* * *
Kat was depressed. It had been just over two weeks since she’d run into that woman who said she’d pass a message on to Benito. Huh. Imagine thinking Benito was her lover! She’d been at the Campo San Felice dead on time every night, except last Wednesday. Finally, two days ago, she’d ventured into Giaccomo’s. He wasn’t there. And one of Giaccomo’s flunkies had quietly asked her to leave.
It had been a quiet request. But it was backed up with a potential threat. Clearly enough, some people had grown suspicious of the cargoes carried by “the Spook,” and Giaccomo didn’t feel he needed the possible complications of having her on the premises.
She’d tried Barducci’s also. Those two singers had simply given her the wall-eye when she’d asked after Benito. She’d left a message with them, but she was willing to bet he’d never get that message. The only option that was left now was to go into Ventuccio’s and ask to speak to Marco Felluci. . . .
She’d give it a few more days, but she was certain that Benito wasn’t going to be there. She’d seen that canaler-woman last night, her head bent against the rain. But, in that downpour, Kat couldn’t really have asked if she’d seen Benito lately. Not really the right time for a chat—nor the right area for it, either. You seldom found anyone hanging around Casa Dandelo. Not that you weren’t safe enough on the water, but still . . .
She sculled towards the Campo San Felice. She couldn’t see anyone. But then last time she hadn’t seen Benito either.
* * *
The sky held the last translucent skeins of vermilion cloud. The sun was gone and that first whisper of the night-breeze brought the sound of distant laughter with it. The zephyr had picked up the scent of the sea from over the barrier lidi. For a moment, it carried Marco away. Back to the time centuries ago when the first refugees from barbarian invaders had smelled that same breeze, and had seen, perhaps for the first time, the swampy Rialto islands not just as refuge but also as a place of beauty. Venice had been loved, was loved. As much as a place of bricks, mortar and marble facing, the city of the winged lion was a great ancient repository of hopes and dreams. A place the barbarians had never managed to conquer. A city of love and lovers.
Then, cutting through the rippled, reflected last splendors of the day, came a gondola. Moving silently along the canal between the gothic-fronted buildings, sliding across the water, the dip and sway of the gondolier was as easy and graceful as a dancer’s movements.
Marco looked across the water into the eyes of his kindred spirit.
The grace, romance, and beauty of the moment ended in a splash. His dream girl, her eyes locked on his, hit a mooring pole, dropped her oar, lost her balance and fell—fortunately—down onto her own duckboards.
The gondola was close to shore and Marco managed the jump without even thinking about it.
“Are you all right?” he asked anxiously.
“Fine.” said Kat, sitting up, her face blazing. “Er. See if you can grab my oar.”
He leaned over the side and pulled it inboard.
* * *
Kat seized the moment to pull herself together. What an absolute idiot he must think her. What a complete fool! And what a way to meet him! She’d have wanted to put on some better clothes. Maybe some belladonna to widen her eyes . . . She must talk to Francesca about it.
One minute ago, she’d been sculling easily, putting minimal effort into it. The next she’d lost her concentration; lost her balance; lost her dignity; lost her oar . . . what should she say? Reality was with her, now. He might turn out to be a lot less likable than her imagination had painted him.
He pulled the oar onto the gondola; then, offered her a hand. “I’m sorry,” he said smiling. “Maria says it’s really bad manners to board a boat without permission. But I thought you might be hurt.”