and since the cheques were routed through him-’ He finished with an eloquent shrug.
‘And Poppa never checked because he trusted him,’ Gino sighed.
‘It would have made no difference if he had checked,’ Andansio said kindly. ‘It’s been very cleverly disguised, and you need to know what to look for. This lady-’ he indicated Alex ‘-was particularly sharp-eyed to notice it in an unfamiliar environment. I’ve already told her that if she chooses to take the exams in this country there’ll always be a position for her in my office.’
‘I may just do that,’ Alex said.
‘I told you she was a genius,’ Gino said.
‘Can we get back to the point?’ Rinaldo asked. ‘We now know that Varsi has been robbing us all these years. What’s the next step? The police? Can it be proved?’
‘Oh, yes, but I think there may be another way of dealing with him,’ Andansio said. ‘We show him our evidence and demand restitution, not only to yourselves but to all the other clients from whom he has undoubtedly been stealing. That will do them far more good than prosecution, and believe me, he can afford it. In return we’ll have to promise to keep quiet.’
‘Which leaves him free to prey on others,’ Rinaldo pointed out.
‘Oh, I don’t think so,’ Andansio said smoothly. ‘I shall make it very clear to him that he’s under my eye.’
‘How much can he be forced to return to us?’ Rinaldo asked.
Andansio named a sum. The three facing him stared in shock.
Gino gasped, ‘But that’s-’
‘Almost as much as the mortgage,’ Rinaldo murmured.
Alex said nothing. She merely smiled.
‘I assume you will be wishing to move your affairs out of his hands,’ Signor Andansio said.
‘And into yours,’ Rinaldo agreed.
‘In that case, may I suggest that you leave matters to me? I believe I’ll have good news for you quite soon.’
In a daze they went out into the light, and stood looking at each other for a few moments. Gino recovered first.
‘A celebration!’ he declared. ‘Because we really have something to celebrate.’
It was almost evening. Gino grabbed both their hands and led them into the best restaurant he could find.
‘Because we can afford it now,’ he said. ‘Waiter, what’s the best champagne you have?’
He seemed carried away by exhilaration. It was as much as the others could do to calm him down, and then only for a short while.
Later that evening, after an excellent meal, they piled him into the back seat of the car, where he fell asleep with a smile on his face.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE whole area around Florence seemed to be one great harvest festival. Every night there was a party somewhere or other.
On the evening when the neighbours gathered at Belluna the air was brilliant with good cheer. Coloured lights hung from the trees, heavily laden trestle-tables were spread out in the open. All day Teresa, Celia and Franca had worked to lay on the best party in the district.
‘You’re beautiful,’ Rinaldo told Alex as she emerged from her room in a floaty blue and white dress and white sandals. ‘I want to tell everyone that you’re mine. I wish we could do it tonight.’
‘So do I, but we must tell Gino first, and I can’t seem to catch him.’
Rinaldo nodded. ‘Ever since Varsi agreed to repay the money, and we found that it covers our debt to you, he’s been on a high. What is it?’
He spoke anxiously because a shadow had crossed Alex’s face.
‘What am I going to do with all that money?’ she asked. ‘I don’t want cash, I want to be part of Belluna.’
‘But as my wife, you will be a part of it.’
‘I know, it’s just that-’
But Rinaldo was growing in understanding.
‘If that’s not enough,’ he said, ‘you can pay for next year’s fertiliser, and the repairs to the machinery, and the new barns. That will save us having to borrow from the bank as we normally have to. Then you’ll have the financial stake that you want.’
‘That’s better,’ she said.
‘Don’t look so cheerful. Do you know what fertiliser costs?’
‘After all the accounts I’ve read? Of course I do. It’s a wonderful idea.’
‘And when we can pin Gino down we’ll clear it with him,’ Rinaldo said. ‘After all, it’s his farm too, and I shouldn’t be making financial decisions without consulting him.’
‘I’ll bet he’s not used to being consulted about anything,’ Alex teased.
‘You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, and you’d better get used to it.’
‘You must teach me. Now I suppose we should go downstairs and be ready for our guests. Where the devil is Gino?’
‘These last few days he’s always passing through, and I haven’t even seen him today.’
‘Yes, he told me he had some important business in Florence but he won’t say what. It’s been taking him to town on and off for days.’
‘He must have a girlfriend,’ Alex said triumphantly. ‘And maybe he’s going to bring her to the party tonight. Perhaps he’s collecting her now, that’s why he’s late.’
The first cars were arriving as they went down and they were immediately engulfed in festivities. Within half an hour there were a hundred people, laughing, eating, sipping the best Chianti.
Alex looked around, feeling joyously at home at last. Just one more hurdle to go. If only Gino were here.
And then, suddenly, he was. They saw the lights of his car approaching, and the next moment he’d parked, leapt out and was being greeted with riotous enthusiasm by every guest. Gino was deservedly popular.
He went right round the party, kissing every woman there, even the oldest, leaving smiles behind him, until at last he presented himself to his brother and Alex.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said penitently.
‘So you should be,’ Rinaldo growled. ‘This is Alex’s first party here, and she’s put a lot of work into it.’
‘Alex will forgive me when she hears what I have to say,’ Gino said, looking at her with a light in his eyes.
Seeing that light, Alex knew a sudden sense of alarm.
‘Gino, dear, why don’t you have a drink?’
‘Let that wait. There’s something I must say to you that’s far more important. I’ve waited until now, but oh,
‘Gino-’
‘Hush, don’t say anything. Let me show you this.’
He pulled a little box from his pocket and opened it. Inside glittered a ring that she could see was antique. It was exquisite, studded with diamonds and sapphires.
‘I saw this in the shop window ages ago,’ Gino said. ‘And I thought then how I should like to give it to you on the day I asked you to be my wife. But when I went back for it they’d sold it to someone else, and it’s taken me a long time to track him down and buy it. But it’s mine now, which means it’s yours.’
‘Gino-’ she whispered, devastated by what was happening, yet unable to stop it.
‘Don’t look so surprised,
Before the whole party Gino went down on one knee, took Alex’s hand in his and said, ‘Alex, my love, will you please marry me? Will you be my wife?’
