As he drove up the road to the gates of La Magdalena Good-Night began to bark. At first Dante thought he was excited to be home again, but then he saw Floriana’s familiar figure walking slowly up the hillside towards the gates. She was wearing a floral sundress, her feet in sandals, her hair loose about her shoulders, carrying a handful of poppies and a small canvas bag. He tooted the horn and she looked up, shielding her eyes against the sun. He waved and tooted again, stopping the car.
Good-Night leapt out and galloped down the slope to meet her, nearly knocking her over as he crashed against her legs.
In a moment Dante was gathering her into his arms and kissing her. “Where have you been?” he asked, burying his face in her neck.
“I went to find Costanza first.”
“She’s already here.”
“I suspected she was.”
He looked into her face. “Did she not invite you to join her?”
“I don’t care. Look at your fancy car!”
“Come for a drive?”
“I’d love to. I bet it goes really fast.”
“If it goes too fast, Good-Night might fall out.”
“Darling Good-Night.” She patted him fondly. “He became my best friend while you were away. Look, he’s going gray around the muzzle.”
“He’s getting old.”
“But he’s still agile and swift.” As if to prove she was right, he trotted up the slope to the car.
Inside it smelled of new leather, warmed by the sun. Good-Night jumped onto the backseat again, wagging his tail expectantly. Floriana slipped into her seat and ran her fingers over the wooden dashboard.
“It’s a stunning car, Dante.”
“Father bought it for me.”
“How generous of him.”
Dante grinned cynically. “Generous, yes. But he sees me as an extension of himself, so it’s rather like giving himself a new car.” He started the engine. It growled like a lion, then the car sped off up the road, leaving the gates of La Magdalena far behind. Good-Night cowered on the backseat as the car lurched forwards. Floriana laughed above the rumble and threw back her head as the wind seized her hair and tossed it about. After showing off its speed, Dante slowed down so they could talk.
“You were invited to the party last night,” he said solemnly.
“No, I wasn’t,” she replied. “But I don’t mind, really.”
“No, you misunderstand me. You were invited. Mamma sent you an invitation, but she gave it to the countess.”
Floriana grew serious. “You mean, there was an invitation for me all along?”
“Yes. I suspect the countess forgot to give it to you.”
“I bet she did,” Floriana replied in a tone that suggested she didn’t believe it at all. “That woman has never liked me.”
“She’s jealous, that’s all.”
“She looks down on me. But I’m used to it, and I don’t care. What harm can she do me?”
“She can’t do you any harm at all.” He took her hand across the gearbox. “You’re with me now, Floriana, and no one will ever hurt you again.”
Costanza was surprised when Floriana came down to the pool with Dante. She was suddenly beset with guilt, wishing she hadn’t been so fickle and unkind in excluding her.
“Look who I picked up on the road,” said Dante, smiling triumphantly. He wandered into the changing room to put on his swimming shorts.
Costanza hurried over to her, desperate to excuse herself. “I’m sorry, Floriana,” she said in a low voice. “I expected you to be here already.”
Floriana tossed off her apology with a shrug. “How was the party?”
Costanza frowned. “It was wonderful. I so wish you could have been there.”
“I was invited, you know, but your mother forgot to give me the invitation. Easy mistake.”
“My mother?” Costanza stared at her in disbelief. “Are you sure?”
“Perfectly. Signora Bonfanti said she gave it to your mother to give me.”
“I don’t understand. Then why didn’t she give it to you?”
“She obviously didn’t want me to come.” Costanza looked horrified, and Floriana took her hand to reassure her. “It’s okay, I understand. I’m not from your world, Costanza. I don’t blame you, but I won’t pretend I like your mother.”
“Do you want me to say something to her?”
“No.”
Costanza was relieved—the thought of confronting her mother terrified her.
“Leave it alone. It doesn’t matter anymore. What’s done is done.” Floriana smiled, and Costanza was pleased to see her fighting spirit restored.