Smiling wistfully, Ariana thought of how they might help each other mend their broken hearts through the occasional coffee and easy banter. She would wait to tell him she was pregnant because it would be no concern of his. They could enjoy each other’s company, but that was all.
Though the thought saddened her, that was her reality.
Chapter 17
Rome, 1952
* * *
The cast and crew had just returned from the mid-August break for the Ferragosto holiday. When Ruby finished her stand-in tasks for the director for lighting and camera angles, she left the set. Nearby, she saw Audrey shuffling cards, waiting for her call. Her dark eyes lit with delight when she saw Ruby.
“You looked so lovely up there, and I appreciate your patience,” Audrey said. Today, they wore the same costume—a light-weight blouse and skirt.
“I’m learning so much,” Ruby said. “It’s exciting.”
“I know you’re going to be a famous star someday,” Audrey said, setting the playing cards aside. She picked up a fan to alleviate the blistering heat. “And how was your holiday?”
Ruby perched in a canvas chair next to her. “We went to Lake Como.”
“We?” Audrey’s voice dropped to a whisper. “You mean, you and Niccolò?”
“We had such a wonderful time,” Ruby said, nodding. She would love to tell Audrey that she and Niccolò had married, but she’d promised her new husband that they would inform his parents first.
This weekend.
In the meantime, Niccolò was staying with her in her room at the pensione. He’d told his mother he was staying with a friend near the filming locations.
Audrey’s gaze slid to Ruby’s neck. “The necklace,” she exclaimed. “Did it break?”
“It comes apart, remember?” Ruby touched the silver pendant. She’d tucked it beneath her costume for the scene, but it had slipped out now. She smiled. “Niccolò is wearing the other half.” She was bursting to tell Audrey about their wedding, but she couldn’t.
Audrey’s eyes widened. “You’re going steady. That’s what they call it in America, right?”
“Actually, it’s more than that,” Ruby said, tempted to confide in her.
Audrey took her by the shoulders. “You’re engaged!”
Laughing, Ruby could only shrug off her guesses. She’d promised Niccolò.
“I knew that necklace would bring you luck,” Audrey said, hugging her.
“You have no idea how much luck,” Ruby replied.
Audrey’s eyes flashed with delight. “Oh, don’t tell me that you…”
“I can’t, not yet. I promised Niccolò.”
“I want to hear all about it as soon as possible,” Audrey said, her eyes sparkling with delight. “And I want to come to your wedding.”
At that moment, Mr. Wyler called for Audrey, who scooted off the canvas chair with her name on it and hurried to her spot.
Ruby stayed to watch the principal actors go through the scene several times. She studied how Mr. Wyler orchestrated each scene, the way the actors delivered their lines, and what the director asked from them. Ruby rested her chin in her hand, analyzing everything on the set.
Her life was perfect. She was doing what she adored with the man she loved. Ruby felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
The week of filming flew by, and Niccolò promised his parents that they would join them for supper on Friday.
After the end of filming on Friday, Niccolò walked with Ruby to her pensione. He squeezed her hand. “I can’t wait to tell my parents about us tonight. They’re going to be so happy.”
Not wanting to jinx the evening, Ruby smiled. But inside, a whirl of anxiety churned. She couldn’t help but feel that his parents might not be as thrilled as Niccolò thought.
* * *
Later that evening, Ruby sat beside Niccolò at a table in his parent’s kitchen, clutching his hand.
“Niccolò, would you hand me a knife for the parsley?” Carolina asked as she adjusted a flame on the stove. The sweet aroma of sautéed garlic filled the air.
Niccolò sprang to help. Niccolò had also chopped garlic, and Ruby had grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. “Here you are, Mamma.”
Carolina was preparing artichokes for carciofi alla Romana and pancetta for spaghetti alla carbonara. She quickly chopped a handful of parsley.
Glancing back at Ruby, Carolina smiled. “I love having you two in the kitchen. You’re welcome here anytime, Ruby.”
“I’d like that,” Ruby said. She loved being part of this family. Carolina was already treating her like a daughter, fussing over her and telling her she should eat more.
Niccolò whispered to Ruby and took her hand. He couldn’t keep their secret a moment longer. They had planned to tell his parents after supper, but Niccolò was too excited to wait.
“Mamma, Papà, please sit down for a moment,” Niccolò began, smiling at Ruby. “We have important news to share.”
Wiping her hands, Carolina sat down, tugging her husband, Dante, into the chair beside her. “What is it, Niccolò?”
Ruby’s pulse was pounding so hard she pressed a finger against her temple to hide the vein that throbbed whenever she was nervous. She was so anxious she could hardly breathe.
Niccolò squeezed her hand and faced his parents. “When Ruby and I went to Lago di Como, we decided that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.”
Carolina beamed at her son. “You want to get married?”
Ruby noticed that Dante looked less enthusiastic. She slid her free hand under the table and fidgeted with her cotton skirt.
A wondrous smile wreathed Niccolò’s face. “We couldn’t wait. The priest at the church in Varenna married us.”
Carolina exclaimed. “Already?” She pressed a hand to her throat, clearly conflicted. “I’m happy for you, I am, but you could have had such a beautiful wedding here.”
“It was beautiful, Mamma,” Niccolò said, rising to hug his mother. “Think of how much money we saved, eh, Papà? For Valeria’s wedding. You know she wants a big wedding.”
Dante nodded reluctantly. “So, you did this without speaking to your family first.” Gesturing with his hand, he shook his head. “Young people. I don’t understand.”
His wife jabbed him. “We are happy for them, Dante. We have a new daughter in our family.” Carolina held out her arms to Ruby.
Ruby fell into Carolina’s tearful embrace. Niccolò’s father followed with a perfunctory hug. Ruby knew he was disappointed, but he seemed to accept their marriage. Would her parents feel the same way? Just thinking about them made her nervous.
“We will have a huge party,” Carolina said, her eyes lighting with excitement. “And I know the perfect flat for you. A friend is moving soon. But of course, you’ll stay here until then.”
“Wait,” Niccolò said, raising his hand. “There’s more.”
Ruby dreaded what he was about to say. Seated at the table again, she wound her hemline around her fingers and rocked slightly.