“But Jesus—”
He lowered his voice. “You are right, Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, but unfortunately Beppe Bonfanti hasn’t yet learned that lesson.”
Floriana remained alone in the little chapel. She buried her face in her hands and tried to feel God’s presence, but she felt nothing other than her wet cheeks and leaden heart. Was it really impossible for them to be together? Could something as trivial as wealth keep them apart? For a moment she felt defeated. Beppe Bonfanti rose up before her like a giant, his dark and powerful figure standing firmly between her and the man she loved. Father Ascanio’s kindly face floated in front of her eyes, shaking his gray head helplessly. It seemed everyone was against her. But then the gentle countenance of Violetta shone through the dark and smiled at her with motherly love. Surely, she would give them her blessing? Perhaps she could even persuade her husband to give his?
Clinging onto this small flicker of hope, Floriana dried her eyes on her skirt. It wasn’t fair that she bear this misery alone. She would tell Dante what Father Ascanio had said, and he would reassure her and kiss away her fears. Everything would be all right; she just knew it. Father Ascanio was doing what he thought was right, but he was ignorant of the circumstances. He was unaware of the strength of the love they felt for each other. Her spirits lifted once more as she reasoned with herself; her heart had survived against all odds, she wasn’t about to let Beppe Bonfanti crush it now. If Father Ascanio had taught her anything, it was that all human beings were equal in God’s eyes—she was as precious as everyone else.
It was dusk when she reached La Magdalena. Good-Night rushed up the drive to greet her as the big iron gates opened to let her in. Trembling, she bent down to stroke him, burying her face awhile in his fur, composing herself as her fears now reared up to overthrow her again. She wandered up the avenue of cypress trees, where she had walked with Dante for the first time as a little girl. But she was too anxious to savor the smells of the garden, as they lingered seductively in the evening air.
Dante, who had been waiting for her, ran out of the house to meet her. When he saw her stricken face, he gathered her into his arms.
“What’s happened?” he asked.
Defeated by the strength of his concern, Floriana collapsed into sobs. She was too distraught to speak.
“Come, let’s go somewhere we can talk in private.” He led her through the trees and sat down beneath a tall umbrella pine. “Is it your father?”
Floriana shook her head. “I wish it was!”
“Then what is it?”
“Father Ascanio warned me that we have no future together.”
Dante was appalled. “He warned you what?”
“That we come from such different worlds, and I am so young, that it will end in September …”
“What does he know?” Dante was furious, which made Floriana feel a lot better.
“He said your father would never give us his blessing.”
Dante held her upper arms and looked deep into her eyes. “Listen to me, Floriana. No one is going to tear us apart. Do you understand? I love you. I’ll never love anyone else, ever. You leave my father to me. Don’t listen to Father Ascanio. He’s never been in love, so what does he know?” Floriana smiled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “There, that’s better. If he wasn’t a priest, I’d go and have it out with him in the square for meddling in what does not concern him.”
“He was only doing what he believed was right.”
“The world has changed. I can’t believe he thinks two people can’t be together because of their class. He’s an old fossil. Trust me, Floriana. You and I have a beautiful future together. So what if you’re young? You’ll grow up. It’s nearly your birthday.”
“The fourteenth of August.”
“How shall we celebrate?”
“I don’t care.”
“I do.” He got to his feet and pulled her up by the hand. “Come on. We’re getting out of here. I don’t want to see you sad again.”
“I’m better now.”
“Good. Don’t ever suffer alone, Floriana. Always come to me, because I’ll be here for you. Do you understand?” She nodded. “Now, where’s Good-Night? He’ll be very cross if we leave him behind.”
Floriana believed Dante when he said that they would always be together. If he loved her, then nothing could stand in their way, because Dante was the master of his own destiny. She pushed her fears to the back of her mind where they lay in shadow for the time being, ignored.