After dinner, while Antonia put the children to bed, we sat around the table discussing the men’s plans for Italy, in the event they got to go back. “Once we have restrengthened the monarchy all of the northern regions will gladly join the cause,” Rossetti said.

“Cause?” I asked, looking from José to Rossetti. I knew that Austria controlled Italy in the north, but I didn’t know of any active resistance. If there was a struggle, José would want to be there. The question was, would he want me there too?

“The cause of freedom. Austrian rule is keeping us from uniting. They are corrupt. To question the government is to put your life at risk, like yours truly. Only the rich prosper. Our people are starving while the Austrians pillage our resources. And what the Austrians are doing is the least of our problems; don’t get me started on the hold the pope has over Rome,” Rossetti said.

“The peninsula wants freedom, that is a given. However, it’s our job to see to it that the freedom that they crave is in a unified Italy under the Piedmont monarchy.” José moved the bombilla in his gourd around, refusing to meet my eyes.

“What of Ferdinand II in the Two Sicilies?” Paulo asked. “He is a progressive. Surely he would support a unified country?”

“Oh, Ferdinand started off well enough, cutting taxes, building railroads and steamships,” José responded, “but when the people asked for a constitution, he suppressed them. We can’t count on him. King Ferdinand wants only power and is the antithesis of all that we fight for.” José took a long sip of his tea. “However, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies is not my primary concern, at least not now. We first must contend with Austria.”

“Austria will not let go of the north very easily. We need to expect a bloody war,” Rossetti agreed. His cravat was askew and his lips were stained purple with wine. He filled his glass once again. “I’ve been hearing whispers.”

“Whispers?” José brightened up. “What whispers?”

“There are two brothers, Attilio and Emilio, they are resurrecting the Carbonari guild. They are proclaiming that Italy must be unified. The fire has not died with the people.”

José leaned forward in his chair. “Really?”

Rossetti shook his head. “They are gaining support in very high places. The brothers are recruiting others, from students to nobility. They even say the young composer Giuseppe Verdi is among these recruits. We may be going home sooner rather than later, brother.”

The biscuit I was nibbling suddenly tasted like dirt in my mouth.

José sat back with an audible harrumph. “Home. Can we really go back? I had started to think it would never happen.”

“All we need is a pardon from the king of Piedmont. He can offer us his protection. If these whispers are true, then he is on our side.”