AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Forever.
CHAPTER FORTY
Franco sat across from Baron Zito, who was behind his ornate desk with a black marble top, in his magnificent library. Bookshelves full of leather-bound volumes lined the walls, and couches and chairs were covered with a red-and-gold embossed fabric, coordinating with a rug in a red, orange, and blue pattern. The Baron’s palazzo was in the most coveted location in Palermo, near bucolic La Favorita park.
“Franco, I’m hearing such good things about thegiardino. All my friends with property in the Conca d’Oro are jealous.” Baron Zito leaned forward, his light eyes glittering. “What’s going on out there? Fill me in, disasters first.”
“Baron DiMarco’sgiardinogot blight, and it destroyed ten hectares.”
“Too bad!” Baron Zito chuckled.
“Baron Moravio has to sell a parcel to pay off gambling debts.” Franco didn’t add that he was hoping to buy it himself.
“Ididhear that! Moravio’s a fool!” Baron Zito shook his head. “The lure of cards, I never understood it.”
“My brother, Roberto, plays, but he wins.”
“I’d like to meet him someday. Could you arrange that?”
“Of course,” Franco answered, pleased.
“Okay, down to business. Tell me about our recent harvest.”
Franco opened the ledger and took the Baron through a detailed accounting, which showed a steady increase in thegiardino’s profitability. He had been surprised that Baron Zito had requested the ledgers, since he never had before. He’d called Franco so quickly that Franco hadn’t been able to get a message to Violetta, since the household was back for the winter.
“Franco, this is wonderful news.” Baron Zito leaned back in his chair. “You’ve done an excellent job, and my wife will be so pleased. Thegiardinowas her dowry. This palazzo is from her side of the family, too.” Baron Zito sniffed. “Villa Zito in Bagheria is moremystyle.”
“All of your estates are beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Baron Zito loosened his dark silk cravat, which he had on with a custom-tailored waistcoat. “We’re finished here. It’s lunchtime, and you can go.”
Franco stood up. “Thank you.”
Baron Zito rose, pausing. “On second thought, would you like to join me for lunch? It’ll be the two of us, and we can continue our chat. You can tell me how Arabo’s doing.”
“I’d like that.” Franco perked up, since the Baron had never invited him to a meal. He brushed down his coat, wishing it were of a finer cut. “That’s kind of you.”
“Nonsense, you’re excellent company. My son’s in Naples again. You can take his seat.”
Franco loved that Baron Zito offered him his son’s seat, and they walked together through an enfilade of luxurious salons illuminated by beautiful chandeliers of Murano glass. Each room was furnished with inlaid cabinets displaying decorative dishes and the like, and one room could have come from China, with rich red silk covering its walls, black lacquered cabinets, and a round table that held a collection of carved ivory figurines and jade perfume bottles.
Baron Zito chuckled. “My wife thinks she’s Chinese.”
Franco smiled, and Baron Zito led him to the south side of the palazzo, then the dining room, which was elegant. It was dominated by a long table surrounded by twelve chairs with carved backs. There were walnut étagères and more inlaid cabinets displaying ormolu clocks, painted ceramic statuary, and marble eggs on stands. Friezes depicting knights jousting and carrying multicolored pennants adorned the walls and ceiling.
Baron Zito beamed. “Nowthisis my taste. I chose every item you see here. I’ll bore you with each one’s provenance over lunch.”
“I won’t be bored.” Franco wanted to soak in every detail. He hoped for a beautiful villa of his own someday, but in the Conca d’Oro.
“I commissioned those medieval friezes. My wife thinks she’s Chinese, but I think I’m a knight in shining armor.”
“Aren’t you? I am.”
Baron Zito burst into laughter as a uniformed servant appeared and pulled out his chair for him. “Please, Franco, take Davide’s seat.”
“Thank you.” Franco started to pull out the chair, but another servant rushed over and did it for him. Baron Zito gave him a good-natured wink, and Franco felt as if he was crossing an invisible line, ascending to the class he wanted to join.
Suddenly, there was the sound of fussing in the hallway, and Franco recognized one of the voices, stiffening as the women burst into the dining room, in mid-argument.
