"You're talking about yourself." Of course she is.
She shrugs. "I'd like to think I'm worth more than some piece of land."
"It's seventy acres."
"Still…."
I study her for a long moment before getting to my feet. I cup my palm around her cheek and she looks up at me with those huge eyes.
"You're worth more than seventy acres, Violetta, which is why I won't let anyone else have you."
And that's a big fucking problem.
Before she can respond with excuses I don't want to hear right now, I turn and leave the room.
TEN
Violetta
After only a coupleof days of self-imposed isolation, I'm starting to tire of being alone. That surprises me. At first I enjoyed the stillness. Witnessing Olivia's meltdown and Damiano's reaction unsettled me. I have some sympathy for both of them, but I doubt either would welcome my pity.
With so much family drama going on, I didn't want to get in the way. Now I'm feeling awkward about injecting my presence into their lives once more.
Damiano hasn't come to see me since I took to my room.
I'm not sure whether he regrets telling me I was worth more to him than the land he'll acquire if we marry. Perhaps he fears I'll ask him to explain what he meant. I dismiss that thought. Damiano isn't a man who'll let me force him into discussing his motivations.
It's hard not knowing what he's thinking, though, because if I could believe he cares for me just a little, that would make this whole situation more palatable. I'm not saying I'd be happy to marry him, but I'd be less frightened of the prospect.
The only person I've seen is Lina, who's been bringing meals up to me, along with various books she thinks I might like. I'm coming toward the end of a crime thriller where I'm pretty sure I know who the murderer is when there's a gentle knock at the door. I set the book down and go to open it for Lina, who's balancing a tray on one hand.
"Good morning, Violetta." She comes into the room and places the tray on the dressing table. There's my usual espresso, a couple of my favorite pastries and a glass of orange juice. "How did you sleep?"
"Very well, thank you," I say as I sit on the stool at the dressing table.
She smiles, but then a perplexed frown creeps across her face. "You can't stay in here forever, you know."
I could try.
"I know, but I'd prefer to until things have calmed down."
Lina smiles. "You'd be waiting a long time for that to happen, but you will have the place to yourself for a few days."
"Really?"
"Yes. Damiano is escorting Signorina Olivia back to New York. She's getting married." Lina purses her lips. "In a few days."
Shock reverberates through me. "So soon?"
"When these men decide on something they don't hang around."
Like Damiano,I think to myself. Once he decides on something, he acts. Has he already made arrangements for our marriage without consulting me? As I ponder that, I realize Lina said I would have the place to myself.
"What about Lorenzo?" It feels safer to focus on him.
"He's going to New York too."
"Oh? Has he recovered?" When I saw him lying on that bed, he looked incredibly pale.
