Chapter 14 #2
The deal was done, and she thanked Marcella, shaking her hand. As she did, Marcella studied her and then didn’t let go, her eyes narrowing.
‘I recognise you from somewhere.’
‘Oh, really?’
Marcella nodded still holding her hand. She finally let go and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, standing back to take her in once more. Marcella began to wave a finger up and down the length of her body.
‘You looked different though.’ She suddenly clicked her fingers in the silence, making Beth jump. ‘It was at a ball last year.’
‘The galleria’s masquerade ball,’ Beth said, suddenly remembering seeing this woman in a long velvet dress with a gorgeous lace mask over her face. She must have made it herself, Beth realised now.
‘Yes, that’s it,’ Marcella agreed. ‘Signor Sanna always invites me. Are you going again this year?’
‘I am. Even though I no longer work at the galleria. It’ll always be a highlight of my time here in Venice.’
‘And now you are here to stay.’
‘I am,’ Beth confirmed with a grin.
‘Then I will see you there.’
‘I’ll look forward to it.’
They made their way back outside, Beth fully aware of the flirtatious goodbye and fluttering eyelashes Marco received from the assistant who showed them out, and jealousy flittered through her chest. She reminded herself she had no right to be jealous of anything, but she was still relieved when Marco didn’t reciprocate and, in fact, barely even noticed.
As the afternoon wore on, the sun dipping in the sky casting a strong golden yellow glow over the city, Beth tightened the belt of her smart coat and pulled the lapels tighter.
A colder wind now wound its way through the narrow streets and Beth couldn’t wait to get back to the book barge and light the fire, though she’d still enjoy the walk, the smells of the city and the simple feel of the place.
‘Well thank you for—’
‘Before you go,’ Marco said, a nervousness she hadn’t seen before clouding his expression. ‘There is one other thing I wanted to show you. If you have time.’
‘Oh umm …’ She checked her watch. ‘Sure, okay. Is it far?’
‘No, and it’s back towards the book barge so it’s on the way.’
‘Oh, great. Is it another amazing studio?’
‘Not exactly.’
She wondered what type of artist she was going to meet this time and where they worked if it wasn’t a studio. They walked for about ten minutes, chatting through how well the meeting with Marcella had gone.
‘You’re very good at your job, you know.’
Marco smiled shyly. ‘I am now. It’s not been the easiest road.’
‘Because of your father?’
‘That and other things. Businesses take a lot of hard work to make them successful and sometimes they fail for reasons that aren’t your own fault.’
She frowned, trying to understand what he’d said and place it in the context of what she knew about him. As she only knew bits and pieces, it was impossible, and as they walked the narrow, cobbled streets and tiny bridges over the canals, his gaze seemed to have turned inward.
They stopped outside another historic Venetian house, and Marco fumbled in his coat pockets for something.
The waters of a canal could be heard just behind the building, lapping against the pale pink stone.
With a huff of frustration, Marco pulled a set of keys from his pocket and opened one side of the large medieval-looking door.
Frowning in confusion, she followed him in and he found another key and opened a door on the ground floor.
Beth’s mouth fell open.
It was a flat.
An empty flat.
A beautiful, empty flat.
‘What are we doing here?’ she asked.
He glanced down at the ground, shyly, scuffing the toe of his polished black shoe on the tiled floor.
‘When you said this morning about sleeping on the boat, I called a friend who has some properties. This one is looking for a tenant. I thought you might like to look at it before he puts it on the market.’
Beth’s mouth fell open again. She really needed to learn to act shocked more elegantly. She didn’t know what to say.
He’d done that for her.
‘Do you like it? I’m sorry if I’ve overstepped.’
Realising she hadn’t yet spoken, just gazed around in awe, she was quick to reassure him. ‘No! Not at all! Thank you! I – I love it. It’s perfect!’
She began exploring the apartment properly.
The living room they’d entered had wooden beams across the ceiling and was painted a gentle cream.
There was room for a bookcase, maybe even two.
At one end of the room, a doorway was cut into the wall leading to a kitchen filled with cupboards that matched the wood of the beams. At the other end was a bedroom large enough for a double bed, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers.
From the window she could reach down and almost touch the water of the canal, but its gentle lapping reminded her of being on the barge and a sudden feeling of home engulfed her.
The bathroom was plain white, but well sized and as she returned to the living room where Marco had remained, she couldn’t stop the smile reaching across her face.
‘It’s perfect! Absolutely perfect! How much is the rent?
’ When Marco told her, she shook her head.
‘It can’t be; it’s too low. Not for somewhere as nice as this and in such a good neighbourhood. ’
‘He is happy to charge a lower rate. And he’s happy for you to have Polo here. He just wants someone in here and as you might be here for a while, he’s happy to charge less.’
‘I’m going to be here forever,’ she said, realising she was saying it to herself as much as him. ‘Marco, I … thank you! Thank you so much!’
There was already a sofa and kitchen appliances, so she could move in as soon as everything was arranged. Marco handed over the keys.
‘What are you doing?’
‘My friend will come by tomorrow to the book barge with the paperwork. He’s happy for you to move in now. Shall we get your stuff and bring it here?’
‘I – I can’t believe it.’ Marco smiled and Beth’s heart melted, ‘are you sure you don’t mind?’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t mind at all. I’m just happy you won’t be sleeping on the floor of your barge amongst the wood shavings tonight.’
‘Hey! Cesca always cleans up after herself at the end of the day. You wouldn’t even know she’s been there.’
‘Good. My mother will be pleased.’
At the mention of his sister, Beth felt swamped with the weight of the secret she was keeping from him.
There was no denying that despite not knowing exactly how he felt about her, she was beginning to develop real feelings for him.
She wanted to open her mouth and tell him everything, but she could picture Cesca’s face, the betrayal she’d feel and the damage it might do if not handled properly.
She’d speak to Cesca again and tell her she had to tell Marco and her family about her relationship before people got really hurt.
It wasn’t much, but it was all she could do.
They shared a glance and as he fidgeted shyly she expected the professional side of him to take over and the shutters to come down, but they didn’t.
‘Well,’ Marco said, clapping his hands together. ‘Shall we get you moved in?’
Without a moment’s hesitation, Beth nodded.