‘Will you marry him if he asks you?’ enquired Maria Elisa when she visited that afternoon and Bel told her of the invitation.

‘Goodness! I hardly know him. And besides, I’m sure his parents want a Portuguese princess for their son’s bride, rather than the daughter of Italian immigrants.’

‘Perhaps they do, but my father says the Aires Cabrals have fallen on hard times. Like many of the old aristocratic families, they made their money from the gold mines of Minas Gerais, but that was two hundred years ago. Then their coffee farms were bankrupted when slavery was abolished. My father says they have done little to remedy the situation since, and their fortunes have dwindled away.’

‘How can the Aires Cabrals be poor when they live in one of the finest houses in Rio, and Gustavo’s mother is laden with jewels?’ asked Bel.

‘The gems will be family heirlooms, and apparently the house hasn’t had a lick of paint in fifty years. Pai went up there once to survey it because it was in such a bad state of repair. He said it is so damp, it has green mould growing up the bathroom walls. But when he presented Senhor Aires Cabral with a quotation, he gasped in horror and sent him packing.’ Maria Elisa shrugged. ‘I swear, they’re only influential in name, not in wealth. Your father on the other hand is very rich.’ She eyed Bel. ‘However you try to deny it, you must see what’s happening?’

‘Even if he does ask, they can’t make me marry him, Maria Elisa. Not if it makes me unhappy.’

‘Well, I think your father would take a lot of persuading otherwise. Having a daughter with the Aires Cabral surname and his own grandchildren carrying on the line would be a dream come true for him. Anyone can see it’s the perfect match: you provide the beauty and wealth, and Gustavo provides the noble lineage.’

Even though Bel had been assiduously avoiding thinking about the scenario, Maria Elisa’s blunt words struck home. ‘God help me,’ she sighed. ‘What can I do?’

‘I don’t know, Bel, I really don’t.’

Bel changed the subject in an attempt to quell the desperation that threatened to overwhelm her, and voiced the thought that had been in her mind since Maria Elisa had first mentioned it. ‘When do you leave for Europe?’

‘In six weeks’ time. I’m so excited. Pai has already booked our cabins on the steamer that will take us across the sea to France.’

‘Maria Elisa . . .’ Bel reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand. ‘I beg you to ask your father if he would be prepared to speak to mine about me travelling to Paris with you? Convince him to persuade Pai that it will be beneficial for me to finish my education with a tour of the Old World if I’m to make a good marriage? Really, if I don’t do something now, you’re right: my parents will have me married off to Gustavo within the next few months. I have to escape, please.’