Evenings were spent playing cards with her mother and Bel would retire to her room peaceful and sleepy. Before she closed her eyes, she’d say her prayers, asking God to restore her mother to good health, to grant her father success in his business dealings and to ensure that Laurent – so far away from her physically, yet still nurtured in her heart – found happiness in the future.

It was the only gift she could give him. And she tried to offer it freely and without remorse.

It didn’t help that she’d often find Loen and Bruno out together for an evening stroll, completely wrapped up in each other. She once saw them sneaking a surreptitious kiss by the lake and her heart had burned with envy.

Up here, Bel thought one night as she lay in her bed yet again remembering Laurent’s touch, life outside the fazenda felt far removed. It was the same feeling she’d experienced in Paris, when her marriage to Gustavo and the life she would live in Rio had seemed distant, as the maze of alleyways that made up Montparnasse – where she so often imagined Laurent walking – did now . . .

When they had been at the fazenda for three weeks, Antonio arrived to spend the weekend with them. Immediately, the atmosphere changed, as Fabiana went into a frenzy of cleaning and had her husband clip the already immaculate grass and polish the perpetually gleaming copper ornaments that hung on the wall in the dining room.

‘How is she?’ Antonio asked when he arrived mid-afternoon while Carla was taking a rest.

‘She’s much improved, Pai. I think in another few weeks, she will be strong enough to return to Rio. Fabiana is taking such good care of her.’

‘Well, I will see for myself when she wakes. But Izabela, it is almost December,’ said Antonio. ‘Your marriage takes place at the end of January, and there is still much to do. If, as you say, your mother is recovering under the care of Fabiana, then I feel that you must leave her here and return to Rio with me.’

‘But Pai, I’m sure Mãe would prefer her daughter near to her.’

‘And I’m sure your mother would understand that the bride needs to be in Rio to organise her wedding,’ countered Antonio. ‘Not to mention showing your face to your fiancé. I think Gustavo has been extremely patient under the circumstances. He must feel his intended runs away from him at any given opportunity. And I know his parents are becoming most anxious about the arrangements. As am I. So, you will return to Rio with me and that’s my final word on the matter.’

As her father left the room to see his wife, Bel knew she was beaten.

‘Mãe,’ she said as she kissed Carla goodbye two days later, ‘please, if you need me, know that I am happy to return. Fabiana will use the telephone in the village to let me know how you are.’