‘What about?’ she asks carelessly.
‘I must apologise for taking my leave of you so abruptly a
few days ago. Our encounter took me quite by surprise; it is, after
all, so long ago since we last met. In any case, I should very much
like to speak further with you.’
In her eyes there is both triumph and mistrust. ‘And what
might you want to talk to me about?’
‘You said that we shared something in common. I have
given much thought to your words.’ His glance moves to where her
small sister is gallivanting across the square with the other
children. Antonio draws a deep breath and closes his eyes, mentally
reciting a brief prayer.
‘Is it she whom we share?’ he asks very softly, making sure
his words reach no other ears.
‘I beg your pardon?’ she replies with evident amazement.
‘Is she you call your sister actually your daughter?’ he
persists, assailed by doubt as he sees colour rise to the woman’s
cheeks and her eyes begin to spit fire.
‘Listen, priest, had we not been standing here on this busy
square you would have got a slap in the face for that. Who do you
think you are? And where do you get such obscene ideas?’
If only the ground would swallow him up. Vivaldi is
mortified. What has he said? What has he done?
‘We once had a pleasant evening together,’ she continues,
prodding him in the tunic with her index finger. ‘We enjoyed
ourselves as most adults do on such a special night. But that does
not give you the right to nurture all kinds of weird delusions!’
‘Forgive me, lady, in all honesty, I beg your forgiveness. I
have spoken about this with no other soul. I had, myself, as good
as forgotten that evening.’
‘Forgotten?’ His words have wounded her pride.
‘Yes. I mean, no. I mean…’ Antonio resolves to hold his
tongue before he sinks any deeper into the quagmire, for every
word he utters feels like a millstone dragging him down further.
‘Do you think I give myself to anyone who chances along?’
213
197-248 Chapter 5.indd 213 22-11-2007 14:11:16