I always thought you had ambitions to one day enter law school and that you stuck it out at Graves and Associates because you have the gift of a thick skin. You never let anything get to you. I, on the other hand, will cry as soon as I hear someone talking about me behind my back. I’ve always been so jealous of you!
Maggie has been jealous of me? I don’t remember her being pre-law. What happened to rattle her so much?
It hit Sabrina for the first time that her sister had flaws too.
Back to the fun stuff?.?.?. have you made plans to travel to Rome as of yet? I have many fond memories of the Eternal City. I can still remember how Brian gallantly came to my rescue after a thief attempted to steal my handbag near the Spanish Steps. Look at us now. We’re still together, seven years and two kids later. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your own future husband in Rome.
Lots of love,
Maggie
P.S. Always wear your handbag crossbody and be vigilant of pickpockets in crowded areas. They are especially sly.
* * *
Nora stood in front of the mirror smacking her lips together. Satisfied with her lipstick, she replaced the lid and slid the tube into her clutch handbag.
“Sabrina. Andiamo. We are going to be late if you take much longer.”
Sabrina rolled her eyes at Nora and shrugged on a maroon cardigan over her tea-length black lace dress. “I’m coming. The food stain was taking too much time to try and clean. Is this outfit all right? It was the first one I picked out of the closet.”
Sabrina glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She’d pulled her hair into a sleek, low ponytail to keep it out of her face.
Wish I’d left time to apply more makeup. At least I could quickly throw on all the bare essentials—concealer, eye shadow, mascara, and lip gloss.
“You are stunning inside and out, but for a spring concert, your colors are a little dark.” Nora opened the hallway closet door and reached inside. “Try this white blazer on.”
Sabrina tested its weight in her hands, slid the garment off the hanger, and replaced her cardigan. “It’s so light. I thought it would be heavier.”
“It’s linen.”
Sabrina winced. The blazer was obviously a piece of designer clothing and very costly. She made a mental note to try and keep it as pristine as possible.
Nora signaled for her to spin. “You still need a pop of color. The question is—emeralds, rubies, or sapphires?”
“I don’t want to be responsible for losing any of the Toscani family crown jewels. I’m already going to struggle with keeping this blazer clean. You’ve seen first-hand that I am forever bumping into things—a magnet for accidents,” Sabrina sputtered.
“Relax. The blazer is merely a piece of clothing. If it is soiled tonight, we can send it off to the dry cleaner. Capisce?”
Not really, but whatever you say.
“Second of all, you won’t be wearing any jewelry from the family jewel collection. It’s all safely stored away in the vaults of Isola Nostrum. Everything I have in the flat is my own.” Nora’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “It just so happens that I have a letter and small gift from Lorenzo.”
From inside the closet, Nora retrieved a navy-blue bag and white card. “I have it on good authority from Lucia that he’s sent you a necklace.”
Nora shoved the shopping bag into her hands. “Open the card. I’ve been dying to give it to you since it arrived yesterday, but I had a text message from Lorenzo that made me promise to wait until this evening. He knew we would be going out.”
Lorenzo finally sent a reply to my letter. I was wondering. It was odd to go from three weeks of nonstop flower deliveries to nada.
Sabrina crossed her arms. “Nora—”
Nora held up her hands. “I am an innocent bystander. Lorenzo picked out whatever is in the bag all on his own. The Spring Fling concert marks the opening of the Museum of Music’s performance season. He has a tradition of sending me a good luck token; this year, you’ve been included. My family rarely attends. Now please, open the card. We can only spare five more minutes.”
Sabrina’s hands shook. She touched the silky white satin bow and untied the knot holding the handle of the bag together. Inside was a card, a book, and a black velvet jewelry box. She reached for the card first and turned it over.
Red wax and the official lion seal of the Toscani family. Lorenzo’s crest is slightly different than Nora’s. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think his crest has a shell?
Careful not to disturb the wax seal, she opened the envelope and slid out two folded sheets of paper. Lorenzo’s letter, like hers, was handwritten in neat cursive lettering. She started to read.
