The Mermaid Garden(35)
“It’s more than that. It’s magical.”
“I’ve seen plenty of houses like this, you know.”
“I bet you have.”
“In fact, our home in Portofino was very similar.”
“Shame your father lost it.”
“It’s not really a shame at all. It’s hard work looking after a house that size.”
“Not if you have people to look after it for you.”
“Well, of course we had staff. Lots of staff.”
“This is where I met Dante yesterday,” said Floriana dreamily.
“He’s clearly not coming.”
“Oh, he’ll come.”
“I think we should go home now.”
“You’re scared.”
“I’m not. I just don’t think it’s very cool hanging on to these gates like a couple of stray dogs.”
“If he doesn’t come, we’ll scale the wall.”
“In our dresses?”
“Not a problem. We can take them off.”
Costanza was horrified. “Take them off!”
“Yes, take them off and throw them over the wall, climb up and put them on when we get to the other side. Simple.”
“You’re joking.”
“No, I’m not. Come on, I’ll show you.”
Floriana skipped off carelessly, leading Costanza along the boundary she knew so well, following the line of the wall until they reached the part where it had crumbled, making it low enough to climb. “If we sit on top, we can see into the gardens. They’re really beautiful.”
“I don’t want to climb it. If I get a hole in my dress, Mamma will kill me.”
“Take it off, then.” Costanza watched, appalled, as Floriana stepped out of hers and stood naked but for a pair of white panties, worn to a grim shade of gray. She still had the body of an eight-year-old. Costanza, on the other hand, was more voluptuous and already had the beginnings of breasts.
“I’m not doing that,” she protested as Floriana did a little dance to torment her.
“I feel liberated not wearing any clothes. Come on, it’s fun!”
“You’re too old to be dancing around without anything on.”
“Fine. Don’t then.” Floriana stopped dancing and tossed the dress over the wall with a whoop of laughter. “There it goes! Hope there’s not a dog on the other side!” She proceeded to climb up like a little monkey. Once she was on the top she sat there proudly, smiling down at her friend. “I’ll give you a hand. Come on!” Costanza reached up and took it. “Put your foot in that hole to lever yourself up.”
She did as she was told, and slowly, with great care and anxiety, she joined her friend.
“I can’t believe you did that,” said Costanza hotly, smoothing down her dress. “If anyone sees you!”
“Who’s going to see me?”
“I am,” came a deep voice from the other side of the wall. Floriana looked down to see Dante holding her dress up for her. “I’m not looking,” he said, shielding his eyes with his other hand. With a hoot of laughter, and not a bit embarrassed, she took the dress and stepped into it, pulling it up over her shoulders. “Can I look yet?”
“Of course you can,” she replied, buttoning it up. “There’s nothing to see anyway.”
Costanza was blushing to the roots of her hair, imagining the horror, had she been foolish enough to copy her friend and toss her dress over the wall. It was bad enough being caught climbing into his property uninvited.
“Who’s your friend?” he asked, settling his lofty gaze on Costanza.
“Costanza Aldorisio,” Floriana informed him.
“Don’t I know your parents?”
“Yes,” Costanza replied.
“Conte Carlo Aldorisio?”
“Yes.” Her voice was little more than a whisper.
“Well, don’t stand up there all morning. Let’s get you both down.” He reached up his hands, which Floriana took without hesitation, and helped her jump onto the grass.
Costanza was shy and took his hands with a rush of mortification. He was so handsome, she didn’t blame Floriana at all for having fallen in love with him. She had never seen anyone as good-looking in her entire life. She jumped down, aware for the first time of how heavy she must be in comparison to Floriana.
“So you’re little Costanza Aldorisio,” he mused, grinning at her. “We’ve met before, but you wouldn’t remember—you were too small.”
“Really?”
“You came here with your parents.” She nodded dumbly. “Do you spy on us as well?”
Costanza’s blush intensified. “No. Not me. Just Floriana.”