«It comes of having a bad beginning. You didn’t need rescuing?»
«Of course! He was so dreary and had breath like a spaniel.»
«Well, it was my duty. And my right. You are, after all, my partner for the evening.»
She glanced towards me and the chandeliers glittered in her violet eyes. «Indeed.»
«Then let’s have some cham and then a dance. Quickly, now, I can see Lady Chuff-chuff heading our way and the band have struck up a polka.»
So, in the sweet heat of the evening, we whiled away a very pleasant hour or so, conversation and blood quickened by Mumm. Bella’s gaze was locked on mine, and as we swirled effortlessly around the ballroom, I fervently wished myself free of all responsibilities. Must the dread burden of saving the Empire always fall on me?
I was standing with my back to the room when I saw Bella glance over my shoulder. A little shiver prickled up my spine and I turned and saw a queer-looking fellow standing at the hearth.
He was a very tall, barrel-chested man in spotless evening dress, standing with legs apart, thumbs tucked into the pockets of his white waistcoat, nodding and occasionally smiling tightly at some pleasantry. Thick, oily curls, streaked with white sprouted from his massive head. Perched upon his prominent nose was a pair of curious, indigo-hued spectacles. He seemed ill at ease and was constantly flipping his watch from his waistcoat.
Almost as though he sensed my looking at him, the great head flicked upwards, the light turning his spectacles a flashing white.
«Good Lord,» I said. «Who is that?»
«That is the Duce Tiepolo,» said Lady Constance, appearing at my side with further champagne. «I met him once before in Biarritz. I had heard he was in town.»
«Who?» I glanced almost furtively at the imposing figure by the fireplace.
«He is an Italian duke,» said Bella. «I have read about him in the society columns.»
«One of the discoveries—
«Indeed,» I said. «That’s why he likes me so much. This one doesn’t look like a stray dog, though.»
«Oh, he is, to Christopher, like royalty, my dear boy. Tiepolo is the last of a dying scion. His people, they fought, oh most bravely against the Garibaldi fellow back in the sixties—
«Risorgimento,» said Bella softly.
«Yes,» said Lady Constance. «When they came in.»
«He strikes quite a noble figure, does he not?» observed my beautiful companion.
«Oh dear,» I mused. «Another one with a penchant for hard-luck cases.»
«You would like to meet him, yes?»
«Why not,» I said.
So we were led over and into the presence of the great man.
«Your Grace…»
The Duce turned slowly towards us, the deep lines at the corners of his eyes creasing together.
«Aha! Lady Constance! How delightful!»
The train-fearer was delighted to be remembered. After an exchange of pleasantries, I stepped forward and he inclined his head slightly at the sight of me. It was like being observed by some great patient snake. The lenses of the indigo spectacles prevented even a hint of his expression from being visible.
«This is Mr Lucifer Box,» said Lady Constance. «The famous painter.»
«Oh, you flatter me,» I oiled. «Your Grace.»
I bowed and clicked my heels. He did likewise.
«Tiepolo,» I said. «I’m afraid I do not know the province…»
«One of the more ancient duchies,» he said, with a smile. The voice was quiet but assured, like a great and well-maintained engine using but a fraction of its true power.
He turned to Bella.
«Miss Bella Pok,» announced Lady Constance.
He took her hand in his great paw without hesitation. «I’m afraid, your Grace,» she cooed, «that I know very little of the history of your country…»
«Oh, my unhappy country!» said the Duce, raising his hands palms outward and smiling in mock-anguish. «But now, here, is not the time to be remembering old sorrows. Perhaps if you would do me the honour of dining with me…?»
Bella’s eyes flashed.
I moved with the speed of a jealous panther. If you’ve ever seen one, you’ll know. «Your Grace,» I interrupted, «I would consider it a great honour if you would consent to sit for a portrait.»
The Duce’s mouth pinched in displeasure. «This is impossible, alas. I am leaving most soon for the Continent. Besides, a
Lady Constance leant forward. «The Duce is a photographic enthusiast.»
«Is he, by George?» I said, nettled. «Well, in that case I should hate to bother him with such a trifle as a portrait in oils.»
Bella shot me an odd look.
«You are going to the Continent, you say, your Grace?» I said airily.
«Yes.»
«Back to Italy?»
The great man’s face darkened.
I put my fingers to my lips as though to hush them. «Of course not! How silly of me! They wouldn’t take too kindly to seeing anyone from the old days, would they? Where
«Well, if you will excuse me, Lady Constance,» he began. «Miss Pok…»
«I have myself some little knowledge of those days,» I interrupted. The champagne was, I fear, beginning to tell. «My father told me all about it. Italy was in a parlous state back then, Bella. Wasn’t really Italy at all, to speak of. Ruled by the Frogs, the Spanish, even the ruddy Austrians — saving your presence, Lady C.»
The Duce gazed levelly at me. «It was a troubled time. But we could have survived as we were. If not for Signor Giuseppe Garibaldi…»
«You may know the biscuit,» I said in an undertone to Bella. «He pulled the country together, didn’t he, under King What’s-his-name. Yes. I’m off there tomorrow myself, as a matter of fact. I’ll send them your regards, hmm?»
The Duce’s lips set into a grim line. «You will excuse me. I must… that is, I…»
He seemed genuinely put out. Making a little bow to the ladies, he melted away into the crowd.
«Well!» said Bella.
«Hmm?»
«I thought you were rather rude to that poor wanderer.»
I flashed a cheeky smile at Lady Constance and she, giggling girlishly, waved back at me. Then I took Bella by the elbow and steered her towards the balcony. «My dear Bella, these pompous so-called aristos are all alike. It won’t do him a bit of harm to be reminded that he’s the ex-Duke of an ex-duchy. He’ll go home and kick his valet in all probability, but that’s scarcely our concern. Now, I suggest a little air to clear away the fug of his rhetoric. Besides, I found that I didn’t take to the idea at all of someone else dining with you.»
She cocked her head to one side impishly and gave me the benefit of her most devastating smile.
We walked through the French windows and out on to the warm terrace. Balustraded steps led down on either side to Miracle’s vast gardens.
«It’s very beautiful in the moonlight,» said Bella, gazing out at the hedges and fountains.
«Mmm,» I concurred. «By day this place is a riot of colour. I once painted Lady Constance against the bougainvillaea over there.»
«Did she like it?»
«She was chuff-chuffed.»
