The sands of summer slowly seeped away with each hour, and Floriana and Dante spent as much time together as they could. When she met Costanza at La Magdalena, they’d sit and chat, and Floriana would share the details of her romance, which delighted Costanza, not least because she knew how much it would annoy her mother, were she to find out.
Costanza had won a few admirers of her own. There was tall, dark, brooding Eduardo from Rome; fair, blue-eyed Alessandro from Milan; and handsome Eugenio from Venice. But no one was quite good enough for the countess. She had her eye on the biggest prize of all. Because of this, Costanza couldn’t help but divulge the truth to her mother, although she knew that in so doing, she would put her friend’s romance at risk.
They were in the back of the car, returning home from a lunch party where Eugenio had taken Costanza into a corner and talked to her for most of the afternoon. Costanza rather liked Eugenio. He was quiet and intellectual, with a sweet smile. His family were well known and established, living in a beautiful palazzo in the center of Venice. But this did not seem enough for the countess.
“Mother, I’m very young,” Costanza said. “I have years ahead to meet the man I’m going to marry. Can’t I just have some fun like Floriana?”
The countess flinched at the mention of Floriana. “How is she having any fun?”
“Because she is in love with Dante.”
“Really, that’s absurd.” The countess laughed scornfully.
“Actually, you’re wrong. He’s in love with her, too.”
“You can’t be serious?”
“I am very serious. They’ve been seeing each other all summer.”
“But she’s a child.”
“He’ll wait and marry her when she’s older.”
The countess gnawed at her thumbnail. “I’d have thought a young man like Dante would go for something a little more sophisticated than a local stray.”
“She’s pretty and funny. I’m not at all surprised that he loves her; everyone loves her but you.”
The countess was stunned by the aggression in her daughter’s voice. She had never dared speak out like this before. But the countess was a shrewd woman. She knew that fighting with Costanza would only push her away.
“Darling, I know she’s pretty and funny, and you’re wrong about me disliking her. I’m only protecting you, as any mother would do in the same circumstances. Look what fun you’ve had with Giovanna this summer. Do you think you would have enjoyed all those parties if you were still attached to Floriana? I don’t think so. You and Giovanna share a deep bond because you have so much in common. You have nothing in common with Floriana anymore, except memories, which you must treasure because they’re special. But you must also be savvy enough to look forward to your future. I like Eugenio very much. He’s a delightfully charming young man and a nice escort for you. If you want to be friends with him, you have my blessing. I only want your happiness.” She took Costanza’s hand. “And I only want you to have what you deserve and nothing less.”
Costanza was suitably wooed. “I know, Mamma, and I’m grateful.”
“I’m old now, I don’t have to think about myself. I wake up every morning and think, what can I do for Costanza today?”
“You’re very unselfish.”
“That’s what motherhood is all about: putting one’s children above oneself. So, this romance between Floriana and Dante—is it really that serious?”
“Well, they are joined at the hip. They spend every available moment together.”
“And what do Beppe and Violetta think about it?”
“Giovanna says that her mother loves Floriana very much, as a daughter even, but that her father barely notices her.”
“Beppe would never allow his son to marry a girl like Floriana.”
“Perhaps they’ll elope.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Dante isn’t going to throw his inheritance away.”
“Giovanna says her brother is besotted.”
“Besotted he may be, but if his father is against the union , which I have no doubt he will be, then their plans are thwarted before they’ve even begun.”
“Poor Floriana,” Costanza sighed.
“It’s a beautiful love story, but it has an unhappy ending, as the best love stories do. She’ll get over it. She’s a strong girl. I suspect she’ll end up marrying someone in Herba and forgetting all about Dante. Really, it was a hopeless dream from the very beginning.”
“Can’t she go and live in Milan?”
“And do what? Stay with whom? Of course she can’t. I imagine that Dante will come to his senses once he is back in his world. Can you imagine Floriana in Milan? It’s unthinkable. No, this is a lovely summer romance, but it will end. It pains me to say it, really it does.” She put a hand on her heart and pulled a sad face. “I can’t bear to think of little Floriana suffering after all she has already been through, but it is inevitable. You would be a good friend to her if you were able to warn her.”