Venice in the Moonlight (22 page)

“Yes, I want you to understand what you are agreeing to, and only then will I operate. Go home, discuss the procedure, and truly think about what you may give up if something goes wrong. At the very least, it will be what little eyesight you have now. At the most, it will be your life.”

Nico sighed and rubbed a hand across his face. “I will be back shortly.”

“If you decide to have the operation, come back in six months.”

“Six months? Why so long?” Was this a way to get more money out of him? If he offered more, would the doctor see him sooner?

“This is a decision that should be made with your brain and not your heart. Come back in six months,” the doctor said firmly.

Nico gave in. “Fine, expect us in April.”

Once settled in the carriage they had lived in the past few weeks, Nico pounded his head against the back of the bench. “I should not have taken no for an answer. Maybe we should try again.”

Raul stilled Nico’s hand on the door handle. “Let’s return home and do as the doctor asks. What is six more months compared to the rest of your life?”

“That’s easy for you to say. I just . . . I just want to be someone she can be proud of.”

“I assume you speak of Signora Gatti. From what I’ve observed lately, you already are.”

“Then why didn’t she respond to my letter? Maybe . . . maybe she only feels sorry for me. It wouldn’t be the first time.”

Raul patted Nico’s leg. “That is not the case here and you know it. And you also know that you don’t need this operation to make a better life for yourself. When you were sixteen, I said I would be your eyes and the offer still stands. Instead of reading the gaming cards for you, I could be reading documents and books.”

He knew the old man was right. He owed so much to Raul, and yet Nico treated him worse than a servant at times. That would change now. He could make something of himself, make a difference in the world, and maybe even be a proper husband and father.

“For the longest time, pride and anger ruled my world.” Nico paused. Though he meant his next words, they still stuck in his throat. “With your help, I would like to make a new life.”

arietta pulled her cape tighter and snuggled down into the fur lining. Today was a true taste of the winter to come, and the piazza in front of the Palazzo Ducale was nearly deserted. She supposed she looked crazy to the few who scurried by her. For the past four weeks, she had spent each day painting until her fingers were too stiff to hold a brush. She had finished Nico’s portrait and the fountain scene where Nico and the children had their water fight. Now, she was sketching Doge’s Palace, her favorite building on the island.

It settled her mind to keep busy. When she was done painting for the day, she wandered the narrow streets of her childhood. Usually, she ended up at her family’s church. She didn’t bother to speak to the addled priest. Instead, she sat in a back pew and prayed to her mother and father. Slowly, peace was replacing the distress in her heart, though the pain from Nico’s absence still gnawed at her.

She bent her head over her sketch and frowned. The second story arches weren’t in proportion to the arches on the ground floor. She would have to start over.

“Kitty.”

Her charcoal stub clattered on the table. Fear held her head down, but then courage lifted it up, and there he was. Though only a month had passed, Nico seemed to have aged. A new sense of maturity emanated from him. He stood taller and even more self-assured—and his glasses were absent. Though she was close enough to see the lack of color in his eyes, it was his long dark lashes that held her gaze.

“Nico.” His name came out more clipped than she had intended, but then she reminded herself that he was the one who had left without any explanation. Though her heart wanted her to jump into his arms, for once she listened to her mind. She picked up the charcoal stub and squeezed it until her fingers protested in pain.

“Rosina said I might find you here.”

She nodded. “I’m starting a new painting. The palace.”

He skimmed a hand through his hair and let out a long breath. “Kitty . . . please . . .”

He didn’t get to finish. A frantic Bella appeared across the piazza. She ran toward them and grabbed her brother’s arm. Tears wet her cheeks, and stray locks of hair fell loosely around her face. “Oh, thank goodness I’ve found you! Raul didn’t know where you had gone. You must come. Hurry, before it is too late.”

His eyes widened at his sister’s frantic state. “My God, Bella. What is wrong? Is it Mother?”

“No, Casanova. Oh, he will die if you don’t come.” Bella’s chest began to heave as fresh sobs overtook her.

“Cas can take care of himself. I’m not interested in whatever trouble he has gotten himself into now.”

“Nikki, please. He has been challenged to a duel. You know he has no skill with a pistol.”

Marietta wrapped an arm around Bella. There had been enough death. “Where is the duel taking place?”

Bella gave her a grateful look. “Savorgnan Gardens. We were at the opera last night and a former lover saw us. He ignored her, and I guess she was offended. She told her husband that two nights ago Cas forced himself on her.”

Nico’s forehead crinkled and he shook his head. “It is not in Cas’s nature to force a woman. He would consider it poor sportsmanship. But it is quite possible they were together. I told you he cannot be faithful.”

“The woman is lying.”

Nico let out an exasperated sigh. “You are too trusting.”

Bella crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “She is lying, and I know this to be true because he has been with me every night since you left.”

To Nico’s credit, the only reaction he gave to this news was a twitching muscle in his clamped jaw. When he was able to speak, he asked, “Is Consul Smith acting as Cas’s second?”

“Yes, but he is English. The Foscari name will hold more influence than a foreigner. Nikki, you must save your friend. Please, for me.”

When Nico finally nodded his agreement, Bella collapsed with relief in Marietta’s arms.

“I will try to stop it for you, Bella. I am not doing this for Cas.”

Bella grabbed his cheeks and kissed him. “You have always been stubborn, but I love you anyway. Now, we must hurry.”

“Kitty,” Nico said. “I’m—”

She cut him off. “We can talk later.”

He brushed her cheek with the back of his knuckles. “Will you wait for me at my apartment?”

Images of the last time they were there went through her mind. It took her a moment to find her voice. “Yes, I can do that.”

But as Nico and Bella hurried off, Marietta decided on a different destination. Since duels were illegal, a certain justice in the palace might be of some help, and she didn’t mind threatening him with what she knew to get it.

asanova and the husband of his former lover were loading pistols when Bella and Nico arrived at the Savorgnan Gardens. Following tradition, Consul Smith and the man’s appointed second were in heated negotiations. It was their duty to barter a peaceful resolution. If that failed, they were to ensure the dueling men followed the rules.

“For God’s sake, Cas, you just can’t stay out of trouble.” Nico clapped him on the back. The sour odor of his friend’s fear mixed with the sharp smell of wine. “Are you drunk?”

Casanova stiffened under Nico’s hand. “So, you have finally returned to us. And yes, I have been drinking, not that it is any of your concern.”

Nico frowned. “If it doesn’t help your aim, then it should be
your
concern.”

Casanova waved the gun in the air. “I doubt I will survive, but all I have to my name is my honor. I will not admit to a lie.”

“Well, for Bella’s sake, let’s see if we can keep your honor—and your life—intact.”

He strode over to the seconds to assess the situation. It only took a few moments of listening to realize the negotiations weren’t going well. Before he could offer his counsel, the husband called for silence.

“No more talk. It is time for action.” The man walked a good thirty feet away from where Casanova stood and motioned to his second. “Drop the handkerchief on the count of three.”

The second coughed and then said in a shaky voice, “One . . . two . . . three.”

Nico couldn’t see the handkerchief fall, but he heard Casanova’s flint strike when his friend pulled the trigger. He leaned forward, his body tense, and awaited his friend’s fate.

he sharp crack of a fired pistol met Marietta and the justice at the gates of the Savorgnan Gardens. Less than a split second later a resounding reply sounded.

“We’re too late!” Marietta grabbed her skirts and took off at a run.

She found Casanova sprawled on the ground with a sobbing Bella draped over his chest. Nico was trying to remove her while Consul Smith looked for the source of the dark wetness that was quickly seeping through Casanova’s clothes. The Consul undid his friend’s coat and shirt but saw no gaping wound.

Marietta took Bella from Nico to get her out of their way. “Come. Let the men tend to him.”

Nico bent over Casanova’s body. The smell of alcohol was stronger than when he had first arrived. He shook his friend by the shoulders. “Cas, can you hear me?”

Casanova’s eyes fluttered open. “Nico? Is that you? Am I alive?”

“For now. Did you have a wine bottle in your pocket?”

A sheepish grin spread across Casanova’s face. “It was liquid courage, my friend.”

“That’s what the shot hit. He probably isn’t even wounded. And I’m not your friend.” Nico stood and kicked him in the side.

Casanova sat up with a wince. He pulled up his shirt and felt along his midsection. Then he looked up and pointed a finger at Nico. “But I saw your face. You didn’t want me to die.”

“Of course not. Then I would have to deal with Bella’s grief.”

Bella detached herself from Marietta and threw herself on Casanova. The lovers kissed passionately, oblivious to those around them.

Nico turned away, though instead of the usual disgust, his face showed only a slight scowl. He reached for Marietta’s hand. “I don’t think I’m needed anymore. Will you walk with me?”

They walked in silence, eventually arriving at his apartment. While Nico built up a fire, she looked out the French doors. She touched her fingers to her lips and thought of their first kiss in this same spot. She hugged her arms. Despite him leaving her, she longed for his touch that made her head spin, her heart melt, and her blood boil. His soft voice broke her trance, but she didn’t go to him. For the next few moments, she needed her mind in control, not her body. She had questions, and she prayed he had the right answers. “Why did you leave me?”

“I’m sorry I did not tell you. I went to France on personal business.”

She took a step toward him. “Business you cannot share with me?”

He shook his head. “No, it was more that I wanted to . . . surprise you.”

She took another step. “You’ve been gone a long time. It had better be a grand surprise.”

He held out his empty hands. “I did not return with what I had hoped for.”

“And what was that?”

He sighed heavily. “My sight.”

His words stunned her into silence.

“There is a doctor in Marseille who has been successful in restoring sight in cases like mine. I went to see if he could help me.”