Lair of the Lion

the don. They made it clear they were eager that she remain in the valley and marry their don. Isabella noticed that they smiled at one another, and all seemed close. The castello should have been a happy place, but, with her extreme sensitivity, she felt an undercurrent of unease.
    A shadow hovered over the entire holding. An anxiety lurked just beneath the surface of apparent happiness. Eyes slid away from her, held secrets and traces of fear. As she moved through the great halls, suspicion began to seep into her pores and soak into her heart and soul. It was insidious, a tiny alarm at first, but it grew and spread like a monster of distrust until even Sarina seemed not an ally, but an enemy.
    Isabella took a deep breath and halted, tugging at Sarina. "Stop for a moment. I'm feeling ill. I need to sit." Her mind was churning and spinning, making it impossible to think clearly. She seemed strangely out of sorts, wanting to snap in agitation at anyone near her.
    They were near a sweeping staircase, and Isabella sank gratefully onto the bottom step, pressing her hands to her throbbing temples, trying to stop the creeping sickness of mistrust and suspicion.
    At once the housekeeper halted and leaned over her solicitously. "Is it your back? Do you need to rest? Scusi, piccola, I rushed taking you through the palazzo. It's so large, and I wanted you to know where everything is so you'd feel more comfortable. I should have been more careful, but it's so easy to get lost here." She brushed back Isabella's hair with a gentle hand. "I must let Don DeMarco know at once. He's arranged for the wives of Rolando Bartolmei and Sergio Drannacia to meet with you today. He wishes you to have friends and feel comfortable here. This is your new home, and we all want you to feel welcome."
    "No, I'm fine. I'm looking forward to meeting them." Focusing on Sarina's face, Isabella realized how childish and silly she was being. Living in a large, unfamiliar palazzo far from home, without anyone she knew, must be affecting her nerves. She might very well turn into the fainting type if she wasn't careful. She forced a smile. "Really, Sarina, don't look so anxious. I promise, I'll be fine."
    "Signorina Vernaducci." Alberita curtseyed in front of her, quite a feat when she was briskly swiping at walls with a broomstick. "It's good to see you again." She was beaming at Isabella even as she leapt enthusiastically at the cobwebs.
    Watching the young servant jump up and down, not even getting close to the vaulted ceilings, Isabella began to relax again. The normal rhythm of a palazzo was there, despite the enormous size, despite the undercurrents. Little Alberita, with all her antics, was a part of something Isabella recognized. At a very early age she had helped to run her father's palazzo. More than once she had dealt with servants whose enthusiasm cheered the household far more than their work contributed. Isabella's strange mood dissipated as happiness bubbled up inside her.
    Sarina sighed aloud. "She will never learn, that one." Although she tried to sound severe, her tone was brimming with mirth. She and Isabella looked at one another in total understanding. Laughter spilled between them, and their merriment put smiles on the faces of the servants within hearing.
    A loud crack was the only warning. Then Alberita's broken broom handle flew through the air, right at Isabella's head. Alberita shrieked. Sarina shoved Isabella. Isabella found herself sprawled on the floor, and the broom handle smashed against the wall just above her and dropped, rolling until it hit her body.
    Alberita flailed her hands wildly, shrieking so loudly that servants came running from all directions. Betto caught the remainder of the broom before it could harm anyone and set it carefully aside. Sarina hissed a sharp order, and Alberita clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her screams. Still, she burst into hysterical weeping.
    Captain Bartolmei rushed in, one hand on his sword hilt. He pushed the servants aside and caught at Isabella, dragging her up from the floor and pushing her behind him, shielding her with his body. "What happened?" His voice was harsh.
    "An accident, no more," Sarina hastily explained.
    Some of the servants began to murmur as if distressed or frightened. "The broom flew at her!" one woman yelled.
    "That is silly, Brigita, and an utter falsehood," Sarina reprimanded sharply.
    "Alberita attacked her!" another accused.
    When Alberita howled a