It hadn’t occurred to me. I fear an expensive ring would make me feel even more like a fraud. A marriage of convenience, a live-in nanny who will carry his name and enjoy his protection. An employee with better andunusualbenefits.
“It happened quickly. He already gave me this,” I add, displaying my bracelet.
“Yes, well… There’s time enough for a diamond, but you are the picture of loveliness, my dear,” she gushes affectionately as she attaches my veil to the headpiece.
When she steps back, I study myself in the full-length mirror. Ifeellovely. The gown has airy sleeves that flutter when I move and exquisite pearl beading at the neckline. The back plunges low, but the full chiffon skirt is embroidered with ivy leaves of the palest green among all the bridal white.
Yet, this seems like make-believe, too, like I’m playing dress-up.
“You are beautiful, Mat. This is from me,” Maddalena says, handing me a gift-wrapped box.
“Oh! When did you go shopping?” I ask, delighted. We’ve been sticking close as much as possible. She’s been worried for me while I’ve been worried she might do something crazy in her concern over Giacomo.
“Primo drove me when you were taking your last final,” she replies.
Unwrapping the gift, my eyes promptly fill with tears. “This is like the version Papà would read to me when I was small.” I compare the bracelet Nico gave me to the wood nymph’s image in the storybook’s illustration. “They might be twins,” I murmur.
A rapping knock draws me out of the moment as Zeta answers. “Francesca! This is a surprise!” she cries. “Come in. This is Francesca Vicini, girls, the Don of New York’s wife but also my Caterina’s dearest friend.”
Introductions are made, and the stunning young lady with red hair is certainly every bit as friendly as I would expect from Caterina’s dearest friend. But I can’t help noting an uncomfortable tightening sensation in my chest. The Don and his wife traveled here for this occasion. My make-believe state is dissipating.
“Please, call me Frankie. I hope you’ll forgive me for crashing the party, but I’ve been so eager to meet you, Matilde. My cousins and Cat mentioned you often over the summer before Sofia,um… left. They told me you had moved here when we were together in New York for my reception.”
Over the summer after the horrible things that happened. Gia, Sofia and Cat who I may never see again. “Yes. Nico attended your reception,” I say, stating the obvious like a little fool and cringingwhen I recall her husband was originally engaged to Sofia. “I hope they are all well.”
Frankie’s smile dims a little, but the warmth in her blue eyes remains. “Gia and Cat certainly are. I don’t know if you’ve spoken to them lately, but Gia and Armando are getting married soon as well. At New Year’s.”
“Oh! That is wonderful to hear,” I exclaim, delighted for Gia to be with her true love.
“Did you choose the gown? I love the ivy leaves.”
Talk of the dress helps ease my growing distress, and Frankie raves over my bracelet. Maddalena mentions the storybook, and the three of us discuss the illustrations and the charm.
“I’m jealous. I didn’t get to choose my wedding dress.”
“Why not?” my sister asks.
“I didn’t think I’d be getting married that particular morning,” Frankie replies with a sly grin.
Zeta chuckles at the strange answer, saying she’s going to fetch the babies. She asks Maddelena to help her.
Once we’re alone, the Don’s wife’s expression turns unexpectedly serious. “Matilde, I understand how…difficultmen in the Trio can be and how few choices girls like us have.”
“Girls like us? Forgive me, but your cousin is Capo of the West. You are the Don’s wife. I am nobody, the daughter of a dead soldier who was not part of the Trio. It is an honor for a girl such as me to be chosen by a man like Nico.”
Even if he does not love me. Even if he barely tolerates me.
“No matter who your parents were, you are worthy of being chosen, and I hope Nico will prove himself worthy of you. Our situations werenot the same, I know, but my father was a traitor to the Trio. Believe me when I say, a year ago I never would’ve believed I would become Carlo’s wife, much less be glad of it.”
I regret my churlishness, murmuring as much.
“I don't know Nico well,” she adds, “but he seems an honorable man. Still, I know what it is to agree to a marriage versus it being something you wanted with all your heart. We could be friends, you know. You have your sister and Zeta, but if you ever needed a friend to talk to or wanted help from someone whose husband is powerful enough to change things, I'm here. And I hope this marriage is somethingyouwant.”
What do I even say? It isn’t fully, but maybe it is a little. “I agreed. I have hopes we might… in time… come to…”
My words trail off, foolish words of foolish hopes, and our conversation is cut short by Zeta and Maddalena returning with the twins, but my heart is pounding incredibly fast while my corset is feeling tighter by the second.
“Look how adorable they are!” Maddalena cries. She carries Amadeo who’s dressed in the cutest little baby version of a tuxedo, a dressy white onesie tucked into black pants with suspenders and a bowtie. His dark hair has been smoothed down with a comb, and his judgy little face betrays his extreme displeasure.
