“It is such a shame that I only have this house to host you. Due to the Austrians’ meddling we have to consolidate in order to survive with comfort. Alas, this is the only estate in Italy my family has left.”

“Oh, Senhor Antonini, this will be more than enough for us.” I looked back at our host and smiled. The grandness of the home was overwhelming.

“Please, if we are to live under the same roof, I would request that you call me Paolo.”

There were two footmen waiting for us; one opened the carriage door, and the other held open the front door. We walked past the stoic young man into a black-and-white marbled front entry. Small tables held large vases with long-stemmed blood-red roses. Teresita made a dash for one of the tables, but I grabbed her by the shoulder just in time.

“Perhaps the children would be more comfortable in the nursery. Please follow me.” Paolo led us up the winding marble staircase and to the left wing of the house. “The nursery used to belong to my brothers and me. I hope it will meet your standards,” he said, addressing Menotti and Teresita as he opened the double doors to an expansive room filled with every leisure item our children could ever dream of. The walls were painted teal with a white trim along the ceiling and floor. One whole wall was lined with a large bookcase. Rocking horses and toys of every shape and size were scattered through the room. In the center of it all stood a dollhouse painted in various shades of pink. A small bundle of dolls draped over each other next to the little house waiting to be played with. The children let out a burst of laughter as they ran into the room.

“We didn’t have much in the way of toys for little girls, so I had some made for Teresita.”

“Senhor, your kindness is too much. You will spoil my children,” I said as I marveled over the toys in the room.

Paolo waved a hand in dismissal. “Children deserve to be spoiled. Life as an adult will come too soon and with it many troubles. Let them be happy now while they can.”

A young lady in a black uniform approached us. “May I take Ricciotti?”

Instinctively I pulled back, hugging my baby to me. Paolo put a kind hand on my arm. “This is Giulia. She will be the children’s nurse.”

“Nurse?” I asked, looking from José to Paolo.

“Yes.” The woman smiled. “I am here to help you take care of the children. I am the eldest of twelve; rest assured your precious little ones are in good hands. May I?”

Reluctantly I gave him to her. Giulia smiled as she gently bounced him in her arms. He giggled and shoved a fist into his mouth. “When was the last time he ate?”

“This morning, before we docked.”

She patted his bottom. “He could probably do with a change.” Drool oozed out over Ricciotti’s fist. “And maybe a bit of rabbit. I’ll have the cook send up some treats for the children as well.”