Page 53 of The Seven Sisters
Bel followed his pointing finger and saw the glinting red roof of an elegant building.
‘Is that not the Parque Lage?’
‘Yes, and the botanical gardens are quite stunning. But do you know the story of the house that sits within them?’
‘No, I don’t.’
‘Well, not so long ago, a Brazilian man fell in love with an Italian opera singer. He was desperate for her to marry him and join him in Rio, but she, used to Italy, did not want to move here. So he asked her what it would take for her to leave her beloved Rome behind. She told him that she wanted to live in a palazzo, just like the ones she loved in her own country. So,’ Gustavo said, smiling, ‘he built it for her. And she married him, and moved here to Rio, and she lives within the walls of her beautiful piece of homeland to this day.’
‘What a romantic story,’ Bel breathed before she could stop herself, then leant over as far as she could and looked down on the beautiful scene below her. Almost instantly, an arm came again about her waist.
‘Careful. I wouldn’t like to tell your parents that you fell off the top of Corcovado Mountain,’ he said with a smile. ‘You know, Izabela, that if I could, I would build you a house as beautiful as the one below us.’
Bel, still hanging over the edge, her face hidden from him, heard his words from behind her. ‘That is sweet of you to say so, Gustavo.’
‘It’s also the truth. Izabela . . .’ He gently turned her around to face him. ‘You must know what I’m about to ask you.’
‘I . . .’
Immediately a finger went to her mouth. ‘I think it’s better if you say nothing for the moment or maybe my courage will desert me.’ He cleared his throat nervously. ‘With your beauty, I understand that I am not physically what you deserve as your husband. We both know you could have any man you wished for. Every man in Rio is under your spell, just as I am. But I want to tell you that I appreciate more about you than your outer appearance.’
Gustavo paused, and Bel immediately felt she must answer him. She opened her mouth to reply, but again the finger came to her lips and he hushed her.
‘Please, let me finish. From the first moment I saw you at your eighteenth birthday party, I knew that I wanted to be with you. I asked your father to introduce me, and well,’ he shrugged, ‘the rest we know. Of course, we must both be pragmatic and accept that on the surface the liaison between us is one of convenience, since your family has the money and mine has the breeding. But, Izabela, I have to tell you that for me, this wouldn’t be a marriage built on those sad foundations. Because . . .’ Gustavo hung his head for a moment, then looked up at her. ‘I love you.’
Bel looked at him and saw the honesty in his eyes. Even though she’d known he would propose to her today, the words he’d spoken were more moving and genuine than any she’d expected. And she began to believe what her mother had said to her. She felt, ironically, a rush of sympathy for Gustavo, and guilt too, as she only wished to God she could share what he was feeling. It would make all the jigsaw pieces of her existence fit together.
‘Gustavo, I . . .’
‘Izabela, please,’ he entreated. ‘I promise I’m nearly done. I understand that at present you almost certainly don’t feel the same way about me. But I believe I can give you the many things that you need to flourish in life. And I hope that one day you can grow to love me, at least a little.’
Bel looked beyond Gustavo and saw that the other recent occupants of the pavilion had retreated from it and that they were now alone.
‘If it helps,’ Gustavo continued, ‘I saw Senhor da Silva Costa three days ago and he told me how much you wish to tour Europe with his family. Izabela, I wish you to go. If you agree that we will be engaged immediately and you will marry me after your return from Europe, then I will tell your father that I believe a cultural tour of the Old World would fit you out very well to be my wife.’
Bel stared at him, completely taken by surprise at his suggestion.
‘You are very young,querida. You must remember that I am almost ten years your senior,’ Gustavo said, as he touched her cheek. ‘And I want you to broaden your horizons, just as I was allowed to do when I was younger. So, what do you say?’
Bel knew she must answer quickly. What Gustavo was offering her was a dream come true. One word from him could give her what she desired most – the freedom to travel beyond the narrow confines of Rio. It came with a heavy price, but one she’d already prepared herself to accept anyway.
‘Gustavo, it’s very generous of you to suggest such a thing.’
‘Well, of course I’m not happy about it, Izabela. I will miss your presence every day, but I also understand that one cannot keep beautiful birds in a cage. If you love them, you must set them free to fly.’ Gustavo reached for her hands. ‘I would obviously prefer to show you the sights of Europe myself. In fact, I had considered taking you on a European tour as our honeymoon. But if truth be told, at this moment in time I simply don’t have the finances to fund such an adventure. And besides, my parents depend on my presence here. So, what do you say?’ He looked at her expectantly.
‘Gustavo, surely your parents and Rio society will not approve of this idea? If I’m to be your fiancée, shouldn’t I be here with you in Rio until we are married?’
‘In the Old World from which my parents come, it’s quite common for a young lady to undertake a cultural tour before she settles down to marriage. They will accept it. So,queridaIzabela, don’t keep me waiting any longer. I can hardly bear the agony.’
‘I think . . .’ Bel took a deep breath. ‘I think that I will say yes.’
‘Meu Deus. Thank God,’ he said in genuine relief. ‘Then I can give you this.’
Gustavo reached into an inner jacket pocket and pulled out a battered leather-covered box. ‘The ring inside is a part of the Aires Cabral heritage. Worn, so the story goes, by the cousin of Emperor Dom Pedro when she became engaged.’
Bel gazed at the flawless diamond, set between two sapphires. ‘It’s beautiful,’ she replied honestly.
‘The stone in the centre is very old, cut from the mines of Tejuco, and the gold is from Ouro Preto. May I place it on your finger? Just for size,’ he added hastily. ‘Because of course, I must accompany you back home and ask your father formally for your hand.’
