Page 38 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
The ride to the Davone estate reminded Melisa of returning to the English countryside. They left the busy port and ventured into a quieter neighbourhood with fields of olive trees and grape vines. She watched as farmers paused in their work and waved towards them, calling out warm greetings. It seemed to Melisa that Signore Davone and his family must be kind masters if the farmers of his lands responded to him so warmly. It gave Melisa hope that they were travelling to a good place to live.
“Ah, la nostra casa,” Signornia Vivian called out as a large estate home came into view. Melisa stared with wide eyes as the house came into view. She’d never seen such a beautiful estate as this one as it reminded her of a castle. The house had many tall towers and a large dome in the centre. She couldn’t wait to see the inside of the house.
“And over there is the cottage,” Signornia Gabriella pointed out, causing Melisa to look and see where she was pointing. On the edge of a small pond sat a quaint cottage with ivy growing up its side.
“It looks splendid,” Melisa replied as she looked upon her new home. It wouldn’t be anything as grand as what she’d been raised with, but she knew that it would be her own space that she would share with her husband, and hopefully one day soon, her future children.
As the coach came to a halt in front of the estate, Melisa and Oliver waited for the Italian family to alight from the vehicle first. Melisa stepped down with Oliver right behind her.
“Well then, we shall see you tomorrow for the girls’ afternoon lessons,” Signora Davone said to Melisa.
“Are you sure, Signora? I feel quite fine and could produce a lesson this evening,” Melisa replied.
Signora Davone laughed then as she shooed Melisa. “Go and rest, Mr and Mrs Trenton. Here in Italy you must learn to enjoy life and not focus so much on work. That is one thing we did not like in England. No one seemed to enjoy life like us,” Signora Davone said before she ushered her daughters inside their grand castle.
“If you are in need of anything, Mr and Mrs Trenton, you must enquire from my maggiordomo, Signor Peters,” Signore Davone added before he followed his family inside.
Grabbing their trunks, Melisa and Oliver set off for the cottage on the far side of the estate. It was a long walk through the gardens, but it was worth the trip because they’d spent so much time sailing at sea.
“I simply can’t believe how beautiful it is here,” Oliver said as they walked together.
“Indeed. It’s more marvellous than I could have imagined. This land is breathtaking,” Melisa agreed as they neared the cottage. Up close, it was easy to see that the cottage was rather spacious. Oliver set his trunk down and then opened the front door, allowing Melisa to step in first.
Melisa smiled as she took in the cottage, a quaint house that was already furnished and seemed to be in great condition. As she walked to the small kitchen, she looked out the window over the wash tub, the pond glistening in the sun.
“Welcome to our new home,” Oliver said as he came up behind Melisa and wrapped his arms around her. They stood there for a moment, watching the view out the window and simply allowing this moment to be spent together instead of fussing over what needed to be done next.
“I say we discover the bedchamber next,” Oliver whispered into her ear, causing Melisa to giggle as she set her trunk aside and allowed Oliver to pull her towards the back of the cottage where there were a few doors. Opening the first door, they were pleased to find a water closet. And the second allowed them to find their new bedchamber.
“This seems rather fancy,” Oliver said as he pulled Melisa after him into the room. There was a four-poster bed, much like the one Melisa was used to, and a lovely set of dressers that sat upon plush carpets.
“It seems heavenly to me,” Melisa said as she walked over to the bed and laid down, feeling the comfortable mattress and inhaling the earthy aroma that the whole cottage seemed to be filled with.
It didn’t take long for Oliver to join Melisa on the bed where they enjoyed an afternoon of lovemaking before they started to unpack their things.
~*~
“Scusami, hai qualche rape fresca?” Oliver asked the man working at the vegetable stall. The next morning, Melisa and Oliver had risen early to attend the market before their afternoon lessons with the Davone young ladies. They were enjoying becoming familiar with their new area, and all of the Davone servants had been very helpful and friendly towards Oliver and Melisa so far. Now, Oliver was practicing his Italian that he’d been learning while they travelled, asking the man if he had any fresh turnips.
“Si signore, lo faccio,” the man replied. Oliver thanked him and made his purchase as he continued to walk through the market with Melisa.
“I hope you know how to cook,” Melisa said shyly when they had finished making their purchases and were returning to their cottage.
“Don’t worry, my dear. I shall teach you all that my father taught me. After all, he was forced to learn how to cook as well when my mother passed away. And now I shall teach you some simple dishes of my childhood,” Oliver assured her.
“Wonderful. I look forward to learning to cook and eating all this great Italian food. I will have to ask Davone’s cook for some lessons as well so I can learn to cook authentic Italian dishes,” Melisa said eagerly. Oliver couldn’t get enough of his love’s positive outlook on life. Even when they’d had to work on the ship together, she never complained or wished for her old life.It filled Oliver with pride to know that this was the woman to whom he’d soon be officially married.
On the way back from the village, they stopped in the church they’d seen when arriving in the area yesterday. They set their baskets full of produce down outside the church before knocking on the door. When no one answered, Oliver pushed opened the door and called inside.
“Ciao qualcuno qui?” Oliver called out, asking if anyone was in the church.
“Ciao figlio mio. Come posso aiutarla?” said a priest as he greeted them at the doorway, asking if they needed any help.
“Stiamo cercando un prete per sposarci,” Melisa said, explaining to the priest that they were looking for someone to marry them.
The priest smiled in response and beckoned them inside the church. Without another word, he led them to the front of the beautiful building where candles were lit in honour of the many Christian saints. At the altar, he motioned for Oliver and Melisa to take hands.
“You don’t think he’s going to do it right now, do you?” Oliver asked softly to Melisa.
