Ariana smiled with relief. “I’m so glad. It was hard seeing Nana Pat slip away like that.”
“My childhood went with her,” Ruby said. Patricia had always been the memory keeper of the family. Though Ruby remembered everything, her sister was the collector. Articles, photos, mementos.
Ruby thought about the safety deposit key in her purse. Please understand that this is only for Mari’s eyes. I’ll leave it up to you to decide the details, Ruby. And handle the inevitable fallout. Though Patricia’s instruction was specific, it was Ruby’s story to tell, wasn’t it?
Why had Patricia left this unfinished business? For so many years, her sister had thought it unnecessary—Mari was difficult enough. But now the letter that the executor had given Ruby raised more questions. Should Ruby be there when Mari opened the box, even though the instructions expressly forbade it?
Maybe her sister hadn’t been in her right mind at the time.
Ariana bent to the floor. “Is this what you were looking for?” She held an old, folded letter in her hand.
“Why, thank you, dear child,” Ruby said with relief. She tucked the brittle paper into her address book. For years, she had read that letter every evening. Now, just knowing it was with her was enough.
Ruby squeezed Ariana’s hand. “I think the house has come together rather well. Livia and Emilio have done a remarkable job. We can check out of the hotel in the morning. And how was your day?”
“Gia and I found some beautiful silks,” Ariana said.
“I’m so glad.” The moment she had met Alessandro on her previous visit, she’d thought of Ariana. Alessandro had just finished a meeting with the hotel manager, and Vera had introduced them. Ruby invited him for tea and told him about her desire to purchase Villa Fiori. Alessandro was handsome; he also had style, intelligence, and empathy.
“And did you meet anyone interesting?” Ruby asked mildly.
Ariana pursed her lips. “If you’re referring to Alessandro, yes.”
“And?” He’d been so charming. Ruby had mentioned Ariana, too. How could she not?
“No, Aunt Ruby.” Ariana rose abruptly. “I don’t need that kind of help.”
Ruby wondered what could have happened between them. Vera had confided in her that Alessandro was lonely. Maybe Ariana and Alessandro should have met under different circumstances.
“Let’s have a house welcoming party this weekend,” Ruby said. “Invite whoever you’d like.”
Ariana sighed. “I don’t know anyone here.”
“Let’s ask Gia and Vera and their families. Matteo, of course, and his family. And the attorney who handled the purchase,” Ruby added, tapping her address book. “We’ll have such fun.”
* * *
For the rest of the week, Ruby concentrated on filling Villa Fiori with new linens, plants, and artwork. Between Gia, Vera, Ariana, Livia, and Emilio, Ruby had a veritable army at her disposal, and she was pleased with how quickly the old villa transformed into a comfortable home.
It wasn’t perfect, of course. Dishes had a few chips, the cutlery and glassware were mismatched, and the pipes and paint had seen better days, but Ruby loved it. It reminded her of another villa on the lake she’d visited so many years ago, which was the last time she’d experienced pure bliss.
Now, on this sunny Saturday morning, Ruby was organizing last-minute essentials. Livia had done a marvelous job of putting together a menu for the party.
“I’m off to buy wine for tomorrow,” Ruby said as she finished her light breakfast of cappuccino and a slice of rosemary bread slathered with local butter that melted into the fragrant bread. They’d planned the party for Sunday afternoon. Adopting a nonchalant attitude, she glanced at Ariana. “Would you like to come along?”
Ariana peered over the rim of her coffee cup. “Is Matteo taking you?”
“Alessandro is picking me up. Do come with us.” As soon as she mentioned his name, she saw Ariana bristle. She still wondered what had happened between them. Alessandro hadn’t said a word, and Ariana refused to talk about him. “We’re going to visit his friend, a wine distributor in Lecco, and have lunch along the way.”
As if on cue, a motorboat sounded outside. Alessandro cut the engine and moored the boat. He stepped off the craft.
Ruby rose and opened the door to the terrace. “Come in for a coffee,” she called out, feeling Ariana’s glare on her back.
“Buongiorno.” Alessandro walked in, looking quite smart in linen trousers, deck shoes, and a blue twill shirt.
Ariana abruptly stood to leave the kitchen.
Ruby cleared her throat. “Aren’t you going to say hello to Alessandro?”
Ariana threw him a begrudging look. “Fine. Hello again.”
“I hope your design work is going well,” he said, his face lighting at the sight of Ariana.
“It’s fine,” Ariana shot back. “And how are Paolina and the children?”
Ruby noted that Ariana’s voice had a sarcastic edge that took Alessandro by surprise, What’s wrong with her? Ruby wondered.
“My sister is doing well; thank you for asking. She’s looking after the children today.”
Ariana’s eyes widened. “Paolina is your sister?”
“Our father left the business to us, so we co-manage the silk factory.”
“I thought…” Ariana’s face reddened, and she turned away.
At once, Ruby realized what had happened. “Paolina is such a lovely woman, and she’s so good with the children. I would think some people might mistake her for your wife.”
Alessandro chuckled and glanced at Ariana. “Maybe they do.”
“I think I have work to do,” Ariana mumbled, sloshing coffee into her cup.
Ruby ignored her. “And I can only imagine how difficult it must be raising children on your own.” Why was Ariana continuing to be so rude to him?
Ariana paused with the ceramic creamer in mid-air.
“These last two years have been tough, but life goes on.” Alessandro spread his hands. “They’re good kids, thanks to Serafina.”
Ariana put the creamer down with a thud on the tile counter. “So you’re divorced,” she spat out in an accusatory tone.
Ruby saw Alessandro’s forehead crinkle. “Forgive my niece,” she said, appalled at Ariana’s behavior. “As Americans, we can be frightfully direct. And sometimes we forget our manners.” She sent a piercing glance toward Ariana, who should have known better. What on earth was wrong with her today? This behavior was beyond hormones. Ruby knew the difference.
“My wife, Serafina, died two years ago last week,” Alessandro said quietly. “It was a painful shock, but our little children, Sandro and Carmela, were hurt the worst.”
“It’s hard to lose the people we love,” Ruby said gently. “Perhaps we should go now. The fresh air on the lake will do us good.” She glanced back at Ariana. “And I will see you for dinner.” Without giving her niece the chance to change her mind, Ruby swept off with Alessandro.
As Alessandro helped her into his boat, she said, “What a beautiful craft. I remember these.”
“It’s a vintage Riva yacht,” he said. “This beauty is from 1951. Took me several years to restore it.”