Il Pane Della Vita (27 page)

They lived
at the formidable estate of Ciana’s father. Ciana taught Regina to run in the gardens and play with the statues. Enjoying her freedom, the young child ran and hid from her mother and nursemaid.

Fabri spent little time with his daughter and granddaughter, but he did appear in the dining room one cool evening. “Good evening Ciana. I see Regina is getting
taller. I suppose she likes to play.”

“You certainly wouldn’t know that. We’ve hardly see
n you all summer.”

“I had business in America. We are buying new companies every day. I wanted to let you know that your annulment came through last week.”

Ciana stiffened. “I didn’t ask for one.”

“You probably would not have been able to annul your own marriage, Ciana. I even had to get help from the bishop. I suppose it was a thankless errand, but maybe someday you will understand.”

“I suppose. By the way, I found a job in town. I’m going to work in a lab near the university.”

“You did not ask if I thought that was wise.”

“I don’t care what you think. You aren’t in charge of me.”

“If you had, I would have told you that one of your old beaus has expressed interest in you.”

“Old beaus?”

“You met him at one of my summer parties. I remember yo
u dancing with him. Martinus has mentioned you several times, but he dare not approach until your previous marriage was dissolved. He has been waiting for quite a while.”

“
Martinus? You mean one of your partners, don’t you? I danced with him at a party one summer when I was twelve.”

“He’s not a partner. He has his own company. It is very successful. That man had lots of energy. He tried to take over Busto Sistemi, but I was able to get him off our backs.”

“Oh my God, Papà. He’s
your
age. Did you promise me to prevent him from taking over the company?”

“He was always interested, dear. I am sure the takeover bid was just to remind me that he was still interested.”

“I can’t believe you gave me away to save your company, Papà. That’s worse than what Dante did by far. No, I won’t be a part of your game. And what about Regina? Was he even interested in her at all?”

“She will be in school in no time. I am positive he can get her the best nurse around to watch her. His house is massive, even bigger than this place. I am sure you will remember his qualities as soon as you see him again. He is dropping by for dinner this evening so be sure to look presentable.”

“I’m here to watch Regina while you’re at dinner,” said one of the help. “Your father wants you downstairs for cocktails as quickly as possible.”

“Please. I’ll go down when I’m ready and not before. I’m taking Regina because
Papà’s friend should meet her.”

“You’ll get me fired if you don’t let me watch her. I think you should go down, and if he is amenable to seeing her, I can bring her down.”

Ciana appeared in the sitting room a half hour later.

“Come, darling,” said Fabri. “Please sit down with Martinus and tell him what you are doing? He’s fascinated with science.”

Martinus took her hand and led her to a chair. “Do you remember me?”

He
was tall, but he was also fat. When he smiled at her, his front teeth look rotten. If he had as much money as her father touted, he could at least see a dentist. “Yes. I remember.”

“You have grown into a beautiful young woman.”

“I’m a mother.”

“I cannot
tell that you have had a child at all. Your father has probably told you that I asked for your hand several years ago, and he said he would tell me when it was time. Obviously, events did not make it easy for us to be together. I married another woman, maybe a year or two younger than you, and you married that scoundrel, Russo. Of course neither has worked out. Then out of the blue, your father says that you are available once more. I was the first one in line to remind him of our agreement.”

“What agreement is that?” asked Ciana. “I hope it’s not about your companies.”

Martinus sighed. “Of course not. I would never tie my love life to my company. It was more a gentleman’s agreement—some papers he and I signed when you were but twelve.”

“Wait. You two made up a contract?”

“Well, I guess you could describe it that way. We wrote up some papers and signed them. We did not have to seek a lawyer because my brother, an
avvocato
in a famous firm in Roma, was at the party and provided his services.”

“So you’re calling on my father to pay his debts.”

The ugly man sat and stared at her. Finally he said, “I can give you anything as long as you agree to be my wife. I am aware there is an age difference, but just think about the gowns and shoes you could have. Just think about the parties.”

“You want to marry me even though I don’t love you?”

“I truly believe you will grow to love me.”

“Is part of the contract that I do my wifely duties
when you request them?”

“I would expect you to act like a wife, Ciana. After all, you are getting almost everything I have out of this.”

“So you’re trading in everything you have for a good lay whenever you want it.” Ciana smiled in disbelief. “I would need to consult the contract. You must have considered that.”

“That was not in the contract, my darling.”

Fabri entered the room, and Martinus and Ciana stood. Fabri kissed his daughter’s cheek. “You have two weeks to have a dress made, Ciana.”

“I’m not leaving Regina.”

“Martinus? Tell her your plans for the young child.”

“She, of course, will come with you. We will all be a family. I have ponies galore for her to ride and lots of nooks and crannies for her to play in.”

The butler entered and announced that dinner was being served.

Martinus held out his arm to take her in.

The two weeks passed quickly. A dress was made for the bride, and a huge wedding at Martinus’ mansion followed. The groom beamed, and the bride held on to him. She had not eaten for days.

Finally it was over, and she was led to her bedroom, a lavish affair with beautiful lace and silk decorations. Suddenly Martinus appeared in her closet doorway.

“Why were you in the closet, Martinus?” she asked.

“You
r closet is attached to mine so we can meet in either room without the servants noticing.” His gelatinous gut hung over the waistband of his pajama bottoms. Can I help you with your dress?”

“Please, darling, could you get me some port and some aspirin. I have a terrible headache. The wedding was spectacular, but it took a lot out of me.”

“Yes, yes, straightaway.” He toddled back through the closets and returned with the port.

Ciana downed it with a sleeping pill in one gulp. “Thank you so much,” she said, pulling down the blankets
and climbing in before pulling them back up to her neck.

The old man
let his pants drop, and Ciana tried to look away. He caught her chin as he climbed in.
It
dangled like a sword in its sheathe. He flopped down on his stomach and pulled her under him, his rotting teeth cutting into her lips.

Ciana had that first night seared into her memory because no sleeping pill could take effect as quickly as her new husband supposed
ly found his target and ejaculated, which she later noticed as having happened on the sheets beside her.

E
nduring this twice a week for several months, Ciana actually grew accustomed to the old man’s presence and learned to dream and plan about what she would do the next morning with her daughter while he busied himself with the task at hand.