“Why didn’t you tell him I was in San Zenone? He might have driven down to look for me there.”

“He wanted to talk to me. I was alone. Rosa and the children had gone to weed the vegetable garden. I didn’t know what else to do. If only I hadn’t fallen asleep.”

Nico nodded, his gaze still fixed on Selva. “What sort of questions did he ask?”

“They were about before. The orphanage I grew up in. The reason I went to school in Venice rather than Padua.” And then, lowering her voice to the merest whisper, “He frightened me. He stood so close. And he said things . . .”

“What did he say?” Nico’s voice was hard. Unfamiliar. And still he did not look up at her.

“He wanted to know why you picked me. He said I wasn’t pretty enough, and I didn’t come from a decent family, and I didn’t have any money. So it must have been for . . . other reasons.”

Nico nodded, and then he got to his feet and pulled her up, his hands ever so gentle. “Once again I must ask you to forgive me.”

“But I’m the one who fell asleep. If I’d been awake there’d have been time for me to hide.”

“I won’t go far again, not without making sure my father is here with you. I promise I won’t.”

She smoothed her hands over his back, as much to calm herself as him. “Why do you think he came today? It’s been months and months. I’d hoped he would never return.”

“As did I. He must be feeling rattled—they all are. Florence was liberated on Friday.”

“So the tide is turning at last?”

“It is, and Zwerger’s attempts to frighten you are a sure sign that he’s panicking.” Nico pulled out a chair, sat down, and lifted her onto his lap.

She cuddled close to him, loving the certainty of his embrace. “Do you think the war will be over soon?”

“Not soon, no. Another year, maybe more.”

“As long as that?”

“Yes. And it makes me wonder if now might be the time for me to take you to Switzerland.”

She sat up, pushing away so she might see his face properly. “No. Absolutely not.”

“You wanted your father to take you.”

“That was before. Before I had you, and our baby, and our family. If you take me to Switzerland I’ll be alone.”

“You’ll be safer there.”

“I couldn’t bear it. If Zwerger comes back I promise I’ll hide. No more naps in the courtyard. At the first sign of a car on the road, I’ll run upstairs. I promise I will.”

“It would be better if I stayed here from now on.”