understood it?’ Leonizio asked, astonished. ‘But he was singing in Roman dialect. I know you understand some Italian, but dialect?’
‘My grandmother used to sing it to me when I was a little girl. She came from Rome; she was born and spent her early years in Trastevere and she told me so much about it that I longed to see it. I loved my grandmother so much. I used to call her Nonna when I knew that was what Italians called their grandmothers. Now I’m here I feel wonderfully close to her.’
‘Tell me about her.’
‘She’s the reason I’d heard of the Venere. Years ago she worked here as a chambermaid.’
‘Here? In this very building?’
‘Yes. Then she met an Englishman who was a guest, and they fell in love. He took her back to England with him. They married and had a son, my father. Sadly, my grandfather didn’t live very long. Nonna mostly brought up my father on her own. When he married my mother she lived with them, looking after me.
‘So you’re nearly as much Italian as English?’
‘In some ways. My mother didn’t really like my grandmother very much. She said Nonna was a bad influence on me. She was very cross one day when she found her playing me some music. It was opera and my mother said it was way above my head.’
‘And was it?’
‘No, I like opera because of its terrific tunes. That’s all.’
‘So if I want to take you to an opera that would be a mark in my favour?’
‘It would be lovely.’
‘You’re so knowledgeable that I’m sure you know about the Caracalla Baths.’
‘They were a kind of spa built by the Emperor Caracalla nearly two thousand years ago. There’s very little left standing, but what’s left is used as a theatre for open-air performances.’
‘Right. They open every summer, but this year they’re doing a special run in April. We’ll get the programme and you can take your pick.’
‘That’s lovely. Oh, how I wish I had Nonna here now so that she could see me becoming her real granddaughter after all this time. She died many years ago, and I miss her so much.’
‘You’re going to enjoy Rome, I promise you.’
Of course he wanted her to enjoy Rome, because it would make it easier for him to persuade her to stay and marry him. A slightly cynical voice whispered this in her mind, but she refused to let it worry her. Leonizio was handsome and attentive and part of her simply wanted to relax and be with him.
A sudden loud noise announced the arrival of a crowd. The waiter dashed around, trying to find room for them all. Ellie closed her eyes, trying to shut out the commotion. These days she tired easily.
‘Perhaps we should go,’ Leonizio said wryly, looking at her. ‘It’s time you were getting some rest.’
‘Giving me orders again?’
‘Yes.’ He said it with a smile that made the word humorous.
‘In that case I’d better obey,’ she chuckled.
A few minutes’ drive brought them home. He saw her to her bedroom door.
‘Is there anything I can do for you?’
‘No, thank you. I have all I need.’
‘Go to bed, then.’
For a moment he seemed on the verge of kissing her, but he only opened the door and indicated for her to go in.
‘Goodnight,’ he said softly. ‘Sleep well.’
‘And you.’
She slipped inside and closed the door.
Now she could go to bed and try to come to terms with everything that was happening to her. It was hard because so many things in her mind seemed to direct her two ways. Some were troublesome, others suggested the hope of happiness if only she could understand many ideas. Still trying to get clear, she faded into sleep.
Suddenly she found herself in a new place, one where there were no boundaries, no definite positions. Here there was only mist and sensation, leading her forward into an unknown world.
But she realised that it wasn’t completely unknown. She had been here once before in another life, another universe, one that was still offering intriguing possibilities. She could feel again the sweetness that had tempted her, the touch so different from anything she had known.
But there was also the apprehension at the way she was losing control. Deep inside her a nervous voice was crying out.
‘What am I doing? Do I dare do this? Am I just a little mad? Or am I turning into somebody else—somebody I don’t know? I mustn’t do this...not now—not this time—’
Even as she spoke, she gasped with the tremor of remembered sensation that possessed her.
Be strong, whispered the warning voice. Stay in control. You lost control that time and you’re paying for it. You know that.
‘Yes, I do. And I mustn’t—no—no!’
Then everything changed. There was a pounding on her door. The next moment Leonizio was there, leaning over her, taking her in his arms.
‘Ellie,’ he said hoarsely. ‘Ellie! Wake up!’
The sound of his voice startled her awake. Gradually her breathing slowed and the world came back into focus. She found that she was clinging to him.
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