“I thought about them every time I went out in public.”
Tasha studied one perfectly manicured fingernail. “If you weren’t so vain, thinking about your looks all the time, you wouldn’t have even remembered.”
Antonietta bit her tongue to keep from pointing out that Tasha spent half of her life in front of mirrors. “You should have told me they weren’t that bad. Not being the center of attention your every waking minute is not a good enough reason to hurt me.”
“Oh for heaven’s sake, Toni, you know I’m sorry, it was years ago. And you know I can’t help my need for constant affection. My shrink said it’s Daddy’s fault. He paid Paul all the attention.”
“He showered you with presents,” Antonietta contradicted. “You were his little princess. He gave you anything you ever wanted.”
Tasha sank into a deep-cushioned chair. “Presents can never make up for parental affection, and you know very well Daddy’s entire world was the polo fields. I couldn’t stand getting my shoes dirty, and he never forgave me. And he took Paul everywhere with him.” Her perfect pout was always wasted on Antonietta, so Tasha didn’t bother with it.
“You certainly know how to rewrite history. Poor Paul couldn’t do a thing right. He tried to please your father for years.” Paul and Tasha’s father had been obsessed with women, not with the polo fields, but Antonietta refrained from correcting Tasha’s version of history.
“And then Paul gave up and began gambling and drinking and doing everything he could to embarrass our family,” Tasha pointed out. “He went through every cent he inherited, first from Mama, and then Daddy. And then he lost all of my money. Daddy was perfectly right about his weak character all along.”
“That isn’t true. You went through most of your money yourself and then insisted on that investment Paul came up with. I told you it wasn’t sound. You knew it was throwing money away, but you did it anyway.”
Tasha jumped to her feet. “Ooh! How would you know what it’s like? Everything you touch turns to gold. You don’t have to sell yourself to a man who’s about as cold as a fish.”
“You and Paul have plenty to live on, Tasha, and you always have a home here, you know that. You don’t have to sell yourself, either. I told you not to invest your money. As I recall, I was adamant about it, but you wouldn’t listen.” To prevent further argument, Antonietta firmly closed the bathroom door.
Chapter 6
She took her time showering, hoping Tasha would be gone by the time she dressed, although she knew it was unlikely. Her cousin was tenacious when there was a man in the picture, and apparently the authorities had made the supreme mistake of sending a handsome officer. She couldn’t imagine where the palazzo chef, Enrico, had disappeared to, but a distinct chill was working its way down her spine in spite of the hot shower. Byron was certain that someone was introducing poison into the food. Could Enrico’s disappearance have something to do with that?
She turned her face up to the hot water spray above her head. Byron had killed her assailant. She was certain he had. And the body had been dropped on the cliffs, carelessly, with little thought of what the authorities might think. What did she think? She knew things others didn’t. She could do things others couldn’t. And she knew Byron wasn’t quite human. She accepted it as she accepted it in herself, yet he had killed easily, swiftly, without hesitation. He claimed he hadn’t been suspicious of Enrico. Had he found evidence linking Enrico to the poison?
For a moment Antonietta leaned her head against the shower tile, allowing the spray to pour over her. Byron was many things she didn’t quite understand, but he would not have murdered Enrico. She was not going to allow Tasha, with all her drama, to make her suspicious. With a little sigh she turned off the hot water and dried the beads of water from her skin. The towel lingered over the one spot on her breast that felt hot and throbbed for attention. She dressed with great care, braided the thick mass of hair, and swirled it into an intricate knot to give her more height. To give her added confidence.
Tasha was still in her bedroom. Antonietta could smell her distinctive perfume and hear the continual rustle of clothing. Tasha was not a patient or restful person, and waiting would have been difficult for her. Antonietta forced a smile. “You’re still here. It must be important.”
“Finally! You could have hurried, Toni.” Tasha caught her arm. “This is important, you don’t know how important. You have to talk to
Nonno
. I must be allowed in the room when the authorities return to question you.”
“I’ll speak to him, Tasha,” Antonietta agreed.
There was a moment of silence while Tasha searched for the right words. “Don’t get upset with me. You know I always look out for you. You’re not nearly as worldly as I am, although, of course, you’re much older.”
“Have you forgotten we share the same birthday?”
Tasha hissed out a soft whisper of aggravation. “I don’t know you in this mood, Toni. Do you see? Already he is driving a wedge between you and your family!”
“I’m not having this conversation with you, Tasha. I don’t interfere in your personal life, no matter how bizarre I think it. All I ask is the same respect. What I do is my business, no one else’s. Don’t you dare bring up Byron to the rest of the family.”
“Are you really going to talk to
Nonno
for me?” Tasha asked.
“Yes, I said I would.”
A knock on the door was loud. Antonietta recognized Marita’s distinctive way of announcing herself. Marita tried very hard to come across with authority and importance, even in minor things. “Come in, Marita.” In another few minutes, all of her cousins would be crowding into her room.
“My husband, Franco, has sent me out of concern for your well-being, Antonietta.” Marita made the announcement formal and loud. “You have never slept this long in all the time we can recall.”
“You’ve been married to Franco for ten years, Marita,” Tasha said with exasperation, “we know he’s your husband. Do you have to announce it every time you walk into a room? You do have your own identity. If you’d just see Dr. Venshrank, you wouldn’t need to identify so strongly with Franco.”
Marita stuck her chin in the air. “Just because I’ve managed to stay married and happy for ten years and you’ve gone through two husbands and three fiances doesn’t mean I need to see your doctor, Tasha. Franco is a good man, and I’m proud to be his wife. In any case, it reminds you I am a member of the family, too, if only by marriage.”
“You are so insecure,” Tasha said, rolling her eyes in disgust. “You’ve been in the family for ten long years, you have two children, and you’d think you’d get over the fact that you had totally inferior breeding and no social status whatsoever when Franco found you. We all have.”
“Don’t start, you two. I have to speak with Signora Helena immediately and find out what is happening, or you may not have food for the next few days.” Antonietta was exasperated with the both of them, grown women always feuding.
“Marita would live just fine for a day or two, but I wouldn’t survive.” Tasha patted her flat stomach lovingly.
Marita nearly screamed in frustration. “My stomach is a badge of courage, two bambini, and you with none.”
“Enough!” Antonietta nearly yelled it. “I don’t want you to ever say that again to Tasha in my presence, Marita.”
“I’m sorry, forgive me, Tasha. Toni is right, I shouldn’t have said such a thing.”
“I don’t pay attention to anything you say,” Tasha said belligerently, but her voice trembled.
Marita turned her attention to Antonietta. “Toni, I really needed to talk to you about Franco. He’s in a meeting with
Nonno
. I don’t want you to interrupt them. You must see he deserves another chance. It is time
Nonno