Page 10 of Love Unraveled
Raimondo did as instructed and joined her at the door.
“Come in. I have some questions.”
Raimondo’s face was impassive. Despite his large size, Sophia did not find him intimidating. She knew what he was capable of, but he’d loyally taken care of her for too many years for her to fear his strength would ever be used against her.
“Raimondo, do you recall the plans Count Tessaro had for Gaston and me?”
“Si.”
“Can you tell me about them?”
He raised his shoulders, seeming puzzled by the question. “The count had arranged with Monsieur Lavigne to take you under cover of night.La Nymphewas to—”
“Sì, sì, I know about those; it is the others I do not. Did Gaston return after theLa Nymphewas destroyed?”
Raimondo looked from Sophia to Gaston and back again. Sophia did not look at Gaston. She kept her eyes on Raimondo, searching for the truth in his face.
“Sì,” he said slowly. “He spoke with the count the following morning.”
“And what happened next?”
His eyebrows came together, and he looked much like a perplexed eagle. “Next? Nothing.” Raimondo thrust his chin in Gaston’s direction. “He never returned.”
“And why was that?” Gaston stood and walked over to them. “Why did I not return?”
“Non lo so.You tell me.” Raimondo threw his shoulders back, bristling at the challenge in Gaston’s tone.
Sophia scowled at Gaston. “Silence! Do you want the truth or would you like to continue to spin tales with invisible threads?”
Gaston’s nose flared, but he remained quiet. Sophia turned her attention back to Raimondo, who was equally heated. They were like two bulls ready to charge each other. Men. Always ready to battle. The world should be run by women. It would be a kinder, gentler place.
“Raimondo, did the count make alternate plans for Gaston and me?”
“He sent me to check the harbor. There was no hope of escape from there. And the roads were blocked.”
“So you decided to turn me over instead?” Gaston took a step forward, and Sophia raised her hand to stop him.
“Did you turn Gaston in? Raimondo, did the count ask you to intervene and ensure Gaston was taken by the soldiers?”
Raimondo’s face said it all, and her growing apprehension slipped away. Raimondo could remain stone-faced, but he could not fake his emotions when they did surface. He was appalled by the accusation.
“No, la mia contessa,no.He would never do such a thing. Not to you. We were sent into the streets to look forhim.” Raimondo’s glance at Gaston was none too friendly.
Gaston guffawed unpleasantly.
“We risked ourselves for you,signore.” Raimondo glared at Gaston.
He was fuming, and Sophia put her hand on his arm to steady him. Raimondo angry was like a hungry bear, and she had no energy left to deal with him too. “Grazie, Raimondo,” she said quietly.
“What plan did the count concoct?” Gaston said it like he was throwing down a gauntlet.
Sophia sighed and squeezed Raimondo’s arm to let him know she believed him. It seemed to work, as the tension in his muscles eased somewhat.
“The count had no solution,” he said, looking at her. “He intended to leave Monsieur Armand atla casa dei bourbonfor another night while he worked on it. I went there to tell him to stay put until we had a plan, but was told he’d never arrived.” He looked to Gaston, who was frowning in disbelief, shaking his head from side to side. “We assumed you were hiding somewhere, so we waited for your return. When you did not show, we scouredVeneziafor you throughout the day and waited a second night. The count hoped you were temporarily waylaid.” Raimondo covered Sophia’s hand with his big paw. “By the third night, he knew he must tell you.”
Everything Raimondo said fit with her memory of those days. After three nights of waiting for Gaston, Carmine had called at the house, asking to speak with her in private. Her aunt had been more than anxious to accommodate his request, hoping he was there to court Sophia. Eventually, he would but not until years later. He did not tell her of the destruction of the boat or of Gaston returning to see him. He told her Gaston had disappeared. That he had looked for him but could find no trace. Carmine was a protector, and she could only assume he’d withheld information to keep her safe. In those days, it had been easy to say the wrong words to the wrong person and find yourself in trouble.
“Grazie, Raimondo, for then and for now. You may leave.”
