Russo, zipped my dress as I held my hair up. “Suck it in,” she advised with a laugh as she shrink-wrapped me into the black formfitting gown. I squeaked a little as the final stretch of zipper found its home and I slowly let out my breath as I turned to face Sophia. Her smile was radiant, if not a little sardonic. She quipped, “I hope you didn’t plan to eat tonight because not much else could fit in that dress.”
“Of course not, I’m too on edge to eat anyway,” I said, turning to put the finishing touches on my makeup. My thoughts should’ve been on tonight but my brain kept stubbornly throwing Donato into my mental theater, which was a fresh irritant to my already taut nerves. “If Alberico is there and tries to pressure me to dance with him, I’ll grind my heel into his insole.”
“His family expects you to marry him,” Sophia said. “Your pedigrees match up. It’s not a terrible idea, you know. He’s not ugly and he stands to inherit a sizable fortune. Plus, his family descends from the House of Medici so he has royalty in his blood.”
“Well, perhaps if the Italian monarchy hadn’t ended in the forties that might be something to crow about. Today, it’s simply colorful conversation and it means nothing. Besides, I’m not looking for a man to lend his influence. I’ve had enough of that nonsense and it’s time to make a change.”
Sophia sighed, shaking her head. “Always trying to change the world,” she said. “Enzo would be proud.”
Enzo had been Sophia’s one true love. His death had brought Sophia and me closer and we’d been thick as thieves ever since. She was the one I could trust with anything. If things had turned out differently, it might’ve been Enzo and Sophia making this historic leap into new pastures for Castello di Baroni, but fate had played a cruel game, taking Enzo and leaving me to push for change.
“I hope so,” I said, trying not to tear up and ruin my makeup. Enzo was my soft spot. I dabbed at my eyes. “Everything I do, I do with Enzo in mind.”
“I know you do but this is your accomplishment,” Sophia reminded me. “You push so hard in his memory that you overshadow your own talent. I’ve seen you do things that I’m not sure Enzo would’ve been able to handle.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Enzo loved this business.”
“Yes, and he was a dreamer. He loved the romance of the wine industry, not the business side of it. Sometimes I think because we lost him so soon we’ve idealized him. We can be honest about who he was without diminishing his character.”
Enzo’s memory was precious. Maybe Sophia was right. I did have a tendency to protect his legacy with a ferocity usually reserved for mothers and their children.
Sophia slipped her hand into mine. “But I do know that he would’ve been so extra proud of you for everything you’ve accomplished thus far. You’re the reason Castello di Baroni remains top tier, not because the wine sells itself. Even if your father does not see this… I do.”
I paused for a minute to gaze at Sophia with love. “You’re too good to me, Sophia,” I said.
She shook her head. “No, I only speak what I know to be true.”
Sophia would never lie to me nor would she fill my head with flattery simply to play to my ego. “I wish Enzo had lived so you could be my true sister instead of simply the sister of my heart.”
Sophia’s smile warmed with love. “That’s all I need.” She released my hand and stepped back to give my dress a final perusal with a critical eye. Satisfied, she nodded, proclaiming, “Absolutely exquisite. It simply isn’t fair to every man whose heart will explode upon seeing you.”
I chuckled, my cheeks heating, but I quickly pointed out, “I’m not the only one who will turn heads. That white dress on you is nearly a crime. Perhaps Alberico will notice you instead of me.”
Sophia’s white gown was in stark contrast to mine but she wore it with grace and elegance. Whereas I was blessed with an overabundant bosom that made everything I wore nearly obscene, she was lithe and lean like a willow tree.
Sophia blushed, pushing a lock of her burgundy hair behind her ear, pink staining her cheeks. “You are a sweet talker. You’re the one who steals the air in the room. No one will notice me the minute they see you.”
“Nonsense. You’re so beautiful. Enzo is surely smiling down at us both, but you in particular. I am sure he’s staring hard enough to leave a bruise.”
Sophia’s breath caught as her smile deepened with soul-deep longing, and my heart hurt that Sophia would forever reserve that special place for Enzo. She was too young to willingly put herself on the shelf but Sophia was as stubborn as she was beautiful.
If soul mates existed, Enzo had been Sophia’s.
But Enzo died so young. It wasn’t fair.
Sophia was like a hothouse flower, stunning and fragile. She was incredibly beautiful but she lacked the fire that burned in my belly. Whereas I was loud and determined, she was quiet and kind, preferring a book and a glass of wine over a party. “Your Prince Charming is out there but you’re not going to meet him in your sitting room,” I playfully admonished. “You have to actually get out there and meet people.”
“What am I doing tonight?” she teased. “Is this not going out?”
“Once a year doesn’t count,” I said. “And none of these old men are anyone I’d want you falling in love with. They are fossils—you need someone with spirit.”
She laughed. “Maybe I’d like a fossil. Seems very peaceful. You’re the one who craves adventure, not me. We both know that Enzo was wild enough for the both of us.”
I pursed my lips. “Enzo would’ve wanted you to find someone, not pine after him for the rest of your life.”
This was a conversation we’d had many times and just as before, Sophia shut me down quickly but sweetly. “We are not playing matchmaker tonight. You need to focus on what’s important. Uva Persa is your crowning achievement and you need to make sure nothing stands in the way of its success, which means you need to play nice with the old cronies who run this industry.”
Solid advice even if I wanted to argue the point. “Still, you’re too young to be closed off like you are. It worries me.”
She laughed softly, her brown eyes full of love. “You worry about all the wrong things. I’m happy just the way things are. Why would I want to risk upsetting the balance I have now? Some people are not meant to be paired up and that’s okay. I’m happy.”
Was I worrying too much over something that wasn’t true? “I know how much you loved Enzo…” I said, my voice trailing, not sure why I was pursuing this topic when it wasn’t the time or place. Maybe I was nervous and talking about someone else’s problems took the focus from mine. Yes, that was it, and it wasn’t fair to Sophia to draw the focus unnecessarily. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I shouldn’t try to force you into anything you’re not ready for or interested in.”
Again, Donato popped into my head. He would try again, I could feel it. He wasn’t the kind of man who gave up easily. He was accustomed to getting his way and losing was a foreign concept to him. His arrogance was the last thing I needed to deal with right now. I double-checked my profile, twisting and turning in the full-length gown, assuring myself that I looked impeccable as
