‘Yes, and I miss him very much now that I’m back here in Rio. So, now we must finish getting you dressed or you will be late.’

Bel stood silently as Loen helped her, knowing exactly why she’d spoken so honestly to her of her own love, but equally aware that the wheels were already set in motion for her marriage to Gustavo and there was nothing to be done.

Bel was at least comforted by the fact that the more time she spent with Gustavo, the more he endeared himself to her. He was attentive to her slightest need and listened with interest to every sentence that dropped from her lips. His genuine happiness that she had agreed to marry him made it difficult not to warm to him.

‘If he is no longer a ferret, then he is like a puppy dog,’ laughed Maria Elisa when the two friends met at a charity gala in the Botanical Gardens. ‘At least you don’t dislike him any longer.’

‘No, I like him very much,’ said Bel, wanting to add that that was hardly the point. She was meant to love her intended.

‘And I can hardly believe he’s allowing you to come to Europe with my family. So many men in his position wouldn’t countenance it.’

‘It seems he wants the best for me,’ said Bel guardedly.

‘Yes, it seems he does. You’re a very lucky girl. You will return to him, won’t you?’ Maria Elisa eyed her. ‘This engagement isn’t just an excuse to get your own way over going to Europe, is it?’

‘What do you take me for?’ exploded Bel. ‘Of course I will! As I’ve just told you, I’ve become extremely fond of Gustavo.’

‘Good,’ Maria Elisa said staunchly, ‘because I don’t want to be the one to come back here and tell him his bride has run off with an Italian painter.’

‘Oh please, as if that would ever happen!’ Bel rolled her eyes.

The day before Bel was due to leave on the steamer with the da Silva Costas and travel across the Atlantic to France, Gustavo came to Mansão da Princesa to say goodbye to her. For once, her parents discreetly left them alone in the drawing room.

‘So, this is the last time we meet for many months.’ He smiled at her sadly. ‘I will miss you, Izabela.’

‘And I you, Gustavo,’ she replied. ‘I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to go.’

‘I simply want to make you happy. Now, I have something for you.’ Gustavo dipped into his pocket and drew out a leather pouch. As he opened it, Bel saw it contained a necklace. ‘This is for you,’ he said, as he handed it to her. ‘It’s a moonstone, and it is meant to offer protection to the wearer, especially if they are travelling across the sea and away from loved ones.’