Carpathian 10 - Dark Symphony

you."
    "I would like to speak to you about my feelings for Antonietta," Byron said. "Would you mind walking with us?"
    The older Scarletti lifted a hand toward Josef even as he retained possession of Antonietta. "You're thinking of stealing my granddaughter from me."
    "Never that, old friend. She would be far too unhappy away from you. I can do my work here as well as in my homeland. Short trips away only. I would like your permission to marry her. More than anything, we would want your blessing."
    Don Giovanni tucked Antonietta's hand into the crook of his elbow. "This is what you want? You're certain?"
    "Absolutely, Nonno. We're good together. I trust him completely, and I'm very much in love with him."
    "Where would you live?"
    "I've asked Byron to live here at the palazzo, and he agreed."
    "We can maintain more than one residence. I will have to make trips to my homeland,
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    Dark Symphony
    Page 163 of 188
    but the palazzo can be our main residence. I would prefer and would insist on a ground-floor suite of rooms. And we hope to marry as soon as it can be arranged."
    "The lawyers will demand a standard prenuptial agreement, stating everything belongs to Antonietta."
    "I expected no less. I will not ask one of Antoinetta in return. What is mine, I share with her. We have no need of her money, but she will want it for the children." In his mind Antonietta gasped. Byron grinned boyishly. "Should there be any."
    "I had hoped you two would fall in love." Don Giovanni hugged Byron, kissed him on either cheek. "I will arrange it. I'm grateful you aren't taking her away from me. I hope to live out my years with her close."
    "I'll always be close," Antonietta assured him.
    "That dog of yours has been pacing for the last couple of hours. He was fine with Vincente and Margurite, keeping them company, and then just about sunset he seemed agitated. Even Marita seems to like that dog. She didn't say a single word when the dog showed up in their rooms and stayed close to the children."
    "Is Marita home, Nonno?"
    "Yes. She seems different. Sad. She went to the small chapel right after dinner was served and remains there. I
    haven't heard her speak a single word all day. The police captain has been here asking more questions. Alfredo took to his bed, and that young man in the kitchen had to try his hand at cooking. What's his name? He prepared a very passable meal, although with Paul so ill, no one felt like eating."
    "Esteben. He's related to Helena. She's always good in a crisis, so he must get it from her.
    I'll have to thank her for recommending him."
    "The house is filled with flowers from Christopher. He's been calling for hours and begging to come over to speak with Tasha. I hope she has better sense than to take him back.
    She threw the first six bouquets away, but after that she gave up getting rid of them. The palazzo smells like a garden."
    "At least the man has good taste in flowers," Antonietta said. "I need to speak to Marita.
    Would you mind telling Tasha I'll be in a little later?"
    "Tasha will want to hear your news right away. She's been anxious about you. Between her and that dog, I haven't had a moments' peace."
    Antonietta kissed Don Giovanni's cheek. "I'll be right in, I promise."
    Shadows filled the chapel. The only light came from the flickering candles in a small alcove. The dancing light washed over the sculpted face of the Madonna recessed into the wall above the rows of candles. Marita was seated in a pew in front of the life-sized sculpture, weeping softly, a rosary wrapped around her hands. Tears poured down her face. Byron thought she looked haunted.
    Byron and Antonietta slipped into the pew beside her. She kept her head down. "I knew you would come today. I knew you would have to come." Her voice was very low. "I was going to leave this morning, but I knew I owed you an explanation."
    "Marita, this is your home. No one has asked you to leave." Antonietta searched carefully to find the right words. "We're family. Whatever is wrong, tell us and let us help you fix it."
    "It can never be fixed. Never. I can't undo what happened, and no matter what, Franco will never forgive me."
    Antonietta reached for Mania's hand. In the dark of the chapel, through the dark glasses
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