m in love with you, darling.’ Ben took hold of her hand and pressed it to his lips. ‘Are you going to keep me on my knees all day? For the last time, Carina Temple, will you marry me?’
‘I will.’
Ben stood up and pulled her to him. He held her so tightly she thought he would crush the life out of her, kissing her with a passion that made her dizzy. One hand was at the collar of her shirt and she clung to him, overrun with happiness and relief. By a hair’s breadth they had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat! Her love for Ben was invincible and Carina was ablaze with triumph. Whatever lay ahead, whether for better or for worse, they would be together. The man she loved was secure in her heart and she would never let him go.