With Alberto’s guidance and support, they finished the tree to the best of their ability, tracing down to Matthew and, despite themselves, also Luca. The tree had gaps, as was to be expected of a family lineage more than five centuries old. But overall, it did a spectacular job of conveying the message Sarah wanted to get across to Matthew: as a member of the D’Adamo family, irrespective of what might happen with the inheritance, he was part of a richly intricate history and had a significant role to play. Nonno Andrea tried to instil a sense of duty and respect for family, first and foremost, and this was Sarah’s way of ensuring that legacy continued.
Once their guests had retired to their rooms later that evening, Sarah decided it was the right time to surprise Matthew.
She coaxed him to the end of their bed. ‘Close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.’ A sly grin rippled across his lips as he did so, and Sarah was quick to correct his assumptions. ‘Nothing sexual. This is serious. Hold out your hands.’
‘Ok, ok,’ he obeyed.
Sarah lay the navy-blue mail tube containing the family tree across his palms. It had been a push for time, but with Margherita and Alberto’s help, Sarah had got it done.
His green eyes blinked open and stared down at the tube. ‘What are you up to?’
‘Open it.’
Matthew prised the plastic stopper from the end and tipped the tube into his hand, catching the rolled-up document. Turning slightly on the bed, he unrolled the paper and fanned it open on the bed covers. He froze momentarily, trying to make sense of the detailed web of calligraphy stretched before him. Across the top read: ‘Famiglia D’Adamo – Albero Genealogico’.
‘Oh my God,’ he said, turning to face Sarah. ‘How did you get this?’
She smiled humbly. ‘I made it.’
‘Youmadeit?’
‘For you. I wanted you to remember your place in the family; all that has come before you and all that will come after.’
Matthew’s eyes darted across her face and his cheeks stung. ‘Sarah, this is . . .’ He traced the box at the bottom of the tree containing his name. Above Matthew were his parents, and above them were Nonno Andrea and Alberto. And on it went. ‘How did you get all this information?’
‘I didn’t go to Florence today with Marghe to sort the advertising. That was done weeks ago. I arranged for Alberto to allow us access to your family’s documents, and Marghe helped me with the translating so I could piece it all together.’ Forlorn, she sighed, looking at the gaps they were unable to fill. ‘I tried my best.’
The marbled paper edge was a mix of green and brown inks, which matched the hue of the D’Adamo trademark eyes.
‘We have to frame this and hang it on the wall in the main hallway. I want everyone to see it. It’s incredible.’ He withdrew into himself for a moment, his eyes prickling with tears. ‘This is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me. I love it. So much. But I love you more.’ He leaned forward and pressed his lips tenderly against hers. ‘Thank you, Sarah.’
She accepted the kiss and brought her hands to the sides of his face. ‘I hope this helps a little,’ she eventually said when they parted.
‘It helps a lot.’
Looking at her ink-stained fingers, Sarah excused herself from the moment. She removed her watch and wedding band, leaving them on the edge of their shared desk. ‘Just give me a moment. I need to get this ink off.’ Then she ducked into the en suite to scrub her hands. ‘Hop into bed. I’ll join you in a minute,’ she called back.
As soon as the water was running, Matthew was on his feet.
There it was – her wedding ring.
Craning his neck to make sure she couldn’t see, he picked it up and rolled it over his thumb. It was plain and nothing to speak of. It was fine for the perfect stranger he had married all those months ago. But now, he felt thathisSarah was worthy of so much more. Knowing how important this original ring was to Sarah meant that it had to play a special part in his new plan. For the future.
He dropped it into the front pocket of his attaché case and secured the magnetised flap. Inhaling a long breath, Matthew smiled and returned to his previous position on the bed.
After their lovemaking, Sarah fell asleep in Matthew’s arms. He lay awake gently caressing the tip of her shoulder, and any memory of her ring on the desk quickly dissolved into the darkness of the night.
The morning brought with it a torrent of tears and questions as to the whereabouts of her ring. In the weeks that followed, she slowly gave up hope of ever finding it.
Matthew grounded himself deeply in his resolve.
trentacinque
Sarah caught Matthew’s arm as he entered the kitchen from the rear courtyard. ‘Where are you going?’ she asked, shutting out the cool November morning breeze.
‘I’ve swept outside. All the leaves that fell overnight are gone. You could eat off that courtyard. I think I’ll clean up around the pool where the marquees will go.’ He unbuttoned his coat and kicked off his boots. ‘Why?’
‘Change of plans,’ Sarah said.
