Costanza stared out of the window, feeling strangely melancholic. The night had been magical, and now it was over. She had never had such an enchanted evening in her life, and she was sorry that it had come to an end. Dazzling in diamonds, she had felt beautiful for the first time. Without Floriana at her side to eclipse her, she had found she had a light of her own and the confidence to shine. Giovanna had introduced her to all her friends, and she had felt part of the group and no less rich or glamorous; she had looked and felt every inch one of them.
Her mother was right. Floriana didn’t belong there, and Costanza knew that if she was to secure the future her mother wished for her, she would have to let Floriana go.
The countess noticed Costanza had gone very quiet. “Did you enjoy the party, darling?”
“I loved it, Mamma. I wish it hadn’t finished.”
“All good things come to an end,” said her father.
“And because of it good things will start. You’ll see,” added her mother, determinedly.
“Do you think so?”
“Of course, my dear. I have taken all the important telephone numbers. I’ll make sure that you are invited to all the grand houses in Tuscany.”
“Out with the old, in with the new,” said the count, thinking of the new contacts he had made and the business opportunities they might give him.
“I think this summer is going to be very special, darling. A turning point for you now that you’re a young lady.”
“I felt I belonged tonight.”
“And, darling, you did belong. I watched you and Giovanna and thought how very like sisters you are.”
“She’s my best friend.”
“Indeed she is, and I can’t think of a nicer friend for you.” Floriana’s name rested unspoken on both their lips.
Dawn was seeping into the sky when Dante and Good-Night walked Floriana back to her home on Via Roma. The stars were beginning to fade, the moon now as pale as a specter. The town was slowly waking, the odd Cinquecento rattling over the cobbles, dogs gathering outside the panetteria that smelled of freshly baked bread.
“So, this is where you live,” he said, stopping in front of the portone—the big wooden door that once opened to cars, but now remained firmly bolted. Floriana hesitated by the smaller door cut into it. She did not want him to come in and see the simplicity of her apartment, nor her inebriated father.
“This is it,” she replied. “Signora Bruno doesn’t like visitors.”
“You need to get some rest.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “I’m glad I found you, Floriana.” He kissed her again, not wanting to let her go, drunk on love.
“I must go,” she said, aware that her father could come weaving down the street at any moment.
“Come to La Magdalena today.”
“Perhaps.”
“Good-Night will want to see you. And so will I.”
“Then I’ll come with Costanza.”
She slipped in and closed the door behind her, leaning against it and shutting her eyes to hold on to the magic.
“So, you went to the party after all,” came a low voice from the stairs. It was Signora Bruno in her dressing gown, her wide feet squeezed into slippers. “You look like you’ve just been kissed by a prince.”
“What are you doing up at this hour?”
“I’m always up. I find it hard to sleep in the heat.”
Floriana ambled over, her hips swinging playfully. “I have been kissed by a prince,” she laughed.
Signora Bruno forgot all about her insomnia. “The devil strike me down,” she exclaimed. “Little Floriana, of all people!”
“I didn’t go to the party. I spied from the wall, and he found me.”
“He must have been looking for you.”
“I think he was.”
Signora Bruno chuckled. “Well, that’ll teach them.”
“Our love is too strong to keep us apart.”
“So, tell me. What does he look like?”
Floriana sat down on the step below. “He’s tall and fair-skinned, with pale green eyes, the color of a tropical sea.”
“Well, you must be in love if you see his eyes like that.”
“But I love his mouth the best, the way it curls at the corners, and when he smiles, it’s so wide, showing all his teeth.”
“So, you’ve just enjoyed your first kiss.” Floriana blushed and touched her lips with her fingertips. “I remember my first kiss. It was the nicest kiss I’ve ever been given. If I could put it in a box and take it out now and then, I’m sure I’d sleep better. It’s never like that again, you know. Innocence once lost is lost forever. Enjoy it while it lasts.”