Read Online The Italian Girl by Lucinda Riley - Free Book Online Page B

for, Luca went up to his bedroom and shut the door. He opened the envelope and emptied hundreds of lire notes onto his bed. There was also a letter in the envelope, which he unfolded and read.
I kept your money from the first day Rosanna gave it to me. I wanted to teach her for free but I understand pride. I also thought it might help in the future. I’m sure you will use it wisely. Kind Regards, Luigi Vincenzi.
    Luca lay back on his bed, his heart bursting with gratitude at such unexpected kindness.

7
    Carlotta sat motionless in a chair in the sitting room as her father explained that Rosanna had won a scholarship to a music school in Milan and that Luca was to accompany her.
    ‘It’s all worked out perfectly,’ smiled Marco. ‘Antonia’s gone, but you, my favourite daughter, are back to take her place. As you’ve told me so many times that you won’t return to Giulio, you can live here with Ella and help me in the café as your mamma would want you to.’
    Marco waited for his daughter’s reaction. Carlotta stared off into the distance as if she hadn’t heard.
    ‘It is a good plan, yes? For all of us,’ Marco encouraged.
    Eventually, Carlotta nodded. She had lost a considerable amount of weight and her brown eyes looked huge in her drawn face. ‘Yes, Papa. I will stay here and take care of you. As you say, it’s my duty. Excuse me, I think I will take a walk.’
    Marco watched as Carlotta stood up and left the room. Soon, he hoped, his child would be back to her old self. They would laugh together and he would be for Ella the papa she’d recently lost. Pouring himself a brandy, Marco decided that, under the dreadful circumstances, things had at least worked out better than he had could have ever expected.
    Rosanna was searching through a drawer for a clean white blouse when her sister came into the bedroom.
    ‘Congratulations.’
    Rosanna looked at her sister apprehensively. She knew Papa had told Carlotta of her move to Milan and was not sure what the reaction would be.
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘Why did you not tell us of your secret, Rosanna?’ Carlotta asked.
    ‘Because . . . I didn’t think anyone would approve.’
    Carlotta sat down on the bed and patted the space next to her. Rosanna moved towards her nervously.
    ‘You think I’m jealous, don’t you, Rosanna? Because you and Luca are soon to be leaving for a new life in Milan, while I stay here and take Mamma’s place?’
    ‘Carlotta, Luca and I will come home every holiday and help you, I promise,’ Rosanna reassured her.
    ‘It’s kind of you to say so, but I think, once you’re away from here, you will forget your old life.’
    ‘No, Carlotta! I’ll never forget you and Papa and everyone here in the Piedigrotta,’ Rosanna replied defensively.
    ‘I didn’t mean it like that,’ Carlotta said gently. She reached for Rosanna’s hand. ‘I can’t deny I felt at first a little envy when Papa told me, but I’m pleased for you, really. You’ve been given a chance, and I hope,’ she sighed, ‘that you’re wiser than your big sister and don’t mess it up.’
    ‘Carlotta, please don’t say that. You’re still young too. And you might get back with Giulio.’
    ‘No, Rosanna, I won’t,’ Carlotta said firmly. ‘And I can never marry again as he will never divorce me. You know how such a thing would cause a scandal here. So, what I’m trying to tell you is that it takes one moment of stupidity to ruin your life forever. And I don’t want to see you suffer the same as I have because of it.’
    ‘I’m sure I won’t,’ replied Rosanna, still not sure what mistake it was that her sister had made. ‘I’ll be careful, I promise.’
    ‘You’re a sensible girl, Rosanna, but when it comes to men’ – Carlotta smiled wryly and shook her head – ‘all women can be stupid.’
    ‘I’m not interested in men, only in singing. Please tell me, what is it that’s happened between you and Giulio?’
    ‘I can’t tell you now, but maybe