“It’s wonderful,” Leo said. “I’ll have it framed. You are very talented. Have you gone back to your art classes, or are you now a master?”

I laughed. “My stipend was only for one year,” I said. “The year finished right after Angelo was born.”

“If you want, I will gladly pay.”

I shook my head. “No. This isn’t the right time. I want to enjoy every minute with Angelo before . . .” And I couldn’t finish the sentence.

“I have a little gift for you, too,” Leo said. He handed me a box. Inside was an old-fashioned ring, set with a row of diamonds. “It belonged to my grandmother,” he said. “Bianca had no interest in any of the family jewellery. I want you to have it, to let you know that if I could have married you, you would have been my choice.”

“Oh, Leo.” I tried not to cry, but the tears came anyway, and I fell into his arms. They came tightly around me, and he was kissing me. I felt desire, but I pulled away. “Oh no,” I said. “I remember what happened last time. We can’t let that happen again.”

“I just want to kiss and hold you,” he whispered. “No more, I promise.”

And so we sat together, his arms around me, while outside we heard Christmas carols being sung. It was a moment I will treasure forever.

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 40

Juliet, Venice, spring 1941

News from the war filters through only occasionally. We hear about the bombing in England, but little of the Italian army, now being defeated in North Africa. Many prisoners taken. Local women worrying about their sons, including Constanza, the woman who saved me from the carabinieri. She hasn’t heard from him in months, not knowing if he’s alive or dead. I feel a pang of guilt every time she mentions it, knowing that my mother may be feeling the same. I’ve tried writing letters, but they don’t get through, or if they do, no reply ever makes it.